For All You Nursing Mothers

My Doc says that a prenatal vitamin is fine - I do give my baby Poly-Vi-Sol infant vitamin drops so she gets vitamin D. (As per suggested by her pediatrician) Hope that helps!

Hi T.,
I have been using Expecta Lipil since day one (along with my prenatal vitamins). According to my doctor, it does help out with everything. Congrats on not having to supplement! I'm still breastfeeding my 8-month daughter (and going strong too!)!! =)

Current research is showing that Omega3's are necessary for brain development. I've read that it is essential during fetal development and the 1st year of life (it's also good for adults - it effects mood and heart health).
You can take a good supplement or get it in your diet.
Foods high in "good fat" are fish (especially salmon), avocado, almonds and walnuts, eggs (some are fortified with extra!), and whole milk. There is also and Omega truffle (BIJA) that is sold at Valley Natural Foods - yum yum. It is spendy - 3 come in a pack - but it's a great treat!
I've heard 2 Dr.'s on Oprah express how important these fats are and that most of us don't get enough.
My prenatal Omega3 is from Melaleuca. It has 1000mg of DHA and 400mg of EPA. It's a softgel that I take daily. I've been taking it for 2 years (while pregnant and nursing) and love it.
My best to your healthy family!

I would DEFINITELY add a DHA/ Omega 3 into your daily routine! It is a great thing to do for yourself and your daughter. I took fish oil caps from Nordic Naturals. Don't just get any old supplement from Wal-Mart or whatever. You will be throwing your money away. Definitely use something like Nordic Nat. or Carlsons. Congrats!

I have taken the non-fish supplement of DHA: Expecta Lipil (from the makers of Enfamil) with my prenatal vitamin. It is about $10 at WalMart and there is a $2 off coupon inside the box (so fish it out before check-out to same some $$). I don't know if it works, as my son is only 6 weeks old, but I figure it can't hurt! :)

T.,

Congrats on your new arrival and to breastfeeding her too!
I have four children: 7,6,5,2; and with each one of them I breast feed. My physician told me that the only vitamin that she preferrs me to take is ONLY my prenatal. This is because your infant will receive everything that she needs to grow healthy from you. All that you need to make sure of is that you are eating well, not only for your infants well being, but for your health too. If you start taking supplements for every different vitamin that you feel you need to take so that your daughter receives more than enough for her growth, you risk depleting your milk supply. The more you supplement, the less your body thinks that it needs to produce. So, let your body do all the work and you just supply your body with enough of the right foods and everything will turn out great. Good luck to you.
Jackie - Wisconsin

I would say the prenatal is enough. Really, a healthy diet on your part is the best thing for baby.

Breast milk has naturally occurring DHA and ARA. No need to supplement.

My baby's doctor prescribed TriVitamin Drops with floride since he's solely breastfed...suprised your doctor didn't prescride that already.

I've had two kids with just the prenatal vitamin, nursing one until 6 months and the other until 8 months. They're just fine :) Because of the expense of those lipil vitamins I'm not going to be using them for the third either and I'm not thinking twice about it. :)

Hi T.,
I have a 3/12 month old and breastfeed/pump exclusively too. I take "Expecta" (DHA vitamin) along with a multi-vitamin. I don't think multi's have it in them. DHA is supposed to be good for my daughter's brain and eye development. My OBGYN recommended Expecta while I was pregnant. It's a little pricey ($12 or so for a month's supply) but Target carries it and there's a $2 off coupon inside each box for subsequent purchases.

Taking it puts my mind at ease-- just because the DHA is from non-fish sources and there's no chance that mercury or other contaminants are in it.

Another great option is to incorporate flax seeds into your diet (mix into yogurt, sprinkle on salads, etc).

Good for you not having to supplement. That's great. I am nursing also, my daughter is 7 months old and I have just been taking a prenatal vitamin and she is doing great. No major sickness and is healthy. I also nursed my son for 9 months, he is now 3 1/2. All I took with him was a prenatal vitamin. Both have turned out just fine.

A healthy diet and prenatal are good enough. You can try to eat fish once or twice a week to boost the fatty acids if you want. I like fish so that's what I did. Things are better if you can get them from your diet anyhow.

First off, congratulations on your decision to nurse and stick with it! I have nursed all three of my children for about 18 months and my third is still going at 18 months. I have never taken any supplement other than my prenatal vitamin, but it couldn't hurt. Good luck with everything!

S.

The baby is getting DHA from your breastmilk as others have said but you might want to supplement for yourself to replenish what she is taking.

I do some research consulting and previously was a microbiologist (until staying home with the birth of my third baby). Anyhow, I can't say enough positive about the DHA and ARA. It is in all the formulas now and the science is so very strong for its use in formulas. Breastmilk already has it in, which is why it is now in formula. So your baby is already getting the DHA and ARA from your milk. I would still however add it to your supplements (in addition to a good pre-natal vitamin), but if possible add in more fatty fish to your diet (salmon) as whole food are always better than the supplements. Hope this helps!

If you eat good sources of fish tuna salmon and others that are low in mercury and high in DHA you should be okay but if you don't a supplement would not hurt.

i don't think it would hurt, but i would find a quality product.

and congratulations on a great nursing relationship! :)

Hi T. - I take Expecta every day along with my prenatal vitamin but that's because i'm a vegetarian and don't eat fish so it's my only source. It probably can't hurt.....?

I also am grateful that I don't have to supplement yet...she's almost 4 months old. :)

Short answer - yes. The amount of DHA in the breastmilk varies with your intake. It's true that a generation survived without it, but it is so important for brain growth and eye health and the baby's brain is growing a lot right now, so why not give her the optimal. You don't need to waste money on expensive supplements if you can handle a tablespoon of cod liver oil a day (Carlson's is good). That is what our grandmothers (or great grandmothers) did.

Some childhood conditions like ADHD and eczema are being linked to fatty acid deficiencies, not as prevalent in our grandmother's day.

Congrats on your nursing! Your daughter is very lucky.

I take Omega 3 fish oil tablets to be sure. I found a brand from Walmart that doesn't taste very fishy.

I've only been told to take my prenatal vitamin, but if you are concerned, check with your Dr.

Congratulations on breastfeeding! You are doing a wonderful thing!

As for the supplements, I nursed two boys for over a year each and never took anything more than my prenatal. If you have a balanced diet, your milk will contain everything your baby needs, including DHA/ARA, which is naturally occuring in breastmilk.

However if you do decide on a supplement, stick with fish oil caplets, like the ones anne-marie mentioned. I would NOT use the Enfamil ones... really its kind of thier way of getting breastfeeding mothers money that they aren't spending on formula. THose vitamins docs prescribe for babies too, the poly vi sol, those are made by enfamil/similac too.

Fish oil caplets are the same thing, much cheaper, and MUCH higher quality.
But again, your milk has DHA/ARA in it, no need to add artificial stuff to your body by taking the Enfamil Lipil, but the fish oil caplets are good for anyone. :)

I just used my prenatal vitamin when I nursed. I also gave my daughter (who is now 12 months) poly vi sol with iron. My doctor said I didn't need to take the DHA vitamin as long as I ate well balanced meals.

Prenatal pack from Melaleuca is the best thing for you and baby. This has the minerals, vitamins and most importantly for baby, the Omega 3. Don't use over the counter brand as they don't get out the bad stuff. Any fishy taste is not good. The omega 3 is a must for brain and eye development and should be taken while nursing.

Vitamins are great, but is the one you're taking being absorbed? Most minerals/vitamins at the store are absorbed very, very little.

90 day money back guarantee on the vitamin and mineral - who else would let you FEEL the nutrition before losing money??

I don't distribute, but I do refer people to them.

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I never took a lipil vitamin. I think just the prenatal vitamin and your diet is okay.