Can You Take Collagen While Breastfeeding?
You’re breastfeeding and you’ve heard the amazing benefits of taking a collagen supplement so you may be wondering, can you take collagen while breastfeeding?
In this post, you will learn all the details of whether or not it’s safe to take each type of collagen supplement while breastfeeding. Learn the pros and cons of taking collagen while lactating, and also learn the best types of collagen to take while you are breastfeeding.
**This post contains affiliate links to items that I feel will benefit you immensely. Please read the full disclosure here. This post has been sponsored by Majka, a company whose products I have been using and have loved for 4 years. Their sponsorship has in no way influenced my opinions.**
What is Collagen Anyways?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and it’s what gives our skin strength and elasticity. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen which can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint pain.
Many people turn to collagen supplements as a way to help combat the signs of aging. Collagen supplements have also been shown to improve gut health, boost metabolism, and help with weight loss in addition to numerous other benefits.
So, can you take collagen while breastfeeding?
Can You Take Collagen While Breastfeeding?
You will be super excited to learn that because collagen is a protein that is derived from animals, collagen is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. You are most likely already consuming collagen through some of the foods you eat. However, there are a few things to consider before taking a collagen supplement while breastfeeding.
As with any supplement you take (especially while breastfeeding), make sure to choose a high-quality collagen supplement that is free from artificial ingredients, fillers, and toxins. It is also important to choose an unflavored collagen supplement as some flavors can contain harmful chemicals.
There are many different forms of collagen supplements on the market including powders, pills, and peptides. But are all forms created equal?
Are there any forms of collagen you should avoid while breastfeeding?
Read on to learn the details of each type of collagen supplement and which are the best to take while breastfeeding.
What are the benefits of taking collagen while breastfeeding?
- Collagen helps to firm and brighten skin
- Collagen helps to build healthy hair
- Collagen helps to increase muscle mass
All of these benefits are so necessary for new moms throughout their postpartum period. Which by the way is not just the six-week recovery period. Full postpartum recovery takes closer to a year give or take a bit depending on age, previous pregnancies, weight, complications, and other factors.
- New mom exhaustion means you will be in dire need of some extra firming and brightening of your skin, collagen to the rescue!
- Your hair takes a beating after giving birth, often falling out in clumps: collagen can help.
- And you lose a lot of muscle mass throughout pregnancy even if you follow a prenatal workout plan the entire time. Collagen contains protein and can help you to increase muscle mass.
I am 2 years postpartum and still drinking the best collagen for breastfeeding moms every day! (And yes, I’m still breastfeeding too.) I started taking it when my first baby was around six months old and I noticed a huge difference in my energy levels, hair, skin, and nails.
What Types of Collagen Are There?
As previously mentioned, collagen comes from animals. But it is not always the same part or type of animal. Actually, collagen comes from parts of animals that really might skeeve you, but I promise it’s great for you! Especially in your postpartum recovery period!
Collagen supplements most often come from cows but can also come from pigs, fish, or chickens.
Most commonly, collagen supplements are made from either bovine bones or skin. But they can also be made from fish scales or chicken eggs. Seriously.
What are the Roman Numeral types of collagen you can take while breastfeeding?
Each type of collagen is also classified by type. You may read supplements that mention that they contain type 1 and type 2 collagen, etc. The different numbers of collagen specify the different forms of it within your body.
Some types of collagen we need a lot of, others not so much. Some are great for certain things (like skin or nails) and some types only come from certain animal sources, etc.
There are 16 different types of collagen but we most often refer to types 1, 2, and 3. That’s what you will find in most supplements.
Type I is best for skin, type II is great for the skeletal system, and type III is often found in bone marrow. (You will typically see the numbers of collagen represented in Roman Numeral form.)
All numbered types of collagen are safe to take while breastfeeding. That is not to say ALL collagen supplements are safe to take during breastfeeding. As with any supplement, many brands include unhealthy fillers and artificial ingredients so you need to be careful when selecting which supplement you add to your breastfeeding diet plan.
However, each form (if you get a great clean supplement, read on for the best collagen supplements to take while breastfeeding) is safe to consume while breastfeeding.
RELATED: The Only Collagen Powder Designed Specifically for Breastfeeding Moms
Which Forms of Collagen Supplements Can You Take While Breastfeeding?
You can take any form of collagen while breastfeeding. As long as it is of high quality and pure (meaning no artificial ingredients, flavors, or additives). If there are other nutrients mixed with the collagen that is ok too.
In fact, taking collagen with vitamin c increases its absorption. Below I will explain the different types of collagen supplements and details about them so you can choose which is best for your personal breastfeeding diet.
Can You Take Collagen Peptides While Breastfeeding?
There’s a good chance that you may have heard of the form of collagen referred to as “collagen peptides.” Or maybe you’ve heard of hydrolyzed collagen? Different companies choose to market different aspects of their collagen supplements whether it be “collagen peptides,” “contains 3 types of collagen,” “bovine collagen,” or something of that nature.
Collagen peptides are the same thing as hydrolyzed collagen. They have taken whichever form of animal collagen that they sourced and broken it down into peptides, which are more digestible amino acids.
Essentially, all the forms of collagen supplements whether it be powdered, pills, or anything else will contain collagen peptides. Collagen peptides can definitely be taken while breastfeeding and are great for postpartum recovery.
Can You Take Powdered Collagen While Breastfeeding?
Tes you can! This is the most popular type of collagen supplement on the market. It is easy to find, relatively inexpensive, and can be added to almost anything. You can add it to water or other beverages, smoothies, soups, oatmeal- really anything!
Powdered collagen is also relatively flavorless so it does not change the taste of your food or drink too much. Everyone always says collagen is tasteless. I taste it. But it doesn’t taste bad. To me, it tastes like gelatine powder or empty vitamin capsules. So if you have sensitive tastes, you might notice it lightly.
Collagen powder is my favorite way to take collagen as I am a big smoothie advocate. I love to add the only collagen powder designed specifically for breastfeeding moms into my breakfast smoothie every day.
RELATED: The Best Protein Powders for Breastfeeding Moms (whey and vegan varieties)
Breastfeeding Smoothies You Can Make with Collagen Powder
I love making new breastfeeding smoothie recipes to help you slim down and increase lactation. While these recipes don’t specifically call for protein powder. I do use Majka’s Repenishing Collagen Powder in these same recipes quite often actually. I love it in the blueberry morning smoothie and the raspberry mandarin smoothie the best.
As previously mentioned, vitamin C increases the rate of absorption for collagen. So adding it into smoothies is my favorite way to get the most out of my collagen supplement.
- Morning Blueberry Lactation Smoothie
- Raspberry Mandarin Lactation Smoothie
- Tropical Summer Lactation Smoothie
- Milk Boosting Mango Madness Smoothie
Can You Take Collagen Pills While Breastfeeding?
If you are not a fan of powders or adding collagen to your food and drinks, then collagen pills are a great option for you while breastfeeding. Pills are also very easy to travel with which is great for busy moms on the go.
Collagen pills are essentially just powdered collagen that has been pressed into pill form. Some people believe that taking pills is a more efficient way of taking supplements as it partially bypasses the digestive system.
I have found that taking pills vs. powdered collagen does not make much of a difference for me in terms of the results I see and feel. So, I stick with powder since I enjoy adding it to my smoothies. But if you prefer pills, there is no reason why you cannot take your collagen supplements in pill form while breastfeeding.
Can You Take Liquid Collagen While Breastfeeding?
Yes, you can take liquid collagen while breastfeeding. In fact, some people believe that liquid collagen is more easily absorbed by the body than either powders or pills.
I have not personally tried liquid collagen but I know many people who love it and swear by it. If you are interested in trying liquid collagen, I would recommend doing your research and finding a high-quality product. Remember, product suggestions are coming at the end of this post.
What Are the Best Collagen Supplements to Take While Breastfeeding?
Best Collagen Powder for Breastfeeding Moms: Majka’s Postpartum Replenishing Powder
The best collagen supplement to take while breastfeeding is one that’s designed specifically for postnatal recovery. Majka focuses on creating many clean and nutritious products to support mothers on their breastfeeding journeys.
Majka’s Postpartum Replenishing Powder contains:
- a replenishing beauty blend of collagen and hyaluronic acid
- a digestive enzyme blend (because we all need a digestion boost after childbirth)
- a probiotic blend (to enhance gut health and give you an immunity boost)
- adaptogens to help boost your energy and help you better deal with stress (I’m looking at you sleepless nights!)
- and a full postnatal vitamin complex (you should still be taking a pre/post natal vitamin while breastfeeding)
This product is your secret unicorn for postpartum recovery. Everything you need is in one scoop. All those supplements, all those pills, that you should be remembering to take to help your body heal and build better breastmilk postpartum are now in one simple scoop. (Bovine sourced.)
If you want to give this collagen powder for breastfeeding moms a try you can get it with 20% off your first order using my personal code VIGORITOUT20 at checkout.
Best Budget Collagen Powder for Breastfeeding: Vital Protein Collagen Peptides
This protein powder is a straightforward budget collagen powder you can get right off Amazon to have at your door quickly! It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the previously mentioned collagen powder, but if you are looking for a clean product, a great deal, and pretty much straight collagen to boost your smoothies with, Vital Protein Collagen Peptides are perfect. (Bovine sourced.)
Best Collagen Pills for Breastfeeding Moms: Vital Vitamins Multi Collagen Complex
These capsules are truly an all-in-one collagen complex! It contains 5 types of collagen that are sourced from bovine, chicken, and fish. That way you can reap all the many benefits the different types of collagen provide.
If taking a pill is easier for you than scooping into a smoothie or drink then Vital Vitamins Multi Collagen Complex is for you!
Best Liquid Collagen for Breastfeeding Mothers: Liquid Collagen Peptides with Biotin
Looking for a really easy way to take your collagen supplement every day? Just add one dropper-full of this collagen biotin blend directly under your tongue or right into a glass of water!
A lot of the liquid collagens will add sugar to make them taste better. No reason to be eating extra sugar in your supplements! But Liquid Collagen Peptides with Biotin sweetens their product with a bit of stevia and adds some lemon for a refreshing taste.
Biotin is also known to help strengthen and grow your hair and nails so this liquid collagen really packs a one-two punch.
Wrapping Up Can You Take Collagen While Breastfeeding?
As you can see, there are many different ways that you can take collagen while breastfeeding.
Whether you choose powder, pills, or liquid form, as long as you are taking a high-quality supplement, you will reap the many benefits that collagen provides!
So go ahead and start sipping on that collagen-filled smoothie or drop that liquid collagen right into your water throughout your breastfeeding journey, your body (and skin!) will thank you.
Do you have a favorite way to take collagen? Let us know in the comments below!
