Introduction

The postpartum period is a critical one. Worldwide, most maternal deaths occur during the postpartum period. From a nutrition perspective, this period is critical to the health (and nutrition status) of the mother and infant, and to setting the stage for a healthy feeding relationship.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines for postpartum care. (WHO, 2013) Many of the guidelines have implications for the nutrition professional, including guidelines for maternal nutrition, including supplementation, general diet, and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. Guidelines for breastfeeding and infant nutrition are also published, and are covered in Module 7, Breastfeeding Assessment and Support and in Module 6, Nutrition and the Young Infant.

Postpartum care should be a collaboration between parents, families, caregivers, and health professionals. Essential components of care include promotion of breastfeeding, contraceptive and nutrition advice, and the physiologic process of recovery including signs and symptoms of postpartum medical concerns. (WHO, 2013) In addition to the benefits for the mother, child and family, nutrition intervention between pregnancies may improve the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy. (Louis et al, 2019)

You may also download a printable version of this module.

Estimated time to complete this module: 60 minutes.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Describe basic nutrient needs during the normal postpartum period
• Identify risk factors during the postpartum period and describe the potential complications and nutritional implications associated with each risk
• Complete a nutrition assessment for a woman during the postpartum period (including evaluation of anthropometrics, biochemical indicators, dietary intake, medical data, psycho-social issues)
• Develop an individualized intervention and education plan (including weight goals, treatment/prevention of iron deficiency, general diet quality)
• Identify referrals needed based on individual's nutrition and medical needs, including to members of the MSS/ICM team and/or community providers, as appropriate