The importance of adequate nutrition and absence of vitamin deficiencies is important during pregnancy. For this reason, many pregnant women take vitamin supplements.
Nursing mothers who are no longer pregnant might wonder about the necessity of continuing supplements, postpartum, or whether specific vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C, affect breastfeeding.
A breastfeeding mother might ask: ‘Should I take vitamin C while breastfeeding?’
Should mothers take Vitamin C while breastfeeding?
For breastfeeding women, there is no reason to take additional vitamins in a supplement form, unless a vitamin C deficiency has been diagnosed.
If breastfeeding mothers have adequate vitamin C levels, dietary supplements are not recommended.
Most people get enough vitamin C simply from eating a balanced diet.
Poorly nourished mothers with low vitamin C levels should talk to their health care providers to make sure they are getting the recommended daily amount.
A maternal diet rich in foods containing high levels of vitamin C, such as leafy vegetables and citrus fruits, might be enough to reverse a vitamin C deficiency without the need to take supplements.
Having a diet with adequate vitamin C also helps the human body absorb iron.
Is breast milk high in Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a naturally occurring component of human milk.
A study into the effects of vitamin C intake on the vitamin C concentration in breast milk found that the vitamin C component of breast milk did not increase when women who did not have a vitamin C deficiency took supplements.
Breastfeeding mothers with adequate vitamin C levels produce breast milk that is also adequate in vitamin C.
In nursing mothers who did have a deficiency, the amount of vitamin C in breast milk increased when they took vitamin C supplements.
Therefore, the level of vitamin C in the breast milk of a mother with no vitamin C deficiency is adequate to meet the infant’s needs.
Attempting to increase the vitamin C content of breast milk through supplementation is ineffective and unnecessary.
Can vitamin C supplements increase milk supply?
There is no evidence to suggest that vitamin C supplements can increase breast milk supply.
If a breastfeeding mother is deficient in any vitamins, taking a supplement might help to increase the level of that particular vitamin in breast milk, but it does not increase breast milk supply overall.
Breast milk supply is initiated hormonally, then maintained on the principle of supply and demand.
You can read more about this in BellyBelly’s article How Does Breastfeeding Work? An Explanation.
The most important factor in increasing milk supply is increasing the frequency and amount of milk removal.
You can read more about this in BellyBelly’s article How To Increase Milk Supply | Fast! 9 Best Things To Do.
Can vitamin supplements adversely affect a nursing infant?
It’s unlikely that excess vitamin C in lactating women can cause harm to a baby’s health. However, very high doses might cause digestive disturbances.
Fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin D can become concentrated in breast milk and be potentially harmful to a baby.
There are certain herbs that are also not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.
For more information, you can refer to BellyBelly’s article Herbs For Breastfeeding | Do They Help?
Always talk to a trusted health professional before taking supplements.
Vitamin C serum while breastfeeding
Some breastfeeding mothers might wonder whether it’s safe to use a vitamin C serum while breastfeeding.
Vitamin C serums are used to help improve the appearance of the skin. If you use a vitamin C serum as part of your regular skincare routine, you can be assured that it is safe to continue doing so while breastfeeding.
It’s also worthwhile noting that the best way to care for skin is to be a well nourished mother.
The demands on every system of the body increase in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Early motherhood is not a time for poor nourishment. If you are finding it difficult to make time to eat well, delegate other tasks or household chores so you are able to concentrate on yourself and your baby.
Are ascorbic acid and vitamin C supplements the same?
Ascorbic acid is the form of vitamin C found naturally in food. Ascorbic acid is essentially vitamin C in its purest form.
Ascorbic acid assists the body with wound healing, helps reduce inflammation, increases collagen production and supports the body’s immune system.
The best form of ascorbic acid or Vitamin c while breastfeeding is in food sources.
For more information, you can read BellyBelly’s article 10 Facts About A Mother’s Diet and Breastfeeding.
