Breast milk provides healthy benefits for a baby that include nutrients for growth and development and immune system support. Breastfeeding has also been associated with healthier long-term health for both the mother and the baby. Breast milk provides most of the nutrients a baby needs naturally; however, some vitamin supplementation may be necessary depending on the mother's diet and other conditions that affect breast milk composition.
Multivitamin
While breast milk is a rich source of nutrients for a baby and will contain most of the vitamins she needs, if the mother's diet is less than ideal, supplementing with a multivitamin may be necessary to ensure all nutrients are provided. A prenatal vitamin provides extra minerals, which help support the baby's bone development and can be taken when breastfeeding.
B-Complex
For stress, take a B-complex vitamin, recommends nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Deficiency in the family of B vitamins can cause depression and mood swings. B vitamins are essential for the body's energy production process, which is important for busy breastfeeding mothers.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is low in breast milk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sunlight exposure increases an infant's vitamin D levels; however, in northern regions of the country and during weather that discourages trips outside, a baby may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Rickets, a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, is rare in the United States; however, the CDC recommends giving infants 400 IU per day.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is low in mother's milk, according to Balch, and taking a supplement of the nutrient is recommended. Besides being an essential vitamin needed for basic metabolic functions, vitamin C is also necessary for repairing skin tissue, which may be supportive for breastfeeding mothers specifically because the nipples can become sore and broken skin can develop.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vitamin D Supplementation
- BabyCenter: How breastfeeding benefits you and your baby
- BabyCenter: Does my baby need to take vitamins?
