9 Best Postnatal Vitamins of 2023

Written by Jessica Holbrook, MSN, RN, CCRN

Updated on July 4, 2023

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• Postnatal vitamins are important for keeping both you and your baby healthy.
• Taking a daily postnatal vitamin can help to ensure that you get all of the nutrients you need every day.
• Mothers who breastfeed or pump will pass vitamins along to their baby through their breast milk.
• Even if you aren’t breastfeeding, the extra nutrients in a postnatal vitamin will help with recovering from pregnancy and delivery.
• Look for vitamins containing iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA, and folate.

During your pregnancy, you were probably told that it was important to take daily prenatal vitamins. You might not know that it is also important to take postnatal vitamins after you deliver your baby.

Both prenatal and postnatal vitamins are essential for keeping yourself and your baby healthy. Many of the key vitamins you take are transferred to your baby through breast milk, helping you support your baby after giving birth.

Even if you eat a healthy diet, it can be difficult to get all the nutrients you need every day, especially for busy and breastfeeding women. A high quality postnatal vitamin will help you get key nutrients during your postnatal period to support your own health as well as the health of your baby. 

Here, we will help you find the 9 best postnatal vitamins of 2023.

Our Choice: Zahler Prenatal Vitamin

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Overall, Zahler prenatal vitamins have the best combination of nutrients, all of which are highly absorbable. These postnatal vitamins contain all of the most common vitamins and minerals, with the addition of DHA and iron. Zahler is an easy to swallow pill that only needs to be taken once a day, and it is not much more expensive than the cheapest options. 

Zahler vitamins are the best postnatal vitamins for mothers having problems with fatigue and anemia. Besides containing all of the common vitamins and minerals found in other postnatal vitamins, these vitamins provide 100% of the daily recommendation of iron, but it comes in a more easily absorbable form. This helps prevent side effects of high iron intake like constipation and nausea. 

Customer reviews do mention that the pills have a fishy aftertaste that can be hard to get rid of. Taking the pills with a glass of juice or food may help.

Item Form: Softgel | Flavor: Unflavored | Diet Type: Kosher
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Ritual Postnatal Vitamins

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Ritual vitamins are vegan, non-GMO, and dye free multivitamins that you can feel good about taking. They contain vitamin E, B12, D, C, and A, folate, iron, DHA, and other important nutrients for you and your baby. 

These vitamins also come in a time-release capsule, making them less likely to cause nausea. 

If you buy these directly from their website, Ritual offers free shipping on their products as well as a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their vitamin. 

Item Form: Capsule | Flavor: Mint | Diet Type: Vegan
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Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal Chewables

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If you have a difficult time swallowing pills, these Seeking Health Chewable tablets might be a good option. Unlike other chewable pills, these do not contain any added sugar. They are also vegetarian friendly and gluten-free. 

Seeking health vitamins contain Vitamins C, A, B6, B12, D, and E, Iodine, Calcium, Zinc, and Magnesium. They do not contain iron, which makes them easier on the stomach, but ineffective for mothers struggling with anemia. 

Item Form: Tablet | Flavor: Unflavored Diet Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
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One A Day Postnatal Complete Multivitamin

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One A Day Postnatal Vitamin contains the essential vitamins and minerals you need to keep yourself healthy during your postpartum period. 

One A Day vitamins are one of the least expensive options for prenatal and postnatal vitamins. They are gluten-free and free from synthetic color, but they do contain fish and soy. 

While the fish oils mean they are not good for strict vegetarian or vegan mothers, the fish oil does support healthy brain development in breastfeeding babies and healthy skin, hair, and nails for mom.

Item Form: Softgel | Flavor: Unflavored | Diet Type: Gluten Free
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Root’d Prenatal Multivitamin

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Root’d postnatal vitamins are actually a powder that you can mix to make a drink. Great for moms who have a hard time swallowing pills, this drink mix contains 25 essential vitamins and minerals as well as electrolytes and a probiotic.

Root’d is sweetened with Stevia, and many moms enjoy the sweet lemon berry flavor.

This supplement is slightly more expensive than the other products, but some mothers feel that the added probiotic and electrolytes to support digestive enzymes are worth the higher cost.

Item Form: Powder | Flavor: Lemon Berry | Diet Type: Gluten Free
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Nature Made Postnatal + DHA

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Nature Made postnatal vitamins contain Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, as well as zinc, iron, iodine, biotin, and omega 3 fatty acids. It is inexpensive and free of artificial flavors and gluten. 

Like other supplements with DHA, many moms report a strong fishy aftertaste when taking these vitamins. 

Item Form: Softgels | Flavor: No Artificial Flavor
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TheraNatal Lactation Complete Postnatal Supplement

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TheraNatal supplements contain all of the most common postnatal vitamins and minerals, with extra vitamin D to support babies of breastfeeding mothers. TheraNatal uses high quality ingredients and is free from gluten, dairy, and artificial dyes.

 TheraNatal specifically designed their prenatal vitamins for breastfeeding. 

TheraNatal supplements come in sets of three. You have to take two pills plus one capsule together to get all of the essential nutrients together. TheraNatal is also one of the more expensive postnatal vitamin brands. 

Item Form: Tablet | Flavor: No Artificial Flavor | Diet Type: Vegetarian
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SmartyPants Prenatal Formula 

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SmartyPants postnatal vitamins contain 18 essential nutrients including DHA and folate. They are great tasting chewable gummies, and many mothers with sensitive stomachs say that this is the only type of postnatal vitamin their stomachs can handle. 

A serving of SmartyPants vitamins is four gummies, which can feel like eating a little treat every morning. 

SmartyPants gummies do not include any iron, so they are not the best choice for anemic mothers. 

Item Form: Gummy | Flavor: Gluten Free | Diet Type: Prenatal Formula Daily Gummy
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Glow Prenatal Vitamins

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Besides containing 25 nutrients in a 2 capsule serving, Glow prenatal vitamins are vegetarian and free from artificial ingredients. For each bottle of Glow vitamins purchased, the company will provide a year’s worth of multivitamins for a child in need. 

Some mothers complain that these pills made them nauseated, and they could not tolerate the taste. It is recommended that you take these supplements with a meal and a large glass of water. 

Item Form: Capsule | Flavor: Herbal | Diet Type: Vegan
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Recommended Accessories

The biggest problem most mothers have with postnatal vitamins is remembering to take them. Even the best postnatal vitamins don’t do any good sitting in their bottle. 

Some of these accessories can help you form and keep a healthy habit of taking your daily postnatal supplements. 

Pill Box

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When you’re busy caring for a baby, it can be hard to remember anything, including whether or not you have taken your multivitamin for the day. Using a basic pill box can help you stay organized, reminding you to take your vitamin while preventing you from taking it twice in a day. 

Tracking Bottle

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If you don’t like the way a bulky pill box looks, you can use a take-n-slide tracker instead. This is a bottle with built-in buttons that you can press as you take your vitamin, helping you remember whether you have taken it or not that day. 

Healthy Diet

While not necessarily an accessory, you should pair your postnatal supplements with a healthy diet. Many postnatal vitamins are high in one nutrient and low in another.

Eating a balanced diet in addition to a postpartum vitamin can help you meet all of your nutritional demands and keep your nutrient stores up.

How Important Are Postnatal Vitamins?

Postnatal vitamins are extremely important for both your own health, and the health of your breastfeeding baby. 

The same way that taking a prenatal vitamin fills any gaps in your diet during pregnancy, a postnatal vitamin can help ensure that you get all of the essential nutrients you need during the postpartum period. 

Postpartum moms who take postnatal vitamins as a daily supplement can have higher milk production, lower rates of postpartum depression and baby blues, normal immune function, less postpartum hair loss, and are more likely to reach optimal health after giving birth.  

Even if they are not breastfeeding, mothers recovering from pregnancy and delivery need the extra nutrients in a postnatal vitamin. 

Iron

Because you lose so much blood during the delivery of your baby, you are at high risk of becoming anemic. Anemia can cause brain fog and low energy levels, which can both get even worse with the addition of a new baby in your home. 

Taking a daily vitamin that contains iron can help your body make enough red blood cells to keep you feeling your best. 

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is another essential building block for red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is known to increase energy levels. 

Folate

Foliage, or folic acid, helps developing babies’ brains grow. It is good both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Folate is also good for mom’s heart health.

Choline 

Choline is an important nutrient during pregnancy for babies brain development and for preventing pregnancy complications. During the postpartum period, choline can help support healthy liver function and improve your memory and mood. 

Calcium

Just like the rest of your body, your bones go through significant changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding. According to the Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases Resource Center, consuming enough calcium can protect you from developing osteoporosis later in life. 

Breastfeeding and Vitamins

Pennsylvania State University recommends taking a postnatal vitamin every day while you are breastfeeding your baby. Babies need extra folate, DHA, Vitamin D and iodine to help their brains develop. 

Unfortunately, breastmilk does not contain enough vitamin D to support a growing baby. The CDC recommends that all infants take a vitamin D drop each day while they are breastfed.

You can find infant vitamin D drops at almost any pharmacy or health foods store.. 

Choosing the Best Postnatal Vitamins for You

Even with a diet full of healthy meals and snacks, you will benefit by taking a high quality postnatal vitamin. There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a postnatal vitamin: 

1. Ingredients. Keep an eye out for vitamins with added sugars or artificial dyes. Also remember, just because something is labeled “natural” does not mean it is healthier. Take your time reading the ingredients label of your multivitamins. 
2. Vitamins and Minerals. Make sure that your chosen vitamin has iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA, and folate. 
3. Cost. You do not have to spend hundreds of dollars on vitamins and supplements to stay healthy. Choosing a simple generic brand of vitamin can save you a lot of money. 

FAQs

Do I still need a postnatal vitamin if I choose not to breastfeed?

Pregnancy and delivery take a lot from your body. Even if you choose not to breastfeed your baby, you should take a daily multivitamin to help your body heal and recover. Taking a multivitamin will help you recover from blood loss and tissue injury from delivery. 

Can taking too many vitamins be harmful?

There is no benefit to taking more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin. If you get too much of a certain vitamin or nutrient, your kidneys and liver will simply filter it out.

If you take much more than the recommended amount of any vitamin or mineral, you will most likely experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or constipation. 

What is the best time of the day to take postnatal vitamins?

Some women report that taking a multivitamin makes them sick to their stomach. This is especially true for multivitamins containing iron. Taking your vitamins with meals can help keep you from getting nauseated. 

There is no best time of day to take a multivitamin. The most important thing is that you remember to take it. Whenever you decide to take your postnatal vitamin, try to do it at the same time each day so it is easier to remember. 

How long should you take postnatal vitamins?

You should take a postnatal vitamin for at least as long as you breastfeed your baby. If you choose not to breastfeed, you should take a postnatal vitamin for 6 months after delivery.

The information WonderBaby provides is not intended to be, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. Always consult with a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances.