Is Soy Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Soy? Is Soy safe for nursing mother and child? Does Soy extracts into breast milk? Does Soy has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Soy influence milk supply or can Soy decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Soy lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Soy is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Soy may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Soy may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Soy low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Soy 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 Soy usage in lactation
Seeds, oil and extracts of this plant contain Lecithin and Isoflavones like Genistein, Glycitein and Daidzein. Lecithin is formed by phospholipids with hypolipidemic properties (see particular information on LECITHIN). Isoflavones are phytoestrogens which is a property that is being used for treatment of hyperlipidemias and disorders related to menopause. Ingestion of soy derived products by nursing mothers may be a cause of increase concentration in the mother’s plasma, breast milk and infant’s urine. Despite of that soy has been consumed from ancient times by Asian population and could offer some benefit for the welfare, it may act as hormonal disruptor on the endocrine system, especially is the product contains Bisphenol, hence, high exposition during infancy should be avoided. Therefore, it is not recommended an extensive consumption of it while breastfeeding since estrogens may decrease, at least theoretically, the milk production.
Alternate Drugs for Phytotherapy, Systemic Use
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Alfalfa(Unsafe)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Cranberry(Safe)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Sweet Briar(Safe)
Barberry(Dangerous)
Carob(Safe)
Common Poppy(Unsafe)
Angelica(Unsafe)
Star Anise(Dangerous)
Mugwort(Unsafe)
Edible Burdock(Low Risk)
Box(Unsafe)
Boldo(Unsafe)
Bromelains(Safe)
Calaguala(Safe)
Caralluma(Low Risk)
Carrageen(Low Risk)
Horse Chestnut(Safe)
Blue-Cohosh(Dangerous)
Indian Pennywort(Safe)
Squisandra(Low Risk)
Prickly Pear(Safe)
Black-Cohosh(Unsafe)
Horsetail(Unsafe)
Colocynth Pulp(Dangerous)
Ergot Fungus(Dangerous)
Ephedra(Unsafe)
Steviol(Safe)
Eucalyptus(Unsafe)
Eyebright(Safe)
Flowers(Low Risk)
Fucus(Unsafe)
Goat´s Rue(Unsafe)
Bearberry(Unsafe)
Guarana(Low Risk)
Devil’s Claw Root(Low Risk)
Herniary(Low Risk)
St. John´s Wort(Safe)
Hyssop(Unsafe)
Syrup Of Ipecac(Low Risk)
Jin Bu Huan(Dangerous)
Kava Kava(Dangerous)
Clubmoss(Unsafe)
Maca(Safe)
Common gromwell(Unsafe)
Nux Vomica(Dangerous)
White Nettle(Safe)
Papain(Low Risk)
Passion Flower(Low Risk)
African Cherry(Dangerous)
Scots Pine(Unsafe)
Pycnogenol(Safe)
Pennyroyal(Unsafe)
Primrose(Safe)
Radish(Safe)
Ironwort(Low Risk)
Liquorice(Unsafe)
Rooibos(Safe)
Rose Hip(Safe)
French rose(Safe)
Butcher´s Broom(Safe)
Willow(Safe)
Herbal Teas(Low Risk)
Rock Tea(Low Risk)
Lime Flower(Safe)
Tormentil(Safe)
Meadow-Sweet(Low Risk)
Golden Rod(Safe)
Sarsaparilla(Low Risk)
Sweet Flag(Unsafe)
Saw palmetto(Low Risk)
Common gum cistus(Low Risk)
Cat's Claw(Low Risk)
Milk Vetch(Low Risk)
Chinese angelica(Low Risk)
White Mulberry(Low Risk)
Di Huang(Low Risk)
Zi Wan(Unsafe)
Dang Shen(Low Risk)
Reishi(Low Risk)
glycyrrhizic acid(Unsafe)
Glycyrrhizin(Unsafe)
American cranberry(Safe)
Carrageenan(Low Risk)
Carrageenin(Low Risk)
Verbena officinalis(Low Risk)
Passion Vine(Low Risk)
Chaste Tree(Unsafe)
Sweet Cane(Unsafe)
Sweet root(Unsafe)
Irish Moss(Low Risk)
Bromelain(Safe)
Bromelin(Safe)
Acorus calamus(Unsafe)