03 femme postnatal

Yes, the need for certain vitamins and minerals remains elevated after birth – especially during breastfeeding – to protect your own reserves and for the development of your baby (particularly in exclusively breastfed children).

Important nutrients during breastfeeding include iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and iodine – for your energy, immune system and the healthy development of your baby.

High-quality, medically developed and laboratory-tested preparations such as FEMME 03 are specially tailored to the needs of breastfeeding mothers and are safe.

A targeted supply of vitamins and Omega-3 (DHA) can improve the quality of breast milk and the development of the child's nervous system.

03 FEMME was specially developed for the needs after birth, is vegan, free from unnecessary additives and impresses with maximum transparency and medical expertise.

Yes, all ingredients are safe for breastfeeding mothers and babies, tested and continuously adapted to current guidelines.
Our capsules are free from colorants, separating agents and fillers – for a pure and effective supply, so that you and your baby only get what really helps.

While you are breastfeeding – or during the postpartum period, to continue providing the best possible care for yourself and your baby.

Yes, it is highly recommended to supplement FEMME 03 with our Omega-3 algae oil – especially during breastfeeding. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes the importance of DHA for the normal development of the brain and eyes in babies, provided mothers consume sufficient DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding .

Why NUTRILAB algae oil?

Our algae oil is unique: It is a pure algae oil without any other vegetable oil additives, free from palm oil and palm oil derivatives with very low oxidation parameters.

Vitamin A is indispensable for cell division, growth, eye development and the baby's immune system.

However, women who follow a plant-based diet usually only consume beta-carotene – a precursor that the body must first convert into active vitamin A. The conversion rate varies considerably from person to person and can be severely limited in cases of genetic variants (e.g., the BCO1 mutation). Studies show that approximately 40% of people have this reduced conversion rate. Furthermore, the conversion efficiency decreases even further with high beta-carotene intake.

Therefore, we rely on retinyl palmitate – directly effective vitamin A – in a safely low dose of 225 µg.

This is well below the internationally established upper limit of 3000 µg per day (EFSA), but ensures a basic supply for all women, even those with reduced conversion capacity. Diet (vegetables, fruit) continues to provide beta-carotene – we supplement only selectively and safely. The critical period for teratogenic risks is between days 15 and 60 post-conception – our low dosage carefully takes this into account. During breastfeeding, vitamin A intake is adjusted, as the risk of direct fetal exposure no longer exists.

Sources: EFSA 2015, WHO 2020, DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27993D, DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac106, PubMed ID: 28328354

Vitamin B12 is THE critical factor in vegan or vegetarian diets. The official recommendations for pregnant women (e.g., DGE: 4.5 µg/day) apply to omnivorous diets – but women following a plant-based diet often have lower stores.

Italy, for example, recommends 50 µg of vitamin B12 per day for pregnant vegetarians. Studies show that 100 µg/day is optimal to replenish stores and minimize risks to the baby (e.g., neurological damage, developmental delay, anemia). Vitamin B12 has no known threshold for side effects; it is absorbed as needed, and excesses are simply excreted. Absorption is limited—of a 100 µg dose, only 2–3 µg are effectively absorbed.

Therefore, our products contain 100 µg of methylcobalamin – for maximum safety, even in cases of absorption problems.

Conclusion: Current research shows that vitamin B12 supplementation with 100 µg during pregnancy in women with a plant-based diet has a clearly positive benefit-risk ratio, as there is no upper limit for B12, dosages up to 1000–2000 µg are considered safe, while a B12 deficiency can cause serious consequences such as neural tube defects and developmental disorders in the child.

Sources: Rizzo 2016, EFSA 2015, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013823.pub2, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-034987, PubMed ID: 28974367

Vitamin E (tocopherols) is considered an important fat-soluble antioxidant, but the research on supplementation during pregnancy is sobering:

• Lack of efficacy: There is no scientific evidence to support the additional benefit of vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy. Cochrane reviews and other systematic analyses show that routine vitamin E supplementation (alone or with vitamin C) does not significantly reduce the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia, or low birth weight. Instead, the data suggest potential disadvantages: In the large Cochrane analysis (21 studies, >20,000 women), supplementation was associated with an increased rate of progesterone-emergent premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and more frequent lower abdominal pain. The authors conclude that vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy offers no benefits for mother and child, but rather potential risks.
• Potential harm: This finding has led international guidelines to advise against the routine use of high-dose antioxidants – according to the WHO, vitamin E (and C) should not be used routinely during pregnancy (who.int ). Vitamin E supplementation was associated with an increased risk of abdominal pain (RR 1.66) and premature rupture of membranes at term (RR 1.77). These side effects outweigh the only proven benefit of reduced placental abruption.
• Adequate supply through diet: Additional intake of vitamin E is not considered necessary during pregnancy, as the daily requirement can be well covered by a balanced, healthy diet.
• Evidence-based decision: The AOK fact box confirms that there is no evidence of benefit from routine vitamin E intake during pregnancy. In fact, it may even contribute to abdominal pain.

Against this background, NUTRILAB MUNICH consciously omits vitamin E from its formula. This decision follows the evidence-based principle: "No additive without proven benefit." Mother and child are adequately supplied with vitamin E through a good diet – an extra supplement offers no scientifically proven advantage.

Sources: Cochrane 2015, Miller et al. 2005, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007176.pub2, PubMed ID: 16210918, AOK-Faktenbox Vitamin E** Cochrane 2015, Miller et al. 2005, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007176.pub2, PubMed ID: 16210918

Selenium supports thyroid function, the immune system, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Plants often provide little selenium because the content in the soil varies greatly.

Selenium yeast contains selenium in organic form (selenomethionine), which can accumulate in the body – especially with long-term use. Sodium selenite, on the other hand, is absorbed quickly, utilized efficiently, and excreted in excess. Animal and human studies show that sodium selenite is used more efficiently for selenoprotein synthesis and is better regulated.

Our decision: Sodium selenite – safe, bioavailable and without risk of accumulation.

Sources: WHO 2004, EFSA 2014, DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1618-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.11.002, PubMed ID: 15136966