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Is It Safe to Take Magnesium Supplements While Breastfeeding?
As new mothers navigate the challenges of breastfeeding, many find themselves questioning the safety of various supplements, including magnesium. This essential mineral plays a crucial role in both maternal and infant health, and understanding its implications during lactation is vital for new moms.
The Importance of Magnesium
Magnesium is integral to numerous bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and the synthesis of protein. For breastfeeding mothers, maintaining adequate magnesium levels is particularly important. Research indicates that mothers pass an average of 3 mg of magnesium per 100 ml of breast milk, highlighting the need for sufficient magnesium intake during this period. This transfer not only supports the mother’s health but also contributes to the baby’s development.
Safety and Recommendations
The consensus among health experts is that magnesium supplementation is generally safe for breastfeeding mothers. Studies and expert opinions suggest that as long as mothers adhere to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium—between 310 mg and 320 mg per day—the inclusion of magnesium supplements poses no significant risk. In fact, many healthcare professionals advocate for magnesium supplementation, especially considering the physical demands placed on new mothers.
Moreover, magnesium can help alleviate some common postpartum issues. It is known to assist in reducing stress levels, which can interfere with milk production, and may also help combat fatigue, a common complaint among new moms.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While magnesium is safe in recommended doses, it is essential to be cautious about high doses, which can lead to adverse effects. Excessive magnesium intake can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Therefore, it is advisable for mothers to consult with healthcare providers before starting any supplementation, particularly if they have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
Conclusion
In summary, magnesium supplements can be a beneficial addition to the diets of breastfeeding mothers, supporting both their health and that of their infants. With proper guidance and adherence to recommended dosages, mothers can safely incorporate magnesium into their postpartum nutrition plan, helping them navigate the demanding early days of motherhood with greater ease and well-being.
Can you take magnesium supplements while breastfeeding?
Can I take magnesium while breastfeeding? Yes! Magnesium also doesn’t cross over into milk very well, so your baby doesn’t get too much magnesium from your supplement (plus, your baby’s digestive system doesn’t absorb it well anyways).
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.
Does magnesium affect baby?
Magnesium supplementation during pregnancy may be able to reduce growth restriction of the fetus and pre‐eclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy), and increase birthweight.
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 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.
Is breast milk high in magnesium?
Furthermore, median levels of magnesium in the breast milk of healthy women are 1.27 to 1.40 (range 0.62–2.63) mmol/l and remain fairly stable during the course of lactation.
Is magnesium safe postpartum?
In order to decrease the risk of eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is administered to women with pre-eclampsia with severe features through continuous intravenous (IV) infusion or intramuscular (IM) injections intrapartum, and may be continued postpartum.
What are the symptoms of too much magnesium in the body?
Symptoms of magnesium toxicity, which usually develop after serum concentrations exceed 1.74–2.61 mmol/L, can include hypotension, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, retention of urine, ileus, depression, and lethargy before progressing to muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, extreme hypotension, irregular heartbeat, …
When should I stop taking magnesium after giving birth?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends continuing magnesium treatment for 24 hours postpartum.
Does magnesium help with breastfeeding aversion?
“Try magnesium supplements (I like the spray or drink) and make sure you’re getting enough other electrolytes and vitamins and water and sleep. This really helps with nursing aversion.” — Cassie J.
