Hi there, Mama,
Although Benefiber is presumed to be safe to be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s always best to consult your Lactation Consultant or your Obstetrician about whether or not it’s beneficial and safe specifically for you.
Fiber is a human’s best friend, especially if that human being is a pregnant or breastfeeding mother. Pregnancy in itself brings many changes in your body, and there are dramatic fluctuations in your hormones too, which more often than not can also result in constipation.
Fiber helps a great deal in digestion, and you and I both know that during pregnancy and postpartum, we tend to have an on and off relationship with constipation.
This is where fiber swoops in to save the day. Fiber not only makes you feel full for a longer time and keeps your blood sugar in check, but it also helps to keep everything moving through the large intestine and prevent constipation.
Eating the right amount of fiber every day can help you prevent excess weight gain during pregnancy and even postpartum.
Consuming a bowl of vegetables and fruits that is high in fiber will not only make you feel full for a longer time but also helps in maintaining blood pressure levels.
Is benefiber safe to use while breastfeeding?
Benefiber is made of 100% Wheat Dextrin, a soluble dietary fiber that helps improve the health of the digestive system. Benefiber can be used from the age of 6 in the recommended dosage.
Benefiber can be used by mixing it in beverages hot or cold like coffee, tea, juices, or smoothies, but it’s not recommended to mix it with carbonated drinks. Another thing about Benefiber is that people with a wheat allergy should avoid it because it’s made of wheat.
Now, can breastfeeding women take Benefiber? We don’t know for sure because you need the ‘go-ahead’ from your doctor first before taking any dietary supplement or over-the-counter medications.
Many breastfeeding women do take Benefiber after their doctor has given their approval. However, I’d still recommend you consult your obstetrician first before taking anything because every pregnancy and postpartum case is different. No one knows what’s best for you other than your doctor.
The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council recommends increasing the daily fiber intake for pregnant women to 28gm/day and breastfeeding women to 30gm/day. So, try to increase your fiber intake by including vegetables and fruits that are high in fiber.
If your doctor approves of you taking Benefiber while breastfeeding, keep in mind that you shouldn’t depend only on Benefiber as the only source for your fiber intake.
There’s a variety of vegetables and fruits that are high in fiber. Also, remember to increase your water intake as fiber absorbs water. So, keep a target to complete a minimum of 3 liters of water a day.
Foods that are high in fiber
Vegetables (1 cup contains)
- Broccoli (5.5 g)
- Sweet potatoes (8.2 g)
- Brussels sprouts (6.4 g)
- Green peas (8.8 g)
- Artichokes (6.8 g)
- Acorn squash (9 g)
- Collard greens (7.6 g)
Fruits (1 cup contains)
- Raspberries (8 g)
- Blackberries (7.6 g)
- Dried figs (14.6 g)
- Apples (4.8 g)
- Bananas (5.8 g)
- Avocado (10.1 g)
- Oranges (7.7 g)
Legumes and nuts
- Pecans (1 ounce 2.7 g)
- Almonds (1 ounce contains 3.5 g)
- Pistachio nuts (1 ounce has 2.9 g)
- Black beans (15 g)
- Lentils (15.6 g)
- Kidney beans (16.5 g)
- Split peas (16.3 g)
You can also have whole grains like oats, rice, pasta, bread. Salmons, sardines, beef, and eggs are also great for optimal nutrition.
FAQs
Does fiber transfer through breast milk?
No. Although certain foods can cause gas for moms, gas, and fiber are not transferred through the mother’s breast milk.
What foods promote breast milk?
Foods such as fennel, fenugreek, oatmeal, protein-rich foods are some of the lactation foods that can help in increasing breast milk supply.
What can you take for constipation while breastfeeding?
Stool softeners that are effective and safe such as Colace, can be taken but consult your doctor first before taking any OTC medications.
Takeaway
Whether or not you can take Benefiber while breastfeeding can only be determined by the doctor after studying your case, but there are surely other food items mentioned above that you can include in your diet every day to increase your fiber intake.
If you’re suffering from severe constipation that isn’t resolved in a couple of days, kindly consult your doctor before taking any OTC medications. Meanwhile, comment down below and tell us about your breastfeeding journey been so far.
