A complete list of all the postpartum essentials you need to stock up on before you give birth, for greater comfort and faster healing.
Postpartum Recovery Can Be Brutal
I don’t think I was quite prepared for how brutal it was. The bleeding, the pain, that weird pressure that makes you think things aren’t quite stable down there. As well as dealing with all of this you have a tiny human to care for.
It can be exhausting as a new mom but there are some things you can do to make things easier, and less painful so you can enjoy your new baby.
Postpartum care is a serious business, the key is to be prepared, make sure you have your postpartum essentials ready before the birth. Of course don’t forget to pack anything you will need at the hospital.
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Postpartum Essentials For Mom
Postpartum products to help you recover much faster.
Self Care Items
Obviously you will need to rest up a lot to recover from giving birth. Also, if you are breastfeeding you will spend a lot of time just nursing.
Use this time to take care of yourself. Snuggle up in comfy pjs, wrap yourself in a fluffy blanket, and do something you love.
If reading is your thing buy yourself a new book or magazines especially for this time. Indulge in a box set, see how much Netflix or Amazon Prime you can watch. If you are interested in Amazon Prime Video you can sign up for a free trial here.
Do your best to relax as much as possible, get some fancy bath soak and listen to soothing music. Try to do things that bring you peace, it’s so important to take care of yourself in the postpartum period.
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Postpartum Essentials For Breastfeeding
Breast Pads
I know this will sound horrific but your boobs are probably going to leak breast milk, a lot. As undignified as it is you will soon get used to it.
Your breasts will probably leak between feeds, when your baby cries or sometimes just for no reason at all.
Nursing pads are invaluable in the early days of breastfeeding when most of the leaking occurs. You just pop them in your bra and they absorb all of the leaking milk. This makes things much more comfortable for you and saves you getting huge milk stains on your clothing.
Breast pads are relatively inexpensive, you can get disposable ones for convenience or reusable cotton pads that are great for the environment. I have used both kinds and they are both comfortable, effective, and easy to use.
Nursing Bras
A good, comfortable nursing bra that gives you a ton of support is vital while you are breastfeeding. Your breasts are going be a bit unpredictable, they will swell, they will become hard, they may soften slightly at times. They are going to be uncomfortable and possibly painful so making sure you have the right bra is super important.
Always check that the bra is made from a soft material so there is no irritation and that the straps are wide which will help provide extra support. Your boobs will likely change size slightly so try to find a bra that will adjust accordingly to maintain your comfort.
Some nursing bras will have clip down cups so you can easily get access to your breast for feeding or pumping. Others will be in a pull down style, they are made of stretchier fabric and are easily moved out of the way for feeding. This style is especially comfortable for wearing at night.
Nipple cream
A tiny human hanging off your nipples for a good part of the day is bound to take its toll. Nipples can become dry, cracked, and extremely painful during breastfeeding. Especially at the beginning.
A good nipple cream will help to improve your sore, cracked nipples dramatically. It’s best to choose a natural/organic cream as there is the possibility of baby getting traces in their mouths. Avoid any creams that claim to numb the area, as much as this may help you it could numb baby’s mouth.
If things get really tough then you could use a nipple shield as a temporary measure until your nipples have healed.
Lactation Tea
Lactation teas are made from herbs that are said to stimulate your milk production. Ingredients tend to include fenugreek, blessed thistle, milk thistle, and fennel. They can be bought loose leaf or in tea bags so you can make them with little fuss.
They can be helpful when your milk supply is low but always check with a doctor or lactation consultant before taking them.
If herbal tea is not your thing then you can also buy lactation cookies containing the same ingredients.
Cold/Hot Compress For Breasts
A cold or hot compress could be just what you need to soothe those aching breasts. My boobs felt like boulders after I had my son and I used mine as often as I could, I don’t know how I would have coped without them.
These nursing pillows are soft, reusable and are super useful as they can be microwaved or frozen depending on your needs. They also come with some reusable breast pads as an added bonus.
Postpartum Essentials For Vaginal Healing
Postpartum Underwear
Now you need to forget about sexy for a while and invest in some huge pants! This is definitely a time that you need your underwear to be functional. They need to be made out of a material that won’t irritate your sore bits and be shaped so that they won’t cut into you and aggravate your stitches.
Ginormous pants might not be your best look but you are going to be putting some pretty thick pads in them. Tiny lace numbers just aren’t going to cut it.
It is best to choose a material that is breathable do that air can get in and help you to heal. Mesh pants are perfect for in the very beginning but as time goes on cotton is also a great option.
Maxi Pads
Now, I kind of knew what was going to happen to my body after I had given birth but I wasn’t prepared for the bleeding. I knew I was going to bleed but I didn’t realize just how much blood there would be. It’s a lot, and its not pretty.
You are going to need some heavy duty pads to get you through the first weeks postpartum. Be prepared to change them a lot. The bleeding does get less with time but it’s best to stock up on pads before you give birth. Then it’s one less thing to worry about.
Peri Bottle
Essentially peri bottles are plastic bottles that you use to squirt warm water over your bits. Short for perineum irrigation bottles these things are absolute life savers and I don’t think I could properly convey how important mine was in the first week after my son was born.
Peri bottles are used to squirt warm water and wash your sore lady bits. The warm water is incredibly soothing and a top top is to squirt the water when you pee. This really soothes that whole peeing razor blades feeling. Mixing Epsom salts into the bottle is also a great idea for faster healing.
You can buy a pack of 3 peri bottles relatively cheaply, this is great for if you have more than one bathroom. You can keep one beside each toilet for when it’s needed.
However, just before I had my son a friend of mine recommend the Momwasher. It ended up being a last minute rush purchase but I’m so pleased I bought it. It has an angled head so you can aim perfectly, it also draws air in while you squeeze which gives you a continuous flow of water.
As time passed and I chatted with other moms about peri bottles, I can safely say the Momwasher is the best out there.
Feminine Cold Packs
Feminine cold packs are designed to fit comfortably into your pants. They are perfect for easing that sting down below.
These cold packs are reusable and can be frozen or warmed in hot water. They will help to reduce swelling down below and ease your discomfort down below.
They are pretty flexible, so they are comfortable for moving around. They are also non-toxic which is always great news.
Witch Hazel Pads
Witch hazel contains natural anti inflammatory properties. These pads will help to reduce any swelling down below and to take the sting away.
A friend of mine swore by these ones, and is sure they helped her heal much faster. Although I have never used them myself I have added them to the list at her insistence.
Bottom Spray
This perineal healing spray really helped soothe things down below. It is organic and can be used as often as you need.
A lot of moms swear by Dermoplast which will help you to heal as well as relieve your pain.
Donut Pillow
This was something that I didn’t think about before I had my baby. I quickly realized that I was never going to be comfortable while sitting.
I ordered my donut pillow a couple of days in and it was one of the best things I did. It went everywhere with me. It was super comfortable and took the pressure off my bits which was a huge relief.
Postpartum Sitz Bath
My Sitz Bath was my bff in the first couple of weeks after giving birth. I used to use it at least twice a day.
Sitz baths fit over your toilet and you fill them with warm water to soak your bits in. Try to soak for as long as you can but I wouldn’t recommend letting the water get cold.
You can also get herbal preparations to add to the water which contain properties to help with healing.
Sitz baths really are a postpartum essential. I can’t recommend these things strongly enough. They are fairly inexpensive and believe me, your perineum will thank you!
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Stool Softeners
The chances are that pooping is going to be a problem after you have given birth. It is quite possibly the weirdest sensation I’ve ever felt. I was actually scared to poop!
Although it may feel like you’re being ripped in two, I can assure that it’s not as bad as it seems. Though it’s definitely a good idea to take a stool softener to help things move along a bit easier.
Postpartum healing is probably always going to be tough for you. However, if you stock up on these postpartum essentials you can be much more comfortable and improve your healing time.
Postpartum Essentials For a Fast Recovery
