I was just asked by a LLL Leader about the safety of 1000 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily for a woman who called her and who is breastfeeding a 2 year old and four months pregnant.  It was suggested as an alternative to steroids for asthma.  Hale isn't concerned about B12, but gives the usual daily supplemental dose as 25 micrograms daily - a far cry from 1000 micrograms.  I did find an internet source that talks about doses up to 2000 micrograms daily for permicious anemia.

Is there any problem with such a whopping dose, for fetus, toddler, or mother?  Molecular weight is 1355, which probably helps reduce the transfer into the milk.  

Apparently the mom says she's noticed a decrease in supply and change in color with the introduction of the B12, but I'm guessing those are just normal pregnancy changes.  Thoughts on any of this?

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY  USA
www.wiessinger.baka.com

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