You can sunbathe after giving birth. Is it allowed to sunbathe while breastfeeding? Sun safety rules

What are the benefits and harms of tanning? Rules for staying in the open sun for nursing mothers

The effect of tanning on the body

When exposed to sunlight, the body produces vitamin D, which protects against many diseases. Tanning is increased pigmentation in response to ultraviolet radiation. The process is completely natural and does not pose any dangers if approached wisely. However, it is important to know all the positive and negative qualities of sunlight.

The benefits and harms of sun rays

Most mothers are wary of being in the sun to tan while breastfeeding. This is understandable. Everyone knows that ultraviolet radiation in large quantities has a negative effect on any organism, not only one as vulnerable as that of a nursing mother.
The sun's rays themselves, in moderate quantities, do not have a negative effect on the breasts and the ability to produce milk in the required volumes. They make the skin more elastic, beautiful, and improve your mood. They also have the following beneficial properties:

• Improves skin and teeth.
• Restore damaged skin.
• Eliminate the consequences of an allergic reaction.
• Promote the absorption of phosphorus in the body and calcium.
• Regulate hematopoietic processes.
• Improves metabolism.
• Increases the body's resistance to stress and various infections.
• Relieves nervous tension.
• Tone.
• Strengthen the body's protective properties.

Before you rush to replenish your vitamin D reserves and improve your appearance, it is important to know whether women who are breastfeeding can even stay in the sun?
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Can a nursing mother sunbathe?

There is no direct restriction on a nursing mother being exposed to the sun's rays, but one should take into account the fact that the body produces an excess of special hormones during this period, which enhance milk production. Sun rays also stimulate the body of a nursing woman to produce certain hormones and enlarge the mammary glands, which can lead not only to poor health, but also to provoke cancer later.
You should also remember about the possibility of sunstroke, which worsens lactation, not to mention the general condition of a woman breastfeeding a baby. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you should know how to behave correctly in sunny weather.

Rules for tanning during lactation

By adhering to the following recommendations, you can usefully spend time outside on a hot summer day:

• Go out into the sun during the period of its weakest activity - in the morning or after 16.
• You should start sunbathing within a short period of time. For example, from 5-10 minutes, gradually increase the time spent in the sun to an hour.
• Be sure to use a special umbrella, hats, and try to stay more in the shade.
• Pre-apply sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection.
• Dry skin should be protected with a special cream half an hour before going out into the sun.
• Limit the use of cosmetics.
• Apply moisturizers.
• Make sure that all permitted cosmetics are hypoallergenic.
• When buying cosmetics, pay attention to the composition.
• Cover your chest when sunbathing.
• It is better to drink regular drinking water, not sweet and without gas.

While breastfeeding, it is better to avoid solariums.
The human body needs the sun to feel good and see clearly, but with prolonged exposure, especially during lactation, various unpleasant consequences are possible. Therefore, it is imperative to observe the measure of sun exposure and adhere to the mentioned rules.

A woman always wants to look perfect. But during breastfeeding (BF), a lot of restrictions appear for her. And if giving up some products is relatively easy for women who care about their figure, then limiting visits to the solarium is a real problem for lovers of an even bronze tan. Is it possible for a nursing mother to sunbathe? And what are the pros and cons of visiting a solarium during lactation?

Before visiting a solarium, a woman should understand its types. The quality and speed of obtaining the desired result directly depend on them. Solariums are classified according to two criteria:

• device design;
• its purpose.

The first include:

1. Horizontal. Tanning in this equipment is obtained in a lying position. The lamps diffuse light evenly, but have low efficiency. A session in a horizontal solarium lasts 10-20 minutes. This type is not suitable for people with a fear of confined spaces or who experience discomfort from insufficient hygiene of the bottom glass of the device.
2. Vertical. These installations are with more powerful lamps. They are compact and not as expensive as horizontal ones. In this case, the risk of contact with glass is minimal, but the tan on the upper part of the body is more intense than on the lower part.
3. Turbo solarium. This is a vertical solarium with additional features (audio system, hydromassage, fans, timers, lifts, etc.), which can have pink, blue or green radiation. A session in such a solarium lasts about 8 minutes.
4. Sedentary. This is a device with powerful lamps that allows you to quickly get the desired tan in certain parts of the body (face, décolleté, arms, neck, etc.) while sitting.

Sedentary Turbo Vertical Horizontal

According to the purpose of the device there are:

1. Homemade. This equipment is for home use. They do not have very intense ultraviolet radiation and the components are not as high-quality and durable as studio devices.
2. Studio. Designed for professional tanning. They can work around the clock and have various functions for the convenience of visitors. Installed in beauty salons, fitness clubs and health centers.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to sunbathe during breastfeeding?

You can visit the solarium during breastfeeding only with the permission of your doctor. He will identify probable health risks and compare them with the resulting positive effect. The undoubted benefit of getting vitamin D in the autumn-winter period is often the reason why doctors allow artificial tanning during breastfeeding.

Benefit

Vitamin D obtained during sunbathing is needed by the human body to absorb calcium. This mineral is simply necessary for nursing mothers. To obtain it in the cold season, a solarium is used.

When receiving ultraviolet light, the production of endorphin is stimulated, which affects a woman’s mood during lactation.

Among the aesthetic advantages of artificial tanning, it is worth noting the attractive appearance of the skin, and therefore the subsequent self-confidence of a woman.

Harm

Sunbathing in a solarium is undoubtedly pleasant, but you need to remember about the possible risks of using it. Ultraviolet light entering the skin releases moisture, collagen and elastin from it. Under artificial light, these processes proceed several times faster, which means aging also accelerates.

If you frequently visit a solarium, the risk of cancer increases.

During lactation, hormonal activity in the body is increased. Solarium accelerates the production of growth hormones, as a result of which pigment spots may appear on the body, enlarge or new moles may appear.

It is worth noting that current scientific knowledge is largely based on observational studies with low-quality data that report associations but do not prove causation. There is currently no convincing evidence that moderate/responsible use of tanning beds increases the risk of developing melanoma. However, the risk of melanoma appears to continue to increase with the accumulation of intermittent sun exposure and tanning bed use during early adulthood (25–35 years). The super-multiplicative effects of nevus joints and hair color appear to identify people with red hair and multiple nevi as a very high-risk group and suggest important gene-gene interactions involving MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor protein) in the etiology of melanoma.

Effect on lactation

There is no direct connection between lactation and solarium. But it is worth noting that the production of endorphins allows the mother to always be in a good mood. In this state of mind, the processes of milk production are carried out normally, which cannot be said about depression in a woman.

In a depressed, depressed and apathetic state, lactation often worsens, since the process of milk production is directly related to the nervous system. Thus, it can be argued that if you visit a solarium while breastfeeding, the decrease in lactation will be minimized.

Contraindications

Even despite the loyal attitude of doctors to the procedure for obtaining artificial tanning, a nursing mother will have to completely forget about a solarium if she has the following diseases and characteristics of the body:

• mastopathy (benign neoplasm in the mammary gland);
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• postpartum complications;
• gynecological diseases;
• cracked nipples;
• skin diseases;
• increased number of moles on the body;
• recent caesarean section.

For these problems, a solarium can aggravate the situation and cause complications. That is why you should consult your doctor before attending the procedure.

Visiting rules

You should go to the solarium during breastfeeding, taking certain precautions. The basic rules of conduct include:

1. Covering moles with special stickers.
2. Radiation protection. During lactation, the mammary glands should be completely protected from UV rays, so it is best to go to the solarium in a bra.
3. The maximum session duration is 6 minutes.
4. Replenishing fluid reserves. To maintain the body’s water balance, you need to drink half a liter of water before the procedure, and 300 ml after it.
5. Application of cosmetics. You need to use skin products that protect against UV rays.
6. Careful use. It is recommended to be attentive to the hygiene of equipment glasses so as not to encounter problems with infectious diseases.

After a woman has sunbathed, the entire layer of protective cream should be washed off the skin, paying special attention to the chest area.

It is also very important to ask the beauty salon administrator how long ago the lamps were changed. Since, if they worked for more than 1 thousand hours, then their radiation can be dangerous to human health. To obtain this information, it is enough to request from the administration of the organization documents indicating regular inspection and repair of equipment.

Conclusion

You can visit a solarium during lactation. To do this, you need to get the approval of a doctor, who will outline the likely risks of taking artificial sunbathing and tell you about the rules for carrying out this procedure.

But after the doctor’s permission, you should not rush to sunbathe as soon as possible; you need to make sure of the quality of the equipment used in the beauty studio and choose the most conscientious organization.

Bibliography:

1. Tanning bed use and risk of malignant melanoma: a systematic review of meta-analysis and evidence-based medicine – Anticancer Res. Feb 2018; 38 (2): 1187-1199.
2. Sun and solarium exposure and the risk of melanoma: influence of age, pigment characteristics and nevi – Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010 Jan; 19 (1): 111-20. doi:10.1158/1055-9965. EPI-09-0567.

Every mother wants to look good and dreams of a beautiful tanned body, especially during the recovery period after childbirth. A tan makes your skin and body beautiful, and sunlight improves your well-being and lifts your mood.

But the beneficial effect of tanning in the sun can only be achieved by taking precautions and carrying out solar procedures. This mainly concerns the lactation period, because a nursing mother should not harm herself or her baby. In this article we will find out whether a nursing mother can sunbathe and what rules need to be followed at this time.

The effect of tanning on the body

The sun's rays do not directly affect breast milk production. But during lactation, a woman produces hormones that stimulate and increase the growth of breast tissue. And ultraviolet radiation can negatively affect cell division, which increases pigmentation, provokes breast cancer and the appearance of tumors on the skin.

But within reasonable limits, sunlight and tanning are healthy, even while breastfeeding. First of all, the benefit of sun rays for a nursing mother and baby is that it gives... Vitamin D ensures normal bone growth and prevents rickets, so it is extremely important for a newborn.

In the first years of life, many children are faced with the problem of vitamin D deficiency. Newborns, especially children born prematurely, have virtually no supply of the necessary element. And mother's breast milk contains only 4% of this vitamin! Therefore, feeding alone will not ensure full saturation of the child’s body with calciferol.

Within reasonable limits, sunlight will help get rid of allergies and skin diseases, improve the condition of the skin and teeth, and promote the successful absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It stimulates the restoration of damaged cells, regulates material metabolism and the process of hematopoiesis. Therefore, a light tan will be very useful for a nursing mother.

In addition, sunlight produces serotonin, the “happiness hormone,” which improves mood and emotional well-being. Sunbathing will help a nursing mother overcome stress and get rid of fatigue. They give strength and strengthen the immune system, increase tone and resistance to nervous experiences. Sunbathing and tanning are an excellent method in the fight against.

Beneficial properties of sunlight

• Tones the body;
• Strengthen immunity;
• Strengthen the bone skeleton and prevent the development of rickets;
• Improves mood and relieves emotional stress;
• Increases resistance to stress;
• Establish material metabolism;
• Establishes hematopoiesis;
• Improves the absorption of calcium and phosphorus;
• Relieves allergy symptoms;
• Regenerate damaged cells;
• Improves the condition of the skin and teeth.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to visit a solarium?

A solarium will provide an even tan and activate the production of vitamin D, but pediatricians do not recommend using this method when breastfeeding. Unlike the sun's rays, solarium ultraviolet radiation penetrates the skin very deeply. This can lead to a number of serious problems and even diseases.

Skin exposed to solarium ultraviolet radiation intensively and quickly loses moisture, elastin and collagen. This accelerates aging and increases the risk of cancer. And due to the activity of growth hormones in a nursing mother, tanning in a solarium leads to the appearance of age spots and new moles, and to an increase in existing moles.

Rules for tanning during lactation

• You can sunbathe during the period of least solar activity before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.;
• Increase the session time gradually, starting from 10-15 minutes a day and bringing the procedure to 60 minutes;
• Avoid direct sunlight. Sunbathe under an umbrella, canopy or in the shade of trees;
• Be sure to wear a hat;
• Before starting your session, use sunscreen. For the first two or three times, choose creams with a high protection factor (SPF 25);
• After two or three sessions, you are allowed to switch to products with an average protection factor (SPF 15). You can use tanning creams that will provide a beautiful and even tan with a golden color;
• Protective products are applied to dry skin 30-40 minutes before sunbathing;

• Do not apply cosmetics to your breasts;
• After tanning, it is recommended to use protective products, including moisturizer, serum, mask, etc.;
• Use safe and hypoallergenic cosmetics, as they cannot cause a negative reaction in the baby during feeding or tactile contact between mother and child;
• Carefully read the composition of cosmetic products and follow the instructions;
• When tanning, be sure to cover your chest;
• When breastfeeding, it is not recommended to use a solarium;
• Use clean drinking water to quench your thirst. Do not drink carbonated drinks and sweet juices!

A nursing mother can take walks and sunbathe with her baby, provided that precautions are taken. Children under three years of age should not be exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear hats with a visor to prevent your face and nose from getting burned. Walk and sunbathe during hours when the sun is least active. And which children's sunscreens are the safest and most effective, see.

Every mother has some questions while breastfeeding her baby: what can you eat, what medications are safe? There are no options here; for the benefit of the baby’s health, you need to limit yourself in both food and medicine. I am also interested in this point: is it possible for a nursing mother to sunbathe in the sun? Let's look into it.

Tanning while breastfeeding

Summer has come, naturally, every woman wants to enjoy the fresh air, sea and sun. We all know that tanning should be done carefully, in doses, and it is advisable to stock up in advance with an arsenal of special means that control the tanning process, then sunbathing will bring a lot of pleasure and give an irresistible shade to the skin.

But what should those who are currently watching with special trepidation not only about their own, but also about the health of their baby, do not sunbathe? But no, you can sunbathe! But it’s worth remembering a few important points and figuring out which tan can be called safe for a nursing mother.

The benefits of natural tanning

The human body needs various vitamins, including vitamin D, which is produced under the influence of sunlight. Vitamin D from foods is practically not absorbed by the body, and its necessity is undeniable, because it affects the growth and development of bones and prevents the development of rickets and osteoporosis.

Ultraviolet light also promotes the release of happiness hormones - endorphins, which is so necessary for a woman in such a difficult period of restrictions and lack of personal time.

It is also known that the sun increases the body's immunity to infections, promotes the functioning of the circulatory system and the treatment of various skin diseases.

What harm can tanning in the sun cause to a nursing mother's body?

During lactation, the body is subject to changes; growth hormone is especially actively produced, due to which the mammary glands enlarge, become much more sensitive, and prolonged exposure to the sun can threaten the development of breast cancer.

Due to the increased sensitivity of the skin, particularly aggressive and prolonged sun exposure becomes three times harmful, the skin’s protective mechanism is triggered, and it thickens. Ultraviolet light can contribute to the development of cutaneous melanoma due to its negative effect on the growth of dividing cells. Ignorance of the simple rules of sunbathing threatens to result in burns, as well as early aging of the skin.

Tanning is contraindicated during breastfeeding in three cases:

1. A large number of age spots and moles.
2. Sun intolerance ().
3. Rash.

Sun safety rules

So, is it possible for a nursing mother to sunbathe in the sun? It is already clear that there are very few particularly strict prohibitions. Essentially, the rules of precaution are the same as for everyone, choosing the right time, as well as using simple products that protect the skin.

When can you sunbathe?

After the birth of a child, the female body is especially vulnerable, which is why the time allotted for tanning needs to be slightly adjusted. You should not sunbathe in the afternoon, the best option would be before 11 o'clock in the morning and after 17 o'clock in the evening, the likelihood of getting sunburn during this period is significantly reduced.

Topless sunbathing is strictly prohibited; breasts must be covered as much as possible. It is advisable to alternate sunbathing with staying in the shade, for example, after sitting in the sun for 20 minutes, you should go into the shade and give your skin a rest. Further, the time can be gradually increased up to an hour. You need to hide under trees or under an umbrella.

You should cover your head; you can wear a hat, cap or scarf. Whether such an accessory suits your face or not is absolutely not important at the moment; health for a woman, especially during breastfeeding, should come first.

Aids

When it comes to the different tanning creams, sprays and gels, there are a few things you should know about them! Of course, they help avoid burns and promote a better tan, but when feeding a baby with breast milk, it is better to avoid conventional means. Chemicals can penetrate into milk and this will result in poisoning. It is better to choose hypoallergenic creams intended for pregnant and lactating women; such a product will prevent tanning, but will keep the baby and mother healthy.

Also, do not forget about the risk of skin dehydration; using a moisturizer while tanning will not bring any benefit, it is better to drink plenty of fluids, water with lemon is perfect, but it is better to exclude coffee or tea, as they have a diuretic property.

The conclusion can be drawn as follows: it is not only possible for breastfeeding mothers to sunbathe, it turns out that it is also useful, but one should not get carried away and neglect protection.

With the onset of summer, any nursing mother who is responsible for her health and the health of her child is afraid to be under the sun's rays. Despite the many restrictions associated with the lactation period, sunbathing is not strictly prohibited. As to whether a nursing mother can sunbathe, any doctor will answer positively, but exposure to the sun must be done at certain hours and in compliance with safety rules.

Effect of sun rays: harm and benefit

Even in ancient times, the famous philosopher, doctor and folk healer Hippocrates called the sun a panacea for all ailments. In modern medicine there is even a direction - heliotherapy, which involves treatment with sunlight.

But do not forget that when it comes to sunlight, the rule “the more, the better” does not work. As useful as they are for a short stay under them, they are just as dangerous for people sunbathing for hours.

Moderate sun exposure has a positive effect on health and well-being:

1. Your mood improves. Under the influence of sunlight, the human body produces the hormone serotonin, which is responsible for saving from depressive conditions.
2. The body satisfies the need for vitamin D, which is synthesized under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. To do this, you don’t have to sunbathe for a long time; half an hour is enough for the body to make up for the deficiency.
3. Women who sunbathe according to all the rules are less at risk of developing multiple sclerosis in older age than those who always prefer to remain “in the shadows.”
4. The sun's rays help fight fungal skin infections. Ultraviolet light promotes the death of fungi - with limited but regular exposure to the sun, healthy skin appears at the site of the rash.

Abuse of sunbathing can and will give you a beautiful tan, but you need to take into account the high possibility of negative consequences:

1. Those who sunbathe for several hours in a row significantly increase the risk of developing melanoma - skin cancer. Recently, the disease has assumed enormous proportions.
2. A lack of sun rays reduces the immune system, but their excess is much more dangerous - the reactions of the body's defenses are inhibited. This explains why most sunbathers suffer from colds more often in the summer. In addition, the body is inhabited by many viruses in a dormant form; from excess ultraviolet radiation they can enter the active phase.
3. Excessive exposure to the sun provokes active hair growth on the female body, it becomes thick and tough.
4. Prolonged tanning triggers the aging process of the skin, drying it out.

Rules for tanning while breastfeeding

A nursing mother should not deny herself the pleasure of soaking up the sun. After all, they will not only help compensate for the lack of vitamin D, which is especially important during lactation, but will also help improve your mood.

Even prolonged exposure to the sun will not affect the quality and quantity of breast milk during breastfeeding; it will only have a negative impact on the health of the nursing mother.

But it is important to know that during lactation the breasts increase in size due to active tissue growth. Ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on cell division and in the future this may become one of the causes of breast cancer. In addition, the body of a nursing mother after childbirth continues to synthesize growth hormones. They provoke the appearance of pigmentation and various formations on the skin; the sun significantly accelerates these processes.

To enjoy the sun's rays and a beautiful tan without harmful effects on health, during breastfeeding you must strictly adhere to the rules of sun exposure:

• It is unacceptable to sunbathe during the daytime hours, when the sun is most aggressive; ideal intervals for a nursing mother are from 8 to 10 am and after 5 pm;
• you need to sunbathe for no more than 1 hour, the duration of the first exposure to the sun is 20 minutes, every day it increases by 10 minutes;
• It is recommended to be in the shade of trees - the leaves transmit ultraviolet light well, thereby you can achieve a good tan without being exposed to direct sunlight;
• a nursing mother should sunbathe with her chest covered; the best clothing option is a white cotton top;
• do not forget about the headdress;
• When you are in the sun, you need to drink only clean water without carbon, you can add lemon to it.

Sunbathing is necessary using cosmetics that help protect the skin:

• For a nursing mother, you need sunscreen/lotion/spray with a protection factor of at least 30 spf (preferably 50 on the first day), you can gradually move on to a product with a factor of 15 spf.
• The cosmetic product must be applied in advance (at least half an hour beforehand) to clean, dry skin, re-applying every 2 hours and after each bathing;
• during lactation It is prohibited to apply protective equipment to the chest, it is enough to cover it;
• You must strictly follow the instructions for use and choose products marked with a hypoallergenic composition, because upon tactile contact with the baby, he may experience an allergic reaction;
• After sunbathing you need to use moisturizing creams.

Skin and the sun: benefits and harm