As a breastfeeding mom, it’s natural to wonder about certain lifestyle choices that may directly or indirectly affect your baby. One such choice is using an infrared sauna.
Regardless of whether saunas were part of your wellness routine before pregnancy or you recently heard about their benefits, you probably may ask, “Can I go in an infrared sauna while breastfeeding?”
It’s good to understand infrared saunas, how they work and their effects on your body, especially if you’re breastfeeding. They produce heat by discharging infrared light, which warms your body from the inside.
This comes with some health benefits like improving blood circulation, supporting weight loss and removing toxins through sweat. However, it may work differently on breastfeeding mothers.
This article will delve into the pros, cons and expert recommendations on the use of infrared sauna while lactating.
Is it safe to use sauna while breastfeeding?
If you’ve been longing for an answer to this question, then I have good news for you. You can safely use the sauna while breastfeeding, but just like every other remedy, there’re a few caveats to follow!
Regular saunas, when used well, can help you make more milk, improve the quality of your sleep, lessen stress and even help you recover quickly after labor.. but you do not need to stay in for more than 10 minutes.
Now lets get this – staying inside the sauna too long and not taking regular breaks can make you dehydrated and literally reduce milk production.
On the other hand, frequently going for sauna and taking those regular breaks can excellently help your body produce more milk, so there’s this counterbalance!
Saunas can also affect the usual way your body regulates its temperature while breastfeeding. Because it emits light to warm you, it’ll increase your body’s temperature. This may not be safe for you and the baby, especially if you’re frequently going for it.
Before you include sauna sessions in your routine as a breastfeeding mom, you need to discuss with your doctor first. They understand your health and the baby’s needs better than anyone else.
Since each person reacts differently to saunas, and baby responses to changes in mother’s body vary, their professional advices are always recommended first.
Can you sit in an infrared sauna while breastfeeding?
Unlike the regular saunas that heat the air around you, infrared ones uses light to warm your body. This can greatly increase your body temperature and leave you dehydrated.
Thus, if you decide to use one as a breastfeeding mom, then you need to heed to these precautions:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty water before and after your sauna sessions can help replace the fluids you lose through sweating. So be sure to stay hydrated while using it.
- Limit the time you spend inside: As mentioned earlier, you should not stay in the sauna for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. It’s rather better to have shorter and more frequent sessions than a long one.
- Monitor your baby’s reactions: Pay attention to your baby’s behavioral changes because it can be a response to the changes in your body.
- Feed your baby or pump before using the it: This way your baby doesn’t go hungry, and you get more comfortable and enough time to rest after it.
- Check first with your doctor: Your doctor always has the best advice for you, so check with him or her first before incorporating sauna into your routine.
Once you go by these caveats, then you can safely use infrared sauna while breastfeeding.
Is Steam sauna safe while breastfeeding?
Steam saunas make you feel hot, and that’ll make you sweat. This might make you lose much water leading to dehydration.
Dehydration can lower the amount of milk you make, that’s why you don’t ever have to skip drinking water before and after it.
Interestingly, spending short periods in the heat from a steam sauna might actually help you make more milk postpartum.
Just like infrared saunas, You don’t need to spend long periods in the steam sauna too because getting too hot can be dangerous. Always listen to your body, if you feel dizzy or too hot, leave the it immediately.
Also, feed your baby or pump before you use the sauna. This makes sure your little one is fed and so you wouldn’t have to breastfeed it right after the session.
What are the benefits of infrared sauna postpartum?
Infrared saunas can provide several benefits postpartum, which may especially help mothers to recover fast. Some of the benefits include:
Helps you relax better and relieves stress
The warmth and soothing heat provides that placid environment that can make you feel relaxed while alleviating stress.
Improved sleep
You also benefit an improved sleep quality because you are able to relax very well. This also helps the body’s natural sleep cycle.
Detoxification
Infrared saunas also help the body to excrete toxins through sweats. This helps to maintain better health postpartum.
Pain relief
Recovering from childbirth may come along with some symptoms like joint and muscle pains, and saunas help alleviate them.
Supports postpartum mood
Some studies suggest that this therapy helps to manage depression after childbirth by promoting relaxation and minimizing stress.
Improves blood circulation
When you have your blood circulation boosted, then you can enjoy some benefits such as an elevated retentive memory, wounds healing faster and a natural flush to your skin’s complexion.
Burns calories
The heat produced in the infrared sauna could also assist in burning off the extra calories. So if you are a plus size, and looking to lose some weight, then this can b beneficial.
Can sauna help clogged milk duct?
Yes, saunas can help clogged milk duct. Usually, treating a clogged milk duct has to do with application of heat.
Heat, whether in the form of a warm compress, a shower or the sauna can be used, which will widen milk ducts to allow any blockages to pass perfectly.
How soon after birth can you use sauna?
The time to wait before using a sauna postpartum varies for everyone. Usually you need to wait a bit longer because you have to adjust to some changes and even sometimes your body feels overly tired.
A sauna will help you relax and overcome tiredness, but you don’t start right away.
As a rule based on practice, if you had a regular birth without complications, then it’s safe to start right after postpartum secretions are over, which is usually about a month and half to two months postpartum.
FAQs
Pregnant women and People living with heart conditions are advised not to use infrared sauna.
The wavelength of lights that are used for treatments on the skin are usually not deep to affect milk ducts. Even if it should affect your skin, then it’s going to affect the skin tissues or cells directly under the area being treated.
It is best to avoid hot tubs while breastfeeding. The heat is too much and can affect you and the baby.
Conclusion
It’s okay to indulge in an infrared sauna while breastfeeding, but be cautious. You can become dehydrated as a result of the sweating from the heat, and that can affect how much milk you make.
But having short and regular times in the sauna can help you make more milk. Even though its safe to use while lactating, it’s always best to talk it out with your doctor before starting.
References: https://saunahelper.com/sauna-while-fasting-dry-water-and-intermittent/
