Is it safe to take a probiotic while breastfeeding?

Understanding Probiotics During Breastfeeding
As more mothers turn to probiotics for their potential health benefits, a common question arises: Is it safe to take probiotics while breastfeeding? The consensus among health professionals and recent studies suggests that probiotics are generally safe for breastfeeding mothers and their infants.
Safety and Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can confer health benefits, particularly for gut health. Research indicates that the use of probiotics during breastfeeding does not pose significant risks to either the mother or the baby. In fact, studies have shown that probiotics can be beneficial in improving gut health and may even enhance the breast milk microbiome, which plays a crucial role in the infant’s digestive system.
According to a systematic review, maternal probiotic supplementation is considered safe and well-tolerated during lactation. This is particularly important as breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and antibodies to infants, and maintaining the mother’s health can positively impact the breastfeeding experience.
Infant Considerations
While the general findings support the safety of probiotics, it is essential for mothers to monitor their infants for any signs of discomfort after the mother begins taking probiotics. Although adverse effects are rare, if a baby shows any unusual symptoms, it is advisable to discontinue the probiotic and consult a healthcare provider.
Moreover, specific strains of probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium infantis, have been noted for their positive effects on breastfed infants, contributing to a healthy digestive system and potentially persisting in the baby’s gut for up to a year.
Conclusion
In summary, taking probiotics while breastfeeding is generally considered safe and may offer health benefits for both mothers and their infants. However, as with any supplement, it is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to consult with healthcare professionals before starting probiotics, ensuring that they choose the right strains and dosages for their individual health needs. By doing so, mothers can support their health and that of their babies during this critical period.

Can probiotics upset baby’s tummy?

Research indicates that probiotics are safe and well- tolerated in normal, healthy infants and children. Good tolerance has also been observed in premature infants, very low birth weight babies and in HIV-infected children and adults. Probiotics are also safe to use in late pregnancy.

Are probiotics good for breastfed babies?

However, recent scientific studies have shown that adding probiotics to the diet of breastfed infants can bring about a host of additional benefits. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer numerous health advantages, particularly to the digestive and immune systems.

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.

What vitamins decrease milk supply?

If you haven’t nursed your infant yet, high doses of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) may work to suppress lactation. One older study from the 1970s suggested that high doses B6, B1, and B12 suppressed lactation for 96% of the participants, with no unpleasant side effects.

Can taking probiotics while breastfeeding make a baby gassy?

Can probiotics make a baby gassy? Probiotics are safe for both the mother and the baby while breastfeeding. However, if you notice that your baby shows any discomfort after consuming probiotics, discontinue its intake and consult your doctor.

What probiotics are safe while breastfeeding?

Maternal probiotic supplements effectively orchestrate the breast milk and infant gut microbiome with a wide range of clinical benefits and safety. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus, and S. boulardii can be used as maternal supplements to promote infant health.

Do probiotics affect baby?

Research indicates that probiotics are safe and well- tolerated in normal, healthy infants and children. Good tolerance has also been observed in premature infants, very low birth weight babies and in HIV-infected children and adults. Probiotics are also safe to use in late pregnancy.

Are probiotics excreted in breastmilk?

In fact, specific strains that have been consumed by the mum in the form of a probiotic have been found later in the breast milk. A study by Nasiraii et al (2011) gave Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705 to 10 out of 20 women for 30 days. All the women involved in the study were breastfeeding 1-6 month old babies.

Does gut bacteria pass through breast milk?

Breastmilk seeds and nurtures the microbiome with beneficial bacteria, until it is fully mature. Beneficial gut bacteria play a role in lowering risk for chronic diseases like asthma, obesity, allergies, dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and neurodevelopmental disorders.

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.