Healthy Eating

Taking Supplements

While breastfeeding, continue to take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg (or 400 mcg) of folic acid. For more information about folic acid, click here.

Vitamin B12 is found in milk and eggs. Your developing baby needs Vitamin B12 for brain and nervous system development. If you do not eat milk and eggs, make sure your take a supplement that has Vitamin B12 – about 3 micrograms per day. Some nutritional yeast contains Vitamin B12 but during breastfeeding it is best to make sure you are getting enough by taking a supplement.

It is also important to make sure you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D, omega‑3 fatty acids and iron from food sources. For more information about these vitamins and nutrients, click here.

Tell your health care provider what types of supplements you are taking. Remember to include any herbal supplements or remedies or natural vitamin products that you use.

Herbal products are drugs. They can produce side effects. They are not regulated and have limited information available. Ingredients may be different from crop to crop. Check with a pharmacist about a specific herb and if it’s safe to use while you are breastfeeding.