The 5 Best Postnatal Vitamins For New & Lactating Mothers
Breastfeeding? Looking for the Best Postnatal Vitamins? Find here our 5 picks to help keep your energy levels up and your milk production high.
Congratulations! Now that your little one is here, it's more important than ever to ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need for both your health and your baby's.
You are breastfeeding and you have decided to start taking postnatal vitamins. But how to pick the best postnatal vitamin? Considering that there are so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which ones are right for you.
How can you pick the best for your body, your nursing baby, and your budget?
These are questions that a lot of women ask during their postpartum period. In this post, we will take a look at our list of the best 5 postnatal vitamins on Amazon and what you should look for when purchasing them. We will also talk about how to take these vitamins and what effects they can have on your body and your little one.
Keep reading to learn more about the best postnatal vitamins: Your new allies to turn you into a supermom!
How do we Choose the Best for You?
Feeling exhausted after your little one arrives?
You're definitely not alone. A lot of moms feel run down and like they can't keep up with everything. That's why we want to take some of the burdens off your shoulders by helping you choose the right postnatal vitamins out there.
We've taken a lot of time to research and list what we consider the most highly rated postnatal supplements available on Amazon to come up with our top 5. Initially, we wanted to list 7-10 products, however, we had to disregard several products because they didn't meet our criteria to recommend them to you.
So, what criteria did we use to come up with the 5 top postnatal vitamins mentioned in this article? First, we concentrated on products specifically for the postnatal period. We disregarded all the products that are advertised as prenatal and postnatal vitamins or products advertised as good for both periods. You won't find one-fits-all in our top 5.
The reason for this distinction is that even though, the vitamin intake during the prenatal and postnatal periods is pretty much maintained, there's one big difference: breastfeeding. A stage in which there's a higher demand on the mother for additional nutrients and a baby that literally takes in everything you eat while nursing him or her!
Second, we took a close look at the content of each postnatal vitamin to make sure that each had at least the most important postnatal supplements needed by breastfeeding women.
Third, and the most important criteria for us, was the fact that this product is for two: you and your baby, in case you are breastfeeding. We read most of the reviews and disregarded all the products that according to moms were reported as decreasing their breast milk supply or causing any kind of discomfort to breastfed babies.
We took all these precautions to make sure that with any of our 5 recommendations, any mom can be confident that these postnatal vitamins will be providing them with the key vitamins and minerals breastfeeding moms and their babies need during their postpartum period.
Continue reading to find our 5 postnatal picks so you can start taking them right away!
The Importance of Finding the Right Postnatal Vitamins
A good postnatal supplement can help make sure you're getting the key vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients you need.
Most importantly, the right prenatal vitamin can become your best ally to help you achieve not only a quick recovery but also to help you gain the energy and health that from now on you will most need to keep up with your little one.
Some of the most important vitamins and minerals to look for in a postnatal supplement include:
- Vitamin A: This vitamin is important for night vision, cell growth, and immune function. It's also essential for thyroid function. Daily dosage: 700-900 mcg.
- Vitamin B1, thiamin is important for carbohydrate metabolism and helps the body make energy from the food you eat. It also helps keep the nervous system functioning properly. Daily dosage: 1.1 milligrams for women.
- Vitamin B2, riboflavin: It plays an important role in energy metabolism and helps to maintain the health of red blood cells, skin, hair, and nails. Daily dosage: 1.6-1.7 mg.
- Vitamin B3, niacin is important for converting food into energy and help the body make cholesterol, hormones, and other essential substances. It's also needed to keep skin healthy. Daily dosage: 14-35 mg.
- Vitamin B6: This vitamin is important for energy production, cognitive function, and red blood cell formation. It's also necessary for proper immune system function. Daily dosage: 2.0 mg breastfeeding women.
- Vitamin B9, folate (folic acid) is an important nutrient for many bodily functions, including cell growth and repair, DNA synthesis, and the production of red blood cells. It's also crucial for pregnant women, as it helps prevent certain birth defects from developing in the baby. Daily dosage: during pregnancy women are often advised to take a higher dose of 600-800 mcg per day. And if breastfeeding, you may need even more - up to 1,000 mcg per day.
- Vitamin B12 is important for the proper function of many body systems, including the nervous system, digestive system, and bone marrow. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, fatigue, and other health problems. Daily dosage: 2.4 mcg.
- Vitamin C: it is an immune system booster, helps the body to absorb iron, and it is also a powerful antioxidant. Daily dosage: from 75-90 mg and higher.
- Vitamin D: It is important for strong bones, teeth, and muscles. It helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. Vitamin D is also important for proper immune system function. Daily dosage: 600IU 19-70 years old and 800-1,000 IU for those over 70.
- Vitamin E: It has many benefits, including protection against cell damage, helping to improve blood circulation, and reducing the risk of some chronic diseases. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant, which means it helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can build up in the body and cause cell damage, which can lead to disease. Daily dosage: 400-800 IU.
- Vitamin K is responsible for the clotting of blood. It can be found in leafy green vegetables and certain animal products, and because it is fat soluble it is best absorbed when consumed with a fatty meal. Daily dosage: 90 mcg for women.
- Iron: a mineral that is necessary for human life. It is found in every cell of the body and has many important functions, including the transport of oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body. Daily dosage: Pregnant women should increase their intake to 27 mg/day during pregnancy and 10 mg/day while breastfeeding.
- DHA: omega-3 fatty acids, important for both cognitive and visual development in infants and children. It's also beneficial for maintaining heart health and preventing chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and asthma. DHA is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers because it helps ensure the healthy growth and development of the fetus/baby. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends that women while pregnant consume at least 200 mg of DHA per day, while lactating mothers should aim for 260 mg per day.
- Selenium: a mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. It is important for human health, and your body needs it to function well. Daily Dosage: 150 mcg for breastfeeding women.
- Magnesium: a mineral necessary for energy production, protein synthesis, and muscle function. It is also important for healthy bones, teeth, and skin. Daily Dosage: breastfeeding momos 500-525 mg.
This list is just a guide and can be a good reference to come to. It is important always to consult your doctor to make sure you complement your diet with the supplements you need the most.
Some postnatal supplements will have more vitamins and minerals than others depending on their specific purpose - but even then there's no guarantee that all these ingredients were included!
Because we want to help make sure you have everything you need to stay healthy during this special time we have compiled the following 5 products found with both the mother and baby in mind, perfect for breastfeeding mothers.
Pick Number 1
Nordic Naturals Postnatal Omega-3 is an award-winning supplement that provides essential nutrients for both mother and child and is the most complete multivitamin of the 5 picks. Also, it is the only one with Omega-3.
This amazing supplement provides 456 mg of brain-nourishing DHA to support your nursing baby's neurological development and 586 mg of EPA that research shows can support a positive mood & healthy metabolism for you.
Best of all, their omega-3 fish oil concentrates are in the triglyceride molecular form (the form naturally found in fish) for optimal absorption. Postnatal Omega-3 has a great lemon taste and is free of fishy burps. Give your baby the best start possible with Nordic Naturals Postnatal Omega-3.
Nordic Naturals is committed to using only non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free ingredients, with no artificial colors or preservatives. They are also at the forefront of sustainable and ethical practices in the natural products industry. This science-based formula is safe and effective, delivering optimal wellness for you and your baby.
Moms who have tried this postnatal vitamin are satisfied giving a 4.8/5 star rating and less than 2% negative reviews.
Give your baby the best start possible with Nordic Naturals Postnatal Omega-3.
Pick Number 2
Giving your baby the best possible start in life starts with giving your body the nutrients it needs to recover and heal post-birth.
That's why we recommend MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multi, specially formulated by Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, an expert in women's health and dietary supplementation.
Dr. Low Dog's postnatal supplement is designed to support optimal nutrition for nursing mothers, with key vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, D3, and E, iodine, and chromium to meet changing nutritional demands. Plus, it includes choline to help support a baby's brain development, and moringa leaf to help with breast milk production.
This special formula is designed to support the nutritional needs of both mother and child during the postnatal period. It is made with key nutrients like Folate and Vitamin C paired with real food like broccoli and organic oranges. The vegetarian, gluten-free formula is also made without soy or dairy.
Moms love it, with an average 4.7/5.0 stars rating with less than 5% negative reviews.
Pick Number 3
If you're a new mom, you know that taking care of yourself is essential to taking care of your little one. Rainbow Light's Vibrance Postnatal Multivitamin is specially formulated to support new moms during this important time.
Third Best Postnatal Vitamin 4.6/5.0
Rainbow Light Vibrance Postnatal Multivitamin
Rainbow's postnatal blend provides an excellent source of 19 essential nutrients to support your health and energy production, and your baby's ongoing development. And their prebiotic and probiotic blend supports the digestive health of mom and baby.
Plus, their special blend of herbs helps promote recovery following childbirth. Their convenient, one-tablespoon daily dose is easy to take, and their delicious natural fruit flavor makes it a supplement you'll actually look forward to taking!
Additionally, Rainbow Postnatal Vitamin supports recovery following childbirth with moringa, traditionally used for centuries in Africa to help new mothers recover from the stress of childbirth and increase the production of breast milk. Gluten-free, non-GMO, and sugar-free, Rainbow Light's Vibrance Postnatal Vitamin is a perfect way to support your health during your postpartum recovery.
With a rating of 4.6/5.0 and more than 1200 ratings, and less than 2% negative reviews, most relating to taste and packaging problems, you can be sure that this product is a safe choice.
Pick Number 4
As a new mom, you have enough to worry about without wondering if you're getting all the nutrients you need. That's where NATURELO Postnatal Multivitamin comes in, designed specifically to meet the needs of breastfeeding moms.
This formula provides 100% of your daily requirements for essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iodine, and zinc. And because NATURELO uses only premium plant-based ingredients, you can be sure you're getting the highest quality nutrients available.
NATURELO bioactive ingredients are easy for your body to absorb and gentle on your stomach, so you can focus on taking care of your new baby.
NATURELO Postnatal Supplement is the perfect way to support your body during and after pregnancy. Their clean label formula is non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free, making it ideal for those with dietary restrictions.
Plus, their milk-boosting herbs are specially formulated to support healthy lactation, and their vegetarian/vegan-friendly capsules are without any animal by-products.
Made in a GMP-compliant facility, NATURELO Postnatal Vitamin is another great postnatal supplement to recover and heal after childbirth.
Many moms love it, with an average 4.6/5.0 stars rating with less than 6% negative reviews.
Pick Number 5
Introducing Mama Bird Postnatal is the perfect way to give your little one a strong start in life. This postnatal vitamin is formulated by Dr. Madhavi Gupta, M.D. - a neurologist and mother - to help nourish you and your baby for vibrant health.
You deserve the very best during your postnatal time, and that's exactly what Mama Bird Postnatal Multi offers. This unique formula contains brain-boosting nutrients that are science-backed and designed to beautifully nourish you and your baby.
The active methylated vitamins promote energy production and improve memory and brain processing speed, while the probiotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods support healthy immunity and neuro-development.
One (1) serving a day is convenient and easy to remember, and this natural whole food-based formula is free of soy, yeast, fish/shellfish, sugar, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, nuts, GMOs, gluten, and dairy/lactose. Proudly made in the U.S.A., this product is vegan and comes in eco-friendly packaging that doesn't use single-use plastic outer seals.
With a rating of 4.6/5 and less than 4% of negative reviews, this is another great postnatal vitamin that can turn you into the supermom you deserve to be while making your baby thrive.
Summing Up
So here it ends! Our list of the 5 top postnatal vitamins that are currently available on Amazon.
We hope this will help make your search for the perfect supplement a little bit easier. Keep in mind that everyone's body is different and you may need to try a few different brands before finding the one that works best for you.
Remember, it is important to find a postnatal multivitamin that is different from a prenatal supplement and contains ingredients like digestive enzymes, probiotics, and superfoods. These key nutrients will support your unique journey of breastfeeding and help get your body back to its pre-pregnancy state.
Thanks for reading and happy shopping!
The Best Postnatal Vitamis FAQ
The postpartum period is one of the most wonderful and amazing moments of life, for women and men. To hold in your arms that little one carried inside for so long is heartbreaking for both the mother and father.
But this period can also be overwhelming, filled with frustrations, trial and error, and much more. Hence the importance of a mother well fed, with a balanced diet and all the best postpartum vitamins she can get a hold of.
It can be hard finding postnatal supplements that meet all your needs- so we've answered the most Frequently Asked Questions about postpartum vitamins!
What vitamins should I take postpartum?
Postpartum women should take a multivitamin with minerals, that include: vitamin A, B vitamins, C, vitamin D, folate (less than when pregnant), Omega-3, and fatty acids, which is highly recommended. Women who are breastfeeding should also take a vitamin D supplement unless they are getting enough sunlight. Some women may also need to take a calcium supplement if they don't get it naturally from a healthy diet and also they need to increase their iron intake.
How long should I take postnatal vitamins after giving birth?
It is recommended that you continue taking postnatal vitamins for six months after the baby is born.
Postnatal vitamins are important because they help to replenish the nutrients that were lost during pregnancy and labor. They also help to strengthen the immune system and help the body recover from childbirth.
It is generally recommended that women take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy, and then continue taking a postnatal vitamin for six months after giving birth. However, if you are not breastfeeding, you may be able to stop taking postnatal vitamins after three months. Talk to your doctor about what's best for you.
Best postnatal vitamins if not breastfeeding
Pre and postnatal vitamins are an important part of a pregnancy routine for many expecting mothers. However, what happens when you’re not able to breastfeed? Is it still important to take these prenatal vitamins? Let’s take a look at what the top postnatal supplement options are if you cannot breastfeed.
Here are the 3 postnatal vitamins, we recommend, if you're not breastfeeding:
- One A Day Women's Prenatal 1 Multivitamin, Supplement for Before, During, and Post Pregnancy, Including Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and Omega-3 DHA, 90 Count.
- Ritual Postpartum Essentials Multivitamin with Omega-3 DHA & Choline for Lactation Support, Vitamin A, C, D3 & Zinc for Immune Function Support, B12, Iodine, Biotin, Mint Essenced, 60 Vegan Capsules.
- Mommy's Bliss Postnatal Support Energy & Recovery Gummies with Biotin & Collagen: Supports Postpartum Energy, Healing & Joint Health, Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamin, Gluten Free, 60 Gummies.
In our research we found these three postnatal multivitamins to be excellent products, containing prenatal and postnatal vitamins most needed by women, but customers complain the most about reducing their milk production or producing side effects for babies. Hence, they could be perfect for moms who are not breastfeeding.
When to take postnatal vitamins?
In general, most mothers should begin taking postnatal vitamins during the fourth or fifth week postpartum. This ensures that the mother has sufficient levels of important nutrients, such as iron and folate, which are critical for both her health and the health of her baby.
Postnatal vitamins are typically taken in supplement form, either as a capsule, gummy, powder, or liquid. If you are taking a multivitamin, be sure to take it at least two hours before or after taking other medications, as some can interact with the nutrients in the vitamin and affect absorption.
Best postnatal multivitamins for alopecia
One of the most common symptoms after childbirth is that women experience hair loss.
There are a few different things that can cause postnatal it. One possibility is that your body is still adjusting to the change in hormone levels after childbirth. This can cause hair thinning and shedding in some women. Another possibility is nutritional deficiency, which can be compounded by stressors like lack of sleep and increased demands on your time and energy. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate alopecia after pregnancy.
First, make sure you're consuming a balanced and healthy diet with plenty of nutrients, including protein, iron, B vitamins, and essential fatty acids.
You may also want to take a supplement like
Pink Stork Postpartum Hair Loss Gummies: Hair Skin and Nails Vitamins, Postnatal Vitamins, Biotin for Hair Regrowth + Strengthening, Postpartum Essentials for Moms, Women-Owned, 60 Strawberry Gummies.
But make sure you take it with caution if breastfeeding your baby, as its content can upset the infant.
Best postnatal multivitamins with DHA.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for fetal brain development. It can also help improve your own mood and reduce inflammation throughout your body.
Of the 5 postnatal supplements, we recommend in this article for breastfeeding mothers only Nordic Naturals Postnatal Omega-3 contains DHA.