What vitamins pass through breast milk?

The Nutritional Landscape of Breast Milk: Vitamins That Matter
Breast milk is often heralded as the gold standard for infant nutrition, providing a unique blend of nutrients that are crucial for a baby’s growth and development. Among these nutrients, vitamins play a pivotal role, and their presence in breast milk is influenced by the mother’s diet and nutritional status.
Key Vitamins in Breast Milk
1. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Breast milk is rich in essential fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are crucial for various bodily functions, such as vision, immune function, and bone health. Vitamin D, in particular, is vital for calcium absorption and bone development. However, breast milk typically contains low levels of vitamin D, which is why health organizations recommend that breastfeeding mothers consider supplementation to ensure their infants receive adequate amounts .
2. Water-Soluble Vitamins: The composition of water-soluble vitamins in breast milk, such as B vitamins (including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12, and folate) and vitamin C, is also significant. These vitamins are essential for energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and overall cellular function. The levels of these vitamins can vary based on the mother’s dietary intake. For instance, a mother with a deficiency in certain B vitamins may produce milk with lower concentrations of those nutrients, impacting the infant’s nutritional status.
3. Vitamin C: This vitamin is particularly important as it aids in iron absorption, which is crucial for preventing anemia in infants. The high levels of lactose and vitamin C in breast milk enhance iron absorption, making it easier for breastfed babies to utilize the iron from their diet.
The Impact of Maternal Nutrition
The vitamin content of breast milk is directly linked to the mother’s nutritional intake. A well-nourished mother is more likely to produce milk that meets the vitamin needs of her infant. Conversely, deficiencies in the mother’s diet can lead to lower levels of certain vitamins in her milk, which may necessitate supplementation for the infant . For example, studies have shown that maternal supplementation with vitamins A, D, and C can positively influence the levels of these vitamins in breast milk.
Conclusion: A Dynamic Nutritional Source
In summary, breast milk is a dynamic nutritional source that provides a range of essential vitamins necessary for an infant’s health. While it generally contains adequate amounts of most vitamins, certain nutrients like vitamin D may require additional supplementation to ensure optimal health outcomes for breastfeeding infants. The interplay between maternal nutrition and breast milk composition underscores the importance of a balanced diet for nursing mothers, ensuring that they can provide the best possible nutrition for their babies during those critical early months of life.

What vitamins do breastfed babies lack?

Breast milk alone does not provide infants with enough vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most breastfed infants will need an additional source of vitamin D through a supplement.

What vitamins are missing from 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 vitamins does breastfeeding deplete?

Some breastfeeding mothers may not be able to absorb various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, folic acid (vitamin B9), iron, and calcium.

Does vitamin C pass through breast milk?

Vitamin C is responsible for synthesizing collagen and is necessary for proper wound healing. Vitamin C is also secreted in breast milk — thus, a higher dietary intake is recommended for lactating women to make up for this loss.

What is passed to baby in breast milk?

Breast milk passes the mother’s antibodies to the baby. This helps protect the child from germs until their immune system develops. Breast milk contains many other biologically active components, too. “Human milk is not just a composite of individual components,” Raiten says.

Why no ashwagandha while breastfeeding?

Although it is rare, there have been a number of cases that link liver injury to ashwagandha supplements. Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding.

Do babies get vitamins through breast milk?

According to the our comprehensive guidebook, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, if a breastfeeding mother is getting an adequate supply of vitamins in her diet, her milk will contain adequate nutrients in the perfect balance for her baby.

Does vitamin D pass through breast milk?

The current recommendation of 400 IU per day to these individuals does little to sustain blood concentrations of the parent vitamin D compound, the form that crosses from the maternal circulation into human milk; thus, minimal vitamin D is transferred into human milk.

What if I forgot to give my baby vitamin D drops?

How often do I give the vitamin D drops? You should give the drops once a day, every day. But, if you forget one day, it is all right. The vitamin D is stored in the baby and there will be enough in the baby’s body to prevent rickets.

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.