Can You Take Cod Liver Oil When Breastfeeding?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding · Last updated 28 October 2026
Check the label. Cod liver oil is a source of vitamin A as well as vitamin D, so don't combine it with other vitamin A supplements, and keep your total vitamin A from food and supplements under the NHS guide of 1.5mg a day on average.
What the guidance says
Cod liver oil is avoided in pregnancy because vitamin A can harm an unborn baby. After the birth that rule falls away, but it's still a concentrated source of vitamin A, and the NHS advises averaging no more than 1.5mg a day from food and supplements together. Check the label amount, and ask a pharmacist if you also take a multivitamin. The NHS recommends 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day while breastfeeding.
You can also check the calorie content of cod liver oil alongside its safety information.
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Cod Liver Oil: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Avoid |
Common questions
Is cod liver oil safe while breastfeeding?
Check the label. Cod liver oil is a source of vitamin A as well as vitamin D, so don't combine it with other vitamin A supplements, and keep your total vitamin A from food and supplements under the NHS guide of 1.5mg a day on average.
How much vitamin A is too much?
The NHS advises that having more than 1.5mg a day of vitamin A on average, from food and supplements together, may affect your bones over time. Check the label.
Do I need a vitamin D supplement while breastfeeding?
The NHS advises 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day for breastfeeding mothers. Some cod liver oil supplements contain it, but check.
Was this different during pregnancy?
Yes. In pregnancy our verdict was “avoid”, because of a risk to the unborn baby (see our pregnancy guide). Those reasons ended when your baby was born.
What should I avoid while breastfeeding?
The NHS list is short. Caffeine: try not to have more than 300mg a day (a mug of filter coffee is about 140mg, instant 100mg, tea 75mg). Alcohol: it is safer not to drink, but 1 or 2 units once or twice a week should be fine. Oily fish: no more than 2 portions a week. Shark, swordfish and marlin: no more than 1 portion a week. Peanuts are fine unless you're allergic. Most other foods that were off the menu in pregnancy, such as soft cheese, pâté, cured meat and runny eggs, are not restricted.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.