Is It Safe To Use Magnesium Citrate While Breastfeeding?

It is a commonly used supplement and laxative but should be used only under the doctor’s guidance.

Reviewed by Arushi Agrawal, IBCLC Arushi Agrawal Arushi AgrawalIBCLC MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Lactation Experience: 4 years
Written by , BE Jessica Albert BE Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Growth and DevelopmentExperience: 2 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , M.Tech Shinta Liz Sunny M.Tech Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 4 years
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Magnesium Citrate While Breastfeeding

Image: iStock

One should take utmost care of their diet and lifestyle when breastfeeding. So, if you are a nursing mother, you might be apprehensive about the safety of taking magnesium citrate when breastfeeding.

Magnesium citrate is mainly used as a supplement or a laxative by many. But is it safe for you and the baby? Read on to know more about magnesium citrate, its uses, and its side effects for breastfeeding women.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • Magnesium sources include green leafy vegetables, nuts, cereal grains, and beans.
  • Excessive magnesium supplements can harm both the mother and baby.
  • Breastfeeding mothers with allergies, heart, or kidney problems should consult a doctor before taking magnesium supplements.
  • Possible side effects of magnesium supplements include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and drowsiness.

What Is Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate is prepared in salt form with the citric acid, and that’s why the name magnesium citrate. Magnesium citrate attracts water through the tissues with the help of a process known as osmosis. It is also used as a dietary supplement for patients who are deficient in magnesium.

protip_icon Quick fact
Magnesium citrate may cause a bowel movement within 30 minutes to six hours after taking it (1).

What Are The Signs Of Magnesium Deficiency In Breastfeeding Women?

Magnesium deficiency in breastfeeding women can impact the mother and her baby. Therefore, lactating mothers should be aware of the signs of magnesium deficiency to have timely medical intervention with magnesium citrate. Some of the common signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency are (2):

  • Headaches
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle cramps
  • Numbness or tingling sensation
  • Abnormal heart rate
  • Seizures, in severe cases

Pregnant and breastfeeding women need higher levels of magnesium than non-pregnant women of the same age, i.e., 310mg to 400mg. However, overconsumption of magnesium can also have adverse effects, including diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

How Important Is Magnesium For The Body?

The best dietary source of magnesium is green leafy vegetables

Image: Shutterstock

Magnesium helps muscles and nerves work properly, keeps blood sugar and blood pressure stable, and plays a key role in building bones, proteins, and DNA (2). It would help if you ate a balanced diet, and when magnesium is deficient in the body, your doctor will prescribe you some magnesium supplements for it. The best dietary sources of magnesium are green leafy vegetables, nuts, cereal grains, beans, etc. Researchers say that cooking the food might reduce its nutrient content; having vegetables and nuts raw is advisable. Hard water is surprisingly said to have more magnesium content than soft water.

protip_icon Point to consider
Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys, so women with heart and kidney issues should consult a doctor before taking any magnesium supplement (3).

Dosage Forms

The product is available in the below-mentioned dosage forms:

  • Capsule
  • Liquid
  • Powder
  • Tablet
  • Packet
  • Syrup

What Should The Doctor Know?

Before taking the medicine, share all the information with doctor about your allergies.

Image: Shutterstock

Your doctor should know your medical history before prescribing a medicine. Share all the information with your doctor about your allergies. Magnesium Citrate is one of the most widely used magnesium supplements. It is inexpensive and has a mild laxative effect. Magnesium citrate powder is considered the best supplement you can consume on a daily basis.

Since a lactating mom like you needs enough vitamins and minerals for the baby to grow properly, magnesium is very important too. It is important that you consume the supplement in the right quantity and not exceed the prescribed amount. A large amount of the supplement may be harmful to both the mother and also the child.

Research says that the amount of magnesium in the food is declining, and hence the need for supplements. Early signs of deficiency include vomiting, nausea, weakness, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Side Effects Of Magnesium Citrate While Breastfeeding

An overdose of magnesium citrate can cause drowsiness in nursing mothers

Image: Shutterstock

Magnesium is tolerated by most moms; it can have side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. An overdose may cause drowsiness and also weakness. Avoid magnesium citrate if you have a stomach ache, nausea or vomiting. Store it at room temperature and away from heat. If you happen to miss a dose, you can take it during the day. Do not take the missed dose the next day, skip the dose you missed. It is advisable not to take a double dose of the medication.

You can safely consume supplements of magnesium citrate while nursing. You might need them to increase or balance your baby’s magnesium level. It will also help your baby sleep better and prevent constipation. It is said to soothe an upset stomach. An elevated magnesium level relieves constipation in mothers. As a breastfeeding mom, you could be advised to avoid prolonged use of the supplement.

protip_icon Be watchful
Magnesium citrate may sometimes cause blood in the stool. Seek your doctor’s advice promptly in such cases (1).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can magnesium citrate help with muscle cramps while breastfeeding?

There is some evidence to suggest that magnesium supplementation may improve muscle cramps. Magnesium plays a vital role in nerve transmission and muscle contraction, and its supplements are marketed as an over-the-counter remedy for muscle cramps (4).

2. Can magnesium citrate help with anxiety while breastfeeding?

Magnesium supplementation during pregnancy may be beneficial for anxiety while breastfeeding. As per a study, it may have a positive impact on reducing anxiety in individuals who are prone to it. More scientific studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of magnesium supplementation in treating anxiety (5).

3. Can magnesium citrate help with migraines and headaches while breastfeeding?

Magnesium citrate may be useful if you experience migraines during breastfeeding. Studies on magnesium suggest it could be a low-cost, safe, and well-tolerated medicine for preventing migraines. Magnesium supplementation has been shown to decrease the frequency and severity of migraines (6).

4. Can magnesium citrate help with menstrual cramps while breastfeeding?

There is increasing evidence indicating that a lack of magnesium may be a significant factor in various clinical conditions related to women’s health, such as premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and postmenopausal symptoms. Scientific studies suggest magnesium may effectively reduce dysmenorrhea or pain associated with menstruation (7).

5. Can magnesium citrate help with high blood pressure while breastfeeding?

Magnesium supplementation may help in managing blood pressure while breastfeeding. Scientific evidence shows magnesium intake decreases systolic and diastolic blood pressure (8).

6. Can magnesium citrate help with heart palpitations while breastfeeding?

Magnesium supplementation may help regulate heart rate. It may help reduce the frequency and intensity of heart palpitations (9).

7. Can magnesium citrate help with restless leg syndrome while breastfeeding?

Magnesium supplementation may help reduce symptoms of restless leg syndrome by promoting muscle relaxation and reducing inflammation. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for this purpose.

8. Can magnesium citrate help with fibromyalgia symptoms while breastfeeding?

Magnesium supplementation may alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms while breastfeeding. As per a study, magnesium citrate treatment effectively reduced fibromyalgia’s intensity (10).

Magnesium citrate is a supplement used for treating low magnesium levels in the body. It is also used to treat occasional constipation for a short duration. Most healthy women can safely consume magnesium citrate while breastfeeding. However, you should consult your doctor before using this supplement when breastfeeding to avert its side effects. Your doctor will evaluate your overall health and prescribe a dose based on your requirement. Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet containing magnesium foods can help mothers meet their magnesium needs in most cases.

Infographic: The Use Of Magnesium Citrate And Its Side Effects

You may be prescribed different supplements while breastfeeding to compensate for any deficiency. But you must know the use and side effects of these supplements to consult your doctor about any relevant information and prevent complications. The infographic below will help you understand magnesium citrate’s use and side effects.

8th infographic magnesium citrate for nursing moms (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Magnesium Citrate.
    https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619019.html
  2. Magnesium and your health.
    https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/magnesium
  3. Magnesium.
    https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/magnesium
  4. Antimo Moretti; (2021); What is the role of magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8020016/
  5. Neil Bernard Boyle et al.; (2017); The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress—A Systematic Review.
    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/5/429
  6. Magnesium in headache.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507271/
  7. Fabio Parazzini et al.; (2017); Magnesium in the gynecological practice: a literature review.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28392498/
  8. Kseniia Afitska et al.; (2021); Magnesium citrate supplementation decreased blood pressure and HbA1c in normomagnesemic subjects with metabolic syndrome: a 12-week, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot trial.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34859788/
  9. Why Magnesium May Help Your Heart Palpitations
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/magnesium-for-heart-palpitations/
  10. Selda Bagis et al.;(2013); Is magnesium citrate treatment effective on pain, clinical parameters and functional status in patients with fibromyalgia?
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00296-011-2334-8

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Arushi Agrawal
Arushi AgrawalIBCLC
Arushi Agarwal is a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) who started as a mom. She has four years of experience and currently works at Surya Hospital, Jaipur. Her struggles through the journey of breastfeeding led her to her mission of passionately creating awareness about the struggles of breastfeeding and the need for help.

Read full bio of Arushi Agrawal
Jessica Albert
Jessica AlbertBE
Jessica Albert is a passionate writer who seeks to connect with her readers through wit and charm. Her work aims to invoke curiosity and keep the readers engaged through and through. She has two years of experience working with magazines and e-commerce establishments as a content marketer and editor.

Read full bio of Jessica Albert
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Shinta Liz Sunny
Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech
Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

Read full bio of Shinta Liz Sunny
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