What vitamins should you not take while breastfeeding?

Understanding Vitamin Intake While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial period for both mothers and infants, and maintaining proper nutrition is essential. While many vitamins and supplements can be beneficial, there are specific vitamins that breastfeeding mothers should approach with caution or avoid altogether.
Vitamins to Avoid or Limit
1. Excessive Iron: While iron is vital for overall health, breastfeeding mothers often do not require additional iron supplements beyond what is found in a standard prenatal vitamin. In fact, many prenatal vitamins contain more iron than necessary for breastfeeding, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as constipation or upset stomach. Therefore, unless a healthcare provider recommends it due to a deficiency, excessive iron supplementation should be avoided.
2. Vitamin A: High doses of vitamin A can be harmful. While vitamin A is essential for health, excessive intake can lead to toxicity, which may affect both the mother and the infant. It’s crucial for breastfeeding mothers to avoid supplements that contain high levels of preformed vitamin A (retinol), typically found in animal products and some supplements.
3. Fluoride: Some studies suggest that fluoride supplements may cause fussiness or colic in infants. While fluoride is important for dental health, it is generally recommended that breastfeeding mothers avoid fluoride supplements unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.
4. Herbal Supplements: Many herbal supplements are not well-studied in breastfeeding contexts and can potentially affect milk supply or infant health. Mothers should be cautious and consult healthcare providers before taking any herbal products.
Recommended Supplements
While there are vitamins to avoid, certain supplements are recommended for breastfeeding mothers:
– Vitamin D: It is widely recommended that breastfeeding mothers take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 mcg (400 IU) to ensure both their health and that of their infant. Breast milk typically does not provide sufficient vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health.
– Vitamin B12: For mothers who are vegetarian or vegan, a vitamin B12 supplement is essential, as this nutrient is primarily found in animal products.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding mothers should focus on maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, they must also be cautious about certain vitamins and supplements. Excessive iron, high doses of vitamin A, fluoride, and unverified herbal supplements should generally be avoided. Instead, focusing on recommended supplements like vitamin D and B12 can help ensure both mother and baby remain healthy during this critical time. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to supplement intake.

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.

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 not to take while breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include:

• codeine phosphate.
• decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow.
• some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.
• aspirin for pain relief.

Is vitamin D safe 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.

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 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 vitamins can’t you take when 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.

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.

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.

What vitamins are most deficient in breast milk?

Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in food from animals, primarily meat, fish, milk, milk products, and eggs. Therefore, infants who receive only breast milk from mothers who do not consume animal products are at greater risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency shortly after birth.