Community› The Bump Message Boards› 3rd Trimester
3rd Trimester
New Discussion

prenatals, iron supplements and milk?

butterbeansmamabutterbeansmama
in 3rd Trimester

So I have heard from numerous posts, that drinking milk while taking an iron supplement (not sure about while taking my prenatals) is not a good idea because calcium cancels iron out and it's harder for the iron to break down. Is this true? If so, then how long can you go after taking the pills before I have a glass a milk? I drink 3-4 glasses of milk a day and one of those is at night (which is the same time I take all my pills - I have to or they make me naseous other wise).

TIA

Report Reply to Post

Re: prenatals, iron supplements and milk?

  • LizzamaLizzama

    it is true that taking iron supplements (prenatals typically have a good amount of iron in them) with milk and/or fruit juice will decrease the ability of your body to absorb iron.  that being said, i have read that if it's the only thing that keeps you from getting sick while taking the supplement (which iron can do) it's ok to take it that way.

    i love to drink milk and OJ all day but take my pills at night with a big glass of water right before going to bed and i don't end up nauseated (but that's just me).

    i hope this helps! 

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Tulips21Tulips21

    yes it's true- calcium and iron interfere with the absorption of the other.

    that's why a lot of prenatals come in 2 parts- one with iron that you take in the am and one in the evening with calcium.  If you only take one prenatal and it has both iron and calcium, it's likely you are not absorping much of the iron.  that being said, some iron is better than none at all...

    it takes your body about 4 hrs to digest a meal, probably less for a glass of milk. So wait at least an hour...

    Report Reply
  • jenkmjenkm
    I agree with the PPs.  I take my prenatal at lunch and my calcium at dinner/dessert.  I always have milk with dessert so I figure it's a good time to take calcium, esp. b/c calcium pills have vitamin D (or should) which helps in absorbtion of calcium. 
    Report Reply
  • chantelliochantellio
    When I was told by the nurse from my OB's office to take iron supplements, she specifically told me to take them at a separate time than the prenatals.
    Report Reply
  • ifoundhim!ifoundhim! member
    Try Floradix for iron - it's a liquid supplement. I found it at Whole Foods.  It is kind of expensive but so worth it - does not make you naseious and does not cause constipation.
    Report Reply
  • BottomStarBottomStar member

    imagechantellio:
    When I was told by the nurse from my OB's office to take iron supplements, she specifically told me to take them at a separate time than the prenatals.

    This.  Definitely take them at opposite times of the day.  I take mine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (I have GD so I can't take with OJ) then have breakfast with milk about 20 minutes later.  I then take my prenatals with dinner.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • lucisparentslucisparents member
    I wait at least 1-3 hours between. Calcium I can take alone, but Iron is better with food.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"