Nourishing the Fourth Trimester: A Closer Look at Key Nutrients in Postnatal Support

By Avni Dalal, ND

The postpartum period—often called the “fourth trimester”—refers to the first three months to one year after your baby is born. Between adjusting to a new routine, healing from childbirth, navigating emotional changes, and (if breastfeeding) nourishing a growing baby, it’s easy to feel stretched thin—physically and emotionally. While the spotlight often shines on prenatal nutrition to help maintain a healthy pregnancy, it’s just as important to support your body after birth.

From tissue recovery to hormonal rebalancing and breastfeeding support, your nutritional needs remain elevated during this time. That’s where comprehensive postnatal supplements can be a helpful tool. They’re designed to help fill in the nutritional gaps, support recovery, and provide the extra nourishment your body needs to feel its best during this incredible, but often overwhelming, time.

Let’s take a closer look at the science behind two powerhouse products from Fairhaven Health: Complete Lactation Support and Postnatal Multivitamin Essentials—both thoughtfully formulated to support new moms in their recovery and lactation journey.*

Complete Lactation Support: Herbal + Probiotic Support for Breastfeeding Moms

This product features a blend of traditional botanicals and targeted probiotics designed to support healthy milk production and digestive balance.*

Milk Thistle Extract

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a well-known botanical traditionally used to support liver health. The liver plays a key role in hormonal balance and detoxification, both of which are crucial in the postpartum period.¹ Its active compound, silymarin, also acts as a galactagogue to support lactation. Clinical evidence demonstrates that silymarin-containing preparations can increase milk production in the postpartum period, without significant adverse effects. This effect is likely due to silymarin’s modulation of prolactin secretion, along with its antioxidant properties and ability to support a healthy inflammatory response.²

Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716

This clinically studied strain of probiotic is naturally found in breast milk and has shown promise in supporting breast health. Studies suggest it may help maintain healthy levels of beneficial bacteria in the mammary glands and support immune function in both mom and baby when breastfeeding.³ L. fermentum CECT5716 may also help reduce occasional breast discomfort associated with nursing while promoting microbial balance.⁴

These two ingredients, combined with other lactation-supportive herbs and nutrients, work synergistically to provide comprehensive support for breastfeeding mothers.^1-4

Postnatal Multivitamin Essentials: Daily Nutrients for Postpartum Recovery

While nutrient needs are high during pregnancy, they remain just as important—if not more so—after delivery, especially for breastfeeding women. The Postnatal Multivitamin Essentials formula includes a well-rounded array of vitamins, minerals, omega-3s, and other bioactive compounds to support energy, recovery, and nutritional replenishment.^5-17

Let’s break down a few of the key ingredients:

Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, and K)

• Vitamin A plays a role in supporting immune function and tissue repair.
• Vitamin D supports healthy bones, mood, and immune system function.⁵
• Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant to help protect cells from oxidative stress.
• Vitamin K supports normal blood clotting and bone metabolism.

These fat-soluble vitamins are essential not just for maternal recovery, but also to maintain the nutritional quality of breast milk.⁶

B Vitamins: B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂

B vitamins are essential for energy metabolism, nervous system function, and red blood cell production. In the postpartum period, they may help support overall energy levels and cognitive well-being.⁷ Vitamins B₆ and B₁₂, in particular, are important for supporting mood and neurological health after childbirth.⁸

Choline

Choline is a key nutrient that plays a role in infant brain development, liver function, and maintaining healthy cell structure. During lactation, however, maternal choline requirements are elevated because choline is actively secreted into breast milk, which can deplete maternal stores. According to the American Institute of Medicine, most lactating women do not meet the recommended adequate intake.⁹ Clinical recommendations increasingly emphasize the importance of ensuring adequate choline intake to meet these physiological demands.^9,10

Iron

Peripartum blood loss during delivery and increased demands of milk production can contribute to low iron stores after childbirth. Iron is necessary for red blood cell formation and oxygen transport, and ensuring sufficient intake helps support postpartum energy and recovery.¹¹

Selenium & Iodine

• Selenium supports healthy thyroid hormone metabolism and protection against oxidative stress.¹²
• Iodine is crucial for thyroid hormone production, which is especially important during postpartum hormonal shifts. Iodine is also vital for infant neurodevelopment and is transferred through breast milk.¹³

Adequate selenium and iodine intake in the postpartum period is essential to support maternal thyroid function and ensure optimal infant development.^12,13

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)

HMOs are specialized prebiotic compounds that help feed beneficial gut bacteria. While naturally found in breast milk, supplemental HMOs may help support gut health and immune function in the mother while also enriching the microbiota passed on to the baby during nursing and contributing to healthy infant neurodevelopment.^14-16

Algal DHA (Omega-3)

DHA is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain, eye, and nervous system health. During pregnancy and postpartum, DHA plays an important role in supporting both maternal brain function and infant development.¹⁷ Algal DHA is a plant-based source, making it a sustainable and gentle option for new moms.

Summary

Postpartum recovery takes time, energy, and the right nutrition. Whether you're breastfeeding or simply looking to restore and replenish after giving birth, Complete Lactation Support and Postnatal Multivitamin Essentials from Fairhaven Health provide thoughtful and evidence-informed formulations to help you feel supported on every level—physically, mentally, and nutritionally.*

As always, speak with your healthcare provider about your supplement regimen to ensure it aligns with your specific needs. Postnatal nutrition is not one-size-fits-all, but when the right nutrients come together in the right way, it can make a world of difference during this vital stage of motherhood.

References:

1. Mortel M et al. J Hum Lact. 2013;29(2):154-162.
2. Zecca E et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016;70(10):1151-1154.
3. Arroyo R et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;50(12):1551-8.
4. Zhang Y et al. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):16692.
5. Mulligan ML et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;202(5):429.e1-9.
6. Aparicio et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1325.
7. Pentieva K et al. Proc Nutr Soc. 2024:1-15.
8. Ellsworth-Bowers ER et al. Nutr Res Rev. 2012;25(1):180-92.
9. Derbyshire EJ. Nutrients. 2025;17(9):1558.
10. Lewis ED et al. Br J Nutr. 2014;112(1):112-21.
11. Sultan P et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;221(1):19-29.e3.
12. Jin Y et al. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2021;95(6):873-881.
13. Jin Y et al. Br J Nutr. 2022;127(4):570-579.
14. Cheng L et al. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(7):1184-1200.
15. Duman H et al. Nutrients. 2024;17(1):118.
16. Wiciński M et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):266.
17. Schaefer E et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3849.

About the author

Avni Dalal, ND

Dr. Avni Dalal is a naturopathic physician, writer, and marketing consultant. After completing her clinical training at Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Arizona, she founded her own telehealth practice, Palm and Gold Wellness. She is passionate about empowering individuals through their health journey with a focus on inclusive, comprehensive healthcare for concerns such as PCOS, endometriosis, and PMS/PMDD. Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Dalal has been a medical content writer and marketing consultant for various consumer health and specialty laboratory companies including Nutritional Fundamentals for Health, Allergy Research Group, Mosaic Diagnostics, and Blueroot Health.

Dr. Avni Dalal is a naturopathic physician, writer, and marketing consultant. After completing her clinical training at Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Arizona, she founded her own telehealth practice, Palm and Gold Wellness. She is passionate about empowering individuals through their health journey with a focus on inclusive, comprehensive healthcare for concerns such as PCOS, endometriosis, and PMS/PMDD. Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Dalal has been a medical content writer and marketing consultant for various consumer health and specialty laboratory companies including Nutritional Fundamentals for Health, Allergy Research Group, Mosaic Diagnostics, and Blueroot Health.