Can mothers take vitamin c effervescent tablets in breastfeeding period?

Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid (or Ascorbic Acid) is an extremely essential compound in the daily diet. Especially in the postpartum period and breastfeeding, the mother’s vitamin C supplementation in various forms is always carefully considered.

A series of questions that always bother breastfeeding mothers about this issue is, can you take vitamin c effervescent tablets in breastfeeding period? Using vitamin C effervescent tablets while breastfeeding is harmful to the development of the baby or not? Does the absorption of vitamin C in the form of effervescent tablets leave any health consequences for the baby? Let’s join Solife to answer the questions that are always painful in the hearts of the above mothers through the following article.

1. Benefits of ascoricic acid during lactation

Because it belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins, the mother’s body can absorb vitamin C through effervescent tablets, then pass through the baby’s body through breast milk. Many studies have proven that the activity of Vitamin C is good for nursing mothers.

1.1 Enhance lactation

One study demonstrated that during lactation, a daily supplement of 1000mg of vitamin C improved the mother’s milk production without any harmful side effects for the baby (1). Many women who breastfeed and face blockages or lack of milk have been able to improve their natural breast milk production by taking a daily vitamin C supplement.

1.2. Improve immune system

One of the most prominent effects of vitamin C is to strengthen the body’s immune system. Acting as an effective assistant for the immune barrier, vitamin C can promote the growth of immune cells, enhance the antioxidant capacity of cells and protect the body from pathogens. peripheral disease.

One of the extremely “miracle” properties of the immune system that few people know is the ability to transmit antibodies from mother to child through breast milk (2). Many studies have shown that when a baby is born, because the immune system is still weak and has the ability to protect itself, antibodies in breast milk contribute to promoting the formation of antibodies for the baby. Therefore, vitamin C supplementation during lactation has dual effects for both mother and baby.

1.3. Strengthen teeth and bones

The strength of teeth and bones is always accompanied by the absorption and supplementation of calcium for the body. However, Vitamin C also plays an important role in strengthening the network of bone tissue.

Specifically, one study demonstrated that calcium supplementation stimulates specific groups of genes and induces a chain effect that activates and enhances osteoblast formation (3). In particular, a deficiency of Vitamin C can lead to symptoms of rickets in children, osteoporosis in postpartum women, and gum diseases.

Experiencing extreme physical changes, especially in the skeleton, women after giving birth can face many risks of bone and joint problems. Therefore, supplementing with effervescent vitamin C can help balance the vitamin C deficiency through the daily diet.

2. How does vitamin C affect breast milk?

A study by Lawrence and colleagues in 2015 (4) showed that, after only 30 minutes of vitamin C absorption, the concentration of Vitamin C in breast milk recorded a very rapid increase.

However, a series of other studies have demonstrated an interesting mechanism of the mother’s body and helped answer your questions about whether it is good to take vitamin C effervescent tablets while breastfeeding. Specifically, whether supplemented from food sources or in the form of functional foods, the content of Vitamin C in breast milk will always be kept stable at a certain level and safe for infants to absorb. consume.

3. Vitamin C in diet

As you all know, a balanced and effective nutrition is always the first priority of women after childbirth and breastfeeding. Adequate absorption of Vitamin C through daily foods such as sour fruits (kiwi, apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, …) and other vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes have also partly responded. meet the basic needs of the body.

4. Vitamin C Supplement

In special cases, when the absorption of Vitamin C from foods mentioned above is not effective, vitamin C effervescent tablets are also added to the daily diet when breastfeeding.

As mentioned in the previous section, due to its water-soluble nature, this amount of Vitamin C can be transferred into breast milk and then naturally absorbed by the baby. Therefore, while breastfeeding, you can still take vitamin C effervescent tablets.

5. Recommended Dosage

The daily dose of Vitamin C for women over 19 years of age and breastfeeding is 120mg/day. For nursing women 18 years of age or younger, the maximum recommended amount of Vitamin C is 1800mg/day. For women who are breastfeeding a baby 19 years or older, the maximum amount of Vitamin C can be up to 2000mg/day (7).

However, it should be noted that some side effects will appear if you are overusing Vitamin C or supplementing more than necessary according to the actual needs of the body.

6. Side effects of excess vitamin C during lactation

Some side effects that have been recorded in cases of vitamin C abuse or overdose are as follows:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Stomach cramps

• Heartburn

• Headache

• Diarrhea

• Kidney stones

You should consult a doctor immediately if you experience the above symptoms, especially while breastfeeding.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

7.1 Can Vitamin C Fix Mastitis?

Mastitis is a condition in which the milk ducts become blocked and cause swelling and pain. The bacteria then enter the wound and cause inflammation. One of the strains of bacteria found to cause mastitis is Staphylococcus aureus. There have been studies proving that Vitamin C inhibits the growth of this strain of bacteria.

7.2 Does smoking affect the amount of Vitamin C in breast milk?

Smoking significantly reduces the amount of Vitamin C in breast milk. Women who smoke while breastfeeding are recommended to consume about 35mg more Vitamin C/day than the usual dose.

7.3 Can vitamin C in breast milk reduce allergy symptoms?

Hoppu et al (9) documented a tendency to decrease allergies (the propensity to develop allergic diseases such as asthma or eczema)

7.4 Does Vitamin C reduce lactation?

Although it has the ability to stimulate milk production, excessive consumption of Vitamin C can lead to the opposite effect.

Through the above article, Solife hopes to partly answer the question of women who are breastfeeding, can they take vitamin C effervescent tablets? With a lot of evidence from the above experimental and clinical studies, Vitamin C is good for nursing mothers. However, you should also be aware of the side effects of consuming too much Vitamin C.

Trần Hoàng Uyên

Trần Hoàng Uyên (Senior Manager Pharmaceutical company) là chuyên gia cấp cao với nhiều năm kinh nghiệm trong lĩnh vực dược phẩm. Tốt nghiệp cử nhân chuyên ngành Quản lý dược I tại Trường Đại học Y dược TP. Hồ Chí Minh và hiện đang công tác tại công ty dược phẩm. Với hơn 10 năm kinh nghiệm làm việc trong ngành dược, chị Hoàng Uyên là chuyên gia cộng tác tham vấn y khoa cho danh mục blog cũng như các nội dung liên quan trên Solife. (Tran Hoang Uyen (Senior Manager Pharmaceutical company) is a senior specialist with many years of experience in the Pharmaceutical field. She graduated Bachelor of Pharmacy Management I at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and is currently working for a pharmaceutical company. With more than 10 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. Hoang Uyen is a medical consultant collaborator for content on Solife's website.)