Q & A: Breastfeeding

Before you breast feed

Q: My daughter is about to give birth to her first child and she plans to breast feed. Are there any nutrients she should be cautious of taking that could harm the baby?

JVW: First, please congratulate your daughter for making the healthiest decision for her new baby by planning to breast feed.

Nursing mothers should definitely be taking supplements, especially folic acid, calcium, magnesium, a high-quality multiple vitamin-mineral, and iron. The only caution is to be sure that your daughter's total intake of vitamin B6 isn't higher than 25 milligrams a day. More than that could suppress the production of a substance called prolactin, which is a critical component of a woman's ability to breast feed (see the "What is..." section below for more information on prolactin). While it likely takes at least 50 milligrams per day of vitamin B6 to "shut off" prolactin, there's no point in risking a problem.

Special NAH Reports

» Diabetes Prevention

» Look Younger

» Big Health Secrets

» Herbal Healing

» Heal Your Body

Health Disclaimer! The information provided on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this site. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. © 1994-2008 Healthier News LLC.