Breastfeeding Moms need to take Iodine-containing supplements

(Content revised 07/2023)

You may not get enough iodine by eating fish everyday!

  • Pregnant & breastfeeding moms need at least 250 micrograms (μg) of iodine1 a day. A lack of this nutrient can retard baby's development
  • 100 grams of marine fish contains about 5 to 60 μg of iodine2

Advice for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Mothers to get enough iodine: Take a prenatal multivitamin & mineral supplement that contains at least 150 µg iodine daily3 as well as have more iodine rich foods in your diet

Take a prenatal multivitamin & mineral supplement that contains at least 150 µg iodine daily

  • When you choose a supplement: check its iodine content
  • Consult your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian

Have more iodine rich foods in your diet

  • Use iodised salt in place of ordinary table salt for cooking

    Using iodised salt:

    • Limit the total salt intake below 5 g (1 teaspoon) per day
    • Add the salt just before serving
  • Consume foods rich in iodine: marine fish, seafood, eggs, milk, dairy products, seaweed, kelp

If you cannot take an iodine-containing supplement, you need to increase your iodine intake from diet.

You may refer to “Do you have adequate iodine?” pamphlet for ways to obtain adequate iodine.

References:

  1. World Health Organization. (2007). Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders and monitoring their elimination: A guide for programme managers (3rd ed.). Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43781/9789241595827_eng.pdf;jsessionid=3917D7F16C0B96649328118E517471B1?sequence=1
  2. Centre for Food Safety. (2011). Risk assessment studies report No. 45: Dietary iodine intake in Hong Kong adults. Retrieved from https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_n_01_12_Dietary_Iodine_Intake_HK.html
  3. Department of Health, HKSARG. 2021. Joint recommendation on Iodine Intake for pregnant and lactating women.