Postpartum recovery is one of the most challenging phases in a woman’s life, but since birth and parenting plans get all the attention during pregnancy, most new moms don’t have a plan for their own recovery. After childbirth, the changes that happen during pregnancy don’t disappear overnight—it’s more complicated than that. Having a baby kicks off a new stage of physical, hormonal, and emotional recovery that can last up to two years. The care and attention a woman pays to herself in that first year is critical for her long term health.
Here are 5 things you may not know about postpartum and how to help:
Your nutrient needs are actually HIGHER than during pregnancy
Women’s nutritional requirements change and increase with the demands of postpartum recovery and lactation. Your mood, energy levels & brain function all take a hit postpartum thanks to hormone fluctuations, sleep deprivation & elevated stress. Continuing with your prenatal vitamins isn’t the best course of action since it won’t give you enough of what you need, and in some cases (like iron) it’s actually too much and can cause digestive issues and constipation. This Postnatal Multivitamin + Omega 3, created with an OB-GYN and registered dietitian, is formulated with only clean and high quality ingredients.
Breastfeeding can be really hard
Milk supply issues and nipple pain catch many new moms off guard and are among the most common reasons women don’t reach their breastfeeding goals. This lactation tea is packed with 8 prolactin-boosting galactagogues and herbs that support supply, and it actually tastes amazing (we’ve tried them all). Plus, this organic and lanolin free nipple balm is preferred by 9/10 moms.
Majority of women experience hair loss 3 months postpartum
After birth, your estrogen levels drop & that leads to shedding. What can you do to grow it back fast? Use this scalp serum daily & keep up your vitamin routine (vitamin C, biotin and zinc found in your postnatal multivitamin are critical nutrients for hair growth). This serum is formulated with proven ingredients like pea sprouts, in which 86% of participants in a clinical study reported a reduction in hair loss within two months. It’s the only postpartum hair growth serum that is safe while breastfeeding and dermatologist tested.
Postpartum moms need extra vitamin C and roughly 8 more cups of water per day
After birth, hormones are plummeting, organs are repairing and wounds are healing. All of this requires extra vitamin C to help form new tissue and produce collagen. Your body can only absorb so much at a time, so adding this healing liquid vitamin to your multivitamin routine works double time to give you an extra boost. Plus, it helps you drink more water. Experts recommend new moms get in 16 8-oz cups of water per day (vs the standard 8) to flush toxins from your body, speed up healing, and support a steady breastmilk supply.
According to OB-GYNs, it can take at least 1 year for the body to recover from birth
Postpartum is commonly thought of as the first 4-6 weeks after birth and society leads us to believe we should be able to bounce back to our former selves soon after birth. But OBGYNs say it can take up to 1 year or more for the body to repair, and for a mother to feel like herself again. The hormonal shifts can remain throughout the first year, which has an impact on everything from mood, skin, hair, vaginal tissue and metabolism. When combined with the effects of nutrient depletion, stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation in the first year, it can be incredibly taxing. Here's a plan that helps and just know you’re not alone and give yourself grace and kindness.
