What Should a New Mother Do if She Has a Fever? How to Reduce It?

A mother may experience fever due to colds, trauma, or mastitis. The treatment for fever should be tailored to the underlying cause. Mothers who are breastfeeding should be cautious when taking medication and follow doctor's instructions. If necessary, breastfeeding may need to be temporarily suspended. It is advisable for mothers to drink plenty of warm water to avoid catching a cold. Prompt fever reduction measures should be taken when a mother develops a fever. Let's explore how to handle and reduce fever in mothers.

The first step in handling maternal fever is to identify the cause. Treating the underlying cause is essential for effective fever reduction. Causes can include puerperal infection, mastitis, trauma, or exposure to cold. Depending on the severity of the fever, different measures should be taken. For mild fevers, mothers can try methods like drinking hot water and ginger soup to reduce their temperature while maintaining a healthy diet. Drinking ginger and brown sugar tea while it's hot can help reduce fever, and once the fever is gone, it's no longer necessary to continue drinking it. However, for high fevers, prompt medical attention is required. Medication prescribed by a doctor should be taken, and physical cooling methods or wiping with warm water can also be used.

During the postpartum recovery period, mothers should avoid excessive fatigue and refrain from holding the baby excessively. Except for breastfeeding, they should take appropriate breaks and maintain a positive mindset, as this can affect milk production. Contact with cold water should be avoided, and the diet should be nutritionally balanced, including foods like chicken soup, fish soup, beef, eggs, and lean pork, which are beneficial for recovery and maintaining adequate milk supply. As childbirth consumes a lot of energy, adequate sleep is crucial for regaining strength. Additionally, special attention should be paid to vaginal hygiene during this period as the body is weak and the cervix is open, making it susceptible to bacterial infections.

1. First Week After Childbirth: The focus is on removing blood clots, detoxifying, nourishing the liver, and stimulating appetite. Given the mother's weakened condition and incomplete recovery of gastrointestinal function after childbirth, as well as significant water loss during delivery, the first day postpartum should consist of liquid foods and high-calorie drinks such as brown sugar water, red date soup, lotus root starch, and almond tea. On the second day, semi-liquid foods like soft-boiled eggs can be introduced.

2. Second Week After Childbirth: By this time, the mother's wounds should have healed, and her appetite should have improved significantly after a week of careful care. The focus now shifts to nourishing the kidneys, strengthening bones, and harmonizing the five organs to aid in the contraction of the uterus and pelvic cavity. For example, Shenghua Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine, is cooked with glutinous rice wine and is recommended for up to the fourteenth day for those who have undergone cesarean sections or miscarriages. If regular meals are not sufficient, brown rice or white rice can be cooked with glutinous rice wine and eaten in moderation, about two bowls per day.

3. Third Week to One Month After Childbirth: The focus is on replenishing qi and blood, eliminating dampness, and nourishing the five organs. Foods like red bean soup, sweet glutinous rice porridge, or oil-fried rice cooked with glutinous rice wine can be consumed daily.