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As much as I want to deny it, having a baby can be extremely difficult. It will be hard on any woman’s body without a doubt. And that’s where your postpartum essentials come in…
Healing after giving birth will definitely take time. To make it a little bearable for the new mom, I gathered a list of the most beneficial postpartum must-haves for recovery a new mother can only ask for.
“Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one.”
~ Gloria Steinem
Before we proceed, here’s what you should do. Get this birth prep pack for free from Hilary at Pulling Curls. Hilary is a labor and delivery nurse, so she is undoubtedly the person to get this from. This will be an excellent start to your beautiful motherhood journey. I can assure you of that! You deserve the best, Mama!
I tell you… Having everything you need on hand for postpartum self-care can be reassuring especially during the last trimester of your pregnancy.
Plus, knowing that you won’t have to get out on the last minute with your precious bundle of joy to purchase more postpartum essentials can be tremendously advantageous.
The Absolute Postpartum Essentials New Moms Need for a Faster Recovery
I strongly believe that every mom, labor, or baby is different. For that reason, the following postpartum supplies enumerated here are only what most new moms find generally helpful after giving birth.
- Postpartum underwear
- Stool softeners
- Peri bottle
- Healing spray
- Tucks Medicated Cooling pads
- Pain relievers
- Prenatal or postnatal vitamins
- Baby app (for your smartphone)
- Breast pads
- Nipple cream
- Disposable dishware
- Freezer meals
- Video streaming service
A deeper dive into the postpartum supplies is available down below:
Heavy Flow Pads or Maxi Pads
Bleeding after childbirth is a lot heavier than a regular period and can last up to 10 days. Thus, heavy flow pads should be included in your postpartum care kit.
Normally, the hospital will provide you with these pads after delivery and you are absolutely welcome to bring home the leftover pads with you.
Even so, you should make sure to have plenty of maxi pads at home for when you run out of what was left from the hospital.
Large inexpensive or disposable underwear
As mentioned above, a lot of bleeding can be expected after giving birth. Because of that, you wouldn’t want to wear your pretty panties.
You will also want your underwear to be a little large so that they aren’t too tight on your postpartum belly.
A good rule of thumb is that if they fit when you were still pregnant, they should be fine for the first couple of postpartum weeks.
A pack of disposable mesh undies to wear with the heavy flow pads is just one of the few things the hospital will provide for you after birth. You can find them online if you decide to keep using them when you come home.
✔️ The two products mentioned above are highly recommended by most moms, both seasoned and new. As for me, I prefer to purchase something that can serve a dual purpose for just the price of one—like this postpartum underwear.
Stool Softeners
You will likely be given stool softeners at the hospital, but you may want to continue taking them for another week or two at home.
Regardless of whether you have a vaginal delivery or a C-Section, having to strain to go to the bathroom can be a very unpleasant experience.
✔️ Do you recall the labor and delivery nurse I mentioned earlier? She also offers couples this incredibly useful online prenatal class. You ought to register for it! A better childbirth experience with your husband is one thing you will require. I assure you… It is packed with all the information you need to learn about giving birth in a hospital or birthing center.
Peri Bottle
You will probably come home with at least one of these beauties from the hospital, but if you have more than one bathroom at home you may want to pick up a couple more of them.
The peri bottles have multiple uses but they are primarily used for keeping your vaginal and perineal areas clean after giving birth.
You can also use them to decrease the sensation of urination, which may be painful after giving birth. If you tore and have stitches, wiping with toilet paper can be very uncomfortable so using these bottles after a trip to the bathroom can help keep you clean minus the pain.
The ergonomic design of this peri bottle is genius! It is made to be held upside down unlike the traditional one from hospitals so you won’t have to worry about wetting your hands while using it.
Thousands of new moms attest to this portable bidet of some sort.
Of course if you got peri bottles, you would need peri washes as well…
On that note, pre-made peri washes are available for purchase online or in any major supermarkets. You can either buy one yourself or just make your own.
Here’s an excellent recipe for a natural peri wash:
- 1/2 cup alcohol-free witch hazel
- 1/2 cup warm distilled water
- 1 tsp unscented castile soap
- 6 drops lavender essential oil
Healing Spray
You will want to make sure that you have a healing spray waiting for you at home.
A healing spray can help with postpartum relief and perineal discomfort. It has a soothing and cooling effect that can alleviate the pain that comes with childbirth.
You can spray it directly on the vaginal or anal area before you pee or poop to help numb it.
Tucks Medicated Cooling pads
Now, there will always be some of us who are lucky enough not to experience hemorrhoids. However, for the least lucky new moms like most of us, hemorrhoids are inevitable.
Don’t fret though. Tucks medicated cooling pads are here to the rescue!
Tucks medicated cooling pads “offer immediate relief from the burning and itching caused by hemorrhoid flare-ups” and healing tears.
You can also make soothing pads yourself with witch hazel and a cotton pad if you prefer.
Pain Relievers
Your doctor may prescribe some pain medications for you to take when you get home.
Nonetheless, you will want to make sure that you have plenty of over-the-counter pain medications on hand.
Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are safe for nursing moms and may help to relieve any pain and discomfort caused by childbirth.
You might also like this related article: 29 Necessities to Stockpile Before Baby Arrives
Prenatal or Postnatal Vitamins
Just because you have given birth doesn’t mean you need to stop taking your prenatal vitamins. They provide a lot of important vitamins and minerals that you need for your postpartum recovery.
Most providers (if not all) will encourage you to continue taking prenatal vitamins for several months after giving birth.
You can also consider this as a nice-to-have item on your hospital bag checklist.
If you choose to take postnatal vitamins instead, there are some high-quality ones available on the market that support breastfeeding as well.
Baby App (for your smartphone)
This recommendation may seem a little strange for some of you. However, I highly recommend it.
Through a baby app (and there are many free ones out there), you can keep track of your baby’s feedings, sleep times and diaper changes with ease. You can record your little one’s developmental milestones in it as well.
Keeping all of those details straight in your sleep-deprived mind can be challenging. So, take advantage of technology! It can make your new mommy life a little less stressful.
If you prefer the old-school way, this baby care tracker from my Etsy shop can absolutely help!
Breast Pads
Breastfeeding or not, breast pads are postpartum essentials you will certainly need to have on hand.
If you are breastfeeding, you will leak especially at night when you are sleeping. If you are not breastfeeding, you will still have some milk leakage in the first few weeks.
Disposable breast pads (like these) or re-usable ones that can be washed in between uses are available on Amazon if you choose to shop online.
PRO TIP: Get 10% extra savings on your first Amazon Subscribe and Save order on top of a 5% discount. Try it out now! You can cancel at any time.
Nipple Cream
This is another postpartum essential that you want to have on hand whether you are breastfeeding or not.
If you plan to breastfeed, let me tell you that it is not as easy as it looks. Your nipples can crack and get sore pretty easily when not done right.
Lactation consultants are certainly available to help but that takes time. A nipple cream, on the other hand, can provide you with some fast relief.
✔️ Planning to breastfeed? I strongly recommend investing in this step-by-step program that covers everything you need to know about breastfeeding in 13 simple videos. Stacey, a certified lactation educator, will show you the most productive positions for producing more milk. Arm yourself with enough knowledge to feel comfortable breastfeeding. Sign up right away!
In addition, even if you don’t plan to breastfeed, your nipples will still be sore after giving birth. Just coming in contact with the fabric of a bra can be uncomfortable for some. Using a little bit of nipple cream can help ease the discomfort.
Disposable Dishware
When you are caring for a newborn baby and recovering from delivery, the last thing you want to deal with is a sink full of disgusting dirty dishes.
One way to keep the number of filthy dishes down in those first few weeks is to have some paper plates and cups on hand.
Freezer Meals
This is something you may not do regularly that you will thank yourself later when your little one arrives.
On that note, consider preparing about 6-8 weeks worth of freezer meals or purchasing prepackaged ones from the freezer section of your favorite grocery store.
Whatever you prefer to do, you will be glad to have dinner options ready for you when you get home from the hospital.
Video Streaming Service
Other moms don’t really find this a postpartum essential and I don’t blame them.
As for me, I strongly believe that a good entertainment helps you keep your sanity intact. This is exactly why I recommend that you seek the best video streaming service out there and subscribe to it if you must.
I had Netflix (I still have it.) and never regretted ever getting it.
The New Mom’s Postpartum Essentials Checklist for an Easier Recovery (Printable PDF)
Related article about preparing for childbirth: Your Ultimate Baby Registry [Printable Checklist]
Related article to prepare for childbirth: 13 Items Not to Put on your Baby Registry [No regrets]
Let’s Wrap Up Postpartum Essentials for the New Mom
Postpartum healing is not a walk in the park and all moms can attest to that. These postpartum necessities are what other moms recommend to make it a tad bit easier.
Having these essential items on hand should give you a good head start to a more comfortable postpartum recovery.
Particularly if you are a first-time mom, don’t be shy to ask your mom friends or your mom for recommendations on what postpartum necessities are most reliable for a faster recovery after giving birth.
It is surprising that not a lot of people talk about how mom is going to feel after giving birth, but being prepared can go a long way towards speeding up the healing process of the postpartum period.
Reminder: Find a good support system to make postpartum recovery a breeze. Your mom, sister, friend, and husband or partner are tremendously great candidates. Don’t be afraid to seek help.
You got this, Mama! That’s it for now! If you enjoyed this post, share it with your friends or pin it.
You never know how many other moms you can help just by sharing this postpartum necessities checklist, so get to spreading the good word!
Talk to you later,
P. S. Don’t forget to check out the Online Prenatal Class for Couples. It is an online course that will simplify the labor process so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy, birth and postpartum time.
What supplies are in your postpartum care kit?
Did you ever find those items essential enough to be included in your care package after birth?
If yes, help a fellow mama out and leave a comment down below! Thank you so much for stopping by!
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