What vitamins I can take while breastfeeding

Lorena: I’m interested what kind of vitamins I can take while breastfeeding. I was very surprised when I read the instructions on vitamin C that it should not be taken by nursing mothers?! Is this true? Can vitamin C be given to babies? What are your recommendations for taken of synthetic vitamin C? Thank you very much in advance!

Walter Last: Most important in pregnancy are cod liver oil or fish oil capsules plus halibut liver oil capsules (to provide omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D). Also expose your skin to mild or moderate sunlight for vitamin D. As general health insurance take a B-complex or vitamins tablet at pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also the minerals calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and also kelp and spirulina.

If you have a good diet with much fresh fruit and vegetables then there is no need for supplementing with vitamin C. If you do not have a good diet, you may take 500 mg per day with meals. If you or the baby have an infection, cold or flu, then gradually increase the amount of vitamin C for you or the baby (for whoever has the infection) until a diarrhoea develops. Then cut back the amount of vitamin C by about 20% to stop the diarrhoea and continue with this amount. When the infection is over reduce the amount gradually back to 500 mg.

For more information see the website and books of Walter Last: www.health-science-spirit.com

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