Can I Take Collagen While Breastfeeding?

BY KATIE CLARK, IBCLC

Collagen has been all the rage lately. You can find it in many beauty products, like masks and creams, but is collagen safe while breastfeeding? This article will answer that question for you!


Collagen is a natural supplement- but what about taking collagen while breastfeeding? There are mixed opinions on this topic but let’s explore whether or not it is safe or not before coming up with an opinion.

Is Collagen Safe While Breastfeeding?

Many women wonder about collagen and breastfeeding. The answer is yes, it is safe to take while breastfeeding. There are no known side effects from taking it.

It is actually a great supplement to take to help heal from pregnancy and repair any damage that was done.

What is collagen?

Collagen, a protein present in our body, is the main component of connective tissue. This connective tissue is responsible for forming tendons and ligaments that support our muscles and other tissues.

As we age, collagen levels decrease leading to weaker bones and skin. In addition to healthy aging, many individuals take collagen supplements as a way to support their joints and improve their skin.

collagen powder

Collagen is a protein that comes from animal products like bone broth or gelatin (which you might know better as Jello). It’s found in many foods like:

  • Yogurt
  • Egg yolks
  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Dairy products
  • Raw honey!

You can also find Collagen in pill or powder form and can buy it from your grocery store or online.

Benefits of Collagen

There are many benefits to consider when it comes to collagen, which can improve your overall health:

  • Promotes health skin, hair, and nails
  • Can help strengthen bones and joines
  • Promote healthy weight
  • Support a robust immune system
  • Increase the elasticity of skin
  • Reduce wrinkles
Collagen powder protein on spoon measure isolated on white background.

For women who have just given birth, collagen has particular benefits for the postpartum period, which is why many breastfeeding mothers wonder if they can take it.

These benefits include:

  • Collagen is a protein that helps to rebuild and strengthen tissue. It is especially beneficial for rebuilding the tissue in the uterus and helping to reduce postpartum bleeding.
  • Additionally, collagen can help to improve the overall elasticity of the skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
  • Finally, collagen can help to improve the overall function of the immune system, which can help to reduce the risk of postpartum infections. In short, collagen is a beneficial protein for postpartum recovery and should be included in any postpartum diet or supplementation plan.

Collagen Supplements

As with any supplements, make sure you purchase supplements that have high-quality ingredients and are sourced from quality places. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to select one from a reputable source.

You can take collage in various forms – as a powder that you can mix into smoothies or water or in a pill. Here are a few popular brands on Amazon:

One way you can get collagen in your diet is through bone broth, which contains collagen. This website says, “What makes bone broth protein so different from a typical collagen supplement is that it contains a family of compounds known as glycosaminoglycans which include glucosamine, chondroidant, and hyaluronic acid. These three compounds are known to help support collagen in the body as well as our overall health, mobility, and flexibility.”

You can easily add it to meals, sip it throughout the day, and reap all the benefits.

Research on Collagen

There really isn’t any research I could find specifically about collagen and breastfeeding. However, it generally is widely accepted as something that you can take while breastfeeding.

Here is some research that has been done about collagen and its different benefits – particularly those that might be related to postpartum healing.

This study discusses collagen in assisting with wound-related hair regrowth and suggests it could be helpful with hair loss. Most postpartum women lose some of their hair, and it could potentially help mitigate some of that.

Another study showed a decrease in joint pain in those who took the supplement. Our bodies get so out of whack with pregnancy – it might help with any of those aches and pains you’ve been having.

This study discusses how it can affect skin elasticity, which could potentially help with stretch marks. Along the same lines, this study helps improve the appearance of skin, so it could help with healing from stretch marks.

Remember if you’re pregnant or lactating consult your physician before adding any new supplement to your diet!

We hope that this was helpful in assisting you to make a decision about whether or not you want to take collagen while breastfeeding. Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments!

Other articles you may enjoy:

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Welcome ToThe Breastfeeding Mama

Hi! I’m Katie Clark – mom of three and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Over the past eight years, I’ve dedicated my life to helping thousands of breastfeeding moms around the world overcome their breastfeeding problems and find peace in their journey. I can’t wait to help you!