I recently posted an Instagram story shot of some things I’m stocking up on for those early postpartum days. I’ve deemed it my “downstairs disaster recovery station” and have loaded it down with pads, a spray bottle, and other necessities. I received a few questions + recommendations, as well as a special request for a blog post devoted to the topic so I thought I would throw one together while it was fresh on my mind!
A few notes first. Some of these items I’ve used, some I have not but they come highly recommended from multiple friends and fellow mamas. Everyone has their own “system” when it comes to postpartum recovery, and everyone’s hospital is a little different. My hospital for example, loaded us up with giant pads, mesh panties, ice packs, a spray bottle, and numbing foam spray so there really wasn’t a lot I needed immediately when we got home. Once you run low on this stock pile though, you might want your own stash of comfort items and healing gems. Also, depending on how bad you tore, or how bad your bleeding is, you may need more of less of what someone else might need. I also was blessed to not have to deal with hemorrhoids, which can be a huge discomfort postpartum!
Here’s my list of postpartum must haves for mom. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these items, and will be so happy you were prepared ahead of time! If you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments below.
- Lanolin
- Soothies Gel Pads
- Earth Mama Perineal Spray (Hoo ha spray)
- Earth Mama Nipple Butter
- Motherlove Nipple Cream
- Spray Bottle OR Fridababy Fridet
- Dermoplast (My hospital sent me home with Epi Foam, but this is an option you can buy at any drugstore)
- Maxi Pads (Two sizes – one for the early days, one for when your bleeding starts to slow down)
- Oversized Underwear (Maternity panties!)
- Lansinoh TheraPearl Packs
- Depends (If you don’t want to mess with panties/pads, this is another easy option)
- Tucks Witch Hazel Pads (For hemorrhoids – I’ve never used them but have heard great things!)
- Nursing Pads (I like disposables, but Bamboobies make great washable ones)
- Water Bottle with Straw
- Comfortable Nursing Bra – (Favorite brands: Motherhood Maternity, Kindred Bravely, Bravado)
Postpartum recovery will probably look much different than what you are imagining, so try not to put too many expectations on yourself. If it’s your first, you’ll probably be quite surprised by what it actually entails – at least I was! But, just remember that it won’t last forever, and give yourself a little extra grace during this time. Also, laugh a little! It’s all pretty gross, as is most of the childbirth process, but a little humor can go a long way in getting you back on your feet faster!
What would you add? Which brands above did you use? How was your recovery? Was it different between babies? Different than what you had envisioned?
10 Comments
Amber
July 18, 2018 at 10:30 amThis is a pretty great list. I went with the Always discrete underwear for some of my recovery, they are nice and not super bulky. I actually put one on after my water broke so I wasn’t leaking everywhere too.
I agree that it’s a great idea to get a few pairs of big panties that you don’t care about ruining.
I loved the Earth Mama Bottom Balm along with the spray.
My postpartum recovery wasn’t too bad. I had stocked up on giant pads, but actually stopped bleeding fairly quickly and could’ve used more lighter pads and panty liners.
Sarah
July 19, 2018 at 11:06 amI haven’t looked into the bottom balm! Maybe I’ll throw that into my cart 🙂 I’m glad your recovery wasn’t too bad!
Amanda
July 18, 2018 at 11:19 amI had really bad hemorrhoids after R 🙁 They hurt SO bad. Thankfully I didn’t get any after J. When I was buying stuff for pp recovery with my first baby, I bought what I thought were giant pads. NOPE. Had to get Jordan to make an emergency run for the mega size pads after my hospital ones ran out! haha.
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Sarah
July 19, 2018 at 11:05 amOh no!! I’m hoping I’m not blessed by their appearance! Hahaha so true. You don’t know big pads until you’ve had a baby!
Lauren
July 18, 2018 at 3:15 pmI really loved bath salts to make sitz baths after my last birth. You can also make frozen witch hazel pads pretty easily and they are AMAZING!!!
Sarah
July 19, 2018 at 11:04 amOk explain to me the sitz bath deal – I’ve heard such great things!
Lauren
July 20, 2018 at 12:44 pmBasically you fill the tub with a couple inches of warm water and dissolve epsom salt and maybe some essential oils in the water and sit in it for 10-15 minutes. It really helps relieve the pain from vaginal delivery! My birth center also gave me a specific sitz bath blend that I didn’t read the directions on the first time – it had herbs in it so you were supposed to brew the salts in a little bit of water (like a tea) and then add that water to the bath so that the herbs weren’t floating all around haha, so just a heads up if you buy specific sitz bath salts!
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Jenny
July 19, 2018 at 7:28 amI’d add a chair, stool or something that you can sit right in front of you so you don’t have to turn and reach for anything (esp c-section mommas). I’ve done this with both my babes and it’s makes potty time SO much easier!
Sarah
July 19, 2018 at 11:03 amOooh good call good call!
Issie
July 30, 2018 at 6:00 amHi SARAH. That’s great lists. You’re so careful, it a great job. I do agree with you all lists and I will prepare for my friend who will be a new mom next month. But one more thing I think it would be very helpful is soft slippers as shown here http://www.womensedge.org/best-slippers-for-women/. I think it can safe when mom walks in the house or their room and also take care of feet skin as well. What do you think about that? Please share ideas.