While breastfeeding, you have to be careful about which medications and supplements you are consuming. This is due to the potential of them crossing through to your breast milk. Some medications and supplements may not be safe while breastfeeding. So if you’ve been wondering… can you take probiotics while breastfeeding?
This post will go over the benefits and risks, plus ways you can consume probiotics while breastfeeding.
Are Probiotics Safe While Breastfeeding?
There are many reasons a mother may want to take probiotics while breastfeeding their baby. If they’re taking antibiotics for an issue like mastitis, or experiencing thrush, or yeast infections.
It’s always a great idea to be cautious and check to make sure any supplements you’re consuming are safe while nursing.
Research shows that probiotics are safe for a mother to consume while breastfeeding. There is no conclusive evidence that large amounts of probiotics pass through a mother’s breast milk to their baby.
However, there is research that showed small amounts of probiotics ingested by the mother were found in breast milk. The probiotic supplementation provided beneficial bacteria to the baby and reduced their risk for eczema. It was very little transfer and caused no harm to the baby.
Therefore, it is safe for a breastfeeding mom to consume probiotics through their diet or probiotic supplements.
Benefits of Probiotics While Breastfeeding
The use of probiotics is beneficial in the postpartum period. As well as having many benefits to your overall health.
Benefits for Mama
Probiotics can be given to breastfeeding mothers when taking antibiotics to treat mastitis. They help to maintain good bacteria in the gut while the use of antibiotics kills the bad bacteria.
Probiotics have also been shown to decrease yeast in the body. The use of probiotics is great for preventing thrush and yeast infections and is used as part of treatment for yeast with other methods.
Other benefits for new moms include improved digestion by reducing harmful bacteria and improved immune health.
Benefits for Baby
A lot of a baby’s immune system exists in their gut microbiome. Potentially introducing extra good bacteria to the baby’s gut through their mother’s breast milk can help build up their immune health.
Probiotics play an important role in reducing the amount of yeast in the digestive tract. This can be helpful if your baby has problems with yeast infection diaper rashes or thrush.
The use of probiotics by pregnant women who then breastfeed has also shown a decreased risk of eczema (atopic dermatitis) in babies.
There was also a study done that showed babies whose mothers took probiotics while nursing had reduced acid reflux and colic.
Risks of Probiotics While Breastfeeding
Some people may be sensitive to probiotics and experience a few side effects. These side effects may include:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Constipation
If you experience any of these side effects or experience stomach pains, your gut may be having a hard time adjusting to the new introduction of healthy bacteria. You can try cutting back on the amount you’re taking and give your gut a few weeks to adjust.
How Can You Take Probiotics While Breastfeeding?
Probiotics can be taken by a breastfeeding mother through probiotic supplementation or probiotic-rich foods. If you enjoy probiotic-rich foods, you can start there! If not, a probiotic supplement may work best for you.
Probiotic-Rich Foods to Eat While Breastfeeding
1. Soft Cheese
Good bacteria can be found in mozzarella, gouda, cheddar, and cottage cheese. These are all really easy to include in your diet!
2. Kombucha
Kombucha tea is a fermented tea drink that contains many different probiotic strains. Kombucha can be an acquired taste, but some people love it!
3. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate greater than 70% cocoa contains good bacteria from the probiotic strain lactobacilli.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt is a really easy way to include probiotics in your diet. Make sure to choose yogurt with active or live cultures in its ingredients. These will contain the good bacteria you need!
5. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented probiotic drink made from adding kefir grains to cow or goat’s milk. Kefir grains are cultures of lactic acid bacteria that provide the healthy bacteria needed. Kefir does contain more probiotics than yogurt if you like the taste.
6. Kimchi
Kimchi is a spicy Korean dish made from fermented cabbage and other vegetables. It contains lactic acid bacteria that are great for digestive health.
7. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is finely shredded fermented cabbage. Be sure to choose unpasteurized sauerkraut for the probiotic benefits. Pasteurization kills the probiotic bacteria that is useful!
8. Tempeh
Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that is typically used as a replacement for meat, as it also provides vitamin B12.
9. Pickles
Pickles are cucumbers that have been left to ferment, so it makes sense that they would also contain probiotics through the fermentation process.
10. Miso
Miso is a Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a fungus called koji. Miso is also high in various vitamins and minerals and has many other health benefits.
Probiotic Supplements
Always consult your health care provider when choosing a probiotic supplement that works best for you. There are some probiotic supplements on the market specific to nursing mothers.
Just be cautious using any with fenugreek and keep an eye on your milk supply. Fenugreek is used by some women to increase their milk supply, but can actually cause a decreased milk supply in others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can probiotics be passed through breast milk?
Some research studies show this is possible, but there is not yet any conclusive evidence that a significant amount of probiotics are passed through breast milk.
What probiotics are safe while breastfeeding?
Probiotic-rich foods are 100% safe to consume while breastfeeding!
Most all probiotic supplements are safe while breastfeeding. However, check the ingredient list closely with your health care provider to determine if all listed ingredients within the probiotic supplement are safe while nursing. Some probiotic supplements have additional ingredients included.
Can taking probiotics while breastfeeding make baby gassy?
Human milk naturally contains probiotics through the mother’s gut microbiome. And there is no conclusive evidence that there are any significant advantages to the baby from the mother consuming probiotics.
However, if you notice any digestive system changes in your baby after starting probiotic supplementation, stop and consult with your baby’s healthcare provider.
The good news is if you’ve been wondering about probiotic use, it is absolutely safe to do while breastfeeding. One of the best ways to introduce probiotics is through your diet. If you’re looking to supplement, talk with your doctor about the best probiotics for nursing moms. A healthy gut is important to have a healthy body. So with no evidence of harm to baby, take those probiotics as needed mama!
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