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How much vitamin C passes through breast milk?

The Role of Vitamin C in Breast Milk
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vital nutrient that plays a significant role in the health of both mothers and their breastfeeding infants. It is a natural component of human milk and serves as a key antioxidant, contributing to the overall nutritional profile of breast milk.
How Much Vitamin C is Transferred?
The amount of vitamin C that passes through breast milk is influenced by the mother’s dietary intake. The recommended daily intake for lactating women is 120 mg. This amount is crucial not only for the mother’s health but also for ensuring that her breast milk contains sufficient levels of vitamin C for her infant, who requires about 40 mg daily if they are under six months old.
Research indicates that when mothers consume higher doses of vitamin C, particularly up to 1000 mg daily, the levels of vitamin C in breast milk can increase. However, studies have shown that even at these elevated doses, the increase in breast milk vitamin C levels does not pose any health risks to the infant. Interestingly, some studies suggest that taking doses significantly higher than the recommended amount, such as over 1000 mg, may not lead to a proportional increase in breast milk vitamin C levels.
Timing and Dietary Influence
The timing of vitamin C intake also plays a role in its presence in breast milk. Research indicates that increased levels of vitamin C can be detected in breast milk within 30 minutes of a mother consuming vitamin C. This rapid transfer underscores the importance of a balanced diet rich in vitamins for breastfeeding mothers, as it directly impacts the nutritional quality of their milk.
Conclusion
In summary, vitamin C is an essential nutrient that effectively passes through breast milk, with levels influenced by maternal intake. Ensuring adequate vitamin C consumption is crucial for lactating women, not only for their health but also for the well-being of their infants. By maintaining a balanced diet that meets the recommended intake, mothers can help provide their babies with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development.

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.

How long does Emergen-C stay in your system?

The half-life of Vitamin C in your bloodstream is about 30 minutes, meaning that your levels drop by about half every half-hour. The amount of time Vitamin C remains in your system depends on the factors listed above, but in general, it usually takes between 12 and 24 hours for it to be processed and excreted.

What is the effect of vitamin C on breast?

Although selected studies have found that women who consume higher amounts of vitamin C have a lower risk of breast cancer, research in general has not shown a strong connection.

Are vitamin C products safe for breastfeeding?

Vitamin C plays an important role in tissue repair and helping with iron absorption, so getting the recommended 120 mg daily while breastfeeding is a must.

Can I use retinol and vitamin C while breastfeeding?

Retinol is not safe for use by breastfeeding moms because it can be absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin – and if Retinol does pass into your bloodstream, from there it can also pass into your breast milk. This means that your baby could potentially ingest Retinol through your breast milk.

Does vitamin C transfer through breast milk?

Vitamins vary in their ability to transfer into breastmilk. Fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D and E, easily transfer into breastmilk and reliably increase their levels. Water soluble vitamins, such as B and C are more variable in their transmission into breastmilk.

Can I take emergency vitamin C while breastfeeding?

The restrictions are slightly more lax for nursing mothers, though there are things to know there, too. According to the Drugs and Lactation Database , you can take a high daily dose of 1,000 milligrams — like what you would find in Emergen-C — without any adverse effects for you or your baby.

How much vitamin C is in a cup of whole milk?

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Does milk have a lot of vitamin C?

Milk contains small amounts of niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folate and is not considered a major source of these vitamins in the diet.

What vitamins should I avoid while 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.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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