Most people know how important healthy nutrition and prenatal supplements are during pregnancy. But the importance of optimized nutrition doesn’t end when the baby’s born, especially if the mom’s breastfeeding. Postnatal vitamins help new mothers recover from pregnancy and birth and help with their babies’ healthy development outside the womb. Of course, you want the very best health support for mother and child. That’s why StudyFinds consulted with experts to put together a list of the best postnatal vitamins for a happy and healthy family.
Taking postnatal vitamins is important for your health post-labor, but it’s also important to take care of your mental health. While childbirth is a magical experience for many new moms, some women have to deal with a condition called the “baby blues” after the delivery. Postpartum depression is a very real issue for many new mothers and a study finds it may actually last much longer than health experts previously thought. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health say women may continue to have high levels of depression lasting years after their child is born. The study of 5,000 women reveals one in four experienced severe depression symptoms at some point during a three-year period following their delivery. The rest of the women examined reported low levels of depression throughout those same three years.
So many changes happen in a woman’s body after giving birth. Did you know having a baby permanently changes the make-up of a woman’s bones, a new study reveals? A team of anthropologists discovered that females who have given birth have lower levels of calcium and phosphorus in comparison to males or females who have not been pregnant. Their bones also experienced a significant drop in magnesium as a result of breastfeeding.
Not only is it important to take care of yourself, but it is also important not to transfer parental stress onto the baby, as this can harm the child, often leading to insecurities and emotional problems later in life. Good postpartum self-care is essential for the well-being of mother and child. StudyFinds reviewed recommendations on ten expert websites to create a list of the top five best postnatal vitamins for new moms that were most recommended across our sources.
The List: Best Postnatal Vitamins, According to Expert Reviews
1. Ritual Essential Postnatal Vitamins
What’s excellent about Ritual is that they are transparent providing information about the sourcing of each nutrient, for example, the magnesium is a research-backed chelated form from Utah. “The Ritual Postnatal vitamin contains 15 nutrients in their most bioavailable forms, including methylated folate (5-MTHF) instead of folic acid, nature-identical biotin and choline, and methylated vitamin B12,” says The Nutrition Insider.
Ritual is being mentioned more and more and for good reason. This postnatal vitamin from Ritual is one of the most innovative and well-received supplements available. “This postnatal vitamin from Ritual contains all the essential nutrients the body needs and then some – so you know you are getting a supplement aimed at protecting your health and helping you be the best you can be for yourself and your little one,” states Post and Courier.
For new mamas with sensitive stomachs, Ritual’s Postnatal Vitamin is an excellent choice. “Ritual is a subscription-based supplement service, meaning that customers sign up for a monthly supplement delivery. This makes it a convenient choice for busy parents,” offers Sports Illustrated.
2. Nature Made Postnatal Multivitamin
It’s refreshing to know that Nature Made only requires you to take one of these pills each day. Be advised that they are large. “Nature Made vitamins are tasteless. But if you take them on an empty stomach, you may get a stomach ache a few hours down the line. (Nature Made recommends taking one capsule with a meal and water each day to avoid this issue). All Nature Made products are third-party tested and certified against contaminants,” explains Nesswell.
Straight from the horse’s mouth, Nature Made states that these softgels provide many of the same nutrients found in prenatal formulas but even higher amounts of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. “These softgels help the body meet increased energy demands postpartum. The 260 mg of DHA contained within the softgels may help to support infant brain and eye development,” says Medical News Today.
Still high on the list, keep in mind if you have a sensitive palate that many reviewers report a strong fishy taste. “Made with key vitamins and minerals to support you and your baby, these softgels from Nature Made are a good option. The once-daily formula offers nutritional support without the use of gluten or artificial fillers,” offers Healthline.
3. Megafood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multivitamin
The Megafood Baby & Me Postnatal is said to be best for breastfeeding women who want additional lactation support. “The MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multi is beneficial for breastfeeding women, as it contains the herb moringa leaf, which is thought to support healthy lactation. This postnatal multivitamin also provides an organic blend of oranges, brown rice, carrots, broccoli, and cabbage to add antioxidants and additional nutrients,” says The Nutrition Insider.
MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multi is a refurbished take on a classic postnatal vitamin that has a proven track record of expanding the health of mother and baby following pregnancy and birth. “MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multi delivered all the nutrients and vitamins new mothers need into an easy-to-take capsule for a solid, well-rounded postnatal vitamin. The formulation is balanced, and it is easy to see the benefits of adding this supplement to any regimen,” offers Post and Courier.
MegaFood Baby & Me 2 is vegetarian-friendly, but not appropriate for vegans because of the vitamin D derived from sheep’s wool. “MegaFood covers 36 percent of choline needs and 100 percent of the needs for vitamins and minerals including B12, B6, iodine, and selenium for breastfeeding women. However, this supplement is missing magnesium, a mineral that’s critical for overall health and often under-consumed,” states Sports Illustrated.
4. Perelel Multi Support Pack
While the priciest supplement on this list, Perelel still checks every nutritional box. “Perelel Mom’s postnatal option contains those three must-have nutrients: vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc. In addition, the mix includes vitamins D, E, B6, and B12, and DHA and EPA omega-3s, plus folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, choline, iron, iodine, magnesium, selenium, copper, and chromium. All Perelel vitamins are created in an FDA-registered and inspected facility and third-party tested,” says Nesswell.
Most customer reviews are positive, stating that the supplement may help improve digestion, hair growth, and energy levels. However, negative reviews claim that the supplements cause nausea. “Perelel provides a 30-day money-back guarantee alongside free shipping on subscription products over $35. Perelel recommends people take one pack daily with food. Each daily pack contains 4 capsules and 1 softgel,” informs Medical News Today.
Perelel postnatal vitamins are formulated by OB-GYNs, giving new moms the comfort needed post-labor. “With 30 daily pill packs, this supplement starts with two Mom Multivitamin capsules, which contain 120 milligrams of choline, 50 milligrams of vitamin C, 30 milligrams of magnesium, 25 milligrams of zinc, and more. In addition, this pill pack includes one Omega DHA + EPA softgel with omega-3s (which may be beneficial for fetal development, including retinal and immune function) and other fatty acids,” states Forbes.
5. Naturelo Postnatal Vitamins
Unlike others on the list, NATURELO offers a postnatal supplement that’s safe for vegans. “This supplement can help new moms meet intake recommendations for important nutrients that can be low in vegan diets like iodine, selenium, B12, and iron. It also contains a blend of herbs meant to boost milk supply including fenugreek, stinging nettle, and alfalfa,” says Sports Illustrated.
As just one pro to Naturelo, they help restore essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and others used during pregnancy and childbirth. Buoy Health shares a customer review, “As a breastfeeding mom, I find this supplement easy to swallow and quick to absorb. The bioactive ingredients, including active B vitamins like B6 P-5-P, methyl folate, and B12 methylcobalamin, make it gentle on the stomach and highly effective. Besides, the formula contains herbs that promote milk production, such as fenugreek, fennel, blessed thistle, alfalfa, and stinging nettle.”
This plant-based supplement was designed to support nursing moms while being easy on the tummy. “Naturelo contains a blend of organic herbs traditionally used to help boost milk supply,” says The Bump.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Vitamins For Skin
- Best Multivitamins For Women
- Best Prenatal Vitamins
- Best Children’s Multivitamins
Sources:
- The Nutrition Insider
- Post and Courier
- Sports Illustrated
- Nesswell
- Healthline
- Medical News Today
- Buoy Health
- Milk Drunk
- Forbes
- The Bump
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.