Choosing Vitamins for Nursing Mothers

Postpartum vitamins for nursing mothers: support is needed!

During pregnancy, a woman has already dedicated many of her body’s resources to forming a new life. This process continues after childbirth when the mother breastfeeds her baby. She gives her available reserves to provide the child with everything necessary: that’s how the female body is designed, prioritizing the child’s needs. Women have managed to breastfeed even in difficult conditions, such as during war or deprivation. But what can this cost the mother herself? Primarily, it can lead to potential health issues and discomfort due to a lack of vital elements – vitamins and minerals. If these are insufficient, they must be replenished. Let’s figure out which vitamins are most important postpartum and how to replenish them.

Which vitamins are lacking for breastfeeding mothers after childbirth?

Those that were most actively consumed during pregnancy and are continuously used in the lactation process. Unfortunately, a breastfeeding mother does not always eat correctly and balanced, and not all can be obtained in sufficient quantity from food.

So, which vitamins are especially needed after childbirth while breastfeeding?

1. Vitamin A affects skin condition and also visual acuity.
2. Vitamin C – without it, the immune system weakens.
3. B vitamins, especially folic acid (B9), are related to the functioning of the nervous system, as well as the heart and blood vessels.
4. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, a large portion of which in women goes into the milk.

In addition to vitamins, microelements are necessary:

• iron – ensures oxygen supply to tissues and organs, impacting overall well-being, strength, and endurance;
• calcium – affects the condition of teeth, nails, bones, and this element is constantly consumed for milk production;
• iodine – enables the thyroid to function properly, affecting metabolism;
• phosphorus – impacts intracellular energy exchange, promotes heart and kidney health;
• magnesium – needed to support heart function.

Folic acid for breastfeeding mothers after childbirth

Vitamin B9, also known as the well-known “folic acid,” is indispensable for nursing mothers and babies. It is involved in many processes: from ensuring the proper function of the nervous system to preventing anemia, which can be damaging at any age. A deficiency of B9 can greatly affect a woman’s well-being – it may manifest as irritability, nervous breakdowns, and relentless fatigue. Most importantly, she will not be able to provide sufficient folic acid in her milk – which is essential for the infant, ensuring normal child development.

If a nursing mother does not eat enough fresh greens and whole grain bread (either due to preference or seasonal availability), and if signs of folic acid deficiency are evident, it is essential to supplement the deficiency using vitamin complexes. The dosage should be prescribed by a doctor.

How to choose a vitamin complex for nursing mothers postpartum?

“What vitamins should a breastfeeding mom take after giving birth?” – almost all new mothers ask, as if it’s an absolute necessity. The correct answer can only be: “Those that are lacking.” However, doctors often prescribe multivitamins after childbirth while breastfeeding: they won’t harm you and might calm the patient somewhat. However, they may help little – the dosage of each component is far from therapeutic, and insufficient as a preventive measure.

You need to find out exactly which nutrients are lacking and address that specific deficiency. Ideally, a test is done to determine the level of a particular vitamin in the body. Engaging in self-medication and self-prescription of vitamins is not recommended. During the postpartum recovery course, a pharmacist-nutritionist is available. She can provide consultation.

A mother might suspect a vitamin deficiency based on a number of obvious signs:

• increased fatigue – do not confuse with the natural fatigue related to schedule changes and caring for the baby;
• increased hair loss – disregard hormonal background changes (about 3 months after childbirth, the “extra” hair retained during pregnancy falls out, which is normal);
• brittleness and splitting of nails;
• dry skin;
• cracks in the corners of the mouth;
• emergence of dental and gum issues.

Each of these signs may indicate a deficiency of different elements, so a specialist can help you understand better. We recommend consulting a doctor or a professional consultant on our website. You can also explore vitamins for non-nursing mothers.