What is Mother's Blend?
Mother's Blend is a unique formula with herbs and nutrients that support healthy
lactation, postpartum hormone balance and mood, in addition to maintaining maternal
and infant nutrition. Most women just continue taking prenatals for nutritional
maintenance after pregnancy, but that doesn't provide support for the special
needs of a woman after delivery, particularly hormone swings and lactation support.
Mother's Blend contains Vitamins A, C, D, E, B-complex, iron and zinc to support
maternal and infant nutrition. In addition, it contains the minerals calcium
and magnesium to help maintain lactation and reduce calcium loss in breastfeeding
mothers. The herb, Chasteberry, helps support healthy milk flow during lactation,
and influences postpartum hormone balance. Chasteberry also helps reduce PMS
symptoms when menstrual cycles resume. St. John's Wort contributes to an overall
sense of well-being and helps mood regulation. Omega 3 oils, such as Flaxseed,
help with mood, as well as infant brain development. The antioxidants, vitamin
C, E, green tea and selenium, contribute to maintenance of cell membrane integrity.
How is Mother's Blend different from prenatal vitamins?
Mother's Blend contains the same vitamins and minerals as most prenatals (Vitamins
A, C, D, E, B-complex, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc) for maternal and infant
nutrition. In addition, it contains herbs and nutrients that help support mood
regulation and hormone balance (Chasteberry, St. John's Wort, and Flaxseed).
Chasteberry, along with calcium and magnesium, also helps support milk flow
during lactation, and helps reduce PMS symptoms once menstrual cycles return.
The extra antioxidants, green tea and selenium along with vitamins C and E,
help speed recovery time and improve overall health.
Is Mother's Blend a drug?
Mother's Blend is not a drug. It is a daily nutritional supplement. While it
is not intended for the treatment of any disease, it may be used as a gentle,
natural approach to restoration of hormone balance and mood after childbirth.
It also provides natural support for recovery and lactation.
Why are nutritional supplements preferable to drugs?
Nutritional supplements take a more gradual, gentle, natural approach compared
to drugs. The focus with supplements is the optimization of health and wellness,
rather than the treatment of disease. Drugs are used for the treatment of specific
conditions, often by altering biological pathways, sometimes in a very powerful
or unnatural manner, and often with undesirable side effects. Mother's Blend
works with the body to enhance the underlying hormone balance and reduce free
radical damage, rather than forcing the body with a quick acting drug .
Why is Mother's Blend better than supplementation with the individual ingredients
sold separately?
Mother's Blend is formulated to allow the ingredients to work in concert, at
enhanced levels of each individual ingredient. The combination of these ingredients
results in a synergistic effect that exceeds the benefits possible with any
single one of these ingredients. The amounts of each ingredient are at the lowest
possible effective dose, and are combined for convenience of use. The Daily
Wellness Company also ensures the use of only the highest possible quality of
standardized ingredients, in the right balance for optimum effectiveness.
HOW IT WORKS?
In general, how does it work?
Mother's Blend was developed on the basis of published scientific literature
on individual nutritional components that benefit postpartum health. The herb,
Vitex (chasteberry) has been reported to restore hormone balance, resulting
in more even mood swings. Chasteberry also may affect the hormone prolactin
that supports healthy lactation. The antioxidants, green tea, vitamins C, E,
and selenium, speed recovery and enhance overall health by reducing free radical
damage. St. John's Wort supports serotonin levels that help with normal mood
regulation. Omega 3 oils, such as Flaxseed, help with mood, as well as infant
brain development as an integral component of nerve cells. Mother's Blend may
also help reduce PMS symptoms, once menstruation restarts, after pregnancy.
How long before it starts to work?
Use for at least a full month before expecting any significant benefits. Although
it starts helping immediately, it may take a while before the changes are noticeable.
How common is postpartum depression and "baby blues"?
As many as 75% of women experience some mild form of "baby blues"
while recovering from childbirth. In about 10-15% of cases serious postpartum
depression occurs, and should be treated by a physician. However, mild depression
known as the "baby blues" is normal and is usually self-limiting once
hormone levels return to normal. It can still be bothersome, however, and affect
relationships with the new baby and other family members.
Why is nutrition important?
Childbirth is a traumatic experience that affects all the systems in the body,
often draining the body's nutritional resources. Nutritional supplements often
are recommended to make up for some of these deficits. Lactation and breastfeeding
further deplete these resources and need to be compensated. Most doctors recommend
continuation of prenatal vitamins to supplement a healthy diet.
PRODUCT USAGE
How and when do I take it?
Take 3 capsules daily, all at once, or spread out over the day. You can start
taking Mother's Blend any time after childbirth. If taking vitamins or minerals
on an empty stomach bothers you, take after meals. It usually takes at least
a month to show significant benefits, but can take as long as 2-3 months before
effects are noticeable. Mother's Blend can be taken as long as needed.
What if I miss a day or two?
Missing a day or two will not seriously affect results. Just start taking it
again as soon as you remember. If desired, you can take up to 4 capsules a day
after missing a dose. Remember that results will not be optimal if you take
this product sporadically.
Should I take more than the recommended dose?
Taking any more than the recommended dose of 3 capsules per day may not produce
any additional benefits and is not recommended if breastfeeding. Taking larger
amounts than recommended can result in an upset stomach and potentially other
medical problems. Please consult with your doctor immediately if you experience
adverse symptoms after taking too much of any product.
Can I take Mother's Blend with other vitamins?
Mother's Blend for Women should not be taken with a prenatal or multi-vitamin
since it contains most of the same nutrients. Many women find that taking too
much iron can cause constipation, nausea, or other side effects. Vitamin A is
not recommended at levels higher than the current daily value (DV).
Can I take vitamins to compensate for a bad diet?
Nutritional supplements do NOT replace the need for a healthy diet, and cannot
compensate for damage due to smoking, alcohol or drugs that should be avoided
before and during pregnancy. Mother's Blend has most of the nutrients you need
to improve fertility, but for overall health, additional calcium should be taken
unless your diet is rich in dairy products or other calcium containing foods.
Vitamin C should be added unless your diet is high in citrus fruits and leafy
green vegetables. Increase intake of folate-rich foods such as leafy greens,
oranges, legumes, eggs and wheat germ to enhance the effect of all folate supplements.
SAFETY ISSUES
Is there anyone who should avoid taking Mother's Blend?
As a general rule, anyone with pre-existing medical conditions or on prescription
medications should consult with their doctor or pharmacist before starting a
new diet or supplement. St. John's Wort has been known to interact with some
medications, and may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Consult
with your doctor if you are taking any prescription medicines. Do not take St.
John's Wort with other antidepressants. The ingredients in Mother's Blend have
a long history of safe use in humans, including breastfeeding mothers.
Is Mother's Blend regulated by the FDA and other government agencies?
The Daily Wellness Company complies with all quality control requirements
recommended by the FDA. Advertising and efficacy claims regulated by the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) and the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA)
are also adhered to. All supplements in use before 1994 were approved for use
under the DSHEA act. Supplements do not require the FDA approval process required
for new drugs.
Can I take Mother's Blend when I am pregnant?
Once pregnancy is confirmed with a home pregnancy test, you should discontinue
Mother's Blend, and switch to a prenatal vitamin. Vitex agnus-castus is not
generally recommended during pregnancy due to its hormonal effects, although
it has been used safely to prevent miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy
in cases of progesterone insufficiency. If you suspect this condition, you should
see your doctor before pregnancy, or during early pregnancy, to determine if
a progesterone supplement is needed. None of the other ingredients carry any
specific warnings against use by pregnant or lactating women .
