Most postnatal vitamins advertised to Canadian mothers are American products, labelled for the U.S. and shipped north. That is not automatically a problem, but it changes what you should look for.
What the NPN means
In Canada, vitamins and supplements are regulated as natural health products. A licensed product carries an eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) issued by Health Canada after a review of its ingredients, doses, claims and safety information. You can look any NPN up in the Licensed Natural Health Products Database. No NPN means the product has not been reviewed for sale in Canada.
Why U.S. labels look different
U.S. products show a “Supplement Facts” panel with % Daily Value and are not pre-approved. Canadian labels list “Medicinal ingredients” with amounts per serving, bilingual directions and cautions, and the NPN. Same nutrients, different rules — and the Canadian label is the one that has been checked.
Comparing price honestly
Bottles range from about $25 to $100. Divide the price by the number of servings, not gummies or capsules. A $49 bottle with 30 servings is $1.63 per serving; a $99 bottle with 30 servings is $3.30. Then check what you are paying for: is choline included, is DHA included, or will you need a second product?
A short checklist
- NPN on the label (or a clear statement that licensing is in progress before sale).
- Choline and DHA included, with amounts shown.
- Bioavailable forms: methylfolate, methylcobalamin, iron bisglycinate.
- Third-party testing for heavy metals.
- A format you will actually take daily.
Postpartum Daily is built for the Canadian market — licensing details will appear on the product page as they are issued. See the product.
This article is general wellness information and does not replace advice from your healthcare provider.