These 12 RD-Recommended Postnatal Vitamins Can Help You Thrive Postpartum

Reviewers say it’s thick but that it’s also very easy to take. While some like the flavor and liken it to an orange smoothie, others say it has a strong herbal taste that’s off-putting. However, many reviewers — including those who dislike the taste — agree that this supplement is a great alternative to postnatal pills.

Liquids and powders require measuring or mixing, and gummies contain lower doses of nutrients to improve their taste and texture. Capsules, on the other hand, are the easiest and most convenient way to get effective doses of nutrients — which can come in handy when you’re in the sleep-deprived newborn phase. Though labeled “prenatals,” these capsules from Beli are designed for before, during, and after pregnancy, providing 19 vitamins and minerals.

Gummy vitamins are ideal if you’re looking for a supplement that’s quick and easy to take, but you dislike swallowing pills. Pink Stork Total Postnatal Gummies are formulated specifically for postpartum needs, and just two gummies per day will provide nine vitamins and minerals to support breastfeeding and postpartum recovery.

These gummies have an “assorted fruit” flavor that many reviewers enjoy, and they’re also made with natural colors and flavors. Some reviewers say that they’re too sticky and chewy, but many others like the texture. Pink Stork’s supplements are also third-party tested, and these vitamins are vegan-friendly.

The major drawback of gummies is that they typically contain fewer nutrients and much smaller doses of nutrients than capsule or powder supplements. Larger quantities of vitamins and minerals can negatively affect the taste, texture, and appearance of gummies. Still, during the sleep-deprived postpartum period, a gummy vitamin may be the easiest thing to reach for — and it’s certainly better than skipping a postnatal supplement altogether.

Powder multivitamins can be added to smoothies, protein shakes, juices, or other beverages. They’re a good fit if you already have a daily smoothie or protein shake or if you dislike using postnatal pills but still want effective doses of nutrients. Needed. Prenatal Multi Powder can be used at any point during your reproductive journey — from preconception and pregnancy to the postpartum period — and the vanilla powder mixes well with a variety of beverages.

Reviewers say these supplements do seem to help boost their milk supply, but that the pills are large and can be difficult to swallow.

Many postnatal vitamins cost $1 or more per serving, which can be pricey if you’re on a limited budget. Nature Made Postnatal Multi + DHA costs less than 50 cents per serving, and it’s available at several retailers in-store and online. Additionally, the quality doesn’t suffer just because it’s inexpensive — it contains 20 vitamins and minerals and is third-party tested for quality by USP. USP is an independent testing organization that verifies the ingredients and quantities in this postnatal and ensures that it was manufactured safely.

Subscription packs can be an easy and convenient solution if you don’t want to worry about remembering when to reorder postnatal vitamins. Bird & Be’s The Postpartum supplement pack is delivered on a monthly basis, and each day’s vitamins are conveniently packaged in a sealed envelope. This makes them a great solution for travel and for reducing bottle clutter on your counters, too.

Bird & Be products are third-party tested for quality and formulated by fertility doctors. Reviewers love the convenience of the daily packs and the recurring subscription, but some say the daily pack can be tricky to separate from the others without tearing open the next day’s pack. If you order the Lactation Boost, you may also find it burdensome to take five pills daily.

For the most part, prenatal vitamins are designed to use anytime before, during, or after pregnancy. FullWell Prenatal Multivitamins are one of the most complete options available, providing a spectrum of 26 vitamins and minerals chosen by a registered dietitian to support optimal health for mom and baby from preconception through postpartum.

The major drawback of this supplement is that a serving consists of eight capsules per day. It could be difficult to take this many pills day after day, especially since some reviewers say they have an unpleasant smell. However, the quality ingredients, careful formulation, and overall positive reviews make this a worthwhile pick.

Although this product isn’t third-party tested, EarthFirst Organics products are certified organic by the USDA and CCOF, which requires some third-party oversight. Reviewers say that the tablets are very large and have a strong earthy smell. However, they appreciate that the nutrients come from organic whole foods and that the serving size is just one tablet per day.

Although several prenatal and postnatal vitamins are vegan-friendly, it’s not always a given. Some may contain ingredients sourced from animal products, such as gelatin-based capsules or DHA from fish oil. Ritual’s Essential for Women Postnatal is completely vegan, with a plant-based capsule and DHA sourced from algae oil.

Reviewers appreciate that they can choose between mint or citrus-scented vitamins to help mask the smell and taste of the algae oil, and they’re also very happy with Ritual’s ingredients. However, some reviewers say that the mint essence is a bit overpowering and that these postnatals can cause fishy-tasting burps.

Reviewers appreciate the convenience of one pill per day, but they say that the tablet is very large and can be difficult to swallow. Overall, though, the convenience of this product outweighs its cons for most customers.