This sheet is about exposure to iodine in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers. What is iodine? Iodine is a naturally occurring element. Our body needs iodine for our thyroid gland to work properly. Iodine can be found in some foods, nutritional supplements, medications, and topical disinfectants. People who are pregnant or nursing need more iodine. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for …
The Baby Blog: Vitamins & Supplements
Echinacea Preparations
This sheet is about exposure to Echinacea preparations in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers. What is echinacea? Echinacea is an herb that comes from the roots, stem, and leaves of the plant Echinacea purpurea (Purple coneflower). Dried roots of Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida are also used. The type of active ingredients can vary widely. The amount and strength of the active …
Powered by Plants: Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Maya has been a healthy, happy vegan since she was a teenager. Now, at age 25 and pregnant for the first time, she is suddenly worried and uncertain about whether she can provide all the nutrients her developing baby needs if she continues to follow her vegan diet during pregnancy. She contacted us at MotherToBaby looking for answers. Maya’s question is not unusual, but since it’s a bit outside our area of expertise, I enlisted the help of an expert in maternal nutrition to help answer …
Folic Acid
This sheet talks about exposure to folic acid in a pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is folic acid? Folic acid is available as a nutritional supplement. It is the lab-made form of the vitamin folate (vitamin B9). Folate is necessary for making and maintaining healthy cells in the body. Many foods contain folate. These foods include dark leafy greens, asparagus, broccoli, avocado, beans, …
Capsaicin
This sheet talks about exposure to capsaicin in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is capsaicin? Capsaicin is the part of peppers (Solanaceae family, capsicum genus) that make your mouth feel hot. Capsaicin is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food and candy. Capsaicin is also the main ingredient in pepper spray used for …
