Substance abuse affects both the mother and child when pregnant or breastfeeding. Toxins in drugs and alcohol undermine the mother’s physical and mental health while affecting her overall well-being. The same chemicals are passed on to the child through the placenta or breastmilk after birth, causing developmental delays and damages. It’s, therefore, vital to seek professional help for your addiction when pregnant, nursing or breastfeeding.
At Enlight Treatment Center, we have top professionals with experience in detoxing nursing women. Our premier residential facilities allow us to support women who are detoxing while pregnant and in need of constant medical monitoring.
6 Ways to Safely Detox While Nursing or Breastfeeding
Many mothers with a substance use disorder consider drug detox while pregnant because of the risk drug abuse poses to them and their unborn child. However, some are unaware that using drugs can also affect their newborn through breast milk.
Detox and pregnancy are topics that should be discussed to enlighten women who need to stop using drugs or alcohol after giving birth. Here are 6 safe ways to detox while breastfeeding:
1. Seek Professional Detox Help
To detox safely while pregnant, nursing, or breastfeeding, it’s crucial to enroll in a professional detoxification program. There, you’ll receive medical, psychological, and emotional support from trained detox specialists who’ll cater to your unique needs.
2. Get a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
Before detoxing from drugs or alcohol, you’ll need a thorough medical evaluation. An addiction treatment specialist will assess your history of substance abuse, the extent of your addiction, and your general health before making suggestions for a safe detox plan, whether in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
3. Eat Well
During detoxification, the body is under strain as it rids itself of toxins. For a successful detox, it’s important to keep your body well-nourished to boost the physiological functions involved in flushing drugs or alcohol out of the system.
Further, alcohol or drug use usually leads to malnutrition that undermines the health of both mother and baby. Eating nutritious foods during detox allows your body to receive essential nutrients and minerals.
4. Stay Physically Active
Physical exercise, like good nutrition, aids in the body’s recovery process during detox. It also lifts mood and promotes positive emotions, making the journey to recovery less daunting.
5. Avoid Triggers
Before completing your detox, you may have cravings that tempt you to use drugs or alcohol again. This is particularly the case when you expose yourself to the environment, people, or situations that contribute to your substance use. To avoid this, it’s advisable to steer clear of all triggers that could tempt you into using again.
6. Get Help for Co-occurring Disorders
When breastfeeding or pregnant, detox is crucial. And so is seeking help for mental health issues you’re dealing with. When co-occurring disorders are addressed simultaneously, your detox will be more successful.
