Magnesium is an essential mineral that your body needs to function, supporting over 300 processes, including normal muscle function , energy production, nerve regulation and bone health. During pregnancy and postnatal care, its role becomes even more critical, and maintaining a healthy intake of key vitamins and minerals can help support both mum and baby.
In this guide, we’ll explore the role magnesium has in the body, and the importance of intake during pregnancy and postnatal care. Unlock the benefits of magnesium with our recommended supplements, specifically targeted to support pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Click on the links below to jump to that section:
- Understanding Magnesium’s Role in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- What is the Best Type of Magnesium for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women?
- Choosing the Best Magnesium Supplements for Pregnancy at Meaghers Pharmacy
- The Best Magnesium Supplements for Breastfeeding
- Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the benefits of taking magnesium supplements whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.
Decide which magnesium type best suits your needs.
Shop high-quality pregnancy supplements.
Shop high-quality breastfeeding and postnatal supplements.
Read common queries on magnesium supplements.
Understanding Magnesium’s Role in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, your nutritional requirements change to support your baby's growth and development and your own health. As well as contributing to normal muscle function, energy-yielding metabolism, nervous system function, electrolyte balance and bone health, magnesium plays an important role in supporting normal maternal health during pregnancy.
For your baby, magnesium is also fundamental to foetal development, contributing to normal bone and muscle growth as part of a balanced intake of essential vitamins and minerals.
Magnesium-rich foods, such as almonds, whole grains, legumes, spinach, black beans, and avocados, are excellent and safe sources for pregnant women. It’s always best to get nutrients from food first, but pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness or food aversions, can make that difficult.
If you're not getting enough through your diet, you may want to consider a specially formulated supplement to ensure you reach the proper daily intake, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals required during pregnancy.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Magnesium Supplements During Pregnancy?
Maintaining adequate magnesium levels is crucial for maternal health, as sufficient intake supports a healthy pregnancy, prepares your body for childbirth, and supports recovery. Consider multivitamin formulas that combine magnesium with other essential nutrients, including folic acid, vitamin D, iron, iodine, calcium, omega-3 DHA, and B vitamins.
Here are some of the potential benefits of taking pregnancy supplements:
- Supports normal muscle function - may help relieve muscle tension, aches and leg cramps.
- Helps support energy production - plays a role in energy-yielding metabolism, helping the body release energy from food, which can be especially useful when the body is working harder during pregnancy to support both mum and baby.
- Supports healthy bones and teeth - works alongside vitamin D and calcium.
- May support better sleep and relaxation - often used as part of an evening wellness routine because it supports normal muscle and nervous system function.
- May help with pregnancy leg cramps
If you are thinking about taking magnesium supplements whilst pregnant, always consult with your doctor or healthcare professional beforehand.
Benefits of Magnesium During Breastfeeding
During breastfeeding, magnesium continues to support normal muscle function, energy metabolism, nervous system function and bone health. Here are some of the benefits:
- Supports normal energy-yielding metabolism during the postnatal period
- Helps contribute to normal muscle and nerve function
- Supports the maintenance of normal bones
- Can form part of a wider postnatal supplement routine
If you are already taking a breastfeeding multivitamin, check whether it contains magnesium before adding a separate magnesium supplement.
What is the Best Type of Magnesium for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women?
Not all magnesium forms are created equally, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women, it’s important to choose one that is both effective and gentle on the stomach.
Thanks to its high bioavailability, magnesium citrate is a commonly used form in many supplements, such as those for pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is often chosen for its absorption, though some people may find it has a mild laxative effect.
Other magnesium forms that may help support pregnancy or breastfeeding include:
- Magnesium glycinate (bisglycinate)
- Magnesium malate
- Magnesium oxide
For many pregnant women, the best option may not be a standalone magnesium supplement, but a pregnancy-specific multivitamin that includes magnesium alongside other nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin D, iron, zinc and B vitamins.
Choosing the Best Magnesium Supplements for Pregnancy at Meaghers Pharmacy
At Meaghers Pharmacy, we aim to make your life easier at every life stage. A high-quality magnesium supplement should be well absorbed, gentle on your stomach, and free from unnecessary additives.
If you’re looking to unlock the benefits of magnesium during pregnancy, shop below for our top supplements that feature magnesium:
Proceive Pregnancy Trimester 3 Supplements
Particularly during the second and third trimesters, magnesium is essential for pregnant women.
Proceive provides an incredible range of premium supplements to support women (and men) at every stage of the fertility journey - from conception all the way to postnatal care.
Shop Proceive’s entire collection of fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding supplements here.
Their Third Trimester Supplement offers tailored nutritional support to both mum and baby, with key ingredients including folic acid, vitamin D, B vitamins, iron and magnesium.
Directions: Take two capsules daily, in the morning, on a full stomach.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Designed for the third trimester of pregnancy
- Provides tailored nutrition for both mother and baby
- Comprehensive blend of 28 vitamins, minerals and amino acids
- Includes folic acid in the methylfolate form
- Suitable for women looking for stage-specific pregnancy support
Price: €24.95 (60 capsules)
NHP Advanced Pregnancy Support
Key Features & Benefits:
- Specially formulated with all essential vitamins and minerals important for a healthy pregnancy, such as folic acid, iron, zinc and B vitamins
- Helps support the normal growth of the baby’s spinal cord, brain, and skeletal system
- Contains magnesium citrate and vitamin C (as magnesium ascorbate)
- Free from fillers, binders, anti-caking agents and artificial additives
- Can safely be taken before, during or after pregnancy
Price: €32.95
Fruitful Pregnancy & Prenatal Support
Combining essential vitamins, minerals and botanicals with high-quality magnesium, Fruitful’s Pregnancy and Prenatal Support Supplement nourishes both mum and baby at every stage.
From conception through the final trimester, this pregnancy supplement delivers comprehensive nutritional support to help strengthen the foetus's growth and development.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Combines essential vitamins, minerals and botanicals
- Designed to support both mother and baby during pregnancy
- Supports iron levels, cognitive function and foetal growth and development
- Contains 60mg magnesium citrate
- Clean, vegan and additive-free
Price: €23.99 (60 capsules)
The Best Magnesium Supplements for Breastfeeding
After your baby is born, your nutritional needs remain high, particularly if you decide to breastfeed. Your body continues to provide essential nutrients through breast milk, including magnesium. Therefore, specially formulated supplements that include essential vitamins and minerals (such as magnesium) can help replenish your intake and support healthy breastfeeding.
Here are some of our top picks for breastfeeding supplements:
Proceive Breastfeeding Supplements
For comprehensive support after pregnancy, Proceive’s Breastfeeding supplement is tailored specifically for new and breastfeeding mothers, with an active blend of 24 key vitamins and minerals - including 200mg magnesium per dose.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Designed for breastfeeding and after pregnancy
- Supports the nutritional needs of new mothers
- Comprehensive formula of 24 vitamins and minerals
- Tailored for new and breastfeeding mothers
Price: €24.95 (60 capsules)
Vitabiotics Pregnacare New Mum
Pregnacare New Mum supplement provides a carefully balanced formula of essential vitamins and minerals to help support the nutritional requirements of new mothers throughout the postnatal period.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Designed for the postnatal period
- Suitable after pregnancy, whether or not you are breastfeeding
- Helps safeguard nutrient intake following pregnancy
- Includes nutrients to support normal energy release
- Also supports skin and hair health
Price: €26.70 (56 capsules)
Fruitful New Mum Postnatal Formula
Providing comprehensive nutritional support to energise new mothers, this postnatal supplement from Fruitful is designed to help support hormones and the immune system, reducing tiredness and fatigue.
Key Features & Benefits:
- 60mg magnesium citrate
- Designed for postnatal nutritional support
- Supports new mums after pregnancy
- Vegan-friendly, clean and additive-free
Price: €23.99 (60 capsules)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Magnesium Supplements Safe During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
Yes, generally, magnesium supplements are considered safe to take during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding when taken at the recommended dosage.
Always speak to your doctor, midwife, or healthcare professional before taking any supplements.
What is the Recommended Dosage of Magnesium for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
The recommended magnesium intake, from a combination of food and supplements, is commonly listed as:
- Pregnancy, age 19–30: 350mg per day
- Pregnancy, age 31–50: 360mg per day
- Breastfeeding, age 19–30: 310mg per day
- Breastfeeding, age 31–50: 320mg per day
Which Trimester Do Pregnant Women Need the Most Magnesium?
Magnesium is important throughout pregnancy, but nutritional requirements are even more vital in the second and third trimesters as the baby grows and the body prepares for birth.
