Are Hair Skin And Nail Vitamins Safe While Breastfeeding

What If I Would Like To Take Extra Vitamins Or Other Nutritional Supplements Is This Safe

• Most mineral supplements taken by the mother do not affect breastmilk levels.
• Water soluble vitamin supplements taken by the mother usually increase breastmilk levels. Breastmilk levels of some water soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, only increase up to a certain point, then remain steady even if mom increases her dose.
• Fat soluble vitamin supplements taken by the mother can concentrate in human milk, and thus excessive amounts may be harmful to a breastfeeding baby.
• The safety of herbs and other nutritional supplements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis some are safe and some are not.

My Favorite Vitamins And Supplements For Postnatal & Breastfeeding Moms

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central.

Many of us are aware of the great importance of taking a prenatal vitamin while pregnant, but fail to realize how important it is to continue to take vitamins postpartum and while breastfeeding. Giving birth and pregnancy can take an immense toll on a womans body and if you choose to breastfeed, it can also add additional strain on your body. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, getting ample rest and having a great support system are so important to fast recovery and continued optimal health even months after the birth of your child.

While it is ideal to get the majority of nutrients and mineral from your food, sometimes there can be nutritional gaps that still need to be addressed. For these nutritional gaps, I turn to Nature Made Vitamins and Supplements. Nature Made® is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended brand for many key dietary supplement categories.* Nature Made® vitamins and supplements: An easy, convenient way to help your body get the nutritional support it needs every day, whether it be to support bone health, immune health or energy metabolism .

I use the following vitamins and supplements to help meet my nutrition needs:

Hair Skin And Nail Vitamins

B-complex vitamins consist of all of the B vitamins that your body needs. Vitamin H, or biotin, is a part of the group of B vitamins and is particularly responsible for longer hair, stronger nails and healthy skin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sardines, egg yolks, whole grains, nuts and bananas provide a plentiful source of biotin. Biotin is also available as a supplement.

Adults who are healthy can safely consume up to 30 micrograms per day, according to the UMMC. Consult with your physician to see if this amount is right for you.

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Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use this product if you are allergic to Hair, Skin & Nails.

Before using Hair, Skin & Nails, talk to your healthcare provider. Your dose needs may be different:

• if you have kidney disease

• if you have had stomach surgery or

• if you smoke.

Ask a doctor before using Hair, Skin & Nails if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Essential Vitamins For Breastfeeding Mother

• Frequently asked questions about vitamins for breastfeeding infants

Health flows from your breast milk to your baby. The nutrition in your food is not just for you, but also for your baby. When you are a lactating mother, your baby gets his daily requirement of essential vitamins from your breast milk.

In this article, MomJunction tells you all that you need to know about your recommended vitamin intake when breastfeeding.

Also Check: What Does Vitamin D Do For Your Body

What Are The Side Effects Of Nature’s Bounty Hair Skin & Nails

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

When taken as directed, multivitamins are not expected to cause serious side effects. Common side effects may include:

• upset stomach
• headache or
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dont Neglect Your Skin Care Regimen

Theres no need to look at motherhood like a bumpy road that slows you down. If self-care for you means going back to your usual beauty regimen, then by all means, indulge yourself. Cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize yourself like usual. Your skin needs more attention than it did pre-pregnancy. And needless to say, dont slow down on moisturizer.

Avoid cosmetic treatments in the meantime while breastfeeding though. Exposure to harsh ingredients can cause potential harm to your baby. You can suspend this for a while and ask for your doctors advice.

Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Help With Energy Levels

Other Vitamins And Supplements To Avoid While Breastfeeding

The fact is, most herbs and supplements havent been extensively studied in breastfeeding moms, so its hard to say with certainty whether theyre safe for you or your baby. In other words? Experts dont know what they dont know.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

How To Choose Hair Nail And Skin Supplements

When shopping for a hair, nail, and skin supplement, one of the most important considerations is the ingredient list.

Ideally, look for products that are free of artificial ingredients and fillers. Also be sure to pick a product with research-backed ingredients, such as vitamins A and D, MSM, collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids.

If youre interested in a supplement that contains a proprietary blend, keep in mind that the exact amounts of the ingredients used in the blends are not disclosed. Therefore, youll want to avoid any products that contain ingredients you may be sensitive to.

On a similar note, its important to buy products from a trusted source. For an extra level of reassurance, look for vitamins that are tested by a third-party organization such as USP, NSF, Banned Substances Control Group , or ConsumerLab.

A third-party seal of approval guarantees that the product contains the types and amounts of ingredients that are listed on the bottle.

Additionally, because some ingredients may interact with medications or be unsafe if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, its best to talk with a healthcare professional before trying any new supplements.

Finally, keep in mind that while studies do support the effectiveness of some ingredients, research on the benefits of these vitamins is still quite limited.

Therefore, theres no guarantee that these products will result in notable differences in your hair, skin, or nails.

Recommended Reading: Does Baby Formula Have Vitamin D

What Vitamins And Nutrients Do You Need When Breastfeeding

Taking a multivitamin while breastfeeding is something your doctor will likely discuss with you during a prenatal visit or your 6-week checkup.

Since many people continue taking their prenatal vitamin while breastfeeding, most of the key nutrients needed during the postpartum period are already covered.

That said, there are some essential nutrients breastfeeding moms should make sure they are getting daily. According to Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN in Santa Monica, California, if youre breastfeeding, you should focus on the following essential nutrients:

• calcium

echinacea in nursing mothers or infants.

In addition to a multivitamin or additional supplements, making healthy food choices can also boost your nutrient intake. Mary Gollan, RD, a certified lactation consultant on the team at Preg Appetit!, recommends that breastfeeding moms follow these dietary guidelines when preparing a meal:

• 1/2 plate fruits and veggies
• 1/2 cup whole grains
• 3 ounces lean protein
• dairy at every meal

To help with energy and keep you producing milk, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommend breastfeeding moms eat about 450 to 500 extra calories a day. Generally speaking, for most women this equates to about 2,500 calories per day.

Whether or not you should take supplements is a conversation you need to have with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

What Is Hair Skin And Nails Vitamins

Hair, skin, and nail vitamins commonly contain Vitamins A, C, and E and most importantly biotin, a B-complex vitamin. You may find selenium, manganese, fish oil, and flaxseed oil as other ingredients to support healthy hair.

There are many brands of hair, skin, and nail vitamins are available in the market that claims to thicken hair, improve skin tone, and fix a brittle nail.

The common ingredient in all of them is -biotin or Vitamin H. Biotin is particularly responsible for healthy hair, nails, and skin and is often touted as a miracle cure for hair loss.

Also Check: Do One A Day Vitamins Have Iron

Can I Use My Usual Beauty Products Even Though I Am Breastfeeding

Most topical products are safe and do not get absorbed into the bloodstream. What you should avoid are products that contain salicylic acid, Retinol, retinoid, or Hydroxy Acid. Keep in mind that your breastfeeding body is different from your pre-pregnancy body. Thus, you may experience sensitivity to some ingredients that you have used before.

What Happens If You Dont Take Prenatal Vitamins In The First Trimester

What Happens If You Dont Take Prenatal Vitamins? Taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy can help prevent miscarriages, defects, and preterm labor. If youre not taking prenatal vitamins, neural tube defects can appear: Anencephaly: This occurs when the babys skull and brain doesnt form correctly.

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Breastfeeding While Taking High Dose Vitamins

High doses of some vitamins has made it into mainstream medical therapy for various health conditions. For example, high dose riboflavin 400mg is recommended by neurologists and primary care physicians alike for migraine headache prevention . But is this safe during breastfeeding?

First, lets review the principles of how vitamins get into breastmilk. Vitamins are by definition essential nutrients that our bodies need to function, which must come from the environment usually within food. This means that the human body does not manufacture them. Breastfeeding individuals are often advised to take a multivitamin supplement, given the demand for extra vitamins required by breastmilk.

Vitamins vary in their ability to transfer into breastmilk. Fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D and E, easily transfer into breastmilk and reliably increase their levels. Water soluble vitamins, such as B and C are more variable in their transmission into breastmilk. If maternal ingestion of high dose vitamins leads to high levels in breastmilk, it needs to be determined whether that higher dose is safe for the nursing infant.

The author of the article for this weeks CQW reviewed the effect of maternal high dose ingestion of vitamins C, B-2, B-6, B-12, K, biotin and vitamin D on breastmilk vitamin levels. As a reference for the question below, the doses of these vitamins in prenatal vitamins are:

Which Vitamins And Supplements Are Safe To Take While Breastfeeding

Daily multivitamins or prenatal vitamins are often recommended for breastfeeding mothers who arent able to meet their nutritional needs through food alone. But what about standalone vitamins or herbal supplements are they safe for nursing moms?

Ultimately, it depends on what youre thinking about taking. If you and your doctor determine you need more of an individual vitamin or nutrient, supplementing is usually safe, provided you stick with the recommended amount and avoid very high doses, which could have negative health effects .

As for herbs or other supplements? Though herbal products may be natural, that doesnt necessarily make them safe. Most herbal supplements havent been well researched in pregnant or breastfeeding women and nursing babies, so experts don’t know for sure what the effects or risks might be.

And, unlike pharmaceuticals, the Food and Drug Administration doesnt require supplements be tested or proven safe before they go to market. For these reasons, youre generally better off playing it safe and steering clear altogether.

If you must take an herbal or homeopathic supplement, talk with your doctor first and err on the side of caution. Take the smallest dose you can, and take the supplement immediately after nursing to minimize the amount of the supplement that could potentially end up in your breast milk, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics .

Also Check: When Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins

How Does It Work

Our vitamins work from the inside out. Our formula is scientifically developed with certified, industry leading manufacturers, to deliver all the key ingredients to encourage longer healthier hair. Taking our vitamins ensures you can combat the daily disruptive factors which can effect your hair growth cycle and its growth phase. Find out more about the science behind hair growth here.

Calcium carbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Capsule Shell , Vitamin C , dl-alpha Tocopherol Acetate Preparation , Ferrous Fumarate, Nicotinamide, Zinc Citrate, Anti-Caking Agent: Magnesium Stearate, Manganese Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Anti-Caking Agent , Vitacholine L and Choline Bitartrate , Vitamin D3 Preparation , Inositol, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Riboavin, Vitamin K2 , Chromium Picolinate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Biotin, Sodium Selenate, Methylcobalamin.

Vegetarian capsule.

Yes! Hairburst For New Mums is GLUTEN FREE!

Can I use this with other pregnancy supplements?

Can I use this when breastfeeding?

Yes, levels have been measured to be safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

‘Are there extra benefits of using both of these products together?

Yes, we recommend boosting your results by using our cosmetic range alongside, to provide immediate as well as long-term results.

Biotin’s Role In Beauty Supplements

Biotin is a popular component of hair, skin and nail pills. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, deficiencies in biotin or vitamin B7, have been associated with hair loss and skin rashes. The institute cites preliminary evidence that indicates the vitamin may strengthen brittle nails.

It’s often included as one of the ingredients in beauty supplements, but some consumers opt to take it alone. Whether you take it singly or in combination with other vitamins, it tends to be well tolerated.

Read more:Signs of Too Much Biotin in Your System

Be aware, however, that the very high dosage of biotin present in beauty supplements up to 650 times the recommended daily allowance can cause incorrect lab test scores. The U.S. food & Drug Administration warns that high biotin intake may skew hormone levels and markers of heart attacks such as troponin. These inaccuracies may lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate patient management, which sometimes pose a grave danger.

Biotin can also interact with certain medications, and, conversely, some medications may interact with biotin:

• Drugs prescribed for epilepsy can lower biotin levels, cautions the National Institutes of Health.

• Biotin can reduce the efficacy of drugs broken down by the liver, warns MedlinePlus. These include the antispasmodic medication cyclobenzaprine and the antipsychotic drug clozapine, as well as the heart medication propranolol, the bronchodilator theophylline

  and others.

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What Are Hair Skin And Nail Vitamins

Hair, skin, and nail vitamins most often contain vitamins A, C, and E, along with biotin which is a B-complex vitamin.

You will usually find a range of other nutrients mixed in as well such as iron, manganese, selenium, fish oil, and even flaxseed oil all of which help to support healthy hair, skin, and nails.

You will have seen a vast range of such vitamins up and down the shelves at your local stores and there is a common ingredient in all of them biotin or vitamin H.

These components have been hailed as a miracle cure for hair loss, brittle nails, and even can help to improve skin tone.

Can I Take Biotin While Breastfeeding

Yes, theoretically you can take biotin while breastfeeding, but it may not be a good or helpful addition to your diet. âBiotin itself is safe in pregnancy. However, supplements are often unregulated and taking unnecessary supplements that could be contaminated is really not a good idea,â Dr. Muneeb Shah, MD tells Romper. âBiotin has not been proven to promote hair growth in anyone unless you are truly biotin deficient, which is very unlikely!â Dr. Shah adds.

So biotin, when taken in the correct dosage, is likely safe⦠but it probably wonât help that much. âThere are some inherited or acquired biotin deficiency where supplementation might be helpful but there is little evidence that biotin helps hair growth in healthy individuals. Biotin is not very effective as a supplement,â Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, OB/GYN and founder of Mommy Matters tells Romper. So if you suspect you have a true biotin efficiency , itâs a good idea to consult with your doctor.

You may notice that biotin is in your pre or post-natal vitamin, but that shouldnât be cause for alarm as long as you clear it with your doctor. It’s not in your prenatal so your baby will have flowing hair, though. Rather, some studies show that pregnant women break down biotin at a more rapid rate, which could potentially cause a biotin deficiency in folks who are pregnant or lactating.

Also Check: How Do We Get Vitamin D From The Sun

Should I Take Prenatal Vitamins While Breastfeeding

Yes, you can. Prenatal vitamins are required by the body during gestation. While the requirements of your body change during the postnatal/postpartum period, experts suggest that you can continue consumption of your prenatal vitamins up to six weeks after postpartum . You can consult your doctor about further supplementation after the period.