on October 22, 2025
Why Supplements Matter for New Mums
The postnatal period is one of the most challenging, both physically and mentally. The body is still healing from birth, emotions are all over the place, and quality sleep is something you probably won't see for at least 6 months. In addition, some women may have anaemia, hemorrhoids, stitches, or, if recovering from a C-section, the skin, muscles, and uterus may need to heal. The demands of the newborn are something else to contend with. Crying, sometimes for seemingly no reason, colic, and producing enough breast milk to keep your little one satisfied! And don't forget, breastmilk is only as good as the mother's nutritional intake! No wonder some women fall apart! The best support, of course, is having someone around to help, and then it's nutrition. The right nutrition helps the body to heal, provides nutrients for energy, and promotes a calm mood. Unfortunately, this also happens to be a time when cooking a gourmet meal is the last thing on your mind! Let's have a look at nutrition and why it's so important, the importance of a high-quality supplement, and tips to make quick, easy, and nutritious meals for the postnatal period.
Why Good Nutrition Matters
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is needed for many functions within the body, and the majority of people do not have enough. Vitamin D is needed for normal muscle function and is essential for the recovery of damaged or bruised muscles. In the postnatal period, the muscles in the stomach need to reconnect and return to their former shape and form. If a C-section is conducted, then there is even more recovery for the muscles. Vitamin D is essential for breastfeeding mothers and breastfed babies. Breastmilk rarely provides enough vitamin D without supplementation, which is why vitamin D is officially recommended for all breastfeeding women.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is the main fat-soluble antioxidant in the body and helps to protect cells from oxidative damage. Oxidative stress is elevated during the postpartum healing process, so additional vitamin E is helpful to protect the cells. An elevated level of vitamin E is present in the colostrum for the first 3 to 4 weeks after birth. This additional vitamin E helps to protect the newborn from oxidative stress (1).
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a major water-soluble antioxidant within the body and is needed for the formation of collagen. The ability to make enough collagen is essential for the healing of perineal tears, episiotomy wounds, and C-section wounds. Vitamin C is also needed to restore the skin, uterus, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of iron, which is needed after the heavy bleeding after birth.
B Vitamins: B vitamins are needed for the production of energy, which is needed to deal with a newborn on little sleep, and for healing. Some B vitamins, such as folate, are needed for the replication of DNA. Folate levels in the breast milk need to be at a level that supports the rapid growth and DNA synthesis in the newborn. Vitamin B3 is needed for normal physiological function, which is important with a newborn. Many new mothers suffer from the baby blues, and as vitamin B3 is needed for psychological function, it's worth taking some additional vitamin B5 in a supplement. Vitamin B6 is needed for the regulation of hormonal activity, which is essential in the post-partum period when hormones are adjusting. Vitamin B12 is needed specifically for a reduction in tiredness and fatigue.
Calcium and Magnesium: Calcium and magnesium are needed for normal bones and are important for bone remineralisation after pregnancy. The foetus will take the nutrients it needs, which can leave the mother short, and in the case of calcium and magnesium, leave the bones with less (2).
Iron: Iron is needed for the formation of blood, specifically hemoglobin. Iron stores need to be replaced after heavy blood losses, either due to the post-partum bleed, or through hemorrhage, which is unfortunately common, or blood loss through post-partum surgery or a C-section.
Turmeric: The active component in turmeric is curcumin, which works on a pathway in the body called the COX and LOX pathway. These are inflammatory pathways. Taking curcumin can inhibit these inflammatory pathways, which is helpful when there is a lot of inflammation due to bruised tissues, damaged muscles, or skin (3).
Moringa: Moringa is incredibly high in antioxidants, which help with healing. Moringa has also been shown to increase breast milk volume, which can support breastfeeding mothers with supply (4). Moringa is also rich in vitamins and minerals, which not only help with healing but also ensure that the breastmilk is nutrient-rich.
Choline: Choline is a vitamin-like substance needed for a few biological functions, including in the brain, where it is converted into a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Choline is actively transported into the breastmilk; however, many women do not consume enough choline for optimal levels in the breastmilk (5).
Nettle: Nettle is a nutrient-rich plant that has been used for centuries. Nettles are rich in non-haem iron and have been used traditionally to treat anaemia (6). Nettle is also known as a galactogogue, which means that it increases breastmilk supply, helping newborns to gain weight and thrive (7).
Iodine: Iodine is essential for the growth and development of children and is transferred into the breastmilk. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of postpartum women and their infants have suboptimal iodine levels. Additional iodine through supplementation can be useful to support the health of the mother and baby (8).
Black Pepper Extract: Piperine enhances the bioavailability of various nutrients, including curcumin, CoQ10, and vitamins, making supplementation more effective (9)
Conclusion
The health of the mother and breastfed infant is directly related to the mother's nutritional intake. It can be hard to meet all the optimal levels of nutrition through diet alone, especially during times of increased demand. A high-quality and well-formulated food supplement designed for post-partum women helps to ensure optimum intake during this demanding time.
References
1. Vitamin E concentration in breast milk in different periods of lactation: Meta-analysis - PMC
2. Recent Insights into Pregnancy and Lactation-Associated Osteoporosis (PLO) - PMC
3. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin - PubMed
4. Moringa - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) - NCBI Bookshelf
5. Choline—An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be’s Diet - PMC
6. Stinging Nettle - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) - NCBI Bookshelf
7. FenogrecoBF-NigerJClinPract2018.pdf
