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Postnatal supplements may help a person meet their nutritional needs after childbirth and while nursing. They usually contain vitamins and minerals to support postpartum recovery and lactation.
Postnatal vitamins are available in different forms, including capsules, softgels, and powders.
This article outlines eight of the best postnatal vitamins available online. It also discusses the benefits of postnatal vitamins, provides tips on choosing an appropriate supplement, and answers some frequently asked questions regarding postnatal vitamins.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Medical News Today selects postnatal vitamins that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: MNT chooses vitamins containing safe and high quality ingredients that the company clearly lists on its packaging. Vitamins labeled for postnatal use should include ingredients known to be safe and beneficial for this particular stage in a person’s life. The brands should also confirm its vitamins are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
Dosage: MNT only selects vitamins that clearly state the recommended dosage. The serving size must also must be safe.
Third-party testing: MNT only features vitamins that undergo third-party testing for contaminants in an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis:MNT selects companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) following receipt of its third-party lab results.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
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People should choose a supplement that contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including:
omega-3
folate
choline
iron
selenium
vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and B12
iodine
People may have different nutrition needs during the postpartum period, and no specific supplement will fit all recommendations. For example, lactating people may need a higher dose of iron, iodine, vitamin D, vitamin B12, choline, and omega-3.
A person should consider supplements from reputable brands with third-party testing and many customer reviews.
A healthcare professional can offer guidance on choosing a postnatal vitamin that suits an individual’s needs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people take postnatal vitamins to support recovery postpartum. This is especially important if a person is nursing, as nutrients in breast milk are essential for healthy infant development.
Research from 2021 suggests that people who breastfeed are at a higher risk of developing nutrient deficiencies. The vitamins and minerals in postnatal supplements, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, and D, alongside choline, iodine, and DHA, may aid in producing breast milk.
Although prenatal and postnatal supplements consist of similar ingredients, postnatal supplements usually contain additional amounts of vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium. Additionally, they contain extra B vitamins, which aid in creating new blood cells, maintaining healthy skin, and supporting the nervous system.
Postpartum care is an ongoing process, so people should visit a doctor regularly after childbirth. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that people who have given birth should visit a healthcare professional within the first 3 weeks postpartum. Regular visits should then follow as needed.
If a person is feeling physically or emotionally unwell or experiencing complications, they should make an appointment with a healthcare professional. This is especially important if the person has a chronic medical condition, such as:
As people’s individual nutritional requirements may differ after childbirth, a healthcare professional can advise if a particular supplement is better suited to them.
The following section includes common questions and answers about postnatal vitamins.
What vitamins should I take during postpartum?
People need additional nutrients after childbirth to help the body recover, so it is important to take a well-rounded supplement that provides various vitamins and minerals. This is even more necessary if the person is nursing.
550 mg of choline per day for lactating individuals and 425 mg per day for those who are not
290 micrograms (mcg) of iodine per day for lactating individuals and 150 mcg for those who are not
Nutrients such as vitamin D, folate, fiber, and vitamin B12 are also important.
Are you supposed to take postnatal vitamins?
It is important to get all the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs postpartum. However, whether a person needs to take postnatal vitamins will depend on their diet and overall health.
The CDC recommends that people only need a postnatal multivitamin if it is not possible for them to meet the increased nutrient needs during this period from diet alone. People can speak with a doctor to decide whether postnatal vitamins are suitable.
Can you take prenatal vitamins as postnatal vitamins?
Prenatal and postnatal vitamins are similar but contain different amounts of certain vitamins and minerals. A person should work with a doctor to decide whether a pre- or postnatal vitamin is suitable for them after childbirth.
Are prenatal and postnatal vitamins the same?
Pre- and postnatal vitamins will contain different doses of certain nutrients. For instance, postnatal vitamins consist of higher amounts of vitamins such as A, B12, C, D, and K and minerals such as magnesium, choline, iodine, and omega-3. This ensures that the individual and the infant obtain all the necessary nutrients.
Although people may still wish to continue taking the prenatal vitamins consumed during pregnancy, they should check with a healthcare professional to ensure these supplements provide the correct dosage of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need.
Postnatal vitamins are available in different forms and may help support postpartum health. They also provide necessary nutrients for the infant through breast milk.
Postnatal supplements usually contain different dosing of nutrients than prenatal supplements and are suitable during lactation.
People can contact a doctor if they have any health concerns postpartum. A healthcare professional can order tests for nutrient deficiencies and advise on necessary supplements.
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Calderon-Ospina CA, et al. (2020). B vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalamin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6930825/
Dumrongwongsiri O, et al. (2021). Dietary intake and milk micronutrient levels in lactating women with full and partial breastfeeding. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33230681/
