Can I Take Emergen C While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding women often take extra care of their health. Viral infections can be a big issue for any breastfeeding mother. Taking immunity boosters or special supplements can strengthen their health.

 

But taking any kind of special supplement first needs the doctor’s advice. Emergen-C is a health supplement that people take to reduce any risk of cold or flu.

But you can have questions and concerns about using this supplement. if it’s safe? Or, can I take Emergen-C while breastfeeding?

 

Here are some answers regarding the usage of Emergen-C while breastfeeding. Also, other options to strengthen your immune system in this period.

 

What is Emergen-C

Emergen-c is a supplement that has vitamin c and other vitamins that comes in the powdered formula as a flavoured fizzy drink or solid capsules. It can be mixed with water and taken as a dietary supplement.

 

Some of the brands claim that it gets absorbed into the bloodstream as normal vitamins. Also, some brands have a high level of vitamin c like 1000 mg vitamin c per serving. This one is called emergency-c everyday immune support. That has ten orange worth vitamins. It is available in many flavours.

 

Emergen-C components

It contains many more vitamin ingredients other than vitamin c. The other ingredients are B vitamin, zinc, magnesium, chromium, phosphorus, sugar and other electrolytes like sodium and calcium along with additives and preservatives.

 

Many other products have plant-based vitamins, probiotics, energizer and sleep aid.

 

Can I take Emergen-C while breastfeeding, is it safe?

Breastfeeding mothers can use this booster safely. So if you take the normal Emergen-c that mainly focus on vitamin c. Then take a quantity that doesn’t affect the milk production or the baby.

 

It does not affect the baby as the milk produced can not have a higher amount of vitamin c. As that much vitamin c doesn’t make it to the milk.

 

Other Ingredients like too much zinc or Manganese can cause problems during breastfeeding months. No more than 2000 mg of vitamin c can be safe.

 

The percentage should be 11mg of zinc, 2mg of manganese, 1,500mg sodium, 2,900mg potassium, 350mg magnesium, 700mg phosphorus per day.

 

You will be eating other foods and taking medications as well. so make sure these amounts are taken into consideration.

 

So, you need to take advice from your doctor before taking these. Also if you see any health issues after taking these then immediately stop or consult a doctor.

 

How is Vitamin C beneficial in boosting your immunity

Vitamin c encourages the production of an important antioxidant that is glutathione. This is present within every cell. It is our body’s most fundamental defence against free radicals.

 

Vitamin C helps our body to create more white blood cells, antibodies and antiviral substances like interferon. These things work as shields in our body and protect it from viruses.

 

Vitamin C helps our body to produce collagen. Collagen can protect the body from bacterial infections by making the body tissues strong. Vitamin C also prevents unusual disease scurvy.

 

Some other vitamins that can be beneficial while breastfeeding

 

Biotin

35 mcg of biotin is needed for a breastfeeding mother. You can take biotin supplements or you can include foods that have biotin to get your daily amount of biotin. Some of the foods that help are broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, mustard greens and lettuce.

 

Vitamin D

It helps to run the immune system properly. Development and strengthening the bones and improving the skin. Also, help to absorb magnesium and calcium in our body. Some vitamin D filled foods are orange juice, egg, soy milk, cheese and vitamin D supplements.

 

Vitamin K

Vitamin k can help our body by fighting viruses and protecting viruses. Vitamin K filled foods that you can include in your diet are soybean oil, cabbage, spinach, broccoli.92 mcg of vitamin k is needed in breastfeeding mothers.

 

Folic acid

This increases our red blood cells and also help absorb iron in our body. Folic acid-rich foods are beetroot, Lentils, milk, wheat and rice. The body needs 520 mcg of folic acid daily.

 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E protects our body, produces more red blood cells and provides healthy growth of body muscles. A daily dose of vitamin E can be added with avocado, sunflower oil, nuts like peanuts and hazelnut.

 

Vitamin B5

This helps with red blood cells and heal wounds easily. Also helps our body to absorb other nutrients and vitamins. It helps the digestive system. Foods that have vitamin B5 are sunflower seeds, cauliflower, sweet potato and cheese.8 my of vitamin B5 is needed for the body daily.

 

Vitamin B2

This vitamin helps the body to absorb iron and increase the generation of red blood cells. Foods with vitamin B2 are spinach, broccoli, mushroom and brown rice.2 mg amount of vitamin B2 is daily needed in the body.

 

How to increase immunity during the breastfeeding period

Eating and drinking properly in this period is most important. Include immune-boosting foods in your diet like vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits, protein items like eggs, fish, chicken and nuts.

 

Eat plenty of water and other juices. lemon water in the morning. Soups with vegetables and chicken stocks. Dark green vegetables also help to boost the immune system.

 

Movements and an active body are important for a healthy mind and body. walk and do some relaxing yoga or meditation. This will help you stay immune and also it will lower your stress level.

 

Things to avoid while breastfeeding

Restricting the consumption of seafood and fish that contain mercury. High mercury fishes like king mackerel, shark, swordfish, tilefish, marlin.

 

Foods that are high in sugar and fat. Avoid sugary drinks and chocolates. Cakes and cookies can also be avoided.

 

Limit your tea and caffeine intake. It can affect your body and pass into your breast milk.

 

Don’t drink alcohol or smoke during the breastfeeding period. Also, avoid an environment with smoke.

 

Don’t eat processed foods. It can contain unhealthy fat and calories without much vitamin.

Conclusion

Taking vitamins or supplements can help to improve the immune system of the mother’s body. At this time the mother’s illness can easily be transferred to the baby while breastfeeding. So stay on a healthy diet and don’t stress much about all these. For any supplement advice or vitamin first, take your doctor’s advice.