A New Mom’s Guide to Postnatal Vitamins

Pregnancy can take its toll on the body. If you prepared for your pregnancy you probably took prenatal vitamins.

Now that you have had your baby your body still needs vitamins and nutrients and the best way to get them is by taking postnatal vitamins. 

Your postpartum plan is one of the most important ones you can have after having a baby. You need to get your body back in shape so that you can stay healthy. Here’s a look at what you need to know.

Why You Need Postnatal Vitamins

Pregnancy is very taxing on the body, it drains the body of important vitamins and minerals. These include calcium and vitamin B6 to name a few.

If you end up breastfeeding you will expel even more nutrients. Lactating women need a high intake of vitamins and minerals to ensure that their breast milk is healthy.

Healthy breast milk helps your baby’s body and brain develop. Between birth and toddlerhood, your child’s brain is developing rapidly and healthy breast milk can make the process easier. This is why taking organic postnatal vitamins is so critical during this time.

How Long Will You Need to Take Postnatal Vitamins?

You may be wondering how long you will need to take postnatal vitamins after you’ve had your baby. It is recommended that you take postnatal while you are breastfeeding.

In fact, some doctors recommend that you go a little beyond that especially if you want to have another child. In this way, you will already have prepared your body for another pregnancy.

Ask your doctor about which brand of vitamins are the best postnatal vitamins to buy or take a look at the multivitamins by Vitabiotics if you are not sure which brand to choose.

The Essential Vitamins That You Need

While all vitamins and minerals are important there are some that are vital for a woman who has had a baby.

While you are breastfeeding there are certain nutrients that you need in higher quantities. Here is a look at the main ones:

Iron

New mothers tend to get very tired this can be caused not just by taking care of a newborn but from iron deficiency as well. 

Besides taking supplements you should make sure that you are eating foods that are rich in iron. These include red meat, shellfish, and organ meat.

Iodine

Iodine is one of those minerals that help you keep your thyroid in good shape. It also helps your baby’s brain to develop. In addition, to getting this nutrient from supplements you can get it by eating dairy products, and fish.

Vitamin B12

It is especially important that you take postnatal vitamins so that you can get enough vitamin B12 if you are a vegetarian. Since vegetarian diets do not include animal products a deficiency in vitamin B12 can develop when you are breastfeeding.

A lack of vitamin B12 can make your breast milk less nourishing for your baby. Taking postnatal vitamins can help to solve this problem.

Stay Healthy

Taking postnatal vitamins is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you stay healthy after having a baby. It also ensures that your breastmilk is of the highest quality if you are breastfeeding your newborn.

Remember, that even though you will be taking postnatal vitamins you should optimize your diet so that you are also getting proper nutrients from the food that you eat. 

If you would like more health tips please visit the health section of the blog.