Can you take emergency vitamin C while breastfeeding?

Understanding Vitamin C and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often seek guidance on nutrition, particularly regarding the safety and efficacy of supplements like vitamin C. As a crucial nutrient, vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, plays a significant role in both maternal health and the development of infants.
Is Vitamin C Safe While Breastfeeding?
The consensus among health experts is that taking vitamin C while breastfeeding is safe. Studies indicate that vitamin C does pass into breast milk, but the levels are generally proportional to the mother’s intake. This means that as long as mothers consume adequate amounts, their breast milk will provide sufficient vitamin C for their infants.
Recommended Dosage
For breastfeeding women, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 120 milligrams per day. This can typically be achieved through a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers. While some mothers may consider taking high doses of vitamin C, it’s important to note that excessive amounts do not provide additional benefits and may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Emergency Situations and High Doses
In cases of illness or emergency, some mothers might contemplate taking higher doses of vitamin C, such as those found in emergency vitamin C products like Emergen-C. While these products can contain between 250 to 500 milligrams of vitamin C, experts advise caution. High doses of vitamin C have little to no positive effect beyond the recommended levels, and the body typically excretes any excess. Therefore, while it is generally safe to take vitamin C supplements during breastfeeding, moderation is key.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can safely take vitamin C supplements, including during emergencies, as long as they adhere to recommended dosages. A balanced diet should suffice for most, but if supplementation is necessary, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure both maternal and infant health are prioritized.

What are the side effects of the emergency pill?

Side effects from the use of ECPs are similar to those of oral contraceptive pills, such as nausea and vomiting, slight irregular vaginal bleeding, and fatigue. Side effects are not common, they are mild, and will normally resolve without further medications.

Is Emergen-C safe during breastfeeding?

Yes, you can take Emergen-C while breastfeeding, but it’s important to not exceed the recommended dosage. Emergen-C is a supplement rich in vitamin C, often used for boosting immune health. However, while vitamin C is crucial for both you and your baby, consuming it in large amounts can cause digestive upset.

Is it safe to take extra vitamin C while breastfeeding?

The recommended vitamin C intake in lactating women is 120 mg daily, and for infants aged 6 months or less is 40 mg daily. [1] High daily doses up to 1000 mg increase milk levels, but not enough to cause a health concern for the breastfed infant and is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

Can you take emergency pills while breastfeeding?

Studies indicate that levonorgestrel does not affect the composition or amount of breastmilk, or the growth and development of the breastfed infant. 6 Levonorgestrel is the same hormone found in the “Mini Pill”, which is considered the oral contraceptive of choice for breastfeeding mothers.

Who should not take Emergen-C?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: use/abuse of alcohol, liver problems, stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcer, colitis).

Can I take 1000mg of vitamin C while pregnant?

You can easily get the vitamin C you need from fruits and vegetables, and your prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin C. It’s not a good idea to take large doses of vitamin C when you’re pregnant. The maximum daily amount that’s considered safe is 1800 mg for women 18 and younger and 2000 mg for women 19 and over.

Can too much vitamin C affect baby?

However, based on the studies reviewed, vitamin C intake below the RDA or at doses higher than the UL is not known to increase the chance for birth defects.

What vitamins should I avoid when breastfeeding?

AVOID dose of vitamin A above 700-800 mcg/day and vitamin B6 above 20-50 mg/day. Iodine can concentrate in breastmilk so do not take levels in excess of 100% RDA. There are no studies on the safety of high dose intra-venous (IV) vitamin drips in breastfeeding mothers.

Can you breastfeed after emergency C section?

Tips to help with breastfeeding after a c-section
Skin-to-skin contact with your baby in the first 24 hours after birth helps you bond with your baby and can help you start to breastfeed. If you weren’t able to have this contact, for example, if you or your baby were ill, you can still breastfeed.