What vitamins should not be taken while breastfeeding?

Understanding Vitamin Intake While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a critical period for both mothers and infants, and ensuring proper nutrition is essential. While many vitamins and supplements can support a breastfeeding mother’s health, there are specific vitamins and supplements that should be approached with caution or avoided altogether.
Vitamins to Avoid
1. High-Dose Vitamin A: While vitamin A is crucial for health, excessive amounts can be harmful. High doses of vitamin A, particularly from supplements, can lead to toxicity, which may affect the infant. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers avoid supplements containing more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A.
2. Iron Supplements: Although iron is important, many breastfeeding mothers may not need additional iron supplements if they are consuming a balanced diet. Excessive iron can lead to gastrointestinal issues for both the mother and the baby. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before taking iron supplements.
3. Certain Herbal Supplements: Many herbal supplements can have unknown effects on breastfeeding infants. For instance, herbs like sage and peppermint may reduce milk supply, while others could potentially be harmful. It’s best to avoid these unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional.
4. Flaxseed and Soy: These supplements can interfere with hormone levels and may not be suitable for breastfeeding mothers. They can also cause digestive issues in infants, leading to fussiness or colic.
5. Excessive Vitamin E: While vitamin E is beneficial in moderation, high doses can pose risks. It can interfere with blood clotting and may lead to complications, especially if the mother is taking blood-thinning medications.
Recommended Supplements
While there are vitamins to avoid, certain supplements are beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. For instance, a daily vitamin D supplement of 10mcg is often recommended to support both maternal and infant health. Additionally, vitamin B12 is crucial for those following vegetarian or vegan diets, as it is primarily found in animal products.
Conclusion
Navigating vitamin and supplement intake while breastfeeding can be complex. It is essential for mothers to consult healthcare providers to tailor their supplement regimen to their specific needs and avoid potential risks. By focusing on a balanced diet and being cautious with certain vitamins and supplements, breastfeeding mothers can support their health and that of their infants effectively.

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.

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.

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.

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 pills dry up your milk supply?

Cabergoline works by stopping your body’s production of prolactin (a hormone that the body releases to help maintain the milk supply). It comes in the form of a tablet that you take by mouth. Most women only need one dose of the medication before their milk supply dries up.

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.

Can you take vitamin C and D while breastfeeding?

by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM. High doses of vitamin C, B-2, B-6, B-12, K, biotin and vitamin D are unlikely to be harmful during lactation. What vitamins, in high doses, are safe during breastfeeding? High doses of some vitamins has made it into mainstream medical therapy for various health conditions.

Can I take B12 while breastfeeding?

It’s OK to take cyanocobalamin if you’re breastfeeding. Vitamin B12 (including cyanocobalamin) is a natural part of breast milk.

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.

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.