The Basics
What is Carrot / Daucus carota?
Carrots contain alpha- and beta-carotene. A poultice of raw carrots applied to the breast has been used to treat uncomplicated breast engorgement during breastfeeding; however, evidence of efficacy is lacking. The essential oil derived from this plant is used to make anti-wrinkle creams.
Brand names for Carrot / Daucus carota
N/A
How Carrot / Daucus carota is classified
Complementary Therapies, Food, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal
Carrot / Daucus carota During Pregnancy
Carrot / Daucus carota pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Carrot / Daucus carota while pregnant
N/A
Taking Carrot / Daucus carota While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Carrot / Daucus carota?
Carrots (Daucus carota) contain alpha- and beta-carotene. A poultice of raw carrots applied to the breast has been used to treat uncomplicated breast engorgement during breastfeeding;[1][2] however, as with topical cabbage leaves, evidence of efficacy is lacking because engorgement tends to improve over time regardless of treatment.[3] Both beta-carotene and carrot flavor are transmitted into breastmilk. Carrot intake can improve maternal and breastmilk beta-carotene and vitamin A status,[4][5] but excessive maternal intake of carrots can lead to a harmless, reversible discoloration of the breastfed infant’s skin. Exposure to carrot flavor in breastmilk can improve the future acceptance of carrots by the infant.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Carrots (Daucus carota) contain alpha- and beta-carotene. A poultice of raw carrots applied to the breast has been used to treat uncomplicated breast engorgement during breastfeeding;[1][2] however, as with topical cabbage leaves, evidence of efficacy is lacking because engorgement tends to improve over time regardless of treatment.[3] Both beta-carotene and carrot flavor are transmitted into breastmilk. Carrot intake can improve maternal and breastmilk beta-carotene and vitamin A status,[4][5] but excessive maternal intake of carrots can lead to a harmless, reversible discoloration of the breastfed infant’s skin. Exposure to carrot flavor in breastmilk can improve the future acceptance of carrots by the infant.
Possible effects of Carrot / Daucus carota on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Carrot / Daucus carota
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Stapleton H. The use of herbal medicine in pregnancy and labour. Part II: Events after birth, including those affecting the health of babies. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 1995;1:165-7. PMID: 9456733
2. Yarnell E. Botanical medicine in pregnancy and lactation. Altern Complement Ther. 1997;3 (April):93-100.
3. Mangesi L, Zakarija-Grkovic I. Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;6:CD006946. PMID: 27351423
4. Ncube TN, Greiner T, Malaba LC, Gebre-Medhin M. Supplementing lactating women with pureed papaya and grated carrots improved vitamin A status in a placebo-controlled trial. J Nutr. 2001;131:1497-502. PMID: 11340106
5. Strobel M, Tinz J, Biesalski HK. The importance of beta-carotene as a source of vitamin A with special regard to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Eur J Nutr. 2007;46 Suppl 1:I1-I20. PMID: 17665093
6. Johnson EJ, Qin J, Krinsky NI, Russell RM. Beta-carotene isomers in human serum, breast milk and buccal mucosa cells after continuous oral doses of all-trans and 9-cis beta-carotene. J Nutr. 1997;127:1993-9. PMID: 9311956
7. Canfield LM, Giuliano AR, Neilson EM et al. beta-Carotene in breast milk and serum is increased after a single beta-carotene dose. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997;66:52-61. PMID: 9209169
8. Canfield LM , Giuliano AR, Neilson EM et al. Kinetics of the response of milk and serum beta-carotene to daily beta-carotene supplementation in healthy, lactating women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;67:276-83. PMID: 9459376
9. Gossage CP, Deyhim M, Yamini S et al. Carotenoid composition of human milk during the first month postpartum and the response to beta-carotene supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76:193-7. PMID: 12081834
10. Mennella JA, Beauchamp GK. Experience with a flavor in the mother’s milk modifies the infant’s acceptance of flavored cereal. Dev Psychobiol. 1999;35:197-203. PMID: 10531532
11. Haftel L, Berkovich Z, Reifen R. Elevated milk beta-carotene and lycopene after carrot and tomato paste supplementation. Nutrition. 2015;31:443-5. PMID: 25701332
12. Thomson ML. Carotinaemia in a suckling. Arch Dis Child. 1943;18:112. Letter.
13. Mennella JA, Jagnow CP, Beauchamp GK. Prenatal and postnatal flavor learning by human infants. Pediatrics. 2001;107:1-6. PMID: 11389286
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
