Postpartum Archives · Nourished & Renewed

Myths & Truths about Popular Detox Food & Drinks While Breastfeeding (What is Really Safe for Baby?)

Many of us start thinking about how to lose that baby weight and clean up our bodies shortly after baby arrives.

We are ready to get rid of the pregnancy hormones that helped bring our sweet little bundle into the world, but changed our bodies dramatically in a short time.

I mean, your body has not been your own for quite some time, am I right?

You want to feel healthy, light, clean, womanly, svelte, energetic, free and happy. (Insert more of your own adjectives here!)

You Are Totally Normal

Sometimes when you have a nursling, the only thing in your power is adjusting your diet to accomplish some of those goals and feelings of normalcy.

But, it’s so confusing! What can you really do to make an impact on your health without affecting baby?

The internet, your doctor, your best friend, a magazine article...all say something different about what we can and cannot eat during a breastfeeding “cleanse.”

My Experience With Breastfeeding

My experiences with breastfeeding were largely influenced by having Hashimoto’s and postpartum thyroiditis.

So, I struggled with making enough breast milk. My first baby was a bit colicky. (And, by a bit, I mean he was a holy living terror for the first three months of his life 👶🏻.)

My needs for detox were powerful!

I retained the baby weight (I gained 50 pounds when pregnant with both of my children!) for far too long.

My hormones were a mess and I was desperate to find solutions to my own health desires and demands, while ensuring that I could continue to nurse my babies for as long as possible.

I knew that I could not skimp on calories or else my blood sugar, energy levels and moods would crash and burn. That would not be good.

I also knew that I needed enough calories to keep making sufficient and high-quality breast milk.

I knew that protein was essential for healing my thyroid.

I knew that nutrient-dense foods would give me my health back.

But I also wanted some “quick fixes” to purge the unwanted pounds and pimples brought on by pregnancy.

So I researched and began to implement strategies which would help a nursing mother detox safely.

Importance of Detox

Because detoxification is so super, duper important, it’s happening all the time with or without our support.

The critical detox pathways in your body are meant to keep you healthy and “clean” without even having to think about it.

There are things we can do, however, to encourage our bodies to detoxify more efficiently, more effectively, and help remove the substances, foods, drinks and chemicals that often get in the way of our own innate ability to detox.

Eating fresh, organic, whole foods, in the natural forms intended by Mother Nature is the best detoxification program available!

Detoxing Safely While Breastfeeding

There are definite safety concerns around doing any intense detoxification programs, whether you are breastfeeding or not.

Not all detoxes are safe, tested or effective. Many detox programs are more like a very restrictive fad diet.

The safety of detox while breastfeeding needs to be the number one priority.

During breastfeeding, a woman’s body is already working double-time to detoxify all of the pollutants that she comes into contact with.

Internal toxins (like hormones and by-products) and external toxins (chemicals from plastics and pesticides) are filtered as much as possible by the body to create nutritious breast milk.

If you are breastfeeding, it is important to be gentle with your body. Extreme detox measures (i.e., Master Cleanse - see below) can result in unwanted side effects to your nursing little one.

When we stress the body during any type of rigorous detox protocol, the body begins compensating for lack of nutrients, and that messes up the body’s homeostasis (“balance”).

The organs of detoxification use clean fuel (food) as energy to maintain their cleansing activities.

Therefore, real, healthy, nutrient-dense food is needed to support detox and to support the energy needs of both mother and baby.

If you want to jump-start your postpartum health & support breastfeeding, you can begin with my Safe Detox for Breastfeeding - 7-day Meal Plan with unique recipes that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks everyday.

Finding the Right Balance

Restricting calories, fat, protein or nutritious foods is advised against for a number of reasons. But, primarily because too little of the clean fuel needed for baby adversely affects the quality and quantity of breast milk.

This may in turn affect baby’s growth and development.

Furthermore, while we may feel amazing for a while after doing any extreme detox measures like fasting or juicing, changes to homeostasis in our bodies may result in holding on to or possibly taking on new toxins.

What?

Yes, believe it or not, sometimes the best intentions for cleansing or detoxing the body may actually have the exact OPPOSITE effect. We can actually become more toxic when we detoxify improperly.

Other issues with a stressed homeostasis can occur as well:

nutrient deficiencies
increased cravings for sweets or carbs
slowed energy metabolism
increased weight gain
increased toxins/heavy metal load
worsening of symptoms like aches, pains, headaches, infections, etc.
long-term negative effects on hormone balance

Myths & Truths About Breastfeeding Detox Tactics

There are so many myths out there.

Just Google search “breastfeeding detox” to see how crazy some of the ideas and suggestions are. (One strange website recommends taking large amounts of castor oil daily and giving yourself diarrhoea for 7 days to lose weight! 😳 YIKES! Do not do that!)

I get questions all the time from my breastfeeding clients about which approaches to safe detox are best.

I’ve done the legwork on this topic so you don’t have to.

My safety ratings on commonly-held popular detox foods and drinks are listed here.

Green light means go for it and enjoy!
Yellow light means please discuss this idea with your doctor first and use caution if proceeding.
Red light means definitely do not try this idea, now and possibly even after you are done breastfeeding as it is just a bad idea all around!

Popular Detox Food & Drinks - My Safety Ratings For Breastfeeding

GREEN LIGHT:

Lemon water

Fresh squeezed lemon juice in your water is one of the healthiest drinks. It can really help stimulate the body’s natural detox processes and help you feel rejuvenated.

Having lemon water while breastfeeding is a healthy and safe idea because nursing mothers tend to feel tired during the early phases of pregnancy and lemon juice contains antioxidants that can help in raising energy levels.

Lemon water also improves the blood circulation in the body which improves the quality of milk and keeps your baby happy and content.

Lemon water may also help improve digestion in both the mother and baby.

Fresh pressed juices

While fresh juices should not replace any of your other meals (calories, fats, proteins, or complex carbohydrate foods necessary for producing healthy breast milk), FRESH PRESSED ORGANIC juice can be a healthy, energizing snack.

I recommend drinking only ORGANIC juice in addition to eating as healthy as possible. I suggest juicing your own veggies and fruits if you are able to (I love the Hurom juicer) with emphasis on an abundance of leafy greens, which are high in protein, folate, iron, and vitamins C and K.

Also, vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies like navel oranges, kiwi, red and green bell peppers are excellent to support your immune system. Fresh ginger added to your juices is very helpful for alleviating nausea.

Last but not least, you can always sip on coconut water to keep you and baby hydrated.

Herbal teas

For me, a cup of herbal tea helped tremendously when I experienced strong food cravings while breastfeeding since tea can help curb appetite.

Rather than having a “not so healthy snack” you can pour a cup of tea instead.

There is a rather short list of what a woman can drink while breastfeeding.

So, focus on these safe and healthy herbal teas which not only have safe cleansing properties, but may also help boost your breast milk supply.

They are ginger tea, linden flower tea, orange peel, lemon peel, rosehip tea (contains extra vitamin C), chamomile tea, cinnamon tea, and red raspberry leaf tea.

Red raspberry leaf tea is especially good for supporting the reproductive organs and may assist in toning the uterus and restoring the pelvic area after giving birth.

Smoothies

Smoothies are one of the best natural detox beverage options available to a nursing mother because you can load LOTS OF NUTRIENTS into a small, easily digestible package.

Nursing mothers need extra calories and a nutritious smoothie is the perfect mini-meal or snack. Some of my favorite smoothie recipes have numerous medicinal properties, including hydrating and liver supportive ingredients.

To any smoothie, you can add a number of different “superfoods” which are safe for breastfeeding. For example, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, acai berries, unsweetened coconut flakes, dandelion greens and dates.

My favorite recipe is perfect for a breastfeeding mamma who wants to detox naturally and maintain superior breastmilk.

1 banana (potassium)
1 cup coconut water (electrolytes)
1 bunch of organic dandelion greens, baby spinach or chopped kale (iron, minerals, vitamins C & K)
2 organic pitted dates (iron, minerals, fiber)
2 TBS organic shelled hemp seeds (great source of protein, essential fatty acids)
1-2 TBS (to taste) unsweetened coconut flakes (fiber, minerals)
Ice and additional water to your texture/consistency preference
Blend all ingredients and enjoy right away!

Protein powders

Honestly, for all kinds of protein powders, they aren’t really a crucial part of any type of detox regimen. But, they are an excellent way to get additional protein if consuming animal meat is either inconvenient or not a part of your normal dietary routine.

Protein is critical for supporting a breastfeeding mother’s musculo-skeletal system, healthy glands and tissues, balanced hormones and strong metabolism.

So, in that way, protein powders do support body balance, and our body’s natural ability to cleanse and detoxify. (In other words, when all systems are working well with enough protein, healthy fat and calories on board, detoxification works optimally on its own.)

Whether or not you are breastfeeding, the quality of this type of supplement is of utmost importance.

Look for a protein powder that specifically states that it is safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. That means it will be of a higher caliber, and won’t contain any of the ingredients which can harm your baby.

Many commercial protein powders contain added sweeteners, unnecessary nutrients which have body-builders in mind, endocrine disrupting soy protein isolates, or energy-boosting herbs and nutrients which can adversely affect mom and baby.

Furthermore, the source of the protein is really important.

Things to consider: is the whey from a grass-fed cow? Is the protein plant-based? Are there any allergenic ingredients in the formula? Is the source of plant protein from a genetically-modified organism?

My favorite protein powder for pregnancy and breastfeeding is the dairy-free product by Designs for Health PurePaleo Protein (link goes to FullScript for those with account credentials).

YELLOW LIGHT:

Wheatgrass juice

Wheatgrass is an excellent source of plant-based vitamins and minerals - packed into a tiny shot of juice. Many people turn towards a shot of wheatgrass juice as a means of quick cleansing.

There are numerous benefits from drinking wheatgrass.

But it’s not for the faint of heart and certainly not something to start anew during pregnancy or breastfeeding if you have never tried it before.

Wheatgrass juice gets a yellow light because not all wheatgrass is created equal.

Most wheatgrass juice that is available at juice bars, health food stores or even specialty grocery stores comes from greenhouse growing operations where mold is a significant issue. I can’t recommend juice from greenhouse grown plants to anyone at anytime.

Most people are allergic to these molds and they can cause anything from mild (nausea) to severe reactions (anaphylaxis). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you want to stay away from all food sources of mold.

If you are going to consume wheatgrass juice, please make sure it only comes from organic, field grown plants.

Celery juice

Celery juice is amazing for total body cleansing on so many levels. There are many reasons why I do support the use of celery juice as part of a healthy, balanced nutrition plan.

Just some of the benefits of celery juice include:

Balances stomach acid, helps heal digestion
Contains folate, a critical B vitamin
Helps to lower cholesterol
Supports a healthy gallbladder and prevents calcification of gallstones

However, celery juice gets the yellow light because some of the reasons to be cautious of drinking celery juice while breastfeeding are important enough to discuss with your doctor. Especially so if you have other medical concerns or considerations in the postnatal period:

Acts as a diuretic which may cause dehydration
Lowers blood pressure which may cause blood pressure to go too low if you already have low blood pressure concerns

Last but not least, celery consistently makes the “The Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and vegetables which, when conventionally grown, test positive for at least 47 different chemicals, with some testing positive for as many as 67.

For all produce on the “dirty” list, you should definitely go organic - that goes for celery as well.

Essential oils

Ahhh, calming, aromatic and soothing essential oils have so many uses for pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are a number of benefits to having an essential oils routine including soothing nerves, promoting emotional wellness and supporting your immune system.

In general, essential oils are not a key component of a detoxification regimen, but they do help to support wellness and body balance.

But, unless you are well-versed in the proper use of oils or are working with a certified herbalist or other practitioner, I suggest you limit or avoid essential oils while breastfeeding.

There are specific oils which can help boost your breast milk supply. But a practitioner should create the appropriate protocol for you, rather than trying to navigate this on your own.

Essential oils get the yellow light because we really don’t know for sure how much of the oils we use topically gets into breast milk.

According to Kellymom.com, essential oils may have a higher/deeper absorption rate, so while it’s unlikely that using oils will affect your milk and your baby at all, caution is still advised.

Internal use of essential oils while breastfeeding is a controversial topic and up to your discretion or with the guidance of your practitioner.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

This is such a broad and complex category. First of all, it’s important to know that the best supplements for pregnancy and breastfeeding are those that are specifically designed and clinically tested for that specific stage of life, and are often labeled as Pre-Natal or Baby&Me nutrients.

I am a huge fan of the Metagenics Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy (link goes to FullScript for those with account credentials) prenatal packets and I generally recommend them to all my pregnant and nursing clients.

There are, however, a host of other supplements I commonly get questions about and because there is no one-size-fits-all answer for supplementation for any person.

It’s impossible to say what will or will not be important for pregnancy outside of the prenatal multivitamins.

Therefore, vitamin and mineral supplements get the yellow light. You need to work with a skilled nutrition practitioner before taking any additional supplements.

Also, vitamins and minerals to enhance cleansing or detox are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding (so, red light on those kinds of supplements, ok?)

Furthermore, some vitamins and minerals in excess during pregnancy and breastfeeding can have seriously adverse effects on the baby.

I regularly utilize Spectracell micronutrient testing in my practice to find out exactly what each individual needs and customize the client’s repletion plan based on those test results. This approach to vitamin and mineral supplements is suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements to promote more intense detox while breastfeeding is not something I recommend (red light).

However, numerous herbs exist that can help to promote a healthy milk supply - with some of the most popular sources being fenugreek, blessed thistle, red raspberry, and brewers yeast.

But, herbs in general get the yellow light. This is because the use of most herbs in pregnancy and breastfeeding haven’t been backed by scientific studies.

Please use caution with all herbs, or consult with a certified herbalist.

Yes, herbal medicine has been used by mothers across the world for hundreds of years. Herbs are a great supplement to a diet that is designed to support breastfeeding. (Which is why I recommend the safer herbal tea options listed above.)

Herbs should not replace healthy eating, sufficient calories and ample hydration.

If you are going to take herbal supplements, be sure to take herbs that are organically grown.

Liquid tinctures tend to be most effective at providing the quickest impact. I love Wish Garden Herbs products for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

RED LIGHT:

Water fasting

People may undertake water fasting to lose weight, for spiritual or religious reasons, or to try combat particular health problems. Research suggests that occasional fasting may help with weight loss, although other methods may be more effective long-term.

Water fasting deprives the body of the fuel it needs, and it’s common to feel tired and low on energy. A lack of food can also make you feel dizzy, weak, or nauseous.

Here’s the problem and why water fasting gets the red light: lack of food will ultimately change your breastmilk composition. Healthy fats, protein and complex carbohydrates are all necessary for quality breastmilk production.

Your baby will be adversely affected by water fasting - regardless of the fasting duration. Anyone who is set on water fasting while breastfeeding should seek medical attention.

A healthier alternative to water fasting is intermittent fasting, which studies show could have more health benefits long-term.

While intermittent fasting is a complex subject with many variables, the easiest approach to intermittent fasting is to simply take a break from eating for 12 hours in every 24 hour period.

That means stopping food intake after dinner (around 7 or 8 pm) and waiting until breakfast the next morning (around 7 or 8 am) to eat again.

Master Cleanse (AKA: The Lemonade Diet)

In this 10-day diet, you only drink lemonade that is prepared according to the given recipe.

Master Cleanse gets the red light because the concerns are very much the same as those above for water fasting: too few calories consumed and no balance in healthy fats, proteins and complex carbohydrates.

Side effects of the program may alter breast milk supply and composition and therefore may negatively impact baby.

The real deal is that many of these so-called “detoxes” (like Master Cleanse) are really just fad diets.

Fad diets tend to focus on restricting what you can or cannot eat. They reduce calories to an unhealthy level, which is clearly not the objective when you are breastfeeding your little one.

Fad diets and detoxes often come with intense side effects and symptoms such as digestive upset, diarrhoea, aches and pains, headaches, poor sleep, low energy, disrupted menstrual cycle, skin problems and more.

The goal of any detox while breastfeeding should be to improve your overall health, reduce minor symptoms and complaints, all while maintaining the best breast milk possible for your baby.

You Got This Girl

Ok, to recap the good news: you can safely detox and there are foods, drinks and appropriate herbs, teas and supplements to help you do so without negatively impacting your baby.

The above suggestions are just a start.

My best advice: trust your instincts and listen to what your body (and your baby) really need.

Check in with the communication signals from you and your little one:

Do you need to clean up your food plan and eat more organic?
More veggies?
Increase water intake?
Less caffeine?
More protein?
More rest?
Fresh air?

Your own valuable insights will give you beautiful guidance through this process.

But What If…?

I get it. It’s not easy stuff.

Trying to figure out how to take care of yourself as a new mamma (who just wants to feel and look good) and take extra special care of baby at the same time - IS NOT easy.

And, researching via the Internet, talking to a doctor, your friends, your lactation consultant - all with different ideas on the subject of detoxing while breastfeeding - can lead to simply more confusion. 😩

Don’t let this be too hard.

And, don’t worry if you need some extra help.

With the Super Girl/Super Guy Program you learn how to balance your body with healthy eating, quality lifestyle choices, and a comprehensive nutritional supplement regimen that is 100% geared towards your needs and goals. Detox options are included!

Hang in there! The postpartum period is intense, but it doesn't last forever. Even for a nursing mother, balance is achievable. The right nutrition will make you feel incredible!

I found relief, so I know you can too. Drop me a note if you want to get more info.

Family Nutrition / Postpartum - 01/07/2019

Postpartum Thyroiditis Can Be Healed with Nutrition

Approximately 5% of women develop postpartum thyroiditis after giving birth.

Women with a personal or family history of autoimmune or thyroid disease are more likely to develop the condition.

When my son, Clay, was born, I went through postpartum thyroiditis (PPT). I didn’t know what was happening to me and I used my own experience to study PPT in depth.

I knew I would encounter other women with a similar story. And, I wanted to be able to help them.

Tired, Wired and Falling Apart After Childbirth

My client “Bella” came to me when her baby boy was just 4 months old.

Her baby boy coo’ed and gurgled happily while we talked during her new client intake session.

While Bella wept.

She felt like she was literally falling apart.

She had lost:

so much of her hair
too much weight way too fast
and countless hours of sleep in the four months since giving birth

She was anxious, edgy and of course, weepy.

Taking a look at her laboratory reports from her obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN), and her medical history, it was clear to me that Bella was in the midst of a postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) crisis. She was hyperthyroid and her thyroid gland was in overdrive.

Bella is not the only one who goes through this kind of medical situation following childbirth.

Postnatal Period: A Window for Autoimmunity

For weeks, even months, after giving birth a woman's body is going through enormous changes.

Consider this: a pregnant woman makes as much estrogen in 40 weeks of pregnancy as a non-pregnant woman makes in her entire lifetime.

(WOW! That statistic blows my mind each and every time I hear it or say it!)

It makes sense that the decline in pregnancy hormones shortly after giving birth is a bit of a shock to the system.

All systems are in full-on crisis mode to help the mother detoxify and excrete this excess estrogen in the weeks and months following pregnancy.

The liver, digestive system, kidneys, adrenal glands and the thyroid gland all work over-time to support the health of the mother.

Therefore, the postpartum period is a time when her body can easily get sick.

And, the postpartum period is also a time when the immune system can go awry and autoimmunity can result.

If there is a personal or family history of autoimmunity, the hormonal changes of pregnancy can be a trigger for autoimmunity after childbirth.

And, given that autoimmune thyroid disease affects over 14 million people, the statistics about PPT really should not come as too much of a surprise,

Many times, a woman is told that she has subclinical autoimmunity (meaning she is symptomatic, but the labs are still “normal”) prior to pregnancy.

It is after the birth, that a woman is often most vulnerable to a full-scale autoimmune attack.

Pitfalls in the Postpartum Period

Giving birth and becoming a new mother is one of the most exhausting physical and emotional experiences for a woman.

If you have been on this journey, then you know what I am talking about.

But, maybe you are newly pregnant and are wondering what the future holds.

Well, I can tell you from my own experiences, the weeks after giving birth are wonderful and worrisome all at once.

Most importantly, the new life you have brought in to the world will literally change your life forever in a million incredible ways.

Immediately following the rollercoaster ride of labor and birth, a new mother is faced with so many changes and challenges.

Unfortunately, as is the norm in our culture today, the responsibility of taking care of the baby leaves little time for the new mom to rest and recover.

Ages ago (like, literally hundreds of years ago), there were different processes in place to allow a mother to heal and nourish herself before launching in to full-on motherhood.

Ever since the dawn of the modern industrialized era, a woman has had MUCH LESS SUPPORT with child-bearing and children-rearing.

She may have only a few weeks of paid leave from her job, her partner maybe even less. Help from family, friends, neighbors, etc. is also often short-lived.

Even support from medical providers is limited to postpartum check-ups, namely to give the green light to a woman when she can resume exercise and intercourse at around six weeks.

Post-Pregnancy: Trying to Do it All?

Joining social moms groups, taking baby along to classes and outings with older children, going back to work before you and baby are ready, etc. – sound familiar?

A new mom gets no safety rudders from modern society to tell her it is in fact OK (and necessary) to slow down.

Sure, I understand (and relate to) the fact that nearly every woman is ready to get back in to her old jeans and feel like her pre-pregnancy self.

Going on a “diet” for weight loss is a common subject among new mothers. And, doing so too soon could increase the chance of having complications and weaken the body’s constitution, perhaps even resulting in long-term health problems.

More importantly, many moms ultimately find themselves “too busy” to simply feed themselves the healthy, nutrient-dense foods they need to be the very best versions of themselves.

Poor nutrition during the postpartum period compromises the new mother’s ability to produce adequate breast milk for her baby. This can become a vicious and stressful cycle for both mother and baby.

Simply put, being over-worked, under-slept, facing the emotional challenges of parenting and possible malnutrition to boot, women’s needs as mothers are put last.

That sets the stage for postpartum thyroiditis.

Common Symptoms of Postpartum Thyroiditis

In my nutrition practice, about 50% of the women clients who come in with thyroid disease report that their complaints/symptoms/diagnosis arose shortly after giving birth.

During postpartum thyroiditis, a woman might experience two phases. I am one who experienced both.

Inflammation

The inflammation phase constitutes an abundance of thyroid hormone release from the gland in to the body.

And, this overproduction of thyroid hormones might first cause signs and symptoms similar to those of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), such as:

Anxiety
Irritability
Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
Unexplained weight loss
Increased sensitivity to heat
Fatigue
Tremor
Insomnia
Hair loss

These signs and symptoms typically occur one to four months after delivery and may last from between one to three months.

Thyroid Cells Dysfunction

Later, as thyroid cells become impaired and dysfunctional, signs and symptoms of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) might develop, including:

Lack of energy
Increased sensitivity to cold
Increased susceptibility to infection
Constipation
Dry skin
Difficulty concentrating/brain fog
Aches and pains
Hair loss

Hypothyroid signs and symptoms typically occur four to eight months after delivery and can last from nine to 12 months, or indefinitely.

Causes of Postpartum Thyroiditis

Even though though I just pointed out some of the many factors at play, the exact cause of PPT isn't clear.

We do know that women who develop PPT often have high concentrations of anti-thyroid antibodies either before, early in pregnancy or after childbirth.

As a result, it's believed that women who develop PPT likely have an underlying autoimmune thyroid condition that flares after childbirth.

There are many possible triggers and risk factors for PPT:

fluctuations in immune function
normal pregnancy hormonal changes
complications in pregnancy
stressors in pregnancy
illness in pregnancy
food intolerances in pregnancy
poor diet in pregnancy
history of smoking, alcohol and drug use
personal and/or family history of thyroid disease

For most women who develop PPT, thyroid function eventually returns to normal - typically within 12 to 18 months from the start of symptoms. However, some women who experience postpartum thyroiditis don't recover from the hypothyroid phase.

These women will go on to have a lifelong diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease.

Hashimoto’s and Postpartum Thyroiditis

Women with previously diagnosed and treated Hashimoto’s will most likely have some changes to their thyroid hormone levels and medications, both during and following pregnancy.

There is wide variability regarding the medication dose changes necessary to maintain a normal TSH throughout pregnancy.

Some women need only 10%–20% increased dosing, while others may require as much as an 80% increase.

Therefore, if you are pregnant with Hashimoto’s, at a minimum your TSH levels should be monitored approximately every 4 weeks during the first half of pregnancy, and possibly weekly for the second half.

It is not at all uncommon for dose adjustments to be made multiple times during pregnancy.

Please hear this: After pregnancy, a woman with Hashimoto’s needs to have her levels checked again, right away.

I suggest testing for a TSH level one to three days after giving birth, and a full thyroid panel no later than 6 weeks after giving birth.

Not all PPT is caught early enough.

Often a woman’s symptoms are too closely related to the other physical and mental changes brought on by having a newborn (anxiety, fatigue, weight issues, brain fog, etc.). Some providers will dismiss these symptoms as being “normal” for a new mother.

If you have Hashimoto’s you need to clearly advocate for yourself and tell your provider you want more careful monitoring both during the pregnancy and immediately after.

Not all women with Hashimoto’s will develop postpartum thyroiditis

From my own experience, I can say that having Hashimoto’s was obviously the reason that I had PPT after giving birth to my son.

I was unaware that having Hashimoto’s meant possible complications for me after pregnancy. And, my providers were less than concerned about my off-the-wall symptoms.

But, I was concerned. Very concerned.

First I was severely hyperthyroid for nearly 6 weeks. I wanted to jump out of my skin. I stopped my medication altogether (I do not recommend doing that without guidance from your provider). And, my symptoms improved but didn’t go away.

Then, I crashed and went very hypothyroid for at least the following 9 months. My Synthroid dosage was then prescribed at an all-time high.

Despite that, my symptoms were nearly debilitating some days.

Finally, around my son’s first birthday, I knew the PPT has passed and I was back to a normal (for me) dosage of Synthroid. My symptoms were gone.

Testing & Treatment for Postpartum Thyroiditis

Tests used to diagnose postpartum thyroiditis depend on the phase of the disease. A blood test can often tell if you have an overactive or underactive thyroid.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Treatment depends on the phase of the disease and your symptoms:

Hyperthyroid: If you have major symptoms of hyperthyroidism, your provider will often prescribe beta blockers, antithyroid agents like methimazole (Tapazole®) or in rare instances propylthiouracil (PTU). These medicines slow down your heart rate and ease symptoms of inflammation.
Hypothyroid: If you have major symptoms of hypothyroidism, your provider will prescribe thyroid hormone replacement such as Synthroid, or the generic Levothyroxine.

The bottom line is that you should have regular thyroid tests after giving birth if you have already been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, or even if you haven’t but you are symptomatic.

Finding a qualified, caring and experienced practitioner to help manage your PPT is key. I didn’t have one at the time (I do now!) and I know it could have made all the difference in the world.

The good news is, your thyroid may be working normally within 12 to 18 months after the symptoms start. If so, you may be able to stop treatment.

Postpartum Thyroiditis and Your Baby

Sure, now you know that having PPT is wrecking some amount of havoc on your health and your life.

You might also be worried that having PPT might be affecting your baby. It’s a scary thought.

This new life you just brought in to the world might be suffering from something that is going on medically with your body.

Hang on, though, Mamma. Don’t let scary thoughts confuse things.

You are doing an amazing job with your baby!

Your baby is healthy and fine!

PPT is a maternal illness. Babies cannot develop thyroid disease at the time that the mother is symptomatic.

Still, I know that when my son, Clay, was a baby, I worried.

I worried that my anxiousness from the hyperthyroid state was rubbing off on him and making him colicky.

I also struggled with producing enough breast milk.

And, despite pumping, lactation consultants, every herbal remedy, and a conscientious breastfeeding diet, I needed to supplement Clay at around 8 weeks.

Oh my goodness, what a difference that made for both of us.

I mean, being hyperthyroid, feeling anxious, not producing enough milk for my baby, baby is crying - it only served to increase stress in both of us even more.

Even my husband was stressed out.

Supplementing breast milk with baby formula

So, supplementing Clay with homemade baby formula broke that cycle for us.

Breastfeeding for some women is challenging enough. Throw in PPT and it can be downright daunting.

Also a concern for many women with PPT is whether the thyroid medication you have been prescribed is safe for baby.

I encourage you to speak to your provider about all the medication options available to you based on your individual needs: synthetic (like Synthroid), natural dessicated thyroid (like Armour), compounded medications, T3-only medications (like Cytomel), beta-blockers and steroids.

Small amounts of levothyroxine (the medicine for hypothyroidism) do pass through breast milk. But most medical doctors agree that levothyroxine will not cause problems for your baby.

Also, please inform your baby’s pediatrician about your diagnosis with PPT. They can be a wonderful, supportive resource to help you through this time.

Seek Help and Know You are Not Alone

For me personally, the worst aspects of PPT were:

feeling like I was all alone in my illness and I could not tell anyone what I was going through
concerns about being judged about supplementing my baby with formula
being a nutritionist and having a “problem” after giving birth
not having a good doctor to help me through testing and treatment
not knowing when the horrible symptoms would subside
not knowing what each day would bring as far as energy, mood and happiness
concern that I would have PPT again with subsequent babies (I did not, thankfully)

That was heavy stuff, ladies.

I sigh.

Remembering that time makes me a little sad and also makes me realize how much of it has shaped my life and career.

Really, one of the main reasons for starting a holistic family nutrition practice is because I had postpartum thyroiditis after giving birth.

I previously had other plans for my niche in the nutrition field.

But, everything I learned through having PPT (and also learning about homemade baby formula) was a real game changer for me.

I researched and applied so many nutrition principals (again) to my own health and healing during that time.

Thankfully, due to the abundance of patient advocacy and support groups available on the Internet, I ultimately realized I was not alone.

So, I see you. And, I know you.

I was you.

PPT is a real challenge but you will get through it.

I am here to help.

Family Nutrition / Hashimoto's / Postpartum - 10/04/2018

Yes, You Can Safely “Detox” If You are Breastfeeding - Here’s How

No one has told you this, but yes, you can safely embark upon a “detox” after giving birth - even if you are breastfeeding.

Giving birth and becoming a new mother is one of the most exhausting physical and emotional experiences for a woman.

Immediately following labor and birth, the new responsibility of taking care of the baby leaves little time for you to rest and recover.

For weeks, even months, after giving birth your body is going through enormous changes.

Good, clean nutrition is incredibly important during this time to help your body recover and cope with the many new changes.

I encourage new moms to take advantage of this time to repair, rejuvenate, nourish (and even cleanse!) the body through consuming healthful, healing foods.

In fact, your body will respond like a sponge and absorb all the nutrients it can get.

Cleanse? Detox? Just Semantics

There are so many myths and misnomers about the terms “cleanse” and “detox.” I support appropriate periodic detoxification programs, but only under the right circumstances and with the support of a qualified health care practitioner.

Often, in some mainstream health circles, detoxes are code for “very extreme dieting” where a person is partially or completely fasting. Also, a person may be following a mono-diet (eating only one type of food, such as rice or celery).

Sometimes, detoxing can mean participating in a juice fast (consuming only fresh vegetable and fruit juice). Most importantly, “detoxing” often involves caloric restriction, and does not contain the full spectrum of nutrients.

These types of “extreme” detox or cleanse is not advised for anyone’s optimal health. In fact, a detox of this nature can actually create greater risk factors for your health, and even make you feel worse.

Your body naturally knows how to “detoxify” on a minute-by-minute basis. There is absolutely nothing we need to do to “turn on” detoxification.

Rather, let’s encourage our bodies to detoxify more efficiently, more effectively, and remove the substances, foods, drinks and chemicals that often get in the way of our own innate ability to detox.

Eating fresh, organic, whole foods, in the natural forms intended by Mother Nature is the best detoxification program available!

Estrogen, Toxins and Pollutants, Oh My!

It is estimated that a pregnant female produces as much estrogen in 40 weeks of pregnancy as a non-pregnant female produces in her entire lifetime!

After giving birth, it takes a considerable amount of time for estrogen levels to return to normal.

Your liver is the organ which breaks down estrogen and helps to remove excess hormones from your body.

The removal of the excess estrogen is part of your body’s natural detoxification process, and it is occurring naturally all the time, and most especially after giving birth.

The liver essentially prioritizes chemicals, hormones, compounds, toxins and substances for removal from the body.

Therefore, if a nightly glass of wine, new carpet installed in your home, additives from foods, or medications are also in the pipeline, estrogen may get pushed to the back burner.

Metabolites of conjugated estrogen may re-enter the bloodstream via the enterohepatic circulation process, allowing for the accumulation of excess estrogen in the body.

This process may lead to a condition known as estrogen dominance.

Estrogen dominance following pregnancy may cause weight gain, imbalances in other hormones (progesterone, for example) which may contribute to irritability, brain-fog, and fatigue.

In the long-term, estrogen dominance may cause health problems such as ovarian cysts, breast cancer, PMS, and difficulty during menopause.

Just as various other toxins may take precedence over estrogens in the detoxification process, extra estrogen after pregnancy may be clogging up your liver’s normal daily detoxification routine.

This allows unwanted toxins and pathogens to remain in your body and bloodstream for a longer period of time. Thus, it is a vicious cycle of hormones and toxins competing for removal from the body.

Those that are not removed, ultimately end up back in the blood stream.

Studies have shown that pesticides, heavy metals, and other persistent organic pollutants accumulate in human milk. Many toxins may actually pass through your breast milk and be ingested by your baby . Is your little one often fussy or spitting up after feedings? How does your baby’s skin look?

Toxins may be the reason.

To reduce baby’s exposure, you can support your own healthy liver to facilitate careful removal of hormones and toxins from the bloodstream and from breast milk.

You can change your diet during breastfeeding to promote natural, safe, effective detoxification.

And, finally, reduce your exposure to chemicals as best as you can to boost estrogen detoxification, and to limit toxin exposure in breastmilk.

Detox Program for the Nursing Mother

A breastfeeding mother should never diet or restrict her calories, or do a heavy supplement-based detoxification program.

Undergoing a major detox with various herbs or nutrients would definitely allow toxins to be released from your body and rapidly enter your breast milk in larger quantities. This will impact the quantity and nutritional quality of your breast milk; and would ultimately be harmful to your baby - so, not a good idea.

If you desire to do a comprehensive metabolic detox, and want to work with a holistic nutritionist to customize the right program for your needs and goals, please wait until you are ready to wean your child and are sure that you are not newly pregnant.

Until then, follow this safe and effective whole-food cleansing regimen designed for postpartum and breastfeeding women.

This regimen encourages flushing your system with a variety of clean, organic, fresh whole foods and specifically takes into consideration the nutritional needs of both mother and baby.

You and your baby may benefit in ways you have not before considered.

less fussiness in baby = less irritability in mamma
greater sense of vitality and energy
improved sleep
water weight loss
healing of damaged tissues due to pregnancy and childbirth
rejuvenation of all elimination systems – digestive, liver, lung and skin

How to Get Started

Follow this program for a minimum of 7 days, or longer if desired. There is no limit on how long you can consume safe cleanings foods while breastfeeding – think of this as a maintenance program.

If your current diet is less than optimal now and includes junk food or fast food, if you have cravings for sweets, reliance on caffeine or alcohol, or consume very few fresh whole foods, it may be difficult to get started on a program that is essentially 100% good for you and baby.

It will take time to get used to new foods, a new way of eating, and the time and commitment necessary to eat this way for the long-run.

Seven days following this program helps to jump-start your nutritional health, gives you the motivation to continue, and rewards you with a newfound sense of wellbeing, energy and care for the foods you put into yours and your baby’s bodies.

It’s best to always eat organic foods while breastfeeding.

Foods to Avoid

Sugar and all sugar products (candy, cookies, etc.)
Dairy* products, even goat and sheep’s milk cheeses
Commercial salt and all products high in sodium (sea salt, Celtic salt used in cooking is OK)
Wheat/Gluten* and all products made from wheat
Caffeine, including coffee, soda, tea
Alcohol
Corn* and all corn products
Soy* and all soy products
Preservatives - this means avoid packaged processed foods
Follow the guidelines on popular detox foods and beverages listed here.

*These foods tend to cause intolerance/inflammation in some people and are best avoided by all who wish to reset their digest and immune systems.

Foods to Consume

Organic/pasture-raised chicken and turkey
Grass fed beef, bison and lamb
Wild caught cold water fish like salmon, halibut and mackerel
Wild game like venison, elk, ostrich and rabbit
Pasture-raised eggs
Organic coconut oil for cooking and spreading on cooked vegetables
Organic fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably those in season and grown locally
Organic gluten free whole grains and products made from those grains - bread, crackers, tortillas (a variety of healthful, minimally processed products like these can be found in your health food store)
Probiotic drinks like InnerEco fermented young coconut kefir, found at most health food stores; also kombucha (homemade or store bought)
Spring or filtered water, herbal tea, fresh pressed juices (water supports all vital processes in the body, especially digestion and detoxification)

Sample Menu

Breakfast = 1/2 cup fresh fruit salad; ½ cup cooked oatmeal with flax seeds, almond milk and chopped dates; and one or two hard-boiled or poached pasture-raised eggs; herbal tea to drink.

Morning snack = 1/4 cup of raw, unsalted nut mixture, and one piece of fruit; consume a approximately 24 ounces of water by mid-morning.

Lunch = 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice; large mixed greens salad with plenty of veggies, ½ an avocado, and olive oil/lemon juice dressing; 4 ounces of grilled or sautéed naturally-raised lean meat or poultry, or 4 ounces of grilled or sautéed fatty fish; herbal tea or freshly juiced fruit and vegetable juice to drink.

Afternoon Snack = sliced veggies and ½ cup of natural hummus; consume approximately 48 ounces of water by late afternoon.

Dinner = 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice, quinoa, or buckwheat (does not contain gluten); sautéed or roasted mixed vegetables coated liberally in coconut oil; 4 ounces of grilled or sautéed naturally-raised lean meat or poultry, or 4 ounces of grilled or sautéed fatty fish; kombucha or sparkling water to drink; consume approximately 72 ounces of pure water each day.

Bedtime = 1 slice of gluten-free toast with 1 TBSP all-natural almond butter. 2 tablespoons of InnerEco fermented young coconut kefir probiotic drink mixed with water.

This sample menu consists of approximately 2,000 calories and is an appropriate amount for most nursing mothers.

If you are looking for a variety of recipes to support a healthy, safe detox while breastfeeding, check out my Safe Detox for Breastfeeding - 7-Day Meal Plan to jump-start your postpartum health & support breastfeeding.

10 Tips for Happy & Healthy Detox While Breastfeeding

Take It Easy. Some withdrawal symptoms from sugar and caffeine may occur.
If you are hungry – eat! Remember this is not a calorie restriction program.
This is NOT a weight loss diet, although some weight loss may occur. If you find you are losing too much weight or have noticed a change in your breast milk supply, eat more.
Drink plenty of water. Add fresh organic lemon wedges to your water for added detoxification support.
Get lots of sleep. Go to bed earlier than you normally do and take naps throughout the day if possible. Nap with baby.
If you are more than 6 weeks postpartum, exercise with caution, as some blood sugar changes may occur, and lightheadedness or dizzy feelings should be taken seriously.
Focus on slowing down a little, nurturing both you and baby and tuning in to your basic needs and comforts instead of feeling like you “must” do something productive.
Try eliminating other “toxins” from your life - social media, negative news stories, hurtful or judgemental people, saying “yes” when you really want to say “no”...
Spend time outside in nature and bring baby! Take a walk, a hike, a swim, or just lay in the grass and enjoy some sunshine.
Enlist a buddy; this is a healthy food program for your partner as well!

Looking for postpartum nutrition guidance?

Check out my Safe Detox for Breastfeeding - 7-Day Meal Plan to jump-start your postpartum health & support breastfeeding.

For more complex issues, including concerns with postpartum thyroiditis, hormone imbalances, gut issues, fussy-baby and/or baby's food allergies, while breastfeeding, please learn more about my Happy & Healthy Adult Program.

Family Nutrition / Postpartum - 02/28/2018

Connect with me on social media

Client Portal | Supplements

Disclaimer, Limitations of Liability & Indemnity

The information on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. This information is provided to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not meant to replace the advice of your primary physician.

Choosing a holistic approach to health care through nutrition means choosing personal responsibility for your health care. Sara Peternell, MNT, is not liable or responsible for any harm, damage or illness arising from the use of the information contained herein or through any of the nutritional therapy programs available for purchase.

By reading the information on this website, and by becoming a client, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Sara Peternell, MNT, and all agents, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the website, products or services.

Created by