When things are not straightforward in the days and weeks following a birth, the new mother can sometimes have the feeling that the birth was the easy part!

The most common problems encountered by the mother in the early days include being uncomfortable due to bruising and stitches, engorgement and cracked nipples. Mastitis can occur at any time and this can often be complicated by thrush in the ducts, or white spot (a situation whereby milk builds up as a result of nipple occlusion due to blockage of the nipple pore).

For the baby, simple colic, thrush, oesophageal reflux and lactose intolerance are the most common problems.

All these can be managed by careful homeopathic prescribing that takes into account the totality of symptoms. However, the newly delivered mother can assist the situation by close attention to a good diet. Many don’t quite appreciate that the mother is still growing the baby even after birth; no longer is the infant reliant on good nutrition being delivered via the placenta but thrives well on mother’s milk.

It is more metabolically demanding to lactate than it is to be pregnant, so the mother needs to ensure adequate protein (covering the palm of the hand five times a day) along with a variety of fats from all sources and include plenty of complex carbohydrates in the form of vegetables and grains. It’s best to avoid all sugars (and this includes fruit) in the early weeks as a high sugar intake causes the lactose (sugar) levels to rise in the milk and this can lead to all the problems that baby may encounter with respect to poor digestion.

Keeping it simple (boring) and nutritious with an emphasis on zinc-rich foods (includes all seafoods, nuts, seeds and grains) does much to ensure smooth sailing in the early weeks. Zinc promotes wound healing and is a co-factor in the production of the enzyme that breaks down lactose in the baby’s intestine. Hair loss, stretch marks, poor appetite, white spots on the nails and wind (burping and flatus) are good indicators that maternal zinc status is low. New mothers should try to include seafood in all its forms in the diet daily and consider taking a zinc supplement as well.

PATRICIA HATHERLEY, professional homeopath, QLD