Can You Take an Epsom Salt Bath While Breastfeeding?
Epsom salts have been used for decades to ease all kinds of pains, aches, and skin troubles. If you breastfeed your baby and you want to boost your postpartum recovery or you just pulled a muscle lifting weights and you need to relax, you are probably wondering is it safe to take an Epsom salt bath while breastfeeding.
While a simple soak in the tub may help you feel better, it is important to make sure that it will not put you at risk or has negative effects on breastmilk production.
Below, we discuss what Epsom Salt is, its health benefits, whether it is safe or not to use during breastfeeding, and the best Epsom salt for moms postpartum.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is used in a soak to treat pains and minor aches. It helps to soothe tired muscles and reduce swelling. You are probably asking yourself what is the difference between Epsom salt and regular salt?
Despite the name, Epsom salts are completely different than regular table salts we use in the kitchen. It is called salts because of its chemical structure.
While Table salt is made up of sodium and chlorine elements, Epsom salt is made up of hydrated magnesium sulfate mineral called epsomite.
What Is Epsom Salt For?
People typically soak their bodies in Epsom salt baths or drink Epsom salt after mixing it with water.
When you put Epsom salt in water, it breaks down into magnesium and sulfate. This helps the compounds get into your body through the skin when you soak in an Epsom salts bath.
It is important to note that Epsom Salts is not yet approved by the FDA, which means that there are no clear guidelines on how to consume it and what is the recommended dosage for humans. So, the least you can do before purchasing an Epsom Salt product is to make sure it has the USP label which means that the specific product was evaluated by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention and is the most quality-controlled Epsom salt you can get.
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Benefits of Using Epsom Salt
An Epsom Salt bath may provide the following health benefits:
- Pain relief
- Stress relief
- Great treatment for constipation
- Improving exercise performance and recovery
It is important to note that using Epson salts is not good for everyone. Therefore, if there are any underlying medical conditions, you should speak to your doctor before trying Epsom salt.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Epsom Salt in a Bath?
Too much Epsom salt can lead to magnesium overdose. Although magnesium is a mineral that is naturally found in our body and in the food we eat daily, over-consumption can result in serious health issues.
According to NIH, signs of magnesium overdose include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Headache
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
- Flushed skin
- Fatigue
To avoid these situations and because there are no official guidelines regarding the proper dosage, you should consult your health care provider before taking any Epsom salt baths.
Who Should Not Use Epsom Salts at All?
While Epson salts bath is considered safe for most people, some people should not consume Epsom salt at all. These include people with heart or kidney diseases and children. Pregnant women should never eat Epsom salt and should consult their doctors to make sure they can take an Epsom salt bath. But what about breastfeeding moms, can they take an Epsom salt bath while breastfeeding?
Can You Take an Epsom Salt Bath While Breastfeeding?
Generally, it is considered safe to take an Epsom salt bath while breastfeeding as long as you do it in moderation. Magnesium is a mineral that is naturally found in our bodies. As mentioned above, there are no official FDA guidelines regarding the proper dosage when using Epsom salts, therefore you should consult your health care provider. You should also make sure that you don’t have any health condition that can put you at risk before taking an Epsom salt bath while breastfeeding.
According to information that was published by the NIH, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should ask a health professional before using Epsom Salt to rule out certain health conditions that can prevent you from using it.
How Much Epsom Salts to Put in Bath?
According to Mayoclinic, you should use 2 cups of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water. For lower concentrations, you can try adding 2 cups of Epsom salt to your bathtub of water.
How Can an Epsom Bath Help Moms Postpartum?
There are several benefits to taking Epsom Bath postpartum.
Faster Healing
Soaking your perineum in a warm bath several times a day with Epsom salts will reduce swelling, discourage infection and encourage healing.
Great Treatment for Constipation
Constipation is most common in the first few days after birth. Epsom salt bath after birth with stitches or regular birth can help to relieve postpartum constipation.
Reduce Your Stress and Pain
Giving birth is painful and taking care of a newborn during the first days after birth can be really stressful. Taking an Epsom salts bath can help you relax and reduce pain.
Best Epsom Salt for Postpartum
Pure Body Naturals, Recovery Ritual, Sitz Bath Salt
This product is a blend of soothing minerals and mood-boosting botanicals to support postpartum recovery and wellness. Perfect for new moms who want to restore emotional and physical wellness faster and enjoy a relaxing self-care product postpartum. It contains Epsom salt, dead sea salt, coconut oil, organic sweet almond oil, organic sesame seed oil, aloe vera, yarrow, organic white oak bark, organic comfrey root, glycerin, magnesium oil, lavender essential oil, organic nettle leaf, grapefruit essential oil, organic rosemary leaf, and vitamin E.
Pure Epsom Salt On Amazon
Bottom Line,
Unless your doctor advised you against it, it is generally considered safe to take an Epsom salt bath while breastfeeding. Epsom salts bath can be very beneficial for moms postpartum. Just make sure that you don’t have any health conditions that can put you at risk when you plan to take an Epsom salt bath while breastfeeding.
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