Is vitamin B12 safe to take while breastfeeding?

Is Vitamin B12 Safe to Take While Breastfeeding?
Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient crucial for the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of the nervous system, is particularly important for breastfeeding mothers. The safety and necessity of vitamin B12 supplementation during lactation have garnered attention, especially for mothers who may be at risk of deficiency.
Nutritional Needs During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers require adequate amounts of vitamin B12 to ensure both their health and that of their infants. The recommended daily intake for lactating women is approximately 2.8 micrograms, with some authorities suggesting up to 5.5 micrograms per day to meet increased nutritional demands. This vitamin is naturally present in human milk, but its concentration can vary based on the mother’s dietary intake.
Risks of Deficiency
A deficiency in vitamin B12 can have serious implications for both mother and child. If a breastfeeding mother is deficient, her infant may also become deficient, potentially leading to developmental issues and anemia. This is particularly concerning for mothers following strict vegetarian or vegan diets, as vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products. For these mothers, supplementation is strongly recommended to prevent deficiency.
Safety of Supplementation
Research indicates that vitamin B12 supplementation is safe for breastfeeding mothers. For instance, hydroxocobalamin, a form of vitamin B12, can be taken without concern during lactation. The presence of vitamin B12 in breast milk means that adequate maternal intake directly benefits the infant, ensuring they receive necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Conclusion
In summary, vitamin B12 is not only safe to take while breastfeeding but is also essential for the health of both mother and child. Mothers should be mindful of their dietary intake and consider supplementation if they are at risk of deficiency, particularly those on plant-based diets. Ensuring adequate levels of this vital nutrient can help support the well-being of both the breastfeeding mother and her infant.

What decreases milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

Which vitamin is most deficient in breast milk?

While breast milk is highly nutritive, containing important immunological and growth factors, scientific investigation reveals a few short-falls. Overall, human breast milk has been found to be low in certain nutrients in developed countries: vitamin D, iodine, iron, and vitamin K.

What is the best vitamin for breastfeeding mothers?

Vitamin D is made when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Good food sources of vitamin D include fortified low-fat or fat-free milk, fortified orange juice, egg yolks, and salmon. Experts recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women get 600 international units of vitamin D daily.

Who should not take B12?

If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication: a certain eye disease (Leber’s optic neuropathy), a certain blood disorder (polycythemia vera), gout, iron or folic acid deficiency anemia, low potassium blood levels (hypokalemia).

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency in babies?

Symptoms and signs of vitamin B12 deficiency appear between 2 to 12 months and include vomiting, lethargy, failure to thrive, hypotonia, and arrest or regression of developmental skills. Treatment with vitamin B12 corrects these metabolic abnormalities very rapidly within a few days.

What is the role of vitamin B12 in nursing?

Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin, which is vital in the production of red blood cells, nervous system function, and DNA synthesis during cell division.

What vitamins stop breastfeeding?

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 vitamin B dry up breast milk?

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. However, more recent studies, including ones from a 2017 literature review, suggest conflicting information regarding the effectiveness of this option.

Can a breastfeeding mom take vitamin B12?

There is a scarcity of research on the effects of oral supplementation of Vitamin B12 during lactation, however the recommended dietary amount of Vitamin B12 for lactating women is 2.8 mcg.

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.