Feeding your baby with your breast milk your liquid gold is an incredible way to nourish their growing bodies. While it’s rewarding to provide this natural source of nutrients, it’s normal to feel a little uncertain about how what you consume might affect your milk. Navigating supplements, in particular, can bring up questions about safety and what’s best for your little one, whether you’re pumping or nursing.
If collagen supplements are on your mind, you’re not alone. Many moms wonder if collagen is safe to take while breastfeeding (pumping or nursing). Let’s break it all down together so you can make an informed and confident decision for both you and your baby!
Can I Take Collagen During Breastfeeding (Pumping or Nursing)?
Before diving into whether or not collagen is safe for breastfeeding women, it’s important to understand exactly what collagen is and why people take it. Knowing what collagen is and what its benefits are can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to incorporate it into your routine while pumping and/or nursing!
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein that’s pretty much everywhere in your body. It makes up about a third of the total protein in your body, and is found in your skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Basically, it’s the stuff that holds everything together, or the building blocks, if you will! This is the brand I love, Discount code ONEWITHTHEPUMP, and make sure to get a frother so you can really blend it in.
Collagen gives your skin its strength and elasticity, and helps your joints and muscles stay flexible. As you get older, your body produces less collagen, which is why we start to notice things like wrinkles and joint pain. Most of the collagen in supplements comes from animal sources like beef, chicken, and fish, because their collagen is really similar to ours, making it easier for our bodies to absorb it.
There are also HEAPS of plant-based options, usually from algae, but they don’t work quite the same way. You’ll typically find collagen in powders, capsules, or drinks, with people using it for everything from supporting joints to repairing your skin, hair, and nails.
For busy mamas, whether pregnant, pumping, or nursing, collagen can be a great way to meet your protein needs. This is even more true on those hectic days when you can barely sit down for a meal. I used to add collagen powder to my coffee, and when I wasn’t drinking coffee, I’d mix it into juice, water, or even soup. It’s a super easy way to sneak in some extra protein without having to do too much. So, is it safe to take collagen?
Is Collagen Safe For Breastfeeding (Pumping or Nursing)?
Yes–collagen supplements are generally considered safe for pumping, nursing, and even pregnant mamas. Experts agree that collagen is broken down into amino acids during digestion, so it doesn’t pass through to your milk in its original form. This makes it very unlikely to affect your baby.
The American Pregnancy Association and other trusted health organizations don’t list collagen as something to avoid while breastfeeding (this means both pumping and nursing). Still, it’s always a good idea to chat to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or allergies to specific collagen sources, like beef or fish. Now, let’s take a look at the potential benefits of taking collagen while pumping and nursing!
What Are The Benefits Of Taking Collagen While Breastfeeding?
Collagen can boost your protein intake.
For breastfeeding mothers, your protein needs increase a lot to support both your body and milk production. Collagen is a convenient way to sneak extra protein into your diet without having to prepare any intricate meals. Like me, you can add collagen to your coffee, smoothies, or even soups to make sure you meet your nutritional needs when you can’t sit down for a full meal
Collagen can support skin health and elasticity.
Feeding a little one can take a huge toll on your skin. Luckily, one of the benefits of collagen is that it can help to maintain skin elasticity. Which, in turn, is super helpful if you’re dealing with stretch marks, cracked nipples, and other changes that come along with pregnancy and feeding a baby. It can help to promote a faster healing experience if you’re dealing with nipple soreness and skin irritation.
Collagen can help with joint health.
Carrying your baby, whether in your arms or a carrier, can put heaps of strain on your joints. Collagen is known for its benefits to joint and bone health. As well as supporting the connective tissue that keeps your joints flexible. For new moms who are pumping or nursing and constantly moving around, collagen can help relieve a lot of joint discomfort.
Collagen can support digestive health.
Collagen is fantastic for your gut health, which is really important while lactating. It helps support the nutritional lining of your digestive tract and promotes healthy digestion. A healthy gut can improve nutrient absorption, meaning your body can better absorb the vitamins and minerals that are essential for you and your baby. Plus, it also helps to reduce bloating and discomfort which is something a lot of moms deal with after birth.
Collagen can aid in postpartum recovery.
Your body goes through a lot of changes both during pregnancy and childbirth, and collagen can help speed up postpartum recovery. Collagen is great for tissue repair, which can be helpful if you’re recovering from a C-section, perineal tear, or other physical strains from labor. It’s also great for maintaining muscle tone and elasticity, making it easier for your body to regain strength after giving birth. It can even help with postpartum hair loss!
How To Take Collagen When Breastfeeding (Pumping or Nursing)
Add collagen into your coffee or tea.
One of the easiest ways to take collagen is by adding it to your morning coffee or tea. Collagen powder is completely flavorless and dissolves easily, making it a simple way to boost your protein intake without changing the taste of your drink. Just stir in a scoop of collagen in your favorite drink, and you’re good to go!
Mix collagen into your smoothies and juices.
Smoothies and juices are another great option. You can easily blend the powder into your morning smoothie or mix it into a glass of juice for a quick, protein-packed snack. This is great if you’re a mama on-the-go!
Stir collagen into soups or broths.
If you’re looking for a more savory option, collagen can be added to soups or broths. Just stir in a scoop of collagen powder while the soup is still warm, and let it dissolve. This is the perfect way to add extra protein during a meal, especially if you prefer not to drink collagen.
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Add it to baked goods or oatmeal.
Another sneaky way to get your collagen is to mix it into baked goods or oatmeal. Whether you’re making cupcakes, muffins, or your favorite morning oats, you can add collagen powder directly into the batter or mix it into your cooked oats. This is great for busy mornings, or even quick snacks when you’re pumping at work!
Follow the recommended dosage.
When including collagen in your routine, speak to your healthcare provider about the recommended dosage and follow it. Usually, it’s around 10-20 grams per day, but your doctor will advise you on the right amount.
Yes–it’s generally safe to take collagen while pumping and/or nursing!
Taking collagen while nursing can be a simple and effective way to support your health and well-being during this busy phase of your life. Whether it’s boosting your protein intake, supporting joint and skin health, or aiding in postpartum recovery, collagen can be really helpful when added into your daily routine!
If you’re looking for more tips on how to make your pumping journey easier, check out my post on the benefits of pumping breastmilk for more insights on pumping naturally and efficiently. You can also check out The Ultimate Pumping Course, where we teach mamas like you how to choose the right pump, create a pumping schedule, prevent or eliminate painful pumping sessions all together, maintain or increase supply, and SO MUCH MORE!
And remember, every mama's journey is unique, and adding collagen is just one of the ways you can care for yourself while nourishing your little one. Take it one step at a time and know that you’re doing an amazing job whether pumping, nursing, or both!
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Use a milk frother to ensure the collagen really blends in with the liquid.
