Breastfeeding and artificial sweeteners
Go to:
See the next story in this category | Go to previous story | Send to a friend!
Susan Warhus, MD
Need some advice? Ask our experts here!
|
Is Splenda or other artificial sweeteners okay to consume while breastfeeding? Is it okay to replace sugar with an artificial sweetener? I do not want to consume artificial sweeteners if it will harm my child.
Dr Warhus answers:
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Splenda and other sweeteners (such as NutraSweet, Equal, Sweet 'N Low) for consumption by the general public, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.
These sweeteners can be very useful for people trying to lose weight or watch their blood sugar because of diabetes.
Splenda contains sucralose, which is a made from sugar that has been chemically altered. NutraSweet and Equal both are made with aspartame, which is a protein building block. Aspartame poses a serious medical problem for people diagnosed with the rare genetic condition known as phenylketonuria, sometimes called PKU. Those with PKU or a strong family history of PKU are advised against using sweeteners made with aspartame.
Sweet 'N Low is comprised of saccharin. In the 1970s, the FDA was going to ban saccharin based on the reports of a Canadian study that showed that saccharin caused bladder cancer in rats. But additional research has shown that this is no longer a concern.
I'm glad that you are concerned about your health and the health of your newborn. Certainly not everything is known about these substances and as with most things, I would recommend that you use artificial sweeteners in moderation. You might also want to ask your baby's pediatrician what he/she thinks about using artificial sweeteners for your particular situation. 
More for you!
Send this page to a friend!
More baby features at Pregnancy & Baby
Come visit our message boards
Editor's pick: The No-Cry Sleep Solution
About the author: 
Susan Warhus, MD, obtained her medical degree from the University of Arizona. She is a board-certified OB/GYN physician and co-founder of the largest all-female practice in Arizona. During her clinical practice, she delivered more than 3,000 babies.
Dr Warhus is now a full-time writer, speaker and patient educator for women's health issues. "It's my goal to provide women and their mates with the best information available so that they can have the most rewarding pregnancy and childbirth experience. When a woman understands what is happening to her body and knows what to expect, she is able to make the best decisions for herself and unborn baby." To help spread her message, Dr Warhus has written Countdown to Baby: Answers to the 100 Most Asked Questions about Pregnancy & Childbirth. Dr Warhus also contributes articles to various women's magazines and makes occasional radio and television appearances. She can be reached through her website: www.askdoctorsusan.com.
For more pregnancy and baby, click here.
