What vitamins cant you take when breastfeeding?

Understanding Vitamin Intake While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial period for both mothers and infants, and maintaining optimal nutrition is essential. While many vitamins and supplements can support a breastfeeding mother’s health, there are specific vitamins that should be approached with caution or avoided altogether.
Vitamins to Be Cautious With
1. Vitamin A: High doses of vitamin A can be harmful to a breastfeeding infant. While vitamin A is essential for both mother and baby, excessive intake can lead to toxicity. It’s important for breastfeeding mothers to avoid supplements that contain high levels of this vitamin, particularly those derived from animal sources, such as liver, which can contain very high amounts of preformed vitamin A.
2. Vitamin E: Similar to vitamin A, excessive vitamin E can pose risks. While it is important for immune function and skin health, high doses can interfere with blood clotting and may lead to complications. Breastfeeding mothers should stick to recommended dietary allowances and avoid high-dose supplements.
3. Iron: While iron is crucial for postpartum recovery, many prenatal vitamins contain more iron than is necessary for breastfeeding mothers. Excessive iron can lead to gastrointestinal issues and may not be beneficial for those who are not iron deficient. It’s advisable for mothers to consult with healthcare providers to determine their specific needs.
4. Herbal Supplements: Many herbal supplements are not well-studied in breastfeeding contexts and can have unpredictable effects. Some herbs may decrease milk supply or affect the infant adversely. Therefore, it’s best to avoid unregulated herbal products unless cleared by a healthcare professional.
Essential Vitamins for Breastfeeding Mothers
While there are vitamins to be cautious about, certain nutrients are particularly important during breastfeeding:
– Vitamin D: It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers take a daily supplement of 10 mcg of vitamin D to support both their health and that of their infant. Infants who are exclusively breastfed may also require a vitamin D supplement to prevent deficiency.
– Vitamin B12: For mothers who are vegetarian or vegan, a vitamin B12 supplement is crucial, as this vitamin is primarily found in animal products. Adequate B12 levels are essential for the baby’s neurological development.
– Calcium and Zinc: These minerals are vital for both maternal health and the development of the infant. Breastfeeding mothers often need more calcium and zinc than non-breastfeeding women, so ensuring adequate intake through diet or supplements is important.
Conclusion
Navigating vitamin intake while breastfeeding requires careful consideration. While certain vitamins are essential for both mother and child, others can pose risks if taken in excess. It is always best for breastfeeding mothers to consult with healthcare providers to tailor their vitamin and supplement intake to their individual needs, ensuring both their health and that of their baby are prioritized.

Can I take B12 while breastfeeding?

You do not usually need to take vitamin B12 supplements when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor has advised you to. You should be able to get all the vitamins you need if you eat meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy foods.

What vitamins stop breastfeeding?

Use Vitamin B.
Research shows that — in women who have not yet started producing breast milk — vitamin B can limit lactation. Always consult with your physician before trying to reduce or prevent your milk production.

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.

Can I take vitamin D while breastfeeding?

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommends vitamin D supplementation for all those who are breastfeeding. The recommended dose is 340 to 400 units daily. Vitamin D is synthesised through skin exposed to the sun. It can also be obtained from some foods such as oily fish and fortified cereals.

Is vitamin B12 safe while breastfeeding?

It’s OK to take cyanocobalamin if you’re breastfeeding. Vitamin B12 (including cyanocobalamin) is a natural part of breast milk. Cyanocobalamin does pass into breast milk, but it’s unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

Why avoid vitamin C while breastfeeding?

Although prolonged high doses can cause neuropathy in the mother, no negative effects have been reported in infants. Vitamin C has been shown to be safe in high doses, such as 1000mg a day, and does not appear to significantly increase the breastmilk level, unless mom was deficient before taking the supplement.

Which vitamins are not in breast milk?

Overall, human breast milk has been found to be low in certain nutrients in developed countries: vitamin D, iodine, iron, and vitamin K. Additional nutrient deficiencies have been documented in resource-poor countries: vitamin A, vitamin B 12, zinc, and vitamin B 1/thiamin.

What vitamin dries up breast milk?

PIP: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) is contained in most prenatal and multivitamin preparations. Available research states that pyridoxine blocks lactation and inhibits the secretion of breast milk in nursing mothers by suppressing the normally elevated prolactin hormone levels encountered during puerperium.

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.

Why avoid cinnamon while breastfeeding?

Coumarin, an ingredient in some cinnamon products, can cause liver problems, but the amount you’d get is so small that it probably won’t be a problem. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment.