8 Best Multivitamins for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers and Where to Buy
Choosing the right vitamin is important for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Read to learn about the must-have nutrients and top-rated multivitamins to keep you and your baby healthy.
Written By
Eunice FestusHealth writer⏐Registered nurse (RN)
Reviewed By
Joy EmehHuman Anatomist | Health Editor
The significance of multivitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers cannot be overstated. While maintaining a balanced diet is important, many find it challenging to meet their increased nutritional needs solely through food.
Multivitamins, therefore, serve as an essential supplement to support maternal health and fetal development.
Multivitamin supplements can help fill in any gaps your diet may not be providing. These products often contain key nutrients like folic acid, iron, and DHA, which are known for their significant roles in reducing the risk of birth defects, supporting energy levels in mothers, and promoting brain health in infants.
If you're looking for multivitamins to support you during your motherhood journey, this article reviews the eight (8) best multivitamins specially formulated for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Roundup of some of the best multivitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
Here’s a roundup of some of the best multivitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers:
- Best for essential nutrients during pregnancy: Garden of Life Organics Prenatal Vitamin
- Best for breastfeeding mothers: MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Vitamins
- Best for easy digestion: New Chapter Advanced Perfect Prenatal Vitamins
- Best for energy support: Pink Stork Total Prenatal Vitamins
- Best for postpartum blues: GoBiotix Postnatal Vitamins for Breastfeeding Moms
- Best for sleep support in pregnancy: SmartyPants Prenatal Vitamins
- Best for morning sickness: Quorinthiumax Prenatal Gummies
- Best for organic ingredients: Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Tea
Below is a comprehensive review and comparison of these multivitamin supplements.
Garden of Life Organics Prenatal Vitamin
Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Women's Tea
New Chapter Advanced Perfect Prenatal Vitamins
GoBiotix Postnatal Vitamins
MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Vitamins
Quorinthiumax Prenatal Gummies
Pink Stork Total Prenatal Vitamins
SmartyPants Prenatal
Comparison of the best multivitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
Below is a table that compares our top picks for the best multivitamin supplements for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Scroll horizontally or click the drop-down symbol on each product name to compare products of choice.
4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
|---|
Overview |
|---|
Product Form | Tablet | Bags (Tea Bags) | Tablet | Capsule | Tablet | Gummy | Capsule | Gummy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Product Type | Prenatal Multivitamin | Herbal Tea (Breast Milk Booster) | Prenatal Vitamin | Postnatal Vitamin | Postnatal Vitamin | Prenatal Vitamin | Prenatal Vitamin | Prenatal Multivitamin |
Flavor Varieties | Unflavored | Mother's Milk | Unflavored | Unflavoured | Unflavored | Mixed Berries | Unflavoured | Prenatal Sugar-Free |
Vegan-friendly? | Yes | Yes | Yes (100% Vegetarian) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No (Vegetarian) |
Non-GMO? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Gluten-free? | Yes | Yes | Yes (Certified Gluten-Free) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Third Party Tested/Certified? | Yes (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Gluten-Free) | Yes (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher) | No (Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Kosher, Certified Gluten-Free by NSF) | No | Yes | Yes (Crafted with high-quality ingredients to ensure safety and efficacy) | Yes (Formulated by female experts and third-party tested for quality) | Yes (Clean Label Project Purity Award Winner, tested for 200+ contaminants and chemicals) |
4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
|---|---|---|
Overview | ||
Product Form Tablet | Product Form Bags (Tea Bags) | Product Form Tablet |
Product Type Prenatal Multivitamin | Product Type Herbal Tea (Breast Milk Booster) | Product Type Prenatal Vitamin |
Flavor Varieties Unflavored | Flavor Varieties Mother's Milk | Flavor Varieties Unflavored |
Vegan-friendly? Yes | Vegan-friendly? Yes | Vegan-friendly? Yes (100% Vegetarian) |
Non-GMO? Yes | Non-GMO? Yes | Non-GMO? Yes |
Gluten-free? Yes | Gluten-free? Yes | Gluten-free? Yes (Certified Gluten-Free) |
Third Party Tested/Certified? Yes (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Gluten-Free) | Third Party Tested/Certified? Yes (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher) | Third Party Tested/Certified? No (Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Kosher, Certified Gluten-Free by NSF) |
Why take multivitamins when pregnant or breastfeeding?
Taking multivitamins during pregnancy and breastfeeding is important for both moms and their babies. These supplements help ensure that you get enough vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for healthy development. If there are deficiencies, especially early on, it can seriously affect the baby.
For instance, folic acid is known to significantly reduce the risk of certain birth defects, making its supplementation essential. Also, pregnancy heightens the need for specific vitamins and minerals, especially iron, as many women struggle to meet these increased nutritional demands through diet alone.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends daily oral iron supplementation for all pregnant women, starting from their first prenatal visit, to help prevent maternal anemia.
Also, research recommends that women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily as it supports the development of your baby's brain and spinal cord.
Iodine supplementation is also advised for pregnant and lactating women to support thyroid function and overall health. Multivitamins containing iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and vitamins D, C, B6, and B12 are recommended for specific groups, including those with poor diets or deficiencies. These highlight the importance of multivitamins in supporting maternal and infant health.
Do all pregnant people need multivitamin supplements?
No, not all pregnant women need multivitamins, especially if they can meet their daily recommended dose through a balanced diet. However, many may face dietary restrictions, food aversions, or vomiting, making multivitamins a plus during pregnancy.
Key nutrients like folic acid and iron are especially important during pregnancy, and healthcare professionals often recommend prenatal vitamins to support both maternal and fetal health.
Also, women with specific dietary needs, such as vegetarians or those with allergies, may find supplements helpful to meet their nutrient requirements, and others with certain health conditions or past pregnancy complications might need extra nutritional support.
Things to consider when purchasing prenatal multivitamins
When purchasing prenatal multivitamins, consider several important factors.
- First, ensure the product contains essential nutrients like folic acid, iron, calcium, and DHA, which are crucial for maternal and fetal health.
- Avoid multivitamins that contain vitamin A during pregnancy, as too much can affect your baby.
- Check the dosage of each nutrient to align with recommended daily values for pregnancy.
- The formulation is also important; choose a type (tablets, gummies, etc.) that you find easy to take.
- Prioritize quality by selecting reputable brands that undergo third-party testing, and review the ingredient list for unnecessary additives.
If you have dietary restrictions, confirm that the multivitamin is suitable for your needs. Always consult with a healthcare professional before taking any multivitamin.
Finally, balance quality and price, and check the expiration date to ensure the multivitamin is still good.
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