Are you looking for supplements and wondering, can you take emergen c while breastfeeding?
Never before has boosting one’s immune been more prevalent than in this era of Covid-19. According to studies, the use of supplements has increased in the last few decades.
In fact, more than half of Americans are taking diet supplements.
And if that’s not shocking enough, the supplements industry is expected to grow by 8.6% between 2021 and 2028, reaching new heights of $272.4B.
All we are trying to say is that if you are thinking of taking supplements, you are not alone in this.
However, when you are breastfeeding and have another human being depending on you, everything you consume comes with a load of questions.
Like the one we have right now, can you take supplements like Emergen-C when you are breastfeeding?
We have all the answers you are searching for!
Read more on a related post: Can Pregnant Women Take Emergen C
What is Emergen-C?
Emergen-C is a vitamin supplement with a keen focus on vitamin C nutrients. It comes in powder or solid form, which you mix with water and get an effervescent result.
Emergen-C supplements come in various forms.
Some providers will even list their version to be “highly potent,” with an explanation that it is highly absorbable into your bloodstream than the competitor’s product.
As such, some brands of Emergen-C will have higher contents of vitamin C, with some going as high as 1,000mg per serving.
Apart from vitamin C, Emergen-C supplements will have other minerals and vitamins, like:
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Vitamin Bs
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Zinc
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Electrolytes, like sodium and calcium
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Sleeping aids
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Plant-based vitamins
Can You Take Emergen C While Breastfeeding?
When you are pregnant and breastfeeding, you take any type of food and supplement recommendation with a grain of salt.
Then, you consult your doctor for professional help that aligns with your health.
With this, before you start taking Emergen-C when you are breastfeeding, we recommend that you speak to your doctor first.
However, it is generally considered safe to take Emergen-C when you are breastfeeding.
Nevertheless, your consumption should not be constant. Experts recommend that you take these supplements occasionally.
Unfortunately, there is not much research into how often you should take supplements while nursing, including Emergen-C.
That’s why it is important to consult your doctor beforehand.
How Safe Are The Individual Ingredients?
As mentioned, Emergen-C has other minerals and vitamins. But how safe are these other ingredients for nursing mothers?
1. Vitamin C
Experts recommend nursing mothers take 120 mg of this every day.
However, you can consume up to 1,000mg to increase your milk levels without worrying about health issues.
In addition, some doctors may recommend up to 2000mg if you are struggling with nourishments, which is also safe in such situations.
Taking vitamin C in larger doses can harm your health, like leading to kidney stones. As such, ensure you stay within the recommended dosage.
2. Vitamin Bs
Most Emergen-C supplements will contain vitamins B1, B2, and B9.
Vitamin B1, also thiamine, is an excellent addition for breastfeeding mothers with a limited diet. It helps your body use carbohydrates for energy.
Lack of this vitamin could lead to tiredness, weakness of muscles, and lack of appetite.
While there is not much information on the effects of a high dosage of vitamin B1 from Emergen-C, over-consumption could lead to excess thiamine in your breast milk.
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin helps your body with cellular respiration, a process that combines foods with oxygen.
Lack of these vitamins could cause a deficiency in other nutrients since it is responsible for processing them.
The RDA for vitamin B2 is 1.6 mg daily, with an allowance of 50 mg per serving. A higher dosage will lead to side effects like yellow-orange urine.
With vitamin B9 or folate, the RDA is 0.5mg with a daily limit of 1 mg for breastfeeding mothers. This is best if you are malnourished.
3. Zinc
Zinc has an RDA of 12 mg per serving with a maximum limit of 40mg for breastfeeding mothers.
Most Emergen-C supplements provide about 2mg per serving.
Overdosage of zinc for a nursing mother could lead to headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
So, can you take Emergen-C while breastfeeding?
Absolutely. Boosting your immune is essential not only for you but your little one’s well-being.
However, we insist that you consult your doctor first before buying and taking any supplements, including Emergen-C.
Related Post: Can Adults Drink Baby Formula?
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.
