supplements for breastfeeding mums?

**eve** · Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:19 AM

In doing some googling to find answers to this question, it amazes me that there are so many websites suggesting that breastfeeding mums should be taking supplements, including zinc, iron, calcium, B12, etc. A new mum is seeking my advice on the subject, and I tremble to think what taking supplements may do to her breastmilk and to her baby. I feel sure that if the mother follows a good diet of fruit, veges, legumes, nuts, etc, then her milk should be fine. However, she is particularly concerned about eating too much carbs and getting fat. We never used to even think about these things, yet our children grew up healthy. Still, as the questioner is a vegetarian living in the US, she may well be subject to all sorts of fear factors.

I did check out the pcrm website, but that was mainly for pregnant women.

Anyone feel confident to offer some advice for me to include in my response to her?