Supplementing during breastfeeding

Before taking any breastfeeding food supplement, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional who can guide you towards what is most appropriate for you and your baby. Care should be taken not to combine multiple sources of vitamins and minerals without comprehensive and regular blood monitoring.

It is worth noting that the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recommends the greatest caution regarding the consumption of food supplements, particularly during pregnancy, following the emergence of several health conditions in children that may be linked to an excessive intake of vitamins.

Diet is very important during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It should be varied, balanced, and ideally organic, to help you produce good-quality milk for your baby and stay in great shape!

As breastfeeding uses a great deal of energy, it is important to meet these additional needs (approximately 500 kcal per day). Do not hesitate to have 1 to 2 extra snacks throughout the day. By following the advice in our article "Eating well during breastfeeding", you should be able to obtain all the vitamins and nutrients that you and your baby need.

For some mothers, diet during breastfeeding (or during pregnancy, for that matter) is not enough to cover all their needs for vitamins, trace elements and essential fatty acids — for themselves and their children. Sometimes it is necessary to turn to breastfeeding vitamins.

Deficiencies may affect iron, calcium, omega-3s, vitamin D…

Your doctor will be able to prescribe this type of product based on your deficiencies and symptoms.

Our post-partum food supplement Post essentials contains 17 vitamins and minerals to meet the high nutritional needs of breastfeeding mothers. 

First and foremost, always consult a healthcare professional before taking any food supplement whilst breastfeeding. Not all products are necessarily suitable for you or your baby. They may contain substances or dosages that are not recommended during breastfeeding.

So, do not turn to just any "VITALITY" or "ANTI-FATIGUE" product. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. This also applies to products with a "BEAUTY" effect — opt instead for suitable beauty treatments!

Iron Mama covers 100% of the recommended daily intake of iron in just 1 capsule. With our Ferrochel™ iron bisglycinate, our capsules combine optimal absorption with digestive comfort.

For a more indulgent format, we have Boost squares, specially designed to combat fatigue. Croquantissime with hazelnuts and almonds is enriched with iron and covers 50% of daily requirements.

More of a granola person? Our Granochoc, chocolate chips and coconut, is also enriched with iron!

A chocolate addict? Our bites enriched with magnesium, Broonies magnésium, will help you boost your energy levels! 

In capsule form, our magnesium food supplement Mama-gnésium will help cover your needs.

This is also true during pregnancy — please do take care!

In addition to supplements aimed at addressing certain deficiencies, there are also dietary supplements specifically designed for breastfeeding. These can help mothers who do not have enough milk for their baby by supporting lactation. Before taking this type of supplement, speak to your healthcare professional.

There are various galactagogues. These include: 

Moringa

The benefits of moringa have been widely demonstrated. Studies have shown an effect of moringa on milk production from as little as 250 mg every 12 hours [1]. 

Another study shows that consuming 700 mg of moringa per day more than multiplied the volume of milk tenfold between the 3rd and 10th day postpartum [2]. 

Discover Milk moonies, the breastfeeding snack with moringa and matcha to support lactation. One bite contains 350 mg of moringa!
 

Fenugreek

Fenugreek supports milk production. 

It has been found that fenugreek can increase a breastfeeding mother's milk production within 24 to 72 hours of the first dose [3]. 
 

Brewer's yeast

Brewer's yeast and oats contain a compound, β-glucan, which helps increase levels of the hormone prolactin, the hormone that triggers milk production. 

A study showed that twice as many women had their lactation boosted when they took brewer's yeast compared to those who did not [5]. 

To find out more about the benefits of brewer's yeast, read our article on brewer's yeast and breastfeeding. 

Oats

Oats also contain saponins that boost prolactin. The avenanthramides in oats increase nitric oxide levels, which in turn increases blood flow to cells [6], helping to boost the supply of nutrients and oxygen to organs, including the mammary glands.

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogens that help increase prolactin production [7].

Our preparation for breastfeeding cookies Milk cookies contains brewer's yeast and oats to naturally support breastfeeding.

During breastfeeding, depending on your needs, you may take food supplements to address certain deficiencies, combat fatigue and regain your energy, or support your milk production for your baby.

Whether during your pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding, take care of your diet and always speak to a healthcare professional before taking one or more food supplements on a regular basis!