If you leaned on a magnesium cream to get through pregnancy, it's a fair question whether it's still fine once you're breastfeeding.
If you want a specific answer for your own situation rather than a general one, it's worth asking a lactation consultant directly. Joelleen Wynduss Paye, a holistic IBCLC lactation consultant, midwife and naturopath, and the founder of JWP, is someone we'd point you to for grounded, breastfeeding-specific guidance.
Magnesium cream is a genuinely popular way to ease aches and support sleep in pregnancy, and plenty of people simply keep reaching for it once the baby arrives. The honest answer is that no Australian health authority has specifically weighed in on magnesium cream and breastfeeding. What follows is the general principles that do exist, applied honestly to this specific question. We've also covered is magnesium cream safe during pregnancy in more depth. This article picks up from there for the breastfeeding period specifically.
What We Actually Know
We checked Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, Healthdirect and the Australian Breastfeeding Association specifically for guidance on magnesium, topical or otherwise, in breastfeeding. None of them mentions it. That's a genuine gap rather than something to gloss over, and it means nobody can honestly give you a magnesium-cream-specific yes from an Australian health authority. What we can offer instead is the general principle that does exist around medicines and breastfeeding, and how a cream like this tends to sit within it.
This kind of gap isn't unusual, and it isn't a red flag specific to this product. Well-funded safety research tends to focus on prescription medicines rather than cosmetic or topical wellness products, so plenty of everyday items you'd apply to your skin simply haven't been formally studied for breastfeeding one way or the other. Magnesium cream sits in that same largely unstudied category, alongside a lot of other skincare most people use without a second thought.
The General Principle Behind Topical Products
According to Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, only a very small amount of most medicines passes into breast milk, and it's rarely harmful to your baby. The actual effect depends on the specific medicine, the dose and when it's taken.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association goes a step further on format specifically, recommending that, where there's a choice, you pick medicines that act locally, such as ointments, over ones that act throughout your whole body, such as tablets. The Association doesn't name magnesium cream specifically, so this is a general principle rather than a specific endorsement of this product.
Sensible Precautions While You're Using It
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Avoid applying it directly to your breast or nipple area, particularly close to a feed, simply so it isn't on the skin your baby's mouth will be against.
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Wash your hands after applying it to your arms, legs or back, before you pick up or feed your baby.
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Patch test on a small area first. We've written more about where to apply magnesium cream if you want a refresher. Most of it still applies postpartum.
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Keep to the amount you'd normally use rather than applying more. There's no established benefit to a heavier layer, and using less is a simple way to keep things conservative while the research itself is still limited.
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If your baby develops a rash, seems unsettled after feeds, or you notice any reaction, stop using it and mention it to your GP, midwife or lactation consultant.
When to Check With Someone Directly
If you want a considered answer rather than a general one, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby and the Australian Breastfeeding Association both point to similar places. Your pharmacist or GP is the first port of call. The Australian Breastfeeding Association's helpline (1800 686 268) and the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) are both available if you want a second opinion, and in New South Wales specifically, MotherSafe offers dedicated medicines-in-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding advice.
We make a Magnesium Body Cream that's positioned for use from the second trimester right through postpartum, for exactly this kind of ongoing use. We'd rather be upfront that the research specifically behind topical magnesium is still developing, both for general use and for breastfeeding, than oversell it as more proven than it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is magnesium cream safe to use while breastfeeding?
No Australian health authority has specifically addressed magnesium cream and breastfeeding, so there's no official yes or no. The general principle for topical, locally-acting products is reassuring, and checking with your pharmacist, GP or a lactation consultant is the honest next step if you want a specific answer.
Can I keep using the same magnesium cream I used in pregnancy?
There's nothing in the general guidance suggesting you need to stop. Many people do continue using it postpartum, and products like this are often positioned for exactly that.
Is it safe to apply magnesium cream near my breasts?
As a sensible precaution rather than a sourced medical rule, many avoid applying it directly to the breast or nipple area, particularly close to a feed.
Who should I ask if I want a specific answer for my situation?
Your pharmacist or GP is the first port of call. The Australian Breastfeeding Association's helpline, the Poisons Information Centre, and, in New South Wales, MotherSafe can also help, as can a lactation consultant.
Does magnesium cream actually get into breastmilk?
There's no Australian research specifically measuring this for topical magnesium cream, so it isn't known either way. What is established is that most medicines, in general, pass into breastmilk only in small amounts.
Does using magnesium cream affect milk supply?
There's no Australian source linking topical magnesium to milk supply, positively or negatively. If you notice a genuine change in supply after starting any new product, it's worth mentioning to a lactation consultant, though plenty of more common factors are usually behind a supply change.
The information in this article is general in nature and intended as comfort support only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your midwife, GP, or a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
