Can I Take Emergen C While Breastfeeding

By Lynn •  Updated: 02/22/24 •  7 min read
Hey Mamas and Papas! This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

If you’ve fallen ill or are trying earnestly not to get sick, you may have considered taking supplements to build your immune system. If you’re wondering, “Can I take Emergen C while breastfeeding?” or “Can I take Emergen C while pregnant?” you’re in luck. In this post, we will do our best to answer those questions as well as give you a few tips on how best to guard your immune system.

Is It OK to Take Emergen C While Pregnant?

Can I Take Emergen-C While Pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, there is no doubt that you’ve got questions. Questions like, “Can I Drink Hot Chocolate While Pregnant?” and “Body Armor Breastfeeding: is it safe?” likely plague you on a daily basis. It is important to know the answers to these questions because what you eat and drink can have a direct impact on both you and your baby.

So, is it okay to take Emergency-C while pregnant?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer on whether or not Emergen-C is safe to take whilst pregnant. 

According to the Emergen-C website, Emergen-C should only be taken by pregnant women after first being discussed with a doctor. Thus, Emergen-C hasn’t made it clear whether or not the drink is actually safe for pregnant women. 

Because of this, we would recommend you take Emergen-C when pregnant, only when you deem it absolutely necessary. Even then, try not to exceed one per day for only a few days or less if you can help it. Because the company isn’t clear about the effects the drink might have on pregnant women, it may be best to consume it in moderation, or maybe, not at all. 

emergen c

Can I Take Emergen-C While Pregnant – Second Trimester

Because Emergen-C’s brand is unclear about the potential effects that their line of beverages and other products pose to expectant mothers and unborn infants, we recommend keeping your consumption of the drink very low. 

During the second trimester, eating and drinking restrictions let up a bit when compared to the first. That’s because the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester is around 20 percent, which means you likely want to avoid anything “iffy” in order to give your baby the best chance of making it to full term strong and healthy.

If you really wish to consume Emergen-C during your second trimester, talk with your obstetrician to make sure that it is the right choice for you. If you can help it, you may wish to forgo it completely and try natural ways of boosting immunity and regaining your health after becoming sick.

pregnant mom in autumn colors

Can I Take Vitamin C While Breastfeeding?

Whether you are looking to take Emergen-C or Vitamin C during breastfeeding, you should know that the two are not exactly the same, and you’ll need to handle both with caution.

Though Emergen-C offers your body a one-two punch in terms of Vitamin C, it also contains other vitamins and minerals such as Manganese, Vitamin D, and Zinc. All of these work to fight infection, however, too much of any good thing can become a bad thing. 

Just as we mentioned before in regards to taking Emergen-C during pregnancy, we recommend you keep your Emergen-C intake limited as Emergen-C has not clearly given its stamp of approval for consumption by breastfeeding or expectant mothers. 

Vitamin C supplements, on the other hand, consist solely of Vitamin C, however, there is such thing as taking too much of it. Most recommendations aim for consumption of only 65-90 mg of Vitamin C per day, while Vitamin C supplements often contain as much as 500mg or more Vitamin C per capsule! 

Thus, it is imperative that you be mindful of how much Vitamin C you are taking in order not to suffer the ill effects of having taken too much. 

Can I Take 1000mg of Vitamin C While Breastfeeding?

You could take 1000 mg of Vitamin C while breastfeeding, but we recommend you speak with your doctor before doing so. 

Also, be aware that a lot of this Vitamin C will be passed along to your baby. Because key vitamins are often passed from mother to baby during breastfeeding, the same is true when you take supplements. The problem comes when you are delivering massive amounts of these vitamins to your little one at such a young age. 

Speak to your doctor about concerns you may have regarding this, and try not to take more than the recommended dose of Vitamin C per day. 

vitamin c supplement

Can You Take Vitamin C While Pregnant?

Can I Take 1000mg of Vitamin C While Pregnant?

While you may be able to get away with taking Vitamin C supplements at 1000 mg while pregnant, we recommend simply taking your prenatal supplements as prescribed and being sure to eat a balanced diet. Too much Vitamin C in your diet can lead to a variety of problems, and some studies show that Vitamin C may not even be as effective as we once thought it was. 

Signs of too much Vitamin C in the diet include: 

  • Heartburn
  • Cramps
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

FAQs On Taking Emergen C While Breastfeeding

How can I boost my immune system while breastfeeding?

Whether you are breastfeeding or not, there are a few simple ways you can boost your immune system without pumping your body with artificial vitamins. Consider upping your intake of fruits and veggies, limiting refined carbs and wheat, washing your hands before eating, maintaining an active lifestyle, getting plenty of rest, and lowering your stress levels (easier said than done!)
Though this list of to-dos may sound mundane, the truth is that it can be customized to fit your tastes and preferences to make healthier living more enjoyable. Consider buying your favorite fruits and veggies and learning how to combine them by searching out new healthy recipes. You may also try downing a bottle of water with every feed you give your baby, and taking your baby out for a brisk walk to get your exercise. 
Still pregnant? Try a few pregnancy stretches and commit to doing them, along with a brisk walk, daily. All of these things can keep you feeling great and healthy, and can boost your immune system without the use of expensive supplements. 

What vitamins can you not take while breastfeeding?

High doses of Vitamins E, C, and A have shown to be dangerous to women who are pregnant. Moreover, supplements like black cohosh and dong quai should also be avoided. For more recommendations on what supplements to avoid, speak to your doctor. 

Emergen-C While Pregnant or Breastfeeding May Not Be a Great Idea

With all evidence considered, taking Emergen-C or Vitamin C supplements may or may not be recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Instead, mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding may continue to take their prenatal supplements as prescribed and should focus on healthy habits such as exercise, a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and proper handwashing to safeguard their health and the health of their babies. 

Lynn

Lynn is a freelance writer, a wife, and a mother of two beautiful kids. Lynn started Infant Empire with the aim of making parenting easier for fellow mums and dads. She believes the parenting tips provided here will be of great help to all parents.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *