Can you take probiotics while breastfeeding is a question that gets asked a lot. The good news is that the answer is yes, probiotics are safe to use, even for breastfeeding mothers.
In this short article, we’ll explain what probiotics are, how they increase your body’s good bacteria, and why they benefit your overall health.
But, before we go any further, let’s take a little bit of time to acknowledge that taking probiotics while breastfeeding is considered completely safe, it’s always best to speak to a medical professional first.
Your family doctor will know your history, and your baby’s history, and will be best placed to make the final decision.
On rare occasions, a Doctor will advise against the use of probiotics if the mother is immune deficient, suffers from bowel problems, or has other digestive tract concerns.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What are probiotics?
Our bodies house both beneficial and harmful bacteria. An excess of harmful bacteria can lead to illnesses like UTIs (urinary tract infections), strep throat, or food poisoning, while beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in combating them.
Probiotics serve to replenish these beneficial bacteria, especially when they have been depleted due to illness or stress. This restoration helps with digestion and reinforces the immune system, preventing bad bacteria from taking over during sickness. Additionally, probiotics aid in food digestion, safeguard against the entry of harmful bacteria from food or drinks into the bloodstream and enhance the absorption of medications.
Maintaining a balanced presence of probiotics occurs naturally within the body and can be promoted by consuming specific foods like yogurt and cottage cheese. These foods contribute to the equilibrium between good and bad bacteria, supporting overall health.
Optibac Probiotics For Women Probiotic
Specifically formulated for women, OptiBac Probiotics For Women is a supplement that contains two strains of natural bacteria found in the intimate flora. Each capsule provides at least 2.3 billion live cultures, and these cultures have been scientifically proven to survive and reach the vagina intact. The supplement's ingredients include stabilizers like maltodextrin and microcrystalline cellulose, as well as live cultures such as Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1. It comes in a vegetarian capsule made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, with additional components like titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and vegetable magnesium stearate for quality and stability.
Bio-Kult Advanced Everyday
Bio-Kult stands out as a unique probiotic supplement featuring 14 strains of beneficial bacteria, making it highly effective at delivering concentrated beneficial bacteria to the gut. This diversity of strains enables Bio-Kult to address a wide spectrum of digestive disorders. Furthermore, these beneficial bacteria are micro-encapsulated during the freeze-drying process, providing two significant advantages: protection from the acidic stomach environment, allowing them to colonize the entire gastrointestinal tract, and the convenience of room temperature storage, eliminating the need for refrigeration. This makes Bio-Kult a practical and efficient choice for supporting digestive health.
Do probiotics occur naturally in any foods?
The answer is yes, probiotics do occur naturally in several foods – mainly foods that involve the fermentation process.
Here’s a short list of foods that can help increase your body’s probiotics naturally.
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kombucha
- Kimchi
- Pickles
- Sourdough bread
- Miso
- Cottage cheese
Optibac Probiotics For Everyday Probiotic Extra Strength
OptiBac Probiotics offers an advanced dairy-free supplement known as 'For every day EXTRA Strength,' featuring five extensively researched strains, including L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. bifidum Bb-02, in a potent dose of 20 billion live microorganisms per capsule. Notably, it contains 5 billion live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®, renowned as one of the most extensively studied acidophilus strains globally. These strains are scientifically proven to withstand stomach acidity, ensuring their viability as they reach the gut. Furthermore, this natural supplement is free from sugars, fats, and flavorings, setting it apart as a clean and effective choice for supporting digestive health.
Naked Biotics Restore
Naked Biotics Restore is a probiotic supplement crafted to provide extra care for sensitive stomachs. It boasts a unique blend of 12 strains and various classes of live bacteria that have undergone a special fermentation process. Additionally, Restore includes botanical extracts such as Rose Hip and Peppermint, selected for their potential to restore normal gut function. With its ingredients like purified water, fruit juices, and natural extracts, this supplement is designed to promote overall well-being and inner radiance.
Mommy's Bliss Postnatal Lactation Support Supplement with Probiotics
Mommy's Bliss Postnatal Lactation capsules are a vital tool in supporting milk production during breastfeeding. These capsules contain fenugreek, blessed thistle, and milk thistle, carefully formulated to enhance milk supply. As a lactation specialist-developed formula, they allow you to reap the benefits of fenugreek with fewer daily capsules. Beyond milk production, these postpartum essentials include a LactoSpore blend of probiotics to bolster your immune system and promote digestive health while nursing. Moreover, these vegan and vegetarian herbal dietary supplements are free from dairy, gluten, soy, artificial flavors, and colors, ensuring high-quality ingredients for breastfeeding moms.
Mother's Promise Lactation Supplement Gummies for Breast Milk Production Increase
This organic formula is designed to support and increase breast milk production, offering a safe and gentle option for nursing mothers with clinically studied ingredients. It provides a 30-day supply and is packed with 100% organic superfoods known for enhancing lactation, milk volume, and quality, including Moringa, Milk Thistle, Fenugreek Seed, and Fennel Seed. The natural mixed berry flavor makes it a delicious choice for moms, and these lactation gummies are plant-based, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and allergen-free. They contain no gelatin or animal byproducts and are suitable for Paleo and Celiac diets, providing a convenient and nutritious way to boost breast milk supply.
Garden of Life - Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Prenatal - Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria Probiotic Support for Mom and Baby
Once Daily Prenatal Probiotic is a doctor-formulated supplement designed to offer daily digestive and immune support during pregnancy and lactation. With an impressive 20 Billion CFU and a diverse range of 16 Probiotic Strains, complemented by Prebiotic Fiber, it provides comprehensive probiotic and prebiotic support tailored to the needs of expectant and nursing mothers. Garden of Life's prenatal probiotics feature a mix of Lacto and Bifido strains, including B. longum, infantis, L. acidophilus, and L. rhamnosus HN001, backed by clinical evidence demonstrating their ability to fortify both maternal and infant immune systems.
Renew Life Women's Probiotic Capsules
Renew Life Women's Care Probiotic is a potent supplement featuring a remarkable 50 billion live cultures, ensuring viability through the product's expiration date. Clinically tested and carefully selected, this probiotic contains a blend of 12 diverse strains that offer comprehensive support for women's health, including vaginal, urinary, digestive, and immune well-being. Notably, it incorporates the #1 most researched strains for vaginal and urinary health, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. This probiotic delivers multiple benefits, helping maintain healthy vaginal bacteria and yeast levels while also promoting digestive, urinary, and immune health proactively.
Probiotics, mastitis, and eczema relief
Probiotics are naturally found in breast milk and can benefit both the mother and baby. While they don’t directly transfer into breast milk, they enhance the mother’s health, leading to healthier breast milk composition for the baby.
Some studies suggest that probiotics may help with mastitis treatment, offering an alternative to antibiotics. Mastitis is a common issue among breastfeeding individuals, affecting up to 33%. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for the most suitable mastitis treatment.
Probiotic supplements also show promise in preventing and treating eczema (atopic dermatitis) in breastfed infants during their first two years of life.
You might want to read another useful article on the importance of probiotics for vaginal health.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
