Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Vegetarian Diets? Is Vegetarian Diets safe for nursing mother and child? Does Vegetarian Diets extracts into breast milk? Does Vegetarian Diets has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Vegetarian Diets influence milk supply or can Vegetarian Diets decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Vegetarian Diets lactation summary

Vegetarian Diets usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Vegetarian Diets is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Vegetarian Diets may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Vegetarian Diets may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Vegetarian Diets low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Vegetarian Diets We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Vegetarian Diets usage in lactation

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Melina 2016), well-planned vegetarian diets are healthy, nutritionally adequate and can provide benefits for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. They are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood and are environmentally sustainable. However, they must be "appropriately planned" (Melina 2016) since there may be difficulties in balancing them if one does not have experience and knowledge of nutrition (Brzezińska 2016). The vegan diet does not contain meat, eggs, milk or, sometimes, honey. Milk from vegan mothers contains low concentrations of vitamin B12 (Specker 1990).In practice, many cases of megaloblastic anemia have been reported in recent years and have a severe impact on physical and neurological development (including cerebral atrophy) in infants breastfed by vegan mothers (Kocaoglu 2014, Guez 2012, Mariani 2009, Roed 2009 , Erdeve 2009, Lücke 2007, Baatenburg 2006 and 2005, Codazzi 2005, Wagnon 2005, Reghu 2005, Roschitz 2005, Weiss 2004, CDC 2003, Fogarasi 2001, Smolka 2001, Renault 1999, Monfort 1993, Kühne 1991, Cheron 1989, Sklar 1986 , Lacroix 1981).There are also cases of neonatal hypothyroidism in infants of vegan mothers (Borak 2005, Shaikh 2003). Vegetarian women need, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, regular and adequate sources of vitamin B12 (Melina 2016, Brzezińska 2016, Committee LM AEP 2012 p.7, Academy N&D 2010). If these are deficient, in addition to treating the mothers, you have to treat their infants with supplements (CDC 2003). Infants and milk from vegetarian mothers (and especially vegan mothers) have lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and higher levels of linoleic and α-linolenic acids than that from omnivorous mothers (Melina 2016, Brzezińska 2016, Sanders 2009 and 1992 ), without there being evidence of adverse effects on their health or cognitive function (Sanders 2009). There is a greater concentration of selenium in the breast milk of ovo-lacto-vegetarian mothers than that of non-vegetarian mothers (Debski 1989). The concentration of taurine in plasma and milk of vegan mothers was slightly lower than that of omnivorous mothers (Rana 1986). The lowest levels of organochlorine contaminants were found in the milk of vegetarian mothers (Norén 1983).

Alternate Drugs for Diets, foods, nutrients and food supplements. ATC V06

Cannabis(Low Risk)
Lecithin(Safe)
Garlic(Safe)
Artichoke(Safe)
Kelp-Seaweed(Unsafe)
Amaranth(Safe)
Maple(Safe)
Coffee(Low Risk)
Onion(Safe)
Chitosan(Safe)
Flavonoid(Safe)
Goji Berries(Low Risk)
Kefir(Safe)
Kombucha(Unsafe)
Strawberry Tree(Low Risk)
Mate(Safe)
Propolis(Low Risk)
Quinoa(Safe)
Silanol(Low Risk)
Tea(Low Risk)
Grapevine(Safe)
Airborne(Unsafe)
Chia(Safe)
Hemp(Low Risk)
Jujube(Safe)
Brazil Nut(Low Risk)
Cannabis sativa(Low Risk)
Hashish(Low Risk)
Marihuana(Low Risk)
Marijuana(Low Risk)
Bee glue(Low Risk)
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.