Can I Take Magnesium While Breastfeeding?

Many women are curious about whether or not they can take magnesium while breastfeeding, The answer is “it depends.” Before you make any decisions, read this blog post to learn more about what effects taking magnesium may have on your baby.

Magnesium is a mineral that helps your body function properly and it can be found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, avocados and legumes.

Many breastfeeding women are concerned about taking supplements containing this important nutrient because they’re afraid of what effect they could have on their liquid gold. There is some evidence to suggest that magnesium may pass through breast milk and affect a baby.

However, it is important to note that the research on this topic has been limited because most studies have not looked at any effects from supplementation of magnesium for breastfeeding mothers, milk supply, or on the nursing infant.

Magnesium is often recommended for people who are having trouble with constipation or who have trouble with sleeping, along with helping combat period-related drops in milk supply. Because of this, there many women who wish to take it and want to make sure it’s safe.

This resource says:

“No information is available on the clinical use of magnesium citrate during breastfeeding. However, other magnesium salts have been studied. Intravenous magnesium sulfate increases milk magnesium concentrations only slightly. Oral absorption of magnesium by the infant is poor, so maternal magnesium citrate is not expected to affect the breastfed infant’s serum magnesium. Magnesium citrate supplementation during pregnancy might delay the onset of lactation, but it can be taken during breastfeeding and no special precautions are required.”

There are different forms of magnesium, as well. Here is what the app MommyMeds says on different types, and the effects on breastfeeding and the breastfed infant:

Magnesium Sulfate

“Magnesium is a normal plasma electrolyte. It is used pre and postnatally as an anticonvulsant in pre-eclamptic patients. Magnesium sulfate transfers to breast milk minimally, and there have been no reports of adverse effects in breastfed infants. Levels in milk seem to drop off after a few days of the administration, and are not clinically relevant.”

Magnesium Hydroxide

“Magnesium hydroxide is used as an antacid and laxative. Magnesium hydroxide is poorly absorbed from the maternal gastrointestinal tract. Magnesium rapidly deposits in bone and is significantly distributed to tissue sites…No alternations in bowel habits or abnormal stools were voted in any of the breastfed infants, indicating that magnesium hydroxide exposure through breastmilk is clinically insignificant in an infant.”

Trying to get natural sources of magnesium in your diet is often the best course of action. Natural sources include:

• Almonds
• Black Beans
• Spinach
• Peanut Butter
• Avocados
• Bananas

However, taking the recommended dosage for magnesium while breastfeeding likely isn’t contraindicated. I have personally had good success with taking Natural Vitality Magnesium Citrate.

The best thing to do is talk with your doctor about whether or not it’s safe for you to supplement with any vitamins and minerals during lactation.

New to breastfeeding? Need a refresher for a second baby? Make sure you signup for “The Complete Online Breastfeeding Class“. This on demand class is designed to help you meet your breastfeeding goals.

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