The birth of a child is one of the great joys in life. It is also a vulnerable time for both mother and child. It is truly unfortunate that families are not more aware of advanced nutritional science and how it can help ensure the postpartum time is relatively free of problems. Delivery itself is a major life event for the entire family. For mother and child, immense pain is naturally involved. Giving birth activates large amounts of the primary pain-modulating neuropeptide called substance P. It is critically important for the first two weeks after delivery, for both mother and child, to recover from excessive substance P activation. And it is vitally important over the next six months that the inherent demands of a new child do not drain you so much that substance P issues result in a poor mood that interferes with the joyous miracle of motherhood.

Not managing substance P activation properly is the primary cause of mood disruption following delivery. Once in motion, substance P problems are self-reinforcing, meaning that problems can just get worse. Understanding what is happening as well as having steps to take that can solve the problem are great tools for keeping everyone in the family on track. Nutritional solutions stand at the forefront of safe and effective means to help both mother and child.

Breastfeeding your child is of the utmost importance, for many reasons. Pregnancy and the first few years of life have a tremendous impact on the future health of your child. Having children is a huge responsibility. The future well being of our society depends on the majority of couples doing it right, which includes superior postpartum care for both mother and child.

What You Need to Know About Postpartum Nutrition

In the following sections we discuss the key topics involving postpartum nutrition. This information builds on information in the Prenatal Nutrition health topic section. All aspects of successful prenatal nutrition should be maintained during the first six months following pregnancy, and possibly for the entire lactation period.

Whenever possible, a drug-free natural child birth as well as breastfeeding your child for the first two years of life (with solid food being gradually introduced by six months), is ideal. Most baby formulas are problematic for one reason or another, especially their poor quality of iron which can fuel indigestion and the growth of hostile bacteria and Candida albicans, resulting in a myriad of unnecessary health problems including ear infections and poor cognitive development. We understand the ideal situation is not always medically possible, but we don't consider C-Sections or not nursing your child based on convenience to be healthy choices. It helps to understand what to do when bumps are encountered along the way, as effective solutions can save a lifetime of distress.