Is creatine safe while breastfeeding?

Understanding Creatine Use During Breastfeeding
As new mothers navigate the complexities of postpartum life, questions about dietary supplements often arise, particularly regarding the safety of creatine while breastfeeding. Creatine, a popular supplement among athletes for enhancing performance and muscle recovery, has sparked interest among nursing mothers who may wish to maintain their fitness levels. However, the safety of its use during lactation remains a topic of discussion.
Maternal Creatine Levels
Research indicates that creatine does pass into breast milk, albeit in relatively low concentrations. A study highlighted that the average creatine concentration in breast milk was approximately 25.8 mg/L in mothers just a few days postpartum, decreasing to 18.7 mg/L within two weeks, and further dropping to 11.5 mg/L after that period. This suggests that while creatine is present in breast milk, the levels are not excessively high.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Despite the relatively low levels of creatine found in breast milk, concerns persist regarding the potential side effects on nursing infants. Experts caution that while creatine is generally considered safe for most adults, its effects on infants are not as well-studied. The lack of comprehensive, double-blind placebo-controlled studies specifically examining creatine use during breastfeeding raises questions about its safety.
Some sources emphasize the importance of moderation and suggest that excessive supplementation could lead to higher concentrations in breast milk, potentially affecting the nursing baby. Therefore, it is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to approach creatine supplementation with caution and to consider their individual health circumstances.
Recommendations for Nursing Mothers
Healthcare professionals typically recommend that breastfeeding mothers consult with their doctors before starting any new supplement, including creatine. This is particularly important for those with underlying health conditions or those who are unsure about the implications of supplementing while nursing.
In summary, while current evidence suggests that creatine can be used by breastfeeding mothers without significant risk, the lack of extensive research means that caution is warranted. Mothers should prioritize their health and that of their infants by seeking professional guidance tailored to their specific situations.

Can I take protein powder while breastfeeding?

Bottom line – yes, protein powders are an extremely convenient way to meet elevated protein body needs during lactation. Just make sure you choose a blend with a high-quality protein base and read all labels in order to avoid dodgy ingredients. We suggest you pass on any protein that contains more than 5.

Can you use creatine while breastfeeding?

It is recommended that mothers who are breastfeeding refrain from taking creatine supplements until additional study that is more comprehensive can be undertaken to evaluate the impact of creatine consumption on the composition of breast milk and the overall health of the infant as the proper research is necessary to …

Does creatine affect your pump?

While muscle pumps don’t necessarily help you out physiologically in terms of building muscle mass, they will help with motivation levels. What creatine does is increase the water volume in your body, since glycogen binds to water when it is stored, so you get a bigger pump.

Who should not take creatine?

Mayo Clinic(1) says, “Don’t take creatine if you have a history of kidney disease or you have conditions such as diabetes that increase the risk of kidney problems. There also is some concern that creatine might increase mania in people who have bipolar disorder.”

Is it safe to take protein powder while breastfeeding?

Bottom line – yes, protein powders are an extremely convenient way to meet elevated protein body needs during lactation. Just make sure you choose a blend with a high-quality protein base and read all labels in order to avoid dodgy ingredients. We suggest you pass on any protein that contains more than 5.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

Why is creatine high in pregnancy?

There is evidence that creatine metabolism is up-regulated in the myometrium during pregnancy [51,53,54,55,56]. Phosphocreatine levels are increased in the human pregnant myometrium at term compared to non-pregnant tissue [55]. This likely acts as an increased energy reserve for the uterus during labor [57].

What age should not take creatine?

age 18
For that reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Sports Medicine do not recommend creatine use under age 18.” Creatine can also have side effects. It causes muscles to retain water and long-term use may cause muscle cramps, dehydration, diarrhea, nausea and seizures.

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 creatine affect a baby?

23 Taken together, preclinical and observational clinical studies indicate that creatine may be an essential metabolite during pregnancy and that adequate levels of creatine during pregnancy may be critical for optimal fetal growth and survival.