Collagen in Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Children: What Official Sources Say
What official and research sources say about collagen supplements during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood, including where proper evidence was not found.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What the general official guidance says
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. [1] It advises anyone in those groups, or planning a pregnancy, to keep that in mind before using a supplement. [1] That is general guidance about supplements as a group, not a statement about collagen specifically.One regulatory example shows how caution is written down for a collagen-type ingredient. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed egg membrane collagen peptides, a different product from bovine or marine collagen powders, in 2025. The applicant proposed use in food supplements for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women. [2] EFSA concluded the ingredient was safe under those proposed conditions of use. [2] That tells us the group was left out of the proposal; it does not tell us what happens in pregnancy. It should not be carried over to other collagen products.
What we searched and found
| Question | What the sources show | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Collagen peptides, hydrolyzed collagen or oral collagen in pregnancy | PubMed searched on 2026-10-23 (collagen terms combined with pregnancy, breastfeeding and lactation). The titles returned were animal, cell, exercise or unrelated studies; none was a human pregnancy safety study that we could identify. | Proper evidence not found |
| Same products while breastfeeding | Same search. A drug-and-lactation database (LactMed) was not readable this session because of a browser check, so we cannot say whether it has an entry. | Proper evidence not found |
| Children | One randomized, double-blind study of 60 prepubertal children (average age about 9) gave partly hydrolyzed collagen, with or without calcium, or placebo for 4 months. It measured bone-remodeling blood markers; the authors concluded the collagen "seems to have a potential role" in bone modeling. [3] The amount is not stated in the abstract, and markers are not growth, bone strength or fractures. | Insufficient evidence |
| Collagen as one part of a mix for children | A 10-week trial of 120 children aged 9 to 12 used a protein-rich drink that contained several protein ingredients and also rope-skipping training. [4] Because collagen peptides were one ingredient among several, its separate effect cannot be read from the result. | Insufficient evidence |
Why "not tested" matters
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: without studies in these groups, the sources we read give no basis for judging a collagen product, or its other ingredients such as added vitamins, herbs or sweeteners. For general pregnancy guidance see Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety and Preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding.
- Children: many dietary supplements have not been tested in children. [1] See Vitamins for children and teenagers and Children and teens. If a child swallowed a large amount of any supplement, see Poisoning: what to do first.
- Allergy: collagen products can come from fish, shellfish, egg or beef sources; see Collagen allergy. If someone has swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or trouble swallowing, after a product, that can be a serious allergic reaction, and MedlinePlus says to call 911. [5]
- Product quality: powders can contain more than the label says. See Collagen powders: heavy metals and contamination and Quality testing and certifications.
- Medicines: see Medication interactions and Collagen and medicines.
Questions to bring to a clinician or pharmacist
- Is there a reason to use this product at all right now, given the evidence for my goal? (The trials are summarized on Collagen for skin, joints and bone.)
- Does the label list added ingredients such as vitamins, herbs or sweeteners, and are those suitable for me or my child?
- Do I take any medicines that make me a special case?
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine because of a supplement.
Frequently asked questions
Is collagen safe during pregnancy?
Proper evidence not found. The searches described above found no human pregnancy safety study of oral collagen, and general guidance says many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women. [1]
Can I take collagen while breastfeeding?
Proper evidence not found in the sources we could read. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before starting. [1]
Is collagen safe for kids?
Only one small trial in 60 children was found; it tracked blood markers of bone remodeling, not safety over the long term. [3] Ask your child's clinician first.
Why did a European safety opinion exclude pregnant women?
For egg membrane collagen peptides, the applicant proposed use in adults excluding pregnant and lactating women, and EFSA assessed safety under those proposed conditions. [2] That is a narrow example, not a rule for every collagen product.
Does postpartum collagen help skin or stretch marks?
Proper evidence not found: a PubMed search for oral collagen supplementation postpartum (2026-10-23) returned nothing relevant. Skin evidence in other groups is on Collagen for skin, joints and bone.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
How to read the evidence labels
Labels used on this page: "insufficient evidence" (a few small studies), "preclinical" (animal or lab work), and "Proper evidence not found" (looked, found nothing usable).
References
- NCCIH. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH (US). Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens. Safety of egg membrane collagen peptides as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Journal 2025;23(12):e9709. Read 2026-10-23 (abstract).
- Martin-Bautista E, Martin-Matillas M, Martin-Lagos JA, et al. A nutritional intervention study with hydrolyzed collagen in pre-pubertal Spanish children: influence on bone modeling biomarkers. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2011. Read 2026-10-23 (abstract).
- Xing X, Li X, Guo Y, et al. Effects of protein-rich multi-nutrient intervention on bone mineralization and development: a randomized controlled trial in prepubertal children and a zebrafish experiment. Food Funct 2025. Read 2026-10-23 (abstract).
- MedlinePlus. Anaphylaxis. US National Library of Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.