GABA Nutrition Supplement Is This Okay with Breast Feeding?

If you are close to a Super Supplements Store I would ask them. They are very knowledgeable. If not go to a reputable health food store and ask.

I don't know about GABA but I have taken Omega supplements(fish oil or flax) for the same reason and it seemed to help. They are OK(pediatrician checked) with breast feeding!

"Women who are pregnant or breast feeding and people with liver or kidney disease should not take GABA, since it has not been studied for safety among people in those groups."

That's all I could find online too. I'd talk to your doctor or a naturopath first. Or maybe take something that is proven safe for nursing mothers.

I've read that some anxiety is common after having childre, after all, you do have more to worry about now! They say it's only a problem if you are consumed by it, if you can't function or focus or have irrational fears. Maybe counseling will help until you're done nursing? You could also try acupuncture and massage to decrease stress and anxiety. Good luck!

It's not something I've heard of, check with a midwife in your area. Midwives are generally up on alternative medicine. My heart goes out to you, life can't be easy right now. I hope you and the baby are able to cope. Good for you for searching for help - relaxed mom means relaxed baby.
E.

I used GABA, which (if I remember correctly) is produced naturally in the body, but found that it made no difference for me over several weeks. It was also something of a hassle to schedule it to correspond correctly with meals and other supplements that my naturopath wanted me to try. I recall that in theory it is more effective to take it during a certain time period.

Gentle, repetitive exercise (walking is perfect) has a much more soothing effect, for me, and raises my endorphins naturally. So does meditation or prayer (I don't use prayer to ask God to fix things or make problems go away, but rather to align myself with and trust His will, and I find this wonderfully calming).

I would not take ANY new supplements without talking first to a pediatrician or a naturopath doing family practice.

I wish you and your little one well.

B.,
My naturopath gave me Gaba Calm for my anxiety. It did help. I don't know about taking this while nursing, but I wouldn't take it without consulting a naturopathic doctor. They specialize in these natural supplements and can give you advice.
Good luck.

ASk your dr. and I would not take it I would air on the side of caution

Hi B.,

Before you take any type of supplement or herbal/otc remedy, please, please, please talk to your doctor. The majority of posters here (including me) are not qualified to guide you in this instance. Remember, there is no regulation of vitamins and other supplements. The manufacturers can make any claims and use ingredients that can potentially be harmful. Just because it's natural doesn't automatically make it good. I truly hope it turns out that GABA will work for you. My second baby was premature after a high risk and very guarded pregnancy. It is extremely stressful. There are support groups for parents like you. Perhaps that can help. I wish you well.

Please, please, please go see your OB or your medical doctor about this. If you are depressed/anxious I understand that you don't want to expose your baby to drugs and want to go the "natural way", but the regulation on vitamins/suppliments is not good, you never know what you are really getting and they aren't well studied in breast feeding. Some of the most deadly chemicals are "natural" such as botulism etc. Antidepressants have been around and regulated for a long time, there have been tens of thousands of women who have used them while breast feeding. If you are feeling so stressed out, think of the emotional effect it might be having on your child vs the benefit of being well and exposing your child to a known drug with known effects. You'll have to weigh the risk and benefit for yourself, your child. There are ways to limit the amount the baby gets, such as pumping and dumping, but it all depends on the type of antidepressant you take. You really need to discuss this with your doctor, go see a psychiatrist if needed.

Of course non drug options are just asking for more help, taking time away from baby for yourself, massage, accupuncture etc.

Good luck with everything!

please dont take any ones advice except your doctor on a subject like this. some things can be very dangerous while nursing so make sure to ask your doctor first.

You should ask the lactation nurse at the NICU. Both my boys were born early (10 weeks and 9 weeks). The NICU they were at had a lactation nurse to help with breastfeeding, pumping, and any questions I had. You'll get through it. It's a long road but you'll make it.

C.

I would highly recommend calling your pediatrician. They can answer that question over the phone.

Hi B.,
I don't know how safe GABA is, but I do know that a friend told my husband to try it when he was feeling anxious. In our opinion it made it worse as well as upset his stomach.

Shortly after that I found Sunrider foods. We discovered that when the body is out of "balance" it can cause a lot of health issues including emotional. We found that when we give our body the superior nutrition it needs then it will come into balance physically and emotionally. Sunrider foods are complete and balanced foods that nourish your entire body, which brings it into balance!

I am sure that you are run down physically and emotionally! Your body really needs the "fuel" to give you energy and nourishment.

I have started a blog... http://lifestyle4health.wordpress.com

to explain more about Sunrider foods if you are interested. My family and I had many health issues and we have found Sunrider to be an answer to our prayers!

I hope you will take the time to learn more about Sunrider. I know I am thankful everyday that I did!

S.

I had four preemies, and was able to nurse three of them. I would recommend chamomile/ sleepytime tea, that's what I used. My concern is the supplement might upset your body's balance (milk supply) or that it might effect the growth or development of your baby. I've found most doctors and lactation nurses do not have a real grasp of herbals or supplements (it's not their specialty), so you might need to keep researching on your own. Kudos to you for wanting to play it safe!

As with many of the posts I strongly suggest you talk to your doctor IMMEDIATELY. My baby was only 3 weeks early, but has a condition so rare that none of the the neonatologists at OHSU had never heard of it (long story). It can be very overwhelming even before you start to talk about normal post-partum hormonal changes. I have a history of depression, so my doctor and I kept a very close watch on this all through pregnancy and up to now (my daughter is 7 months old). From someone who knows what true depression is like, please don't mess around with it. If you are feeling even a little depressed call your doctor. It is MUCH easier to treat if you stay on top of it and don't let it get to a point where you feel, well, rotten! Keep in mind that if you don't want medication there are other things that you can do to help and your doctor is the best person to talk with.