Is It Safe To Consume Fish Oil During Breastfeeding?

Doctors advocate taking different health supplements during pregnancy; however, there are various supplements that you may continue to take while nursing. Consuming fish oil during breastfeeding is an example of such a health supplement.

Continue reading this post if you’re considering taking fish oil as a supplement but aren’t sure if it’s safe to use while nursing. This post discusses fish oil’s safety profile and health advantages for both mother and baby.

Is It Safe To Consume Fish Oil During Breastfeeding?

Both you and your baby can have many benefits if you consume fish oil while you are still breastfeeding. Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA, which get absorbed in your breast milk and are carried through to your baby when you are breastfeeding him. You can safely consume fish oil if you are not allergic to fish or fish based products like fish oil and other omega 3 fatty acids (1).

How Does Fish Oil Benefit My Baby?

Omega 3 fatty acids contain a good amount of DHA, which is extremely important for your baby’s development, growth, and nutrition. DHA helps in boosting the development of your baby’s cognitive function and social skills, as well as language skills. It helps strengthen their immune system and digestive system. DHA plays an important role in keeping your baby’s skin healthy and supple and also aids vision development (2).

Essential fatty acids (EFA) help in the production of prostaglandins. These combat inflammation in the body. It also improves immunity. The essential fatty acids support overall infant development and brain development by promoting neural and sensory capabilities. Intake of DHA in the form of fish oil during breastfeeding is very important, as it helps the conversion of essential fatty acids to its active form (3).

During the first year of birth, your baby’s brain grows almost triple in size. The essential fatty acids that transfer from your breast milk will help in the development of your baby’s brain.

Fish Oil For Breastfeeding Mothers – How Beneficial Is It?

Fish oil contains omega 3 that is beneficial for maternal health as it is a heart-healthy fat. According to the La Leche League International (LLLI) (4) if you regularly have omega 3 it can help fight depression and uplift your mood too.

Fish Oil Dosage:

Fish oil is beneficial for both you and your baby while breastfeeding, but an excess intake can be harmful too, especially if you have allergies. Your doctor will advise you about the daily dosage. Fish oil supplements are available in doses of 300 to 500 mg. Therefore, you can easily regulate your dosage as per your doctor’s recommendation. In some cases, these supplements in capsule form can cause a feeling of bloating or even cause burps that smell of fish. You can freeze the pills before swallowing and have them with a meal.

One supplement you should definitely stay away from while breastfeeding is cod liver oil supplements. It contains an excess of vitamins A and D and can hamper infant development.

Watch Out For:

It is safe to take fish oil during pregnancy, provided you follow your doctor’s advice on dosage. Inform the doctor about your medical history so that they can keep it in mind before advising any dosage. You can refrain from fish oil intake in the following situations:

• If you have a bleeding disorder, an intake of fish oil can aggravate your condition.

• Avoid taking fish oil as an intervention to treat diabetes or hypoglycemia as it has no effect in regulating glucose metabolism (5).

• Be extra cautious about consuming fish oil if you have low blood pressure, cholesterol issues, asthma, heart issues, any liver disease or a family history of colon cancer.

Fish oil supplements can have side effects. Learn what they are and how to avoid them in this informative video.