Future mothers hear from the doctors that the newborn baby should be fed breast milk from the very moment they first contact them about the alleged pregnancy. Thanks to natural feeding, the baby receives all the necessary elements for growth and development. But for the baby to eat properly, milk must be enriched with useful components. That is why vitamins for breastfeeding for mothers are what will help a woman to feed her baby for a long time without sacrificing her own health.
Mom's milk - protection against diseases
Breast milk is being studied constantly, because attempts to create an absolutely identical natural nutrition for infants do not stop, although they have not yet led to a 100% result. Nature allowed the mother to become the main protection of the newborn baby from diseases, a pillar in the development of both physical and mental. Mother's milk is a balanced pantry of everything you need to feed a baby. But after all, it is important for a woman to preserve her health in order to give the right thing to the baby and herself to remain full of strength.
The process of secretion in the mammary glands in a woman is laid during pregnancy, although for the first time it appears immediately after childbirth. It's about colostrum. Scientists have found that the secret of the mammary glands of a woman who has just given birth is more similar in composition to blood than to milk. This substance has a huge amount of albumin, globulin, selenium and zinc, vitamins A, E, which are natural antioxidants. One of the properties of colostrum is its mild relief, which helps the newborn get rid of meconium faster. After 4-5 days, it becomes the so-called transitional milk, and ripens after another 2.5-3 weeks. Only after this time the infant sucks mature milk.
At all stages of change, the secret of a woman’s mammary glands has the ability to maintain the immunity of the newborn. But in order for breast milk to comply with all standards and help the baby develop, a woman must take care of herself. Therefore, a complex of vitamins for nursing mothers is a necessary supplement for the entire period of lactation. In the vast majority of cases, pharmaceutical preparations contain a multicomponent set of useful, important and necessary substances. Both doctors and lactating women themselves leave mostly positive reviews about vitamins for breastfeeding for mothers, because the health and well-being of the baby is a vivid proof of the effectiveness of measures taken for proper lactation.
Vitamins and lactating mothers
The harmonious development of the baby depends on nutrition and care for him. In turn, it is important for the mother to maintain and maintain her own health. Nature prudently took care of a new life - breast milk allows the child to receive all the vital components for full development.
Arriving at the pharmacy, on the counter you can see more than one name of vitamins for nursing mothers. This is not surprising, because pharmaceutical companies are trying to include in the product line the necessary drugs for all potential consumers. But before you buy a beautiful box with capsules, tablets or granules, you need to figure out what kind of natural substances are needed for mother and baby. You can, of course, choose something on the advice of a relative or girlfriend who has already passed the period of breastfeeding, but it’s more correct and wise to listen to the recommendation of a specialist.
Vitamin "sun" and others
Retinol (Vitamin A) is a stimulator of growth and development, indispensable for bones, cartilage, connective tissue, heparin, as well as the intercellular component of hyaluron. He is involved in the synthesis of enzymes, sex hormones, immunoglobulin A and interferon, which exercise the protective functions of the body, is necessary for the proper functioning of the visual system, for example, for twilight vision.
B vitamins are the most extensive category of nutrients. All of them are active participants in cellular metabolism. Vitamins B under the indices 1, 2, 6, 9, 12 are especially important for mom and baby.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is the most active antioxidant among all related substances. It protects cells from damage by free radicals, stimulates the production of interferon, collagen, serotonin. Vitamin C is a real activator of the body's defenses, supporting immunity. Adequate intake of ascorbic acid in the body increases its immunity to any pathogenic effects from the outside.
Colloquially called Vitamin D, it’s called the “vitamin of the sun,” because it is produced in the human body under the influence of ultraviolet rays or comes with food. Its role in the body is based on direct participation in cell reproduction, the launch of metabolic processes. But the main purpose of vitamin D in the body is the quality assimilation of calcium and phosphorus - building materials for human bone, cartilage and muscle tissue. Vitamin D is especially important for breastfeeding . Its deficiency leads to not the most pleasant consequences. Many breast-feeding women report a deterioration in the condition of teeth, hair and nails throughout the entire period of lactation.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is rightfully considered a "female" vitamin that protects cells from the oxidizing ability of oxygen. He is also called an active fighter against cancer, harmful cholesterol. This substance plays an important role in the production of collagen, muscle proteins, as well as protein compounds of the placenta and mucous membranes. Its role has been identified in the production of gonadotropic hormones and the functional of the human immune system.
Chemical elements and breast milk
When asking a pharmacist in a pharmacy about vitamins for breastfeeding for mothers, women have in mind a comprehensive product that includes everything important and necessary for herself and her baby. Such drugs include a number of chemical elements. It is mainly iron, iodine, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorus. These substances are the basis for the proper functioning of all organs and systems (cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, endocrine, etc.). Vitamins for nursing mothers, whose rating will be offered a little lower, in fact are complex vitamin-mineral complexes created in accordance with the needs of the female body during lactation. According to surveys among doctors and breast-feeding women, the most popular and trust are such means as Vitrum Prenatal Forte, Elevit Pronatal, Complivit Mama, AlfaVit Mom's Health, and Femibion. These pharmacy drugs will be discussed below.
"Mom's Health Alphabet"
Vitamins for breastfeeding for a mother are usually selected by a gynecologist who has been observing a woman since being registered for pregnancy. One of the Russian drugs, often prescribed for both lactating and pregnant women, is AlfaVit Mom’s Health, which is manufactured by AKB & OH. This product is part of the AlfaVit product line and has a characteristic feature - the division of all micronutrients included in the group into groups according to the principle of maximum biological compatibility with each other:
- Iron + tablets, including ferrum, copper, taurine, vitamin A, B 1 and B 9 , C. They are painted in orange. Many women, according to their experience and the recommendations of doctors, recommend drinking Iron + in the morning.
- Tablet "Antioxidants +". Designed for daily use, it is colored yellow and contains iodine, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, B 2 , B 6 , C, E, and PP in its composition.
- Tablet "Calcium-D 3 +". Completes the daily intake of the complex drug "Alphabet Mom's Health." The color is cream, it includes calcium, calcium pantheon, phosphorus, chromium, vitamin D 3 , B 7 (biotin), B 9 , B 12 , K 1 .
Another distinctive feature of this drug is the presence of taurine and iodine, which makes it possible to distinguish this vitamin-mineral complex among analogues.
"Vitrum Prenatal Forte"
What vitamins can a nursing mother drink? This question is asked by women who are just preparing for childbirth or who have already become a mother. Another vitamin-mineral complex is Vitrum Prenatal Forte from the American company Unipharm, Inc. (USA). A pharmaceutical preparation consists of such substances as vitamin A, vitamins B 1 , B 2 , B 5 , B 6 , B 7 (biotin), B 9 , B 12 , vitamin PP, C, D 3 , E, PP, iron, iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, chromium. It should be taken 1 tablet per day. The duration of the course of admission should preferably be discussed with a specialist.
Complivit Mom
Vitamins "Complivit Mom" when breastfeeding is another popular remedy. It is produced by the Russian company Pharmstandard-UfaVita. The complex is presented in the form of tablets, film-coated and containing vitamins A, E, B 1 , B 2 , B 6 , B 9 , B 12 , PP and C. The complex also includes trace elements: iron, calcium, magnesium, Manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorus. The manufacturer advises taking this remedy in the morning, best of all during or immediately after breakfast.
"Drive"
A package with a kangaroo on the box attracts the attention of young mothers - a cute picture inspires confidence in the drug. And this is not just a drawing - the package contains the necessary vitamins for mothers during breastfeeding. This drug is produced by a company from Germany Ratiopharm International GmbH. The release form of this multicomponent preparation is capsules, each of which contains calcium, iron and phosphorus, as well as vitamins A, B 1 , B 2 , B 6 , B 9 , B 12 , vitamin C, vitamin D, PP. Capsules should be taken with meals, the daily dose should be recommended by the observing mother and child doctor.
"Femibion 2"
Another vitamin for breastfeeding for mom Femibion 2. The manufacturer claims them to be a necessary remedy for women from 12 weeks of gestation until the end of lactation. The drug is available in capsules that contain vitamins E and B 9 , iodine, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - one of the omega-3 fatty acids, which is an essential element for the development of a child’s brain and vision. Take the drug in the morning, 1 capsule after a meal. The peculiarity of Femibion 2 is the duration of the course of use recommended by the manufacturer.
"Elevit Pronatal"
What vitamins do nursing mothers need? Helping to maintain their health and beauty, but at the same time able to enrich breast milk with all the substances necessary for the baby. These qualities are possessed by one of the demanded and popular vitamin-mineral multicomponent preparations Elevit Pronatal from Bayer. Each film-coated tablet includes vitamins A, B 1 , B 2 , B 5 , B 6 , B 7 , B 9 , B 12 , C, E, D 3 , PP, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper , zinc, phosphorus. The regimen for the use of this drug for pregnant and lactating women is 1 tablet per day. Women who prefer the Elevit Pronatal complex should pay attention to the updated packaging design. Changes in the appearance of the drug are explained by the frequent cases of purchasers of fake funds by buyers. This fact negatively affected the reputation of the manufacturer and the drug itself.
Dr. Komarovsky
What kind of vitamins should breastfeeding be for mom? Komarovsky Evgeny Olegovich, the most famous pediatrician in our country, repeatedly says that resorting to pharmacy vitamin and mineral complexes should be done only with certain indications, supplementing them with a complete diet. Self-medication is undesirable, you must get a doctor’s recommendation to start drinking the seemingly innocuous, at first glance, vitamins. Hypervitaminosis is the same serious problem as vitamin deficiency - a deficiency of nutrients in the body. According to Dr. Komarovsky, taking vitamin-mineral complexes for nursing mothers should be done only in three cases:
- poor mother's nutrition both during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby;
- confirmed by the results of analyzes of vitamin deficiency in a child ;
- identified deficiency of valuable trace elements in breastfeeding women.
The main way to get all the necessary vitamins for a breast-feeding woman and her infant is a balanced diet. Evgeny Olegovich pays special attention in his lectures to the need for the use of "vitamin of the sun." Taking vitamin D for a nursing mother will prevent the development of such a disease in a child as rickets. In addition, the doctor recommends taking this substance in the period from autumn to spring, when the time for walking in the fresh air is reduced and the natural sunlight in many regions of our country is becoming less and less. This is perhaps the only vitamin that cannot be obtained from without without sufficient sunlight.
Vitamins on the menu
All specialists involved in the health of women and children believe that a woman who is just thinking about giving birth to a baby should be careful about her diet. After all, a balanced diet will allow the body to receive all the important and necessary elements for both carrying a healthy pregnancy and feeding the baby with full-fledged nutritious milk. Breastfeeding vitamins for mom are only helpful in some cases. It is best to get everything you need from food, such as:
- legumes;
- greens;
- meat (lean);
- vegetables;
- a fish;
- fruit.
The menu can be simple, but useful and tasty, the main thing is to pay a little more attention to its compilation. But if for some reason a woman fails to fully eat, one should consult a specialist to select a vitamin-mineral complex. A woman, of course, should take into account the features of her health, remember, for example, about intolerance to certain products, a tendency to an allergic reaction to any components. The individual pregnancy doctor and then the pediatrician should be informed about the individual characteristics of their body in order to get adequate advice on the additional use of vitamins for mothers.
What do mothers say?
For many women, the basis for replenishing the body with valuable trace elements during breastfeeding is vitamins for mom. Reviews about such funds are usually positive. With proper selection of vitamin and mineral complexes bring real benefits. Yes, negative responses are extremely rare, in which women complain about any drug that caused heartburn or a rash. But most often, the cause of indignation is individual intolerance. The rating of drugs was given above, but the doctor will advise which one to choose.
The intake of vitamins during breastfeeding for mothers is an important condition in order to give their baby a high-quality diet in the form of breast milk enriched with all necessary microelements, and at the same time maintain their health, beauty and strength.