A newborn baby in his mother's arms

5 Effective Vitamins To Take After Giving Birth

What are the postnatal vitamins you should take?

  1. Vitamin D
  2. Iron
  3. Folate
  4. Omega-3
  5. Calcium
Regardless of whether you are a first-time mother or you just gave birth to your third child, taking postnatal vitamins is necessary to nourish your body. From vitamin D to iron and calcium, learn about other effective vitamins you must consume after giving birth. Discover the vitamins that will help you return to a properly functioning immune system, help support your breastfeeding, as well as keep your emotional well-being healthy.

Vitamin D

A mother and her newborn child getting some sunlight Vitamin D can be acquired by getting a healthy amount of sun exposure during the right time of the day. Mothers and babies might not have the chance to receive sun exposure, especially after the birthing process. Do not worry, there are supplements that can boost the body’s natural production of the vitamin. With that, you must know that vitamin D produced by the body is not actually a vitamin. It is a precursor to a hormone. You must also know that vitamin D is a nutrient that the body cannot create. This is why it is necessary to consume supplements rich in vitamin D. Take the best form of vitamin D supplements to easily maintain healthy bones and teeth. Nursing mothers lose bone mass during the process of breastfeeding a newborn. This is due to the production of less estrogen that protects the bones from turning fragile. In addition to that, pregnancy alone already takes a toll on the bone mass of a birthing mom. While there are plenty of bone renourishing diets and liquid mixtures, taking the right supplements will help speed up the process of recovery.

Iron

In general, menstruating women are recommended to take iron supplements and vitamins due to the severe loss of blood during a monthly period. All the more so for women who have just given birth. Prevent postpartum anemia or lochia (the bleeding following birth) by taking the right amount of iron. Take note: your infant receives breast milk to support their first four months of life. Having a low level of iron in your body can greatly affect the health of your newborn. While breastmilk naturally contains iron, many doctors still suggest that breastfeeding women continue taking prenatal vitamins containing high amounts of iron.

Folate

A hand holding a handful of vitamins While folate is a crucial vitamin during the pregnancy stage, it is also equally important to take during the postnatal stage. During pregnancy, folate assists healthy brain development for newborns. It also promotes the renewal of cells and heart health in mothers. For better results, find supplements with rich contents of metabolizing folic acid or methylfolate. About a third of nursing women worldwide experience the inability to obtain the benefits of folate due to its difficulty to be metabolized. You must be aware of if your body is able to metabolize the original or synthetic form of folate.

Omega-3

Women who just gave birth may experience postpartum depression. It starts with the baby blues which are concerned with mood swings, insomnia, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. The moderate to severe depression begins with extreme feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lifestyle disturbances. While women react to depression differently, women with a deficiency in omega-3 may go through heightened feelings of postnatal depression. Apart from postpartum depression, omega-3 also supports the healthy brain development of newborns. Women with low DHA levels in red blood cells and breastmilk are said to have the worst postnatal depression. By consuming omega-3 fatty acids in its best form, it protects women who gave birth from experiencing severe physical and emotional stress. To summarize, adequate levels of DHA found in omega-3 supplements support a mother’s emotional well-being.

Calcium

A hand holding a cup of milk The level of calcium in a mother’s body decrease as the baby absorbs the nutrients. Since the body cannot produce its own calcium, taking supplements is necessary to make the bones healthy. This is especially true for women who have just given birth. While there are plenty of natural sources for calcium like milk and dairy, you must consider your tolerance to calcium-fortified goods. With that, it is still safer to take supplemental pills. There are two forms of calcium supplements. One is calcium carbonate, which is less expensive and works best if consumed with a proper diet. The other is calcium citrate which is safe to take even on an empty stomach.

Key Takeaway

There are plenty of postnatal vitamins you can take to aid you in producing the best breastmilk for your newborn. Take Calcium Carbonate with Vitamin D for stronger bones and increased body immune function from Puritan’s Pride today. Your third-time pregnancy is just as important as your first. Along with eating healthy for your baby, take the right supplements for faster, more improved, and increased positive effects of your physical and emotional well-being.