Will Drinking Cold Water After Delivery Affect Recovery?

As a new mum, your top priority is your baby’s health and well-being, but it’s equally important to take care of your health. Proper postpartum recovery is crucial for a new mom’s physical and mental well-being. A question that many new moms ask is whether drinking cold water after delivery can affect their recovery. 

What are the effects of drinking cold water on postpartum recovery? Here’s all that you need to know.

Can I  Drink Cold Water After Delivery?

First things first, why do we need to drink water after delivery? The human body is 60% water, and water plays a vital role in the body’s functions. After delivery, a new mom’s body needs to replenish the fluids lost during labour and delivery. 

Water also helps to flush out toxins from your body. During pregnancy, your body produced more blood to support your growing baby. After delivery, your body needs to get rid of the excess blood and fluids. Drinking water helps your kidneys to flush out excess fluids, which can reduce swelling and prevent complications such as high blood pressure.

Drinking water helps prevent dehydration, which can cause fatigue, headaches, and constipation. Adequate water intake also promotes milk production.

Why do some people think drinking cold water can affect postpartum recovery?

The traditional Indian belief is that drinking cold water after delivery can cause harm to the body. According to this belief, cold water can cause the uterus to contract, leading to pain and delayed recovery. Some people also believe that drinking cold water can reduce breast milk supply and cause throat infections.

However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Drinking cold water does not cause the uterus to contract, and it does not affect the breast milk supply. The temperature of the water you drink does not affect your throat either.

Things To Keep In Mind If You Want To Drink Cold Water After Delivery

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to drinking cold water after delivery.

Drinking very cold water can cause discomfort

After delivery, a new mum’s body is already going through a lot of changes, and drinking very cold water can cause discomfort, especially if you have a sensitive throat. Drinking water at room temperature or slightly chilled can be a better option.

Drinking too much water can put a strain on the kidneys

While it’s essential to stay hydrated, drinking too much water can put a strain on the kidneys, especially if you have a history of kidney problems. It’s important to drink enough water to stay hydrated, but don’t overdo it.

Drinking warm fluids can be soothing

Drinking warm fluids like herbal tea or warm water with lemon can be soothing and help relax the body. These fluids can also help with digestion and relieve constipation, which is a common postpartum issue.

Drinking water with meals can aid digestion

Drinking water with meals can aid digestion and help the body absorb nutrients from food. It’s best to drink water 30 minutes before or after a meal rather than during a meal.

Drinking water during breastfeeding is crucial

When you breastfeed, your body uses water to produce milk. If you’re not adequately hydrated, your body may not produce enough milk, which can affect your baby’s growth and development. Therefore, it’s crucial to drink plenty of water to ensure that your body can produce enough milk to meet your baby’s needs.

Drinking water can also help to prevent nipple soreness and clogged milk ducts. When you’re dehydrated, your skin can become dry and prone to cracking, which can make breastfeeding painful. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin moisturized and supple, which can reduce the risk of nipple soreness.

How Much Water Should You Drink Post-Delivery?

The amount of water you need to drink post-delivery depends on several factors, including your age, weight, and level of physical activity. However, as a general rule, it’s recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day. 

You may need to drink more if you’re breastfeeding or if you’re experiencing excessive sweating due to fever or other conditions.

While water is the best fluid for hydration, you can also drink other beverages such as herbal tea, coconut water, chaas, lassi or fresh juice. However, it’s best to avoid sugary drinks such as soda or energy drinks as they can dehydrate your body and interfere with your recovery.

How can you increase your water intake?

If you’re finding it hard to drink enough water, don’t worry. There are several ways to increase your water intake, including:

• Carry a water bottle: Having a water bottle with you at all times can serve as a reminder to drink water regularly.
• Set reminders: You can set reminders on your phone or computer to remind you to drink water at regular intervals.
• Infuse your water with fruits: Adding fruits such as lemon, lime, or berries to your water can make it more flavorful and enjoyable to drink.
• Eat water-rich foods: Foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes contain high amounts of water and can help to keep you hydrated.

Drinking cold water after delivery will not slow down your recovery and anyone who says it will is only repeating the old wives’ tales.

However, if you are prone to falling ill after drinking cold water or beverages then you need to be careful about drinking cold water after delivery too. But if you’ve never had a problem with drinking cold water then go right ahead and drink it. What is more important after delivery is to keep yourself hydrated. 

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