The Benefits of Collagen While Breastfeeding

A breastfeeding woman needs to ensure everything she consumes is safe for her baby. Safety matters because a mother's dietary nutrients are broken down in her digestive system to create breast milk. In some cases, the foods she eats may affect her infant's digestion and overall health.

While doctors often advise breastfeeding mothers to avoid caffeine, alcohol and high-mercury fish, among other potentially problematic foods, collagen supplements, known for boosting hair and skin health, are considered safe. In fact, they even offer several potential benefits to nursing mothers, like improving bone health, relieving stretch marks and helping to counteract postpartum hair issues and loss.

How Does Diet Affect Breast Milk?

When a woman is lactating, her milk provides a growing baby with the nutrients needed to survive and thrive. Even if she does not eat the perfect diet, her body naturally produces a liquid with the ideal balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

There isn't a direct correlation between a mother's diet and the nutrients in her breast milk. So, if she increases her collagen intake, for example, she won't necessarily be feeding more collagen to her baby.

Still, there are other compelling reasons for her to be mindful of what she eats. For instance, a mother's diet can influence her breast milk in the following ways:

• Allergens: If a baby has an unknown allergy to nuts, eggs or dairy products, they could have an allergic response.
• Digestion: Although not clinically proven, there is anecdotal evidence that certain foods in a mother’s diet can lead to digestive issues and colic in her baby.
• Taste: The foods she eats can affect the taste of her breast milk. By eating a varied diet, she can expose her child to a broader range of experiences and prepare them for a solid diet.
• Caloric intake: A mother's diet needs to include an extra 450-500 calories above her regular consumption to produce adequate breast milk.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found throughout our bodies. It is one of the vital building blocks of our bones, tendons, skin and blood vessels.

We can get collagen in the food we eat or through supplements. Our cells are also capable of synthesizing new collagen using amino acids, vitamin C and copper.

Our ability to create new collagen decreases over time, and breastfeeding women are especially susceptible to the risks of inadequate collagen availability. However, collagen supplements are not only safe—they can offer several significant benefits to lactating women.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Collagen While Breastfeeding?

While a woman is pregnant and nursing, her body goes through massive changes. Hormone imbalances, a fluctuating body size and shifting metabolic processes all converge to create unique challenges during this time in her life.

A collagen boost can ease many of these issues. And the easiest way for a busy new mom to get extra collagen is in a convenient oral supplement like Better Not Younger’s Power Within Skin & Scalp Collagen Gummies.

Some of the benefits of supplemental collagen for breastfeeding women include:

Improved Bone Health

Breast milk contains high levels of calcium, a mineral essential for the bones and teeth of a growing infant. To meet the increased demand for calcium, a mother's body may resort to bone resorption. During this process, calcium stored in her skeletal system is drawn out and redirected to her breast milk.

While this is entirely natural and may not pose a problem, there’s a chance it can lead to problems down the road. To counter these challenges, collagen supplements can support bone health and skeletal strength, which may help a mother avoid brittle bones and osteoporosis later in life.

Stronger Hair and Nails

Hormone levels rise and fall throughout pregnancy and lactation. These changes can make a woman’s hair fall out after her baby is born and cause her nails to become brittle and weak.

Collagen is an essential building block in both hair and nails, so a diet rich in supplemental collagen can lead to greater strength and resiliency in both.

Noticeable Skin Elasticity and Smoothness

Pregnancy and lactation together can cause the skin to stretch beyond its normal limits, sometimes resulting in stretch marks. Collagen supports the regeneration of new skin cells and can help give skin an enhanced ability to stretch and bounce back to its original position. Collagen can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking Collagen?

Collagen side effects are rare, and the benefits will most likely outweigh any potential risks. However, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor before starting new supplements, especially when pregnant or lactating. Some possible side effects include:

• Loss of appetite: While this may not always be considered harmful, a decreased appetite can make it more difficult for nursing women to get the extra calories they need.
• Immune response: Pregnant women who take marine collagen could develop a rash because of a temporarily increased sensitivity. For these women, supplements use can be resumed after delivery.
• Allergic reaction: Some collagen supplements are made using eggs, nuts, milk or seafood. If you are allergic to any of these items, check your label carefully to avoid a reaction. Better Not Younger Power Within Skin & Scalp Collagen Gummies are gluten-, nut-, milk-, egg- and soy-free.

Collagen Gummies from Better Not Younger

Collagen supplements from Better Not Younger are a safe and beneficial way to help nursing women overcome common concerns like splitting nails, thinning hair and stretch marks. Plus, they can help women in all stages of life in the fight against wrinkles, joint pain and thinning hair.

Visit the Shop Page to learn more about our supplements and our full line of products designed to restore your hair’s fullness and shine!

Tell Us: If you took collagen supplements while breastfeeding, did you experience any postpartum benefits? Share in the comments below!