Creatine and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Creatine is used as a dietary supplement to increase muscle mass and improve exercise performance. Creatine is a normal component of human milk, supplying about 9% of the infant’s daily requirements, although the amount varies by country and ethnicity.[1,2] Creatine levels are highest in colostrum, with levels decreasing over the first 2 weeks postpartum before stabilizing.[3] Milk levels of creatine have not been measured after supplementation in humans. Creatine blood levels are lower in vegan than omnivorous mothers.[4] Some authors speculate that creatine supplementation of nursing mothers might help avoid creatine deficiency syndromes, but no studies are available that test this hypothesis.[5] Creatine is converted into creatinine in the mother's and infant's bodies. It can increase the infant's serum creatinine, which may alter estimations of the infant's kidney function.[6] Until more data are available, it is probably best to avoid creatine supplementation unless it is prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Creatine is a normal component of human milk. Milk levels of creatine have not been measured after exogenous administration in humans. Maternal Levels. North American and European milk creatine values average about 10.5 mg/L with a range of 9 to 12 mg/L. This value translates into about 7 mg daily for intake via milk for exclusively breastfed infants, or 10% of an infant’s daily requirement for 0- to 6-month-old infants. Adequate daily intake of creatine for 7- to 12-month-old infants is estimated to be 8.4 mg. Creatine levels might be elevated in the Indian population, reaching 38 mg/L at 6 months of lactation in one study.[7] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in breastfed infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

References

1. Garwolińska D, Namiesnik J, Kot-Wasik A, et al. Chemistry of human breast milk-a comprehensive review of the composition and role of milk metabolites in child development. J Agric Food Chem 2018;66:11881–96.30247884 PubMed
2. Gay MCL, Koleva PT, Slupsky CM, et al. Worldwide variation in human milk metabolome: Indicators of breast physiology and maternal lifestyle? Nutrients 2018;10:1151.30420587 PubMed
3. Mihatsch WA, Stahl B, Braun U. The umbilical cord creatine flux and time course of human milk creatine across lactation. Nutrients 2024;16:345.38337631 PubMed
4. Herrero Jiménez MP, Del Pozo de la Calle S, Cuadrado Vives C, et al. Nutritional supplementation in pregnant, lactating women and young children following a plant-based diet: A narrative review of the evidence. Nutrition 2025;136:112778.40373355 PubMed
5. Wallimann T, Tokarska-Schlattner M, Schlattner U. The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine. Amino Acids 2011;40:1271–96.21448658 PubMed
6. Hülsemann J, Manz F, Wember T, et al. Administration of creatine and creatinine with breast milk and infant milk preparations. Klin Padiatr 1987;199:292–5.3657037 PubMed
7. Ostojic SM. Establishing reference intakes for creatine in infants aged 0 to 12 months. Nutr Rev 2025;83:e2139–e43.39271173 PubMed