Why Postpartum Nourishment Is Essential
And How Food Can Be a Tool for Healing, Education, and Sustainable Support
Postpartum nourishment is often framed as self-care. In reality, it is biological infrastructure.
After birth, the body is repairing tissue, recalibrating hormones, supporting lactation (if applicable), and regulating the nervous system. These processes demand fuel, not restriction.
Research Gaps That Still Shape Care
Although women must now be included in trials, pregnant and lactating women remain vastly underrepresented. Of 558 studies involving women of childbearing age, only five included pregnant or lactating participants.
Comprehensive review:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9182711/
Research also takes an average of 17 years to be reflected in clinical guidelines, meaning postpartum care often relies on outdated data.
Historical Consequences of Exclusion
Thalidomide, once prescribed for pregnancy nausea, was tested primarily on men and caused severe fetal harm. Today, we know that vitamin B6 is a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
ACOG guidance on NVP and B6:
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2018/01/nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Choline and Real-World Nourishment
Choline plays a key role in fetal brain development and maternal neurological health. Eggs are one of the most accessible dietary sources, while liver remains the richest.
NIH choline fact sheet:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-Consumer/
Why Postpartum Nutrition Still Lacks Guidelines
There are no standalone postpartum nutrition standards. Lactation guidelines focus on milk production rather than maternal restoration, and many government resources carry weight-loss bias.
Review of maternal nutrition during lactation:
https://analesdepediatria.org/en-the-importance-maternal-nutrition-during-articulo-S2341287916300643
Food as a Bridge, Not a Burden
At Mommerz™, food is used as education and regulation, not pressure. For women returning to work, nourishment must be simple, flexible, and integrated into daily life.
Food becomes an entry point for trust, learning, and sustainable support.
If you are tired of conflicting advice, guilt-driven messaging, or being told to “bounce back,” there is another way.
Mommerz™ supports women through nourishment-first postpartum care designed for real lives, real work schedules, and real bodies.