What vitamin C supplement is suitable for breastfeeding patients?

Vitamin C Supplementation for Breastfeeding Patients

Breastfeeding women should take a vitamin C supplement of 155 mg/day (95 mg for non-lactating women plus an additional 60 mg for lactation) to ensure adequate vitamin C levels for both mother and infant. 1

Recommended Dosage and Guidelines

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that lactating women take 60 mg/day of vitamin C in addition to the population reference intake of 95 mg/day for non-lactating women, for a total of 155 mg/day 1
• Vitamin C concentration in human milk reflects maternal vitamin C intake more than the infant's requirement, with breast milk from healthy mothers containing 35-90 mg/L of vitamin C 1
• Standard vitamin C supplements available over-the-counter are appropriate for breastfeeding women, as there are no specific formulations that are contraindicated during lactation 2

Benefits and Mechanisms

• Adequate maternal vitamin C intake ensures sufficient vitamin C content in breast milk, which is crucial for infant development 3
• Vitamin C content in breast milk is significantly correlated with maternal intake (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), indicating that supplementation directly benefits the infant 3
• Breastfed infants of well-supplemented mothers maintain plasma vitamin C concentrations at the same or higher levels than formula-fed infants receiving vitamin C-supplemented formula 4

Special Considerations

• Seasonal variations may affect vitamin C levels in breast milk, with lower levels observed in winter compared to summer (3.02 mg/100 ml vs. 3.9 mg/100 ml), highlighting the importance of consistent supplementation 3
• Even in well-nourished populations, approximately 6% of lactating mothers may have subnormal plasma vitamin C concentrations without symptoms, with the lowest concentrations occurring around 2 months postpartum 4
• Breastfed infants are generally well-protected against vitamin C deficiency even when maternal intake is marginal, as they maintain plasma concentrations about 2-fold higher than maternal levels 4

Safety and Upper Limits

• No specific upper limit for vitamin C has been established specifically for lactating women, but standard safety guidelines for adults apply 1
• Vitamin C supplementation is generally considered safe during lactation, with no known adverse effects on infant outcomes 5
• In healthy, breastfed infants of well-nourished mothers, the risk for vitamin deficiencies is low, but vitamin C supplementation ensures optimal levels in breast milk 2

Practical Recommendations

• Any standard vitamin C supplement that provides the recommended daily amount (155 mg/day) is suitable for breastfeeding women 1
• Supplements may be particularly important during winter months when dietary intake of vitamin C may be lower 3
• Women should be encouraged to maintain adequate dietary intake of vitamin C-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) in addition to supplementation 3