Do you want to use pre work out while breastfeeding? Many women wonder how safe it is and what brands are safe to use. This article has everything you need to know about pre-workout and breastfeeding, including our favorite pre-workout for breastfeeding mothers.
Do you like to work out? Many people do, and for a good reason! Working out is a great way to get in shape, boost energy levels, and improve overall health.
Many people wonder about breastfeeding and exercise and whether or not it’s safe. They also wonder – are there any safe pre-workout options you can use? Yes, there are! But what if you are breastfeeding?
Many caffeine-free or low-caffeine options are available on the market, and we’ve compiled a list of our favorites for you here.
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- What is pre-workout?
- What do avoid in a pre-work
- Is Pre-Work Out safe to use while breastfeeding?
- Our Favorite Pre-WorkOuts
- Caffeinated Pre-Workouts
- ⭐️ Winner – Just Ingredients
- Bumped Up
- C4Pre Work Out
- New Vega Sport Energizer Pre-WorkOut
- Alani Nu Pre-WorkOut
- Amino Lean Pre-WorkOut
- Caffeine-Free Pre-Work Out
- Outwork Nutrition
- Zhou Nutrition Lite Up
- Is Pre-Workout bad to take while breastfeeding?
- More Posts You Might Enjoy:
What is pre-workout?
Pre work out is a supplement you might take before a workout to help provide your body with enough extra energy to get through a tough workout. Most are compiled of caffeine (which helps with energy and focus) and nitrates (once ingested, it turns to nitric oxide and causes blood vessels to expand, helping more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles).
What do avoid in a pre-work
Not all pre-workouts are created equal. It is important to choose a pre-workout with quality ingredients -especially if you are breastfeeding.
A few ingredients to be aware of or stay clear from include:
- Too much caffeine
- Proprietary Blends
- Artificial Sweeteners
Is Pre-Work Out safe to use while breastfeeding?
Generally, yes, you can take pre-workout while breastfeeding. However, you should always talk with your doctor about your specific situation. With that said, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so.
It comes down to your own personal opinion. Please refer any questions to your doctor or a lactation specialist if you have any concerns or help you make an informed decision.
Watch the caffeine intake.
For pregnant or breastfeeding women, it’s recommended to limit caffeine to between 200 and 300 mg of caffeine each day.
Some babies tolerate caffeine better than others. It’s important to watch your baby’s behavior and adapt if you find your caffeine intake is impacting them. Ideally, a caffeine-free pre-workout would be ideal.
- You might want to start with less if you start with a pre-workout. Consider using half of a scoop first to see how your body tolerates it and how your baby tolerates it. Regardless, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Pre-workout can often leave you feeling jittery or keep you from falling asleep. This could pass on to your baby, so you will want to look for any adverse effects after consuming it.
- If you will use pre-work and find your baby is impacted, try pumping or feeding right before you nurse to give it more time to work its way through your body.
Taking it right after a feed will give your milk more time to dispel some of the caffeine before the next feeding.
If you’re using a stimulant-free pre-workout, you don’t necessarily need to be as cautious, but you should still start slow, and use it after a feeding, to be on the safe side.
Suppose you are still worried about the caffeine in your pre-workout try eliminating caffeine in other ways throughout the day. Skip a cup of coffee or a caffeinated soda to ensure your caffeine consumption is at the right mark.
Stay hydrated
It’s important to stay hydrated- especially while breastfeeding but even more so if you exercise and take supplements like pre-workout.
Keeping your fluid intake up is important because becoming hydrated is the most common cause of a decrease in milk supply- which some women may worry about when taking a supplement.
You might also enjoy – How Much Water Should I Drink While Breastfeeding?
Follow the instructions
Never mix pre-workout or take more than the recommended dose. It would be best to avoid alcohol when taking pre-workout as it affects metabolism and may cause intolerance. Always read the instruction label and consult a physician for any questions.
Our Favorite Pre-WorkOuts
Here is a list of our favorite pre-workouts for breastfeeding moms. Always double-check the ingredients and make sure it’s something you feel comfortable taking.
We have divided this into caffeinated and non-caffeinated
Caffeinated Pre-Workouts
⭐️ Winner – Just Ingredients
Just Ingredients is a great option for breastfeeding moms. Their pre-workout is made with no artificial sweeteners or ingredients. And it also includes citrulline malate, taurine, beta-alanine, and BCAAS for increased performance and recovery- all clean ingredients and no sugar added.
It also is said to help increase energy, improve mood, sharpen mental focus, increase strength and endurance, and reduce fatigue.
One serving has 150 mg of caffeine.
Bumped Up
This pre-workout has been designed specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. It is lower in caffeine, with just 100 mg.
It comes in three flavors and has a 30-day moneyback guarantee
C4Pre Work Out
[amazon box=”B00U464HYK”]
C4 has no added sugar or chemicals and is said to help supply endless energy, sharp focus, and overwhelming stamina.
It comes in 12 flavors; one serving has 150 mg of caffeine.
New Vega Sport Energizer Pre-WorkOut
[amazon box=”B07F6MH1V8″]
This pre-workout is a plant-based drink mix with 100 mg of caffeine extract from green tea, organic coffee, and fruit, plus 16 grams of premium carbohydrate fuel.
It is a vegan-based, gluten-free pre-workout that also supports the keto lifestyle. It currently comes in two flavors, strawberry lemonade and Acai berry.
Alani Nu Pre-WorkOut
[amazon box=”B07DRR68F8″]
It is gluten-free and comes in seven delightful tropical flavors (think Mimosa and Pink Guava) with no added sugars, fat, or chemicals.
One serving has 200 mg of caffeine but is still considered safe for breastfeeding moms. However, if you are drinking coffee or other forms of caffeine, you may want to skip this one.
Amino Lean Pre-WorkOut
[amazon box=”B01GNML37C”]
Amino Lean is the perfect pre work out for weight management. It comes in six fruity flavors and can be taken any time of day with little to no crash or jitters due to the natural amino energy. There are zero calories and zeros sugar in each serving.
This comes in several fruity flavors, such as blue raspberry and blackberry pomegranate.
One serving has 125 mg of natural caffeine, boosting energy and enhancing mental focus.
Caffeine-Free Pre-Work Out
Pink Stork Pregnancy Pre-Workout
[amazon box=”B0955DPWBR”]
This one is designed for pregnant moms, and many breastfeeding moms also use it. It is stimulant and caffeine-free, and it also has some other added ingredients, such as ashwagandha, which are helpful for new moms.
It is gluten-free, dairy, soy, and GMO-free. With that said, many people say it tastes terrible, which is why it didn’t top the list as our favorite non-caffeinated version.
⭐️ Legion Pulse – Favorite Caffeine-Free Option
[amazon box=”B07KFLM35W”]
Legion Pulse is a popular pre-workout. They have caffeinated versions, but their caffeine-free mixture is fantastic. It has several flavors (we like the fruit punch one) and is all-natural.
They guarantee that you’ll see results, or they’ll give you your money back.
Outwork Nutrition
Outwork Nutrition is caffeine-free, supports mental focus and stamina, and has no proprietary blends and unfamiliar ingredients.
Not all flavors are available caffeine-free, so make sure you purchase the one specifically marked as that. Right now, they offer Tropical Candy and Raspberry Lemonade caffeine-free.
Zhou Nutrition Lite Up
[amazon box=”B09H3NC571″]
This non-stimulant pre-workout is caffeine-free, vegan, and gluten-free with no added sugar.
The caffeine-free version is available in the berry lemonade version. Make sure you select that when you checkout!
Is Pre-Workout bad to take while breastfeeding?
You will need to weigh the pros and cons of any added supplement. When it comes down to it, taking pre-work will be a personal choice.
It is important to have a healthy mind and body while you breastfeed. Staying physically active during this time can only help with both. Be sure you do what is good for you and your baby, and if you experience any adverse effects of pre-workout while breastfeeding, you should stop taking it and reevaluate your options.
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