Question

During a visit to the home of a breast-feeding mother, a client reports to the nurse that she's been having leg cramps. The infant is 6 wks old and thriving on breast milk. The nurse suspects:

Answer 1

Leg cramps experienced by the breastfeeding mother may be due to electrolyte depletion and hormonal changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The leg cramps experienced by the client may be a result of the breastfeeding process. Breast-feeding requires energy and nutrients, and the mother's body may experience changes to adapt to this demand. One possible explanation for leg cramps is the depletion of electrolytes, such as calcium and magnesium, due to the increased demand on the mother's body during breastfeeding. Another factor that may contribute to leg cramps is hormonal changes. The hormone oxytocin, which is released during breastfeeding, can cause uterine contractions that may also affect the muscles in the legs. The client should make sure to stay well-hydrated and consider adding foods rich in calcium and magnesium to her diet to alleviate the leg cramps.