Vitamins have varying abilities to be transferred to breast milk. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins D and E, are easily passed on and can increase their levels in breast milk. Women are often advised to take prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding, which usually contain a large dose of iron. Iron levels in breast milk are not affected by the amount of iron in your diet or by the iron supplements you take.
Certain herbal products, high-dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous for babies who are breastfed through breast milk. It is important to consult with your doctor before taking any supplement as there may be other supplements that are contraindicated during breastfeeding. Additionally, certain prescription drugs that mothers take can also be dangerous for breastfed babies. Vitamin A is essential for healthy vision and colostrum, the breast milk that the body produces during the first few days of breastfeeding, has twice as much vitamin A as mature or transitional breast milk.
These higher levels of vitamin A, particularly beta-carotene, give colostrum its yellow-orange color. Formula-fed babies may need extra vitamin A, but breastfed children do not. Caffeine is a drug found in products such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, and some energy drinks and medications. Too much caffeine in breast milk can make your baby restless or have trouble sleeping. If you drink coffee, don't drink more than two cups a day while you're breastfeeding. Information on supplements to avoid before surgery because of an increased risk of bleeding or interference with anesthesia is also available.
After giving a dose of vitamin K at birth, healthy breastfed babies don't need any additional vitamin K supplements. Supplementing is generally considered safe if you have trouble filling up your biotin dose, as long as your doctor gives you the green light first. There is vitamin D in breast milk, but levels vary depending on the amount of vitamin D the breastfeeding father gets. Smoking reduces the amount of vitamin C in breast milk, so if you smoke you'll have lower levels, and you may need to add more citrus fruits or a daily vitamin C supplement to your diet. Experts still recommend some supplements, but breast milk is impressively nutritious on its own. In addition to choosing healthy foods to eat, you can continue taking your prenatal vitamins and any other supplements recommended by your doctor.
A supplement is a product that is taken to compensate for certain nutrients that are not obtained in sufficient quantity from food. Daily multivitamins or prenatal vitamins are often recommended for breastfeeding mothers who cannot meet their nutritional needs with food alone. In addition, when a healthy father breastfeeds a healthy baby at full term, the levels of these vitamins in breast milk meet the recommended daily levels. If you follow the doctor's advice and recommendations for follow-up care, you can be sure that you are doing everything possible to ensure that breast milk contains all the necessary vitamins and that it is as healthy as possible for your child.
Iron supplements are generally added between four and six months of age and, depending on the water supply, the doctor may recommend a fluoride supplement at six months. If you eat a healthy diet, breast milk should contain most of the vitamins your baby needs. However, if you're concerned about your own vitamin K levels, your doctor will prescribe supplements to increase vitamin K levels in breast milk. If you must take a homeopathic or herbal supplement, talk to your doctor first and use caution.
