Is Sea Moss safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what LactMed, the Drugs and Lactation Database published by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reports about Sea Moss. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Sea moss or Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) is a type of red seaweed that is used as food and medicine, although no medicinal value has been proven. Sea moss contains carrageenan, which is used as food additive and other polysaccharides (carbohydrates). It also contains numerous minerals, including iodine and some toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury that come from the water where it was grown.[1] Maternal consumption of excess iodine from seaweed has caused thyroid suppression in breastfed infants.[2-4] Sea moss should be avoided during breastfeeding unless the levels of iodine and heavy metals have been shown to be low enough to be safe.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
“No published information” means the studies do not exist yet — not that Sea Moss is known to be harmful, and not that it is known to be safe. Your prescriber or pharmacist can weigh your baby's age and whether a better-studied alternative would do the same job. Worth asking before stopping a medicine you need.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Sea Moss” (sea_moss). LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.