Disclosure: AD, this is a sponsored post, however all opinions are 100% my own.

As a new mum you may find yourself overwhelmed with a combination of lack of sleep, postnatal recovery, getting that important time with your baby and trying to somehow still eat a healthy diet. It's tough in the early days, your energy levels are low and you are so consumed with the baby's health it's easy to forget to take care of ourselves.

I know I was worrying about milk production at this stage, whether there was enough milk so my baby would gain weight and get key nutrients.

Often the last thing on our minds is maternal health and the important role it plays in our early days of motherhood. Probably before your baby arrived you were taking a prenatal vitamin, folic acid or some sort of prenatal supplement and making sure you ate well to create a strong immune system.

What most people don't realise is when you have your baby you are really in what we now call the Fourth Trimester. Just because your baby has been born doesn't mean life is now back to normal. An enormous amount has changed for you both physically and mentally and it's a good idea to give this the attention it needs.

Maybe you've thought that just taking a daily vitamin will suffice once your new baby has arrived but you will need a bit more support. One of the best ways of avoiding the risk of postpartum despression or the 'baby blues' is to take care of yourself properly and keep your body fuelled with important nutrients. I know this is hard when you have a little one taking all of your time. But small consistent actions will help even if you don’t see the results straight away.

Why should you try a postnatal vitamin?

A woman's body is depleted in some areas during the postnatal period as much of the essential nutrients have been passed to your baby. This is perfectly fine and will take time to readdress, however to help your recovery, postnatal multivitamins provide some key advantages.

There are benefits which target where the body may be lacking, such as minerals, essential fats, Omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, friendly bacteria and vitamin D deficiency.

If there are specific issues with breastfeeding or milk supply, Lactakalm can assist with keeping gut health in the mother in balance and aims to avoid inflammation and breast pain during lactation.

Where to find reputable postpartum vitamins?

As with all matters relating to health it's important to find products you can trust from a company with the right values.

Zita West is one of the UK's leading authors on pregnancy, her mother was a midwife and she champions natural and medical approaches to all things maternal. After her own personal experience of being pregnant, feeling very sick and experiencing mild postnatal depression she discovered that the body needs to be nourished both physically and emotionally.

Not only does Zita's company now create specially formulated supplements but in 2001 she opened a clinic to support couples to be in optimum health for fertility and pregnancy.

To help find solutions for those who are having problems she also created her own range of vitamin and mineral supplements for male and female fertility, pregnancy and the postnatal period. If you would like to see the range of products available, get started with your supplements today.

When can you start taking postnatal vitamins?

Normally you can switch to postnatal vitamins once you've given birth. However, because every birth and individual is different it's important to check with your doctor on when to move from prenatal vitamins to postnatal vitamins for the postpartum period. Your healthcare provider may recommend you still take a regular multivitamin for women. Or ask you to make sure your multivitamin has vitamin C, vitamin E and B vitamins. Do check the ingredients as not all over-the-counter postnatal multivitamin contain all the nutrients you need.

Taking care of postnatal needs and overall health

As a new mother, one of the best ways you can look after your child is to prioritise your mental health and nutritional needs. I don't think enough is done to make new parents aware of this. Or to educate the public and extended families so they can offer support to the mums they know in their communities. We are generally made to get on with things and not ask for help.

Not only does this hinder postpartum recovery but not healing after birth can affect breast milk supply and increase risk of postpartum depression.

Along with better self care, postnatal supplements from a reputable source can help restore these essential vitamins and minerals. Leading to improved physical health and a much happier experience for new mothers.

Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. You should not rely on this information as a subsititue for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a physician or other health care provider should you have questions about your health.