The nutrients you ingest while breastfeeding will make their way to your baby as she nurses. The first food your baby eats is called colostrum, and is rich in vitamin E, say Victor R. Preedy and Ronald Ross Watson, authors of "The Encyclopedia of Vitamin E." As your baby grows older, she will need to continue receiving a healthy dose of vitamin E through your breast milk. Vitamin E offers your baby several benefits, and taking additional supplements may be necessary to promote the health and well-being of your little one. Vitamin E is an important nutrient that can help prevent your baby from developing anemia after he is born, says Jan Riordan, author of "Breastfeeding and Human Lactation." Anemia is a decrease in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your baby's body. The development of anemia can cause extreme fatigue as well as stress your baby's internal organs, Kids Health reports. If your body is low in vitamin E, it will be more difficult for your baby to get the amount that he needs to help prevent anemia.
In some cases, taking additional vitamin E may boost your levels enough that your baby gets what he needs. Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant, Riordan says, and sufficient levels can help protect your baby from retina and lung-related injury. According to Mary Treinen Moslen and Charles V. Smith, authors of "Free Radical Mechanisms of Tissue Injury," a low level of vitamin E can restrict how much oxygen reaches the retinas and the lungs, which can lead to injury if the problem is not diagnosed and treated. If you are breastfeeding and have very low levels of vitamin E, your baby may not be getting enough of what she needs to ensure that her retinas and lungs receive an adequate amount. Taking a supplement can help you increase your levels so you nursing baby gets what she needs. Your doctor may also recommend adding vitamin E-rich foods, such as nuts and nut oils, to your diet. According to Eileen Behan, author of "Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding," vitamin E helps protect your baby's muscles, cardiovascular system and nerves.
Vitamin E is necessary for proper metabolism, and if your baby is deficient, he experience weakness or degeneration of his growing muscles. You may need to supplement the vitamin E you get from food if your baby is having difficulty growing or seems to be weak or tired on a regular basis. Increasing how much vitamin E you take can help promote healthy development of your baby's muscles. Benefits of Vitamin E for Men Weight Loss and Vitamin E What Is the RDA for Vitamin E? Side Effects of a Vitamin E Supplement Recommended Vitamins While Breastfeeding What Does High Vitamin C While Breast-feeding Do? What Foods Are High in Vitamins C & E & Beta-Carotene? A List of Skin Care Ingredients That Shouldn't Be Used While Breastfeeding The Effect of Vitamin E on Breast Lumps Can I Take Evening Primrose While Breastfeeding? Can I Take Vitamin D While Nursing? Hormone Treatments for Breast Growth Multivitamins Containing No Vitamin A or E
Vitamin E Skin Cream Benefits Breastfeeding can be a special time for you and your baby, but there may be some bumps in the road along the way. Here are some solutions for common breastfeeding issues and concerns. For more information, contact St. Luke's Breastfeeding Services at (319) 369-8944. Sore nipples can occur for many reasons, from baby getting a poor latch to using the wrong size bra cup. Here are some things to try. Please note - blisters, cracking, bleeding and continued pain are notContact a lactation consultant at (319) 369-8944 for more assistance. Nurse baby on the nipple that is less sore first. Try different nursing positions. Pump before baby latches onto your breast. This softens the area so baby gets a better latch and starts milk flowing. Get a good latch by tickling your nipple on baby's lip so he/shePoint your nipple up to baby's upper lip and nose so he/she has a lot of the lower areola in his/her mouth.
Correctly remove baby from your breast if it is still sore after one minute of nursing. Try again to get a good latch. Massage and squeeze your breast if baby becomes sleepy to keepStroking baby's head, chin, back or feet After nursing, look at the shape of your nipple. It should be round, not pointed or pinched. Additional ways to help sore nipples heal Apply breast milk to your nipples after nursing and let air dry before closing bra flaps. Do not use soaps or lotions on your nipples. Change nursing pads when wet. Do not use plastic lined pads. Take over-the-counter medication for pain, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Use 100% pure lanolin (PurLan or Lansinoh) or vitamin E capsules on nipples after you nurse. (Do not use lanolin if you are allergic to wool or sensitive to mascara.) Pumping your breasts on low pressure may help your nipples heal. Feed the pumped milk to your baby. Using lanolin to help sore nipples
Do not use if you are allergic to wool or sensitive to mascara. Air dry nipples after nursing. Apply sparingly to nipples after nursing or pumping. Do not wash off before nursing or pumping. Using vitamin E oil to help sore nipples Air dry nipples 10-15 minutes after nursing. Pierce vitamin E capsule and apply one drop to each nipple. (Capsule may be used until empty. Capsule should be covered after use as light reduces its effectiveness.) Massage into tender areas. Do not wipe off before nursing. Continue treatment for 48 hours, then discontinue for 24 hours. Evaluate healing and use breast milk as breast cream during this time. If healed, continue to use breast milk as needed. If you still need vitamin E, resume use for another 48 hours. If you see no improvement, contact a lactation consultant at (319) 369-8944. Breast milk storage and heating guidelines Feed baby fresh milk whenever possible. Keep breast milk chilled during transports.