Nutritional support for new mothers
The beginning of motherhood can be a wonderful, life-affirming time. However, the challenges of this “fourth trimester” can also leave many women feeling depleted, as a result of disrupted sleep, new feeding routines and emotional turbulence. Though you have a new member of the family who is your priority, your health and wellbeing are still vital. Think of yourself as a bank account: you need to keep your nutrient reserves well-stocked, because it’s likely that you will be making more ‘withdrawals’ than normal - and a depleted account can have a significant impact on your overall well being. After all, as a relaxed and well-nourished mother, you will find it much easier to care for your new baby - enabling you to fully enjoy these precious, early months of your child's life.
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Customer stories
"Parenthood is a blessing and a wonderful adventure - but having experienced post-natal depression and anxiety, chronic sleep deprivation and stress, I felt exhausted. I began to question whether having another child would ever be possible. However, the personalised and long standing guidance of Wild Nutrition was a life saver. After tests revealed I had very low Vitamin D, B12 and Iron levels, their nutritionist recommended supplements to get me back on track – and within a couple of weeks I had a renewed zest for life and motherhood, with more energy, concentration and stamina. They also recognised that my health and that of my family are interconnected, and suggested supplements to improve my daughter’s sleep and to support my husband through pressures at work. These small changes had a positive impact on all of us - so much so that we eventually felt ready to grow our family. I would highly recommend Wild Nutrition for their expertise in nutrition, personalised advice and support, and for their high quality products throughout any stage of life. I look forward to continuing to work with them through pregnancy, birth and beyond."
Our team of expert nutritionists host consultations with women all over the world. We sat down with our Co-Founder & Formulator, Henrietta Norton, to discuss the most commonly-asked nutrition questions as motherhood begins...
Q: I’m not sleeping well and constantly feel tired. How can I stop myself from getting run down?
Disrupted sleep can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to infection - and this is especially stressful for a new mother who is focused on caring for her baby. Our Food-Grown Immune Support will optimise your daily defences, in addition to our Food-Grown Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids. Vitamin D is also vital, even in the warmer months, as new mothers don’t always get enough natural daylight. Our Food-Grown Vitamin D is an essential.
Q: As a new mother, I often feel overwhelmed. What can I do to reduce stress?
Many women experience feelings of overwhelm following childbirth, as a result of fluctuating hormones and new routines. This can be difficult, as not only does stress contribute to sleeplessness and low mood, but it can also affect the supply and quality of your milk if you are breastfeeding. Try to prioritise good quality rest where you can: our KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus is proven to reduce anxiety, while our Food-Grown Magnesium promotes sleep, making it easier for you to enjoy time with your new baby. Even if you are not breastfeeding, do continue to take our Food-Grown Pregnancy: after all, when you’re busy and overwhelmed, you may forget to prioritise your own nutrition - and this is the time when your body will be most dependent on your nutrient reserves.
Q: How can I optimise breastfeeding?
Not every woman chooses to breastfeed - however, for those who do, it is not always something that comes naturally. Or you may be successfully feeding, but you want to optimise supply, flow and quality. Stress and tiredness can have a significant impact on breastfeeding mothers, resulting in poor or absent milk supply. It may sound counterintuitive, but remember that - as a mother - your needs come first: so stay hydrated, try to sleep when your baby sleeps, and ensure that you eat at regular intervals to support your blood sugar. Doing so will help to keep your milk supply consistent and of good quality - otherwise you could try our Food-Grown Breastfeeding Complex, which is designed to support healthy milk supply and flow, while maintaining energy levels at this often tiring time. Nutrients in this complex also support the growth of your baby, with a key focus on healthy visual, cognitive and brain development in your little person.
Q: Since giving birth I’ve felt unable to focus and not like myself. What’s going on?
As a new mother, you will have given away a lot of brain- and mood-supporting nutrients before the birth, in order to support your baby’s development - so it’s highly likely that your stores of Omega 3 are low. This essential fatty acid is crucial to ensure the supply and quality of milk in breastfeeding - but whether you have chosen to breastfeed or not, it is also an important mood stabiliser. In fact, research has shown that keeping your levels of Omega 3 topped up can help to prevent postnatal depression, while also keeping your joints supple, your immune system strong and your hormones in balance. It can be a challenge to get the recommended two portions of oily fish per week as a new mother - so instead, consider supplementing with our Pure Strength Omega 3. We also recommend breastfeeding mother's take our Food-Grown Breastfeeding Complex, as it contains mood and brain supporting nutrients.
Q: I had a long labour and a difficult birth. What can I do to help my body to heal?
Many women experience difficulties in labour, and loss of blood and needing stitches after childbirth is common. Our Food-Grown Zinc Plus provides the necessary nutrients for healing, in addition to our Food-Grown Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids, which supports collagen formation. Omega 3 is also known for its reparative abilities, and our Pure Strength Omega 3 can encourage healing following stitches. Don’t forget to have your Iron and Ferritin levels checked: after all, blood loss in childbirth means that many women are deficient by the fourth trimester, and taking a supplement, like our Food-Grown Iron Plus will help.
Q: I felt amazing while I was pregnant - but ever since giving birth, my skin, nails and hair are in poor condition. What can I do to improve them?
It’s not unusual to experience thinning hair, dull skin and brittle nails following childbirth. After all, the nutrients that were keeping everything strong and well-nourished are now going into your recovery - and a noticeable change in condition suggests that your body prioritised those nutrients in childbirth. However, the impact that these symptoms can have is not to be underestimated, and feeling good about yourself at this time is still important for your wellbeing. Our Food-Grown Pregnancy and if applicable, our Food-Grown Breastfeeding Complex, will continue to support optimal nutrition, while our Food-Grown Skin, Hair and Nails can help to restore an inner and outer glow. Signs of hair loss, excessive tiredness or extremely dry skin can also suggest that your thyroid was affected in birth - so speak to your GP, or arrange a chat with one of our expert nutritionists who can discuss the nutrients you need to support thyroid health. Low Iron levels can also contribute to poor skin, hair and nails (especially hair loss), so consider that and speak to GP and you may need to top up your levels with our Food-Grown Iron Plus (note, our Food-Grown Pregnancy and Food-Grown Breastfeeding Complex both contain Iron, but you may still require additional supplementation.
