Question

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

Flax lactation summary

Flax usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Flax is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Flax may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Flax may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Flax low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Flax 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 Flax usage in lactation

The dried seeds of this herb are used.It contains 25% insoluble fiber, 40% oil and triglycerides (α-linolenic acid), polysaccharides (mucilage), cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids and lignans (phytoestrogens).Attributed properties: laxative, lipid-lowering, topical anti-inflammatory on the skin.Indication based on the German Commission E Ministry of Health and the European Medicines Agency (EMA): constipation. The consumption of flaxseed increases the concentration of α-linolenic acid in human milk, a precursor of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which could improve the concentration of infant DHA.Fat and linoleic acid concentration in milk bank may be decreased due to pasteurization and freezing. Although devoid of toxicity, its estrogenic effects make its use during lactation should be moderate, avoiding prolonged use.
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.