Best Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant & Breastfeeding

Posted by GREGORY M on Sep 15, 2018

Best Prenatal Vitamins to Take While Still Breastfeeding. Are You Pregnant & Breastfeeding at the Same Time?

Natural Prenatal Vitamins for a Breastfeeding Mom. Recommended Supplements to Cover Both the Breastfeeding and Unborn Babies.

There comes a time when a mom finds her pregnant while still breastfeeding another child. It is not uncommon to worry and wonder if the prenatal vitamins are safe for the breastfeeding baby.

There are hundreds of prenatal multivitamin supplements out there in every grocery store. A $10 prenatal vitamin is worth just that $10.

If you really need to take a safe and potent prenatal supplement, you might need to spend a little more.

You get what you pay for....don't you? You may already know the commonest prenatal vitamin that every expectant mother should take.

These vitamin supplements are not only good for the unborn baby but also for you as the mother and for the breastfeeding baby.

Recommended Prenatal Vitamins and Doses

400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid.
400 IU of vitamin D.
1000MG of Calcium
200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium.
70 mg of vitamin C.
5 mg of thiamine.
1 mg of riboflavin.
20 mg of niacin.
6 mcg of vitamin B12.
150 micrograms of iodine
DHA

Best Prenatal Vitamins While Breastfeeding Reviews

SUPPLEMENT BRAND	CONTAINS DHA	CONTAINS FOLATE	PRICE
Zahler Prenatal + DHA Premium Supplement	300MG	800 mcg	Check Current Price
Zahler Prenatal Vitamin + DHA 250mg	250MG	800 mcg	Check Current Price
New Chapter Organic Prenatal Vitamins		600 mcg	Check Current Price
Pure Synergy Organic Prenatal Vitamin		800 mcg	Check Current Price
Pre-Natal Multivitamin with DHA - Now Foods	250MG	800mcg	Check Current Price
Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal - Garden of Life			Check Current Price
Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal - Garden of Life	0mg	800mcg	Check Current Price
BestNest Prenatal DHA	500MG	0 mcg	Check Current Price

Now that we know the most important vitamins for the three lives, let’s dig deeper into each essential vitamin safe for a pregnant and breastfeeding mother.

It is not uncommon for moms to forget that your overall health is the most important component for your breastfeeding and unborn child.

Medical research has shown that it takes a mom about 2 years to recover after childbirth. Getting pregnant before this period is over can put your overall health under stress especially if you are not getting enough nutrients, a balanced diet, rest, exercise and sleep.

I bet that sounds all good if the life of a mother with a newborn was that easy. Bearing in mind that women lose the significant amount of blood every month, Iron should be #1 on your list.

Knowing that breast milk is rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium and Vitamin D, these also should top your list.

Knowing that lack of Folic acid before the end of the first trimester (first 3 months of pregnancy) causes neural defects like spina bifida and anencephaly, Folate should also be on your #1 list.

Most Recommended Prenatal vitamins

Folic acid
Calcium
Vitamin D
Iron

#1. 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid.

Folic acid is the single most important vitamin needed by a developing baby to prevent neural deficits.

Folic acid or folate also improved the development and integrity of the nervous system of your unborn child.

It is recommended that pregnant mothers start taking folic acid before conception and continue at least throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Which foods are rich in Folic Acid for Pregnancy?

Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach.
Citrus fruits, such as fresh oranges
Beans.
Whole Bread.
Whole unprocessed Cereals.
Rice.
Pastas

Which are the best brands of organic Folic Acid? Bronson Organic Folic Acid Futurebiotic Organic Folic Acid Viridian organic folic acid

#2 400 IU of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin required for healthy bones, teeth, and even the skin. Breastfeeding mothers should take enough vitamin D supplementation to avoid depletion Vitamin D supplementation taken during pregnancy also prevents preterm labor according to American Pregnancy Association.

Vitamin D is not toxic for the mother, the unborn child or the breastfeeding child. It is safe to take up to 4,000 IU of Vitamin D while pregnant and continue taking after pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Which Foods are Rich in Vitamin D?

I would recommend only opting for organic choices. This will protect you and your unborn child from being affected by potentially dangerous chemicals and antibiotics found in GMO foods, meats, and vegetables.

Do not make this mistake when buying Vitamin D

There are two types of Vitamin D. The Vitamin D2 and D3. Taking the wrong kind is more dangerous than not taking it at all.

Vitamin D2 (Drisdol) is the commonest prescribed by doctors in the USA. It is made synthetically by Irradiating fungus. This is the type you should avoid especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You are better off with Vitamin D3, especially from organic sources. See the list below of the best sources of organic Vitamin D3 I bet you will agree with me that even if you are not breastfeeding or expectant, taking healthier vitamins is a better idea.

Eat organic choices:

Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon
Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals
Beef liver (also very rich in Iron but has high cholesterol)
Cheese (High in Cholesterol)
Egg yolks

Organic Vitamin D Supplement Brands Nutriwise Organic Vitamin D Supplement

#3. 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium.

Calcium is also very important for breastfeeding moms. Your mild contains a lot of calcium passed on to the suckling baby. If your body became deficient of calcium, the unborn child gets calcium at your expense. The body starts getting it from your bones

How Much Calcium do I need When Pregnant?

A pregnant mom needs about 1300mg of calcium every day. These requirements, however, depend on the age of the mom. A mom who’s 18 years old may require a lower dose than a 35 years old mom

Why do Pregnant Women Require Calcium Supplementation?

Calcium is a very important mineral in the formation of body connective tissues. These includes bones, teeth, skin and even nervous system. It is important to note than Vitamin D and calcium goes hand in hand. You must have both to get the benefits of each. They work together.

Which Foods are Rich in Calcium for Pregnant Women

Mild, Almonds, Cheese, Yoghurt, Sardines, Kales, Broccoli and Okra are very good sources of calcium. I recommend eating organic foods to avoid harmful chemicals found in most foods in stores.

Which are the best vegetable sources of calcium for a vegetarian mom?

Vegetarians can also enjoy calcium rich foods rich in calcium. These are Collard Greens Broccoli Kelp Spinach Soybeans and Kale

What types of calcium should I take when pregnant?

There are 8 different types of calcium to consider when choosing the right type of calcium. My personal recommendation would be calcium orate. Citrus and oyster shell calcium is also good but avoid oyster shell calcium if you are allergic to seafoods and iodine. Here are the 8 types of calcium.

Calcium Carbonate.
Calcium Citrate.
Oyster Shell Calcium.
Calcium Gluconate.
Calcium Lactate.
Calcium Phosphate.
Calcium Citrate Malate.
Calcium Orotate.

Best Organic Calcium Brands for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Mom

#4: 70 mg-120mg of Vitamin C.

Please note that the dose of Vitamin C should not be exceeded. There has been conflicting information about vitamin C overdose and termination of pregnancy.

Can I take extra vitamin C while pregnant?

Yes but do not exceed the recommended maximum dose of 120mg. It is safe to take within these limits. Overdose of Vitamin C can cause harm to the unborn child and may even cause still birth or miscarriage.

Is it okay to drink orange juice while pregnant?

Orange juice is perfectly safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also rich in calcium. Having said that, anything taken in excess can be harmful. Orange juice is rich in sugar calories and if taken in excess, can lead to weight gain.

#5: 3 mg of thiamine.

Thiamine dose of 1.5mg – 3mg is recommended during pregnancy but you should not exceed this daily limit. Some practitioners may prescribe up to 3mg of thiamine. Most Over The Counter prenatal supplements have 1.5-3mg limits.

Can I take B1 when breastfeeding?

Yes, you can take thiamine when breastfeeding but again, do not exceed the limits above, especially if you are pregnant. Thiamine is classified as a safe medication to take while pregnant.

Which Foods are Rich in Thiamine?

Always aim to consume organic foods. These foods rich in thiamine includes beef, liver, dried milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, eggs, seeds, legumes, peas and yeast. Best Organic Thiamine Brands:

#6: 1 mg of riboflavin.

Vitamin B is safe to take when pregnant or breast feeding. Notice that the B complex vitamins have very low recommended daily doses compared to others like calcium or Vitamin C. Please do not exceed these recommended doses to prevent affecting your unborn child.

#7: 20 mg of niacin.

Niacin safe doses for a pregnant mom should be around 20 mg although some companies have put as much as 60mg of niacin in prenatal vitamins.

Avoid prenatal vitamins with niacin that high. For pregnant moms taking Niacin for primary hypercholesteremia, it should be discontinued according to Niacin Warnings for Pregnant and Breastfeeding on drugs.com Niacin is very acidic in nature and it should not be taken by mothers who suffer from stomach ulcer disease.

It is recommended to take Niacin after a meal and not in an empty stomach to prevent stomach irritation.

#8: 6 mcg of vitamin B12.

Another B vitamin to is B12 that can be taken during pregnancy. Again, notice this vitamin daily safe dose is in micrograms, not milligrams. This dose should not be exceeded.

Can you take vitamin b12 while pregnant?

There is unreliable data about the effects of high doses of B12 vitamin intake during pregnancy. It is however considered safe if taken within limits.