Top Picks for 2022: Top Eight Postnatal Vitamins that Rule the Roost
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Postnatal vitamins, y'all. Who knew you'd need 'em after the prenatals, right? These bad boys help you get back on your feet after childbirth, boost that breast milk supply, and keep those sleepless nights at bay. Here's a breakdown of the best postnatal vitamins of 2022, according to us - no holds barred.
- Dietitian-Recommended: FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin and Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal
- Best for breastfeeding: Ritual Essential Postnatal
- Best if you're not breastfeeding: New Chapter Perfect Postnatal
- Best gummy: Hello Bello Prenatal + DHA
- Best low cost option: NatureMade Postnatal Multivitamin + 200 mg DHA Softgels
- Best with iron: Rae Wellness Postnatal
- Best postnatal protein powder: Majka Green Vanilla Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder
These specialist multivitamins are designed to take care of your nutritional needs postpartum, whether you're breastfeeding or adjusting to life without a constantly sucking little one attached to your bosom. Basically, they're the perfect solution for when you're too tired to cook but still want to ensure you're getting all the good stuff. So, like your needy newborn, postnatal vitamins are a pain in the butt, but you can't live without 'em.
Why the Hell Should I Take Postnatal Vitamins?
Think of postnatal vitamins as the insurance policy for your post-birth recovery. They help ensure that your body gets everything it needs to bounce back from childbirth, produce super-nutritious breastmilk (if you're into that), and power through those exhausting late-night sessions with your delightful bundle of joy.
What's the Difference Between Postnatal and Prenatal Vitamins?
News flash: Your prenatal vitamins don't suddenly transform into pixie dust when the baby pops out. In fact, many of them are just as perfect for postpartum as they were pre-baby. That's because postnatal vitamins are a special kind of multivitamin tailored to meet the needs of postpartum or breastfeeding individuals. But don't worry, the prenatal vitamins on this list double as great postnatal options.
What Nutrients Should Be in a Postnatal Vitamin?
You should look for postnatal vitamins that contain the following nutrients:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA): Essential for baby's brain and eye development.
- Choline: Crucial for your baby's brain development and lactation support.
- Vitamin D: Helps restore your vitamin D status and provides it to your baby when nursing.
- B Vitamins: Critical for transforming food into energy that your sleep-deprived body can actually use.
- Magnesium, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Selenium: These nutrients help to make up for the stress that childbirth puts on your body.
How the Hell do I Choose the Best Postnatal Vitamin?
When you're shopping for a postnatal vitamin, consider the following factors:
- Price: Fire sale or five-star luxury? Both options are available, so pick the one that suits your budget.
- Form: Are you into pills? Liquid? Gummies? Chewables? Pick the form that suits your taste and tolerability.
- Purpose: Are you all about breastfeeding? Need help with c-section recovery? Want to beat the baby blues or prevent postpartum hair loss? Find a vitamin that suits your individual needs.
- Key Nutrients: Make sure the vitamin includes the nutrients recommended by healthcare experts: Omega-3s, Choline, Vitamin D, B vitamins, Magnesium, Selenium.
- Third-Party Testing: Choose brands that undergo third-party testing for quality assurance.
- Clean Ingredients: Opt for supplements with clean, bioavailable ingredients.
Hold Up, How Did You Choose the Best Postnatal Vitamins?
We consulted with perinatal dietitians Eleana Kaidanian and Aubrey Phelps to get their tips on choosing postnatal vitamins. We used those tips to pick the vitamins mentioned in this list. To ensure that the products were safe and trustworthy, we put them through a thorough vetting process that checked for:
- Unsupported health and disease claims
- Shady business practices
- FDA/FTC warning letters
- Lawsuits involving a company's products
- Transparency regarding ingredients and dosage information
Only products that passed this vetting made it onto our list. You're welcome.
The Final Word
Postnatal vitamins are a must-have for any new mom trying to juggle recovery, breastfeeding, and sleepless nights. Make sure you choose the right one for your needs, or your postpartum sanctity may suffer. Good luck, and happy supplementing!
Enrichment Data:
Based on the information up to 2022 and general recommendations, here are some considerations for postnatal vitamins that can aid recovery, boost breast milk, and combat sleep deprivation:
Recommended Nutrients for Postnatal Vitamins
- Vitamin D and Calcium for bone health, especially important during breastfeeding.
- Iron to combat anemia, which can occur postpartum due to blood loss during childbirth.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA) to support brain health and potentially aid in mood stabilization.
- B Vitamins, particularly B12, to help energy levels and overall health.
- Folate (depending on individual health needs).
- Probiotics for gut health and immune system support.
Top Postnatal Vitamins (Based on General Recommendations)
While specific recommendations for 2022 may vary, the general consensus emphasizes a balanced nutrient profile including the above-mentioned vitamins and minerals. Brands like Garden of Life and Ritual are often praised for their bioavailable nutrients and commitment to quality and purity.
For Boosting Breast Milk
- Galactagogues (lactation support): Some supplements include herbal ingredients like fenugreek, which may help increase milk supply.
- Choline: Supports baby's brain development and may help with milk production.
For Combating Sleep Deprivation
- Magnesium: Can help with muscle relaxation and improve sleep quality.
- Melatonin: While not a vitamin, it is sometimes recommended for regulating sleep.
Additional Tips
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements to tailor choices to individual needs.
- Third-Party Testing: Choose brands that undergo third-party testing for quality assurance.
- Clean Ingredients: Opt for supplements with clean, bioavailable ingredients.
- Newborns require special attention, including postnatal vitamins to ensure their mothers' bodies get the necessary nutrients for recovery after childbirth, breast milk production, and combating sleep deprivation.
- Postnatal vitamin formulas containing essential nutrients like Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA), B Vitamins, and Choline are beneficial for protecting bone health, preventing anemia, supporting brain health, boosting energy levels, and promoting lactation.
- Incorporating postnatal vitamins with Galactagogues like fenugreek, probiotics, Magnesium, and Melatonin can help increase milk supply, protect gut health, improve sleep quality, and regulate sleep, respectively.
- Consider choosing postnatal vitamins from recommended brands like Garden of Life or Ritual, which prioritize bioavailable nutrients and quality in their products.
