Is Seaweed safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Seaweed. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
A study of 31 preterm infants born at 34 weeks gestational age or less was performed in Korea where mothers typically ingest large amounts of seaweed soup during the first month postpartum. Subclinical hypothyroidism was frequently found in the infants that had high intakes of iodine from breastmilk.[ 8 ] Two mothers originally from Asia (Korea and China) reportedly ate large amounts of soup made from seaweed from their home countries in the postpartum period. Their infants had elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels when tested at 3 to 4 weeks of age and signs of hypothyroidism. Both were treated with thyroid hormones and regained normal thyroid function.[ 9 ] A 21-day-old breastfed (extent not stated) infant presented with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Neonatal TSH screening was normal, but at 21 days it was 87.3 IU/L (normal 0.27 to 4.2 IU/L). Free T4 was 7.3 pmol/L (normal 12 to 22 pmol/L) and the thyroid was slightly enlarged. The infant's parents were of Korean origin and the mother had consumed 3 to 4 bowls of brown seaweed ( Undaria pinnatifida ) soup daily from the time of birth. The infant's hypothyroidism was probably caused by the high iodine content of the seaweed soup.[ 10 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Iodine is a normal component of human milk. Median values of total iodine (including iodide) in breastmilk in the United States have ranged from 35 to 140 mcg/L.[ 6 ] Maternal Levels. Korean mothers are traditionally given large amounts of brown seaweed soup postpartum, up to 4 or 5 times daily in the first few days postpartum. A study of 50 Korean postpartum mothers measured the amount of iodine in their breastmilk. At 2 to 5 days postpartum, iodine content averaged 2170 mcg/L (range 218 to 8671 mcg/L) or 2.7 mg daily. At 4 weeks postpartum when the seaweed intake was less, iodine averaged 892 mcg/L (range 60 to 3838 mg/L) or 1.3 mg daily.[ 7 ] The breastmilk of the mothers of 31 preterm Korean infants was measured for iodine concentration on week 1, 3 and 6 postpartum. Korean mothers often have elevated iodine levels from large amounts of dietary iodine in brown seaweed soup during the first month postpartum. Median breastmilk iodine levels were 2529, 1153 and 822 mcg/L at the 3 times, respectively.[ 8 ] Infant Levels. The preterm infants of Korean mothers with high levels of breastmilk iodine had relatively high urinary iodine levels that were thought to be related to high maternal intake of iodine from seaweed soup.[ 8 ]
Source: NIH LactMed (National Library of Medicine).
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.