Sea moss is a type of seaweed that has many health benefits, such as supporting your immune system, digestion, skin, hair, energy, mood, and thyroid. You can consume sea moss by making it into a gel and adding it to your food or drinks, or by applying it to your skin and hair. But can you consume sea moss while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a wonderful and natural way to nourish your baby and bond with them. It provides your baby with the best nutrition and protection from infections and diseases. However, breastfeeding also requires you to be careful about what you eat and drink, as some substances can pass into your breast milk and affect your baby.

Sea moss is generally considered safe and beneficial for most people, but it may not be suitable for breastfeeding mothers. The main reason why sea moss may not be advisable for breastfeeding mothers is its high iodine content. Iodine is an essential mineral that your body needs to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate your metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction. However, too much or too little iodine can cause problems for your thyroid and your baby's.

During breastfeeding, your iodine requirement increases to support your baby's brain development. The recommended daily intake of iodine for breastfeeding mothers is 290 mcg, which can be obtained from a balanced diet that includes iodized salt, dairy products, eggs, fish, and seaweed. However, sea moss contains much more iodine than other types of seaweed. One tablespoon of sea moss gel can provide up to 360 mcg of iodine, which is more than the recommended daily intake.

Consuming too much iodine while breastfeeding can lead to iodine toxicity, which can cause symptoms such as swelling of the thyroid gland, irregular heartbeat, fever, weakness, and confusion. It can also affect your baby's thyroid function and development, leading to congenital hypothyroidism or cretinism. This is a condition where the baby has low thyroid hormone levels, which can cause mental retardation, stunted growth, deafness, and other problems.

On the other hand, consuming too little iodine while breastfeeding can also have negative consequences. Iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism in both you and your baby, which can result in low milk production, poor weight gain, lethargy, or developmental delays.

Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced intake of iodine while breastfeeding. You should not consume sea moss or any other high-iodine food or supplement without consulting your doctor first. Your doctor can check your iodine levels and advise you on the appropriate amount of sea moss or other sources of iodine for you and your baby.

Sea moss is a wonderful natural product that can improve your health and wellness in many ways. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially breastfeeding mothers. Before consuming sea moss or any other food or supplement while breastfeeding, you should always consult your doctor and follow their recommendations.