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What To Look For In A Postnatal Vitamin

Are Prenatal And Postnatal Vitamins The Same

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PRENATAL VITAMIN (…and info about MORNING SICKNESS and HEARTBURN)

Yep, theyre essentially the same, but theyre taken for different reasons.

Prenatal vitamins can be a great support for a mama-to-be when growing a baby. Theyre focused on your babys developmental needs, and because your body prioritizes their development, you can be sure baby is getting everything they need.

Many doctors even advise taking prenatal vitamins at least three months before TTC to make sure your bodys ready for pregnancy.

After meeting your little one, you need to rebuild your vitamin stores . This is where postnatal vitamins come in. Most postnatal vitamins have the same or similar dosages as their prenatal counterparts.

Nordic Naturals Postnatal Omega

These postnatal omega-3 soft gels are beneficial for metabolism, mood, and brain development. Suitable for sensitive stomachs, theyre easy to absorb and taste good. The soft gels are produced ethically and sustainably without the use of artificial colors or preservatives.

Note that this supplement solely contains omega-3 and vitamin D3. Its not a multivitamin, so you may need to take an additional supplement to meet other postpartum nutrient needs.

Folic Acid Calcium Iodine And Iron

Folic acid

If getting pregnant is a possibility for you, you should take folic acid. It can prevent birth defects that affect the babys brain and spinal cord. Neural tube defects develop early in pregnancy, before many women know theyre pregnant half of all pregnancies are unplanned. This is why doctors recommend that any woman who could get pregnant take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, starting before conception and continuing for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

If youve had a baby with a neural tube defect you should talk with your health care provider about folic acid. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose at least one month before and during the first trimester may help if youve had a baby with this defect. But talk to your doctor about whats right for you.

Foods that have folic acid include:

Iron

Iron helps your body make more blood red cells. These blood cells carry oxygen to the baby that it needs to develop.

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The Best Vitamin C Supplements

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Most people can get adequate vitamin C in their diet by eating fruits and vegetables. However, some people take a vitamin C supplement due to dietary restrictions or a medical condition.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is essential for health. It helps the immune system, skin, and bones function, and it combats damage from free radicals, which are molecules that can adversely affect the body.

This article looks at who may benefit from taking vitamin C, how much people need to consume per day, and some of the best vitamin C supplements available on the market.

National Institutes of Health , vitamin C deficiency is rare in the United States.

However, although most people can get enough vitamin C from fruits and vegetables, others may have difficulty getting enough vitamin C from their diet.

People who may be at risk of vitamin C deficiency include:

Anyone who is concerned that they have a deficiency can ask a doctor for blood tests to see which nutrients they need. Having a long-term deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy.

In addition to those who have a vitamin C deficiency, some other people may also benefit from consuming more of this nutrient. For example, some evidence suggests that vitamin C can reduce the severity and duration of the common cold.

Let’s Back Up: What Are Prenatal Vitamins And Why Are They So Important

What to look for in a Postnatal Vitamin

In an ideal world, it would be easy to get all the nutrients you need to prepare your body to support fetal development just from what you eat especially since food also brings with it antioxidants, fibers, and other important components for optimal health.*

But many essential nutrients aren’t readily available from food , the quantities they’re needed in for pregnancy are higher than the average way of eating can supply, and many of us have food restrictions that make it even more difficult to get certain nutrients from what we eat. Whatever the reason for it, people with ovaries in the US are routinely not getting enough folate, choline, and iron from food.

That’s why prenatal vitamins are key. They help you fill in any nutritional gaps in what you’re getting from food so you can build up the nutrient levels recommended before, during, and after pregnancy. As Anna Bohnengel, MS, RD, LD explains it, taking prenatal vitamins “can relieve some of the stress of trying to do it all perfectly, giving you what we like to think of as a nutritional insurance policy.”

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Alternatives To Postnatal Vitamins

As expressed by the Mayo Clinic, it is possible to get all the nutrients a new mother needs through diet alone, providing you eat a balanced diet and are not vegan or vegetarian. However, many new moms have a difficult time eating properly with the demands of a newborn, and essential vitamins and minerals may be neglected. A postnatal is a relatively inexpensive insurance policy to ensure mothers and children are getting the proper nutrients they require.

There are also plant-based supplements that will help new moms physically and emotionally postpartum. Weve previously mentioned Fenugreek, an herb similar to clover, moringa, and brewers yeast as nutrients to aid in breastmilk production.

What Are Postnatal Vitamins And Do You Really Need Them

Vitamins labeled as postnatal supplements are actually quite similar to prenatal vitamins, says Peyman Saadat, M.D., FACOG, a double board-certified ob-gyn at Reproductive Fertility Center in West Hollywood, California. The difference between prenatal and postnatal vitamins is that the latter includes higher milligrams of nutrients that are beneficial to new moms , such as vitamins B6, B12, and D, as they get absorbed by the baby through breast milk, says Dr. Saadat. So higher amounts of these nutrients ensure that the mom is still able to absorb enough to reap their benefits even though the breast milk and baby are “taking” some as well.

“I recommend taking vitamins postpartum however, they don’t necessarily have to be a special, specific postnatal vitamin,” she says. Heres why: Taking a regular multivitamin or continuing your prenatal vitamin from pregnancy will provide the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to support breastfeeding, as well as help new moms keep up their strength and energy. In general, Dr. Sekhon says it makes sense to continue taking a prenatal vitamin for a minimum of six weeks postpartum or for the duration that you’re breastfeeding. After that, it’s fine to switch back to a regular multivitamin.

Some specifics to keep in mind, however, are that women who are breastfeeding may require more calcium, and those staying indoors often with a new baby may need extra vitamin D due to lack of sun exposure, he says.

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How Do I Choose A Prenatal Vitamin

First and foremost, youâll want to consult your doctor when youâre deciding which prenatal vitamin to add into your routine for your pregnancy. Theyâll be able to tell you which one they consider the best out of the options you give them. Keep in mind there are many different kinds like prenatal gummy vitamins and prenatal vitamins with DHA, but the benefits of prenatal vitamins are well worth the cost. If youâre also looking for postnatal vitamins for breastfeeding, your doctor can answer any questions you have about the ones youâve narrowed it down to as well.

Here are some quick tips to remember when youâre researching your prenatal vitamins:

  • Take a look at how many times a day you need to take the vitamin â taking it multiple times a day can be hard to remember and you may want to find a prenatal vitamin you only need to take once a day
  • Double check the nutrients offered if youâve picked a gummy vitamin as they donât always offer enough of what youâll need
  • Look for these key nutrients: vitamin A, vitamin D, iodine, iron, DHA, folic acid, and choline

Do I Need A Postnatal Vitamin

Placenta Encapsulation? My Postnatal Vitamins: Nucopia Postnatal Wellness Vitamins (Giveaway!)

Yes! Some women don’t realize that a postnatal vitamin is just as important as a prenatal vitamin. After giving birth, your body is depleted both physically and nutritionally. Taking a postnatal vitamin can help boost your nutrition and may help your body to heal quicker.

We always recommend talking with your doctor about vitamins and supplements that you are considering taking.

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Postnatal Multivitamin For Breastfeeding Moms From Naturelo

All Naturelo products are manufactured in the U.S. in a cGMP facility. Their Postnatal is a food-based formula with B-Complex vitamins cultured in probiotics designed specifically for moms who are breastfeeding. The product is Non-GMO, soy and gluten-free, dairy and sugar-free, vegetarian, and vegan, with no animal by-products. No preservatives, coloring, or flavoring. The formula includes a blend of herbs which have been proven to increase milk supply.

What Postnatal Vitamins Should I Be Taking After Birth

Many postnatal vitamins are available and may offer benefits including increased milk supply, enhanced energy, and better mood stabilization. Although most postnatal vitamins differ in their exact formulas, most will contain these beneficial ingredients:

    • Improved cognition and greater memory in infants and children

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Simplify Your Postnatal Supplementation

Relational support, talking with a trusted doctor, and giving yourself time to adjust are each important in the months following pregnancy and the big event of your childs birth. Helpful nutrients can also help ease your transition and give you the physical boost you may need as a new mom. Keep up your amazing work and lean on postpartum supplements for that extra support.

Ultimate Guide to Iron-Rich Foods

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Consider Your Macro Needs Too

New Chapter Perfect Postnatal Multivitamin Tablets, 192 Ct ...

Prenatal and postnatal multivitamins are great options to support micronutrient needs for pregnancy and postpartum. But it’s important to consider macronutrients as well. Exhibit A: People need more protein during pregnancy and lactation to help support the increased nutrient demands that occur during these life stages. In fact, the amount of protein deposited in maternal and fetal tissue increases over the course of pregnancy.*

It’s a big reason why we developed Essential Protein Pregnancy & Postpartum for this life stage specificallyand added choline for good measure.*

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Protecting Your Postpartum Mental Health

If youre experiencing some post-birth baby blues, youre not alone. Nearly 80 percent of mothers report feeling down the week or two after their child is born. A newborn usually comes along with little sleep, some anxiety, and less structure or schedule to your days. These physical, chemical, and lifestyle changes can reasonably affect new mothers moods and emotions.

If you have or are concerned about experiencing postpartum sadness or depression, please contact your doctor or midwife or other healthcare professional. View this list of useful contacts for support.

Postnatal Vitamins While Breastfeeding

Most medical professionals will agree that breastfeeding is the healthiest and best way to feed your new baby. In addition to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, breast milk also helps protect your baby against infection. Many experts assert, however, that simply eating a well-balanced diet may not be enough to ensure breastfeeding mothers get enough of the nutrients needed to maintain optimal health. Most doctors suggest mothers supplement their diets with vitamins while breastfeeding.Often times, women opt to continue with the same prenatal vitamin used throughout her pregnancy. Nursing women, however, have unique nutritional needs that are not necessarily addressed by a typical prenatal vitamin to help ensure optimal health for both mom and baby.

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Find A Postnatal Vitamin With Iodine

You also need to find a postnatal vitamin with iodine since iodine is an essential nutrient for breastfeeding parents and helps support brain development in newborn infants. You can put some iodized salt in your food while preparing it if you cant find a postnatal vitamin for breastfeeding with iodine.

Can I Take Majka Products And A Postnatal Vitamin

Postnatal Depletion | My Postpartum Supplements Regimen

Our Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder is meant to act as a postnatal vitamin if you take it daily. It has all of the vitamins and minerals that a postnatal vitamin would supply your body with, which means if you use both at the same time, you may be taking an excessive amount of these specific vitamins.

We recommend talking with your doctor about what postnatal vitamin is right for you.

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How Long Should I Take My Postnatal Vitamin For

Most recommendations will suggest taking your postnatal vitamin until you decide to stop breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding beyond 12-18 months, you could consider replacing your postnatal vitamin with a regular multivitamin as your babys nutritional needs are mostly replaced by foods but there is no harm in continuing it. If you are planning to expand your family within 2 years of having your last baby, continuing on a postnatal vitamin can continue to provide nourishment to enhance your nutritional stores to support a subsequent pregnancy. Prenatal or postnatal vitamins can be taken before you conceive to ensure your body is flooded with nutrition so that both you and your future babies are well-nourished. Ultimately, how long you take a postnatal vitamin will be mostly determined by your breastfeeding journey.

Mothers are amazing multi-taskers, which was an inspiration in the formulation of the Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder to provide you with a tasty meal that takes seconds to make. Our aim is to support you in the ways that you actually need when you have a new baby while never compromising quality or taste. We are honored when you choose to include Majka products in your postpartum experience.

If you’re interested in finding lactation support from Majka, check out our Nourishing Lactation Booster and our Lactation Bites too! If you’re not sure which product is the right fit for you, read Which Majka Lactation Support is Best For You!

Try These

How Long Should I Take Postnatal Vitamins

Experts recommend that you continue to take postnatal supplements as long as youre breastfeeding. If you decide not to breastfeed, then its still recommended to take a postnatal supplement for 4-6 months after giving birth. Even just the prenatal supplements you were taking during pregnancy should suffice.

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Vitamin Supplementation To Improve Milk Supply

In the event that you experience any difficulty establishing or maintaining your milk supply, try Nursing Blend from Fairhaven Health. Nursing Blend contains comprehensive vitamin and mineral support , and also helps to promote breast milk production by providing fenugreek, fennel seed, and coriander, culinary herbs that have been used for centuries by nursing mothers to encourage a healthy breast milk supply.And, by providing a unique combination of whole fenugreek seed powder along with a concentrated fenugreek seed extract, Nursing Blend offers an equivalent dose of 2 grams of fenugreek in each daily dose to help increase milk supply.

Persona Vitamin C With Bioflavonoids

What to look for in a Postnatal Vitamin

Persona is a subscription service that carries a vitamin C supplement containing bioflavonoids. The product is citrus flavored and can help boost antioxidant intake.

Each supplement contains 500 mg of vitamin C and has undergone quality testing at each stage to ensure safety.

Persona subscriptions also include consultations with nutritionists and personalized plans based on each individuals health conditions.

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Does It Matter What Prenatal Vitamin You Take

While many prenatal vitamin options do have a good number of the nutrients recommended for pregnancy, what sets them apart is exactly what nutrients are inside, what forms the nutrients are in, how high the nutrient levels are, and even the form the prenatal itself comes in.

Here’s why some prenatal options out there don’t pass the sniff test:

  • They may have nutrient levels that are well over the recommended daily intake .
  • They may contain not-so-digestible forms of each nutrient.
  • They may have a bunch of filler nutrients you don’t really need .
  • They may come in gummy form and as delicious as gummy vitamins can be, they’re more likely than other vitamin forms to not have an accurate representation of what’s inside on the label.
  • While virtually all prenatals will have some form of folate, many don’t include choline. Much like folate, choline is an essential ingredient for the development of the spinal column .*

Why Are Postnatal Vitamins Important

Each season of life will dictate different nutritional needs. Postpartum is one of the most physically demanding times of a womans life, in some way much more so than during pregnancy. While prenatal vitamins are important to take, postpartum vitamins are just as important to continue especially over the first weeks and months after the babys arrival. Proper nourishment is important for:

  • Good quality sleep
  • Producing the most nutrient-dense breastmilk possible
  • Healing & recovery from giving birth
  • Filling in the nutritional gaps from you diet

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