Rehydrate while Breastfeeding

What is Rehydrate used for?

Is Rehydrate usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Avena sativa flowering top while Breastfeeding

The seeds of this leguminous plant are used.
Content: carbohydrates, proteins, saponins, vitamins, minerals . 
Assigned properties: appetite stimulant, lowering of lipemia and glycemic (Gong 2016).Indications according to Commission E of the German Ministry of Health: Anorexia, Atopic Dermatitis.

 Widely used as a galactogogue in many cultures around the world (Ayers 2000, Winterfeld 2012, Sim 2013, The Royal Women's .. 2013, Bazzano 2016).

 Case-control studies looking for evidence on the increment of milk production associated to the use of fenugreek are few (Turkyılmaz 2011, Ghasemi 2015), along with a variety of methodological deficiencies. Other studies have failed to find such an effect with the use of fenugreek (Damanik 2006).
Studies with an appropriate design are needed to provide high quality evidence to make clinical recommendations on its use (Forinash 2012, Zapantis 2012, Committee LM AEP 2012, Mortel 2013, Bazzano 2016)

 A higher antioxidant effect in the breastmilk of women who have consumed mixed infusions containing this or other herbs has not been shown (Kavurt 2013).

 Given the wide spread use and lack of toxicity of this herb, a moderate consumption would be compatible with breastfeeding, yet high doses may produce hypoglycemia (EMA 2011, Gong 2016) and, because of the odor appearing in the urine of the infant, a lab test may be required to make a differential diagnosis with maple syrup disease of the newborn (Sewell 1999, Korman 2001).
Avoid the use of a galactogogue without a sanitary control.

 Best galactagogue results are achieved through on-demand breastfeeding along with an adequate technique in a mother who is able to maintain self-confidence (ABM 2011, Mannion 2012). Precautions when taking plant preparations: 1. Ensure that they are from a reliable source: poisoning has occurred due to confusing one plant with another with toxic properties, as well as poisoning from heavy metals extracted from the ground and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi. 2. Do not take in large amounts; follow recommendations from professional experts in phytotherapy. "Natural" products are not always good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can result in poisoning or act as endocrine disruptors if taken in excessive amounts or time periods.

Hypericum perforatum while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 68917-49-7

Herb commonly used from ancient times. Firm evidence is available on its effectiveness for treatment of depression, to the extent that it should be avoided a sudden stop of medication to prevent a rebound effect. It has been also topically used for the treatment of wounds, burns and eczema due to healing and antiseptical properties. Constituents are: Hypericin, Hyperforin and Quercetin. Antidepressant properties are attributed to Hypericin but mostly to Hyperforin. Quercetin is a flavonoid which is commonly found in many fruits and eatable vegetables. Hyperforin is excreted into breast milk in nil or clinically non-significant amount with not side-effects reported among breastfed infants from treated mothers, except for isolated and dubious cases of somnolence and colicky pain with spontaneous resolution with no medical intervention being required. Plasma levels in those infants were undetectable or close to the lower detectable point (0.1μg/L). Hypericin has not been detected in the breast milk. Quercetin levels found were as low as of few nanomols/L., and related to composition of fruits and vegetables of diet. It is most important to make sure that composition and amount of Hypericum contained in commercially available products is correct, do not take it without medical surveillance, avoid sudden stop and consider pharmacological interactions with many other medications.

Glycyrrhiza glabra while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 1405-86-3

Root of leguminous herb is used. Content: essential oil, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, hydroxi-coumarins.... Unproven effects: anti-ulcerative and expectorant. Indication after Commission E of German Ministry of Health: gastritis, gastric ulcer, cough, bronchitis. Because of mineralocorticoid effects, Pseudoaldosteronism, Hypokalemic palsy, Hypernatremia, Edema, Heart arrhythmias and Arterial Hypertension, a longstanding use or abuse of licorice may be a cause of severe health disorders. May be a cause of abortion and premature labor if taken while pregnancy. Since it has anti-prolactin and estrogenic effects, decrease of milk production can occur within the first weeks after birth. Reportedly, one case of hyperprolactinemia has occurred. There is no proof on its galactagogue effect. Glycyrrhizin is responsible of many effects of Licorice which is excreted in small amount into breast milk. Two infants younger than one months were severely intoxicated (lethargy) after their mothers had drunk an daily average of 2 liters of a beverage containing a mixture of Licorice, Fennel, Anise and Goat's rue. It was assumed to be related to anethol contained in the fennel and anise.

Glycyrrhiza glabra while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 84775-66-6

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root contains glycyrrhizin (also called glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizinic acid) and a mixture of the potassium and calcium salts of glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizin is metabolized to the active glycyrrhetinic acid in the intestine. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) has had glycyrrhizin removed. Licorice is a purported galactogogue, and is included in some Asian proprietary mixtures to increase milk supply; however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. In fact, licorice usually reduces serum prolactin,[1] which might decrease milk production in the early stages of lactation. Women taking licorice have experienced elevated blood presure.[2] Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[3] Glycyrrhizin is detectable in the breastmilk of some women taking licorice, but studies measuring glycyrrhetinic acid have not been performed. Licorice has been used safely and effectively in combination with other herbs given to infants as a tea for the short-term treatment of colic.[4] However, two infants whose mothers had an excessive intake of an herbal tea that contained licorice had signs of anethole toxicity.[5] Because both of these papers reported on herbal mixtures, the effect(s) of licorice alone cannot be determined. Licorice and licorice extract are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) as foods by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Long-term, excessive use of licorice can cause hypertension, hypokalemia, and disturbances of adrenal hormones, and therefore should probably be avoided during nursing. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information #about dietary supplements# is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.

Water and Breastfeeding

Water is essential for life. It is considered safe to breast feed while using supplemental water.

Oxygen and Breastfeeding

Oxygen is essential for life. It is considered safe to breast feed while using supplemental oxygen or Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

What if I already have used Rehydrate?

I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Rehydrate, is it safe?

If I am using Rehydrate, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Rehydrate in breastfeeding?