Is Bromelain Safe While Breastfeeding?
It is not clear if
bromelain is safe for use while breastfeeding. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking bromelain while breastfeeding a child.
No research has been done to see if bromelain is safe for breastfeeding women or their infants. It is not known how bromelain might affect a breastfeeding woman or her child. You might be tempted to think that bromelain must be safe, as it is made from pineapples. However, bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding or might have unpredictable, unknown effects on a breastfeeding woman or her child.
It should never be assumed that natural products are automatically safe for women who are breastfeeding. This is a mistake many breastfeeding women make. Breastfeeding often limits the prescription and non-prescription drugs that are available for a woman to take. As a result, women often seek safe alternatives, sometimes assuming that herbal supplements are always safe. This is simply not the case. Herbal supplements can be marketed in the United States without any evidence that they are safe (or even effective) for anyone, including breastfeeding women.
Talking With Your Healthcare Provider
You should talk with your healthcare provider about breastfeeding and bromelain. Each woman's situation is different, and you and your healthcare provider understand your situation best. After considering what you want and expect, as well as your current health situation, you and your healthcare provider can make a shared decision that is right for you.
