I was originally told by my doctor to stay on prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding but just heard last week from a nurse that I didn't need to. She said a good daily multivitamin works fine. I was wondering what other moms have done or are doing. If I don't need to be on prenatals, does anyone have a recommendation for a good multivitamin?
I'm currently nursing my 4th child, 6 months old. My feeling is that without the extra iron that comes in the prenatal, I always feel run down and tired. The current advice is that if you're not pregnant or nursing, that extra iron can hurt more than help, but if you are nursing, it certainly can keep you in the best shape - especially when your baby is still so young.
Ola Loa are great multivitamins that your body can absorb well. You can get them at www.drinkyourvitamins.com or www.vitacost.com They state on their website that when you take a multivitamin in pill form you only absorb 20% of it and they claim 100% absorb with theirs. I believe them because over the past few years my right knee has been giving me problems and then my forearm bone was hurting just recently. I found Ola Loa online about 2 months ago and tried both the engery one and the bone/joint one. My knee no longer gives out on me and my forearm bone no longer hurts. They also give a free sample if you want to try it, I think you just call the 1-800 number on the website www.drinkyourvitamins.com and ask for a free sample
I'm nursing my 7 month old and my doctor told me to stay on the prenatals and add a calcium/vitamin D supplement.
I am currently nursing and have stayed on the prenatals. I actually took them for an entire year before I got pregnant too. I have been on other multi-vitamins but I actually like prenatals the best and I know lots of women well past their child bearing days who take them because of some of their added benefits. Mainly better finger nails and hair.
Hi A.,
I think it's a great idea to stay on the prenatals (I did while I breastfed) & I would also recommend the same for my patients. A multi (depending on the quality, because not all multi's are made equally) would likely be fine also, if it had iron. Breastmilk is the only way your little one will be able to get iron while solely breastfed. But you are a new mom, why bother adding something else to your To Do list like looking for a new multi. If you did fine on the prenatals, there is likely no need to change during breastfeeding.
Congratulations on the birth of your son!
Good luck!
L. Kwan, ND
1250 E Baseline Rd.
Suite 104
Tempe, AZ 85283
###-###-####
http://www.KwanNaturopathic.com
My doctor said to stay on prenatals while I was nursing, so with both of my kids I have taken a daily prenatal while nursing. During my pregnancy and now that I am nursing I also take an Omega 3 Fish oil capsule and eat ground organic flaxseed (from Costco) to get some Omega 3 to help with brain development for my daughter. Plus Omega 3 and vitamins are good for my body regardless of whether or not I'm nursing.
My Doctors told me to continue taking prenatals and also to take a vitamin with plenty of folic acid during child bearing years. I have 4 kids and have been on prenatals for 8 years to be on the safe side. It sure can be frustrating to get different advise from different medical professionals. I believe there is a list in the What To Expect books and you could match up any vitamin to see if it has the things your body needs while breastfeeding since you know your baby is taking from your body what he needs and it would leaving deficiencies in you if you don't have enough for the 2 of you. Vitamins can vary so much in content. I hope you are able to get what works best for you.
I nursed both my boys for the first year and stayed on the pre-natal vitamins until I stopped. My Dr. recommended I take them until I finished breastfeeding but I am not sure what other Dr.'s say. I am not sure that they are necessary but they can't hurt anything either.
