A few things to note: I am not a medical professional. These recommendations are based on my experiences. Also, as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Now begins your list of postpartum necessities—recommendations from my real life to yours!
For Your Sanity
Ask for and accept help: Hopefully you'll hear this dozens of times from loved ones, but it can't be overstated. You need to rest and heal. Accept meals, let people do your dishes, don't feel the need to entertain visitors. And if you feel unnaturally sad or distanced or hopeless, please reach out to your midwife, OB, or another healthcare professional. Do not suffer in silence just because you think you should be able to handle everything. Your body just went through a massive ordeal, your hormones are regulating, and you're probably not sleeping much. Let your loved ones help.
For Pain
Pain reliever: I stayed on a regimen of ibuprofen after each birth to help manage pain, mainly from postpartum cramps. Cramps help your uterus shrink back down to its normal size, so if you feel the need to curse your cramps, pop your doctor's prescribed amount of ibuprofen (sometimes they prescribe larger pills than you can get over the counter, but I also really like the softgel pills), and anticipate looking a little more like yourself. Just remember that your body has to work harder to get back down to size with each subsequent birth, so cramps tend to be a little more intense the more kids you have.
Sitz bath spray or soak: I personally didn't use these, mainly because I didn't have a ton of lingering pain, even with 2nd-degree tearing, but I know some people swear by them to ease discomfort around baby's exit point. The spray is especially helpful right after going to the bathroom because the witch hazel is cooling.
Boppy: Most people use Boppy pillows for nursing, but many mamas also sit on the donut-shaped pillow to relieve pressure in their nether regions. I also know someone who used this little inflatable donut pillow, and it's much cheaper, if you don't have or don't want the full Boppy.
Witch hazel pads: Many mamas make postpartum pad-sicles by wetting down pads with water, lining them with witch hazel rounds, and freezing them. You could also drop them directly in your pad. And I just discovered these witch hazel liners that are designed specially to fit along postpartum pads!
For Freshness
Adult diapers: Every women's blog and pregnancy resource recommends disposable underwear for postpartum bleeding, but for some reason I didn't give in to the hype until my third baby. And I tell you what, I missed a couple opportunities for easy clean-up, easy disposal, and better fitting underwear. The hospital provides giant mesh underwear with giant pads that absorb just fine, but they do not stay up at all. They were free, which is why I used them, but I bought off-brand adult diapers for my third postpartum time, and it was just so so much easier.
Deodorant: I read countless resources on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, but very few of them mentioned postpartum night sweats and body odor. I'm a sweaty person when my hormones are normal, so place me in the postpartum hormone whirlpool, and I'm a mess and a half. I wake up in puddles of sweat for weeks after giving birth, and no amount of deodorant keeps me smelling clean. But Native is my favorite because it's clean, non-aluminum, and non-antiperspirant. I also love their plastic-free option! I've tried many non-toxic brands, and while literally nothing works perfectly for me postpartum, even if I apply 4 times a day, Native is the best smelling and most effective I've found. And most people can get 24-hour protection, even amid postpartum hormones.
Body scrub: Don't listen to anyone who says they found the key to avoiding or removing stretch marks. It doesn't exist. Stretch marks are mostly genetic and partially a result of your general health and hydration. I'm a relatively healthy, well-hydrated person, but my weight has fluctuated so much in so little time through multiple pregnancies, that there's just no avoiding skin marks completely. I wish there were a magic potion, but the fact is, I know people who are healthier and more intentional than I was with body butters and scrubs but who have worse stretch marks than me. And I know people who did absolutely nothing to avoid them but who ended up with not one mark. If your mom has stretch marks, good chance you'll have stretch marks. Just be thankful for what your body accomplished! All that being said: I love to use a good exfoliator scrub on my torso and legs for a few weeks after giving birth. It helps me feel fresh and clean and it could have the added benefit of improving circulation and helping your body start the process of producing new skin.
Flushable wipes: These are way gentler for bathroom cleanup while you're still bleeding. Many women also love to use a peri bottle for painless bathroom cleanup, but flushable wipes get the job done for me. Just be sure you buy a brand that's fragrance free so you don't irritate your skin, and only flush one wipe at a time.
Body wipes: The reality of having a newborn is that it's hard to find time to shower. Try your best to prioritize cleanliness (it'll make you feel like a brand new human), but on those inevitable occasions where you can't make it to the shower, wipe yourself down with some body wipes or even baby wipes for a quick refresh to hold you over until your next full shower.
For Comfort
Breathable pajamas and robe: I mentioned the postpartum night sweats earlier. Breathable pajamas, especially if they're a natural material like cotton, bamboo, or linen, are so refreshing. And when you get out of bed to care for the baby, a comfy robe is great. You could grab a nightgown designed specifically for nursing, a flowy cooling set, or a button-down set. Just be comfy, and take breastfeeding into account if that's your plan. If you're pajamas don't have a built-in nursing bra, you may need to wear a nursing bra or a stretchy bralette under your pajamas for a few weeks or months, until your supply regulates. It'll help with leaks. All of these clothes are also great things to add to your hospital bag if you want fresh clothes after birth.
Magnesium: Magnesium supplements have a ton of health benefits, but my favorite use is as a digestive aid. I don't know the science behind it, but I know that taking a couple pills before bed on vacation keeps me regular, and I know that even with prescription stool softeners, nothing helps get my postpartum digestion back on track like a few magnesium pills. If I take a couple pills before bed, I can expect a painless first bowel movement by the next morning, especially in conjunction with prescription stool softeners. Again, please talk to a healthcare professional about dosage, but these supplements are miracle working for me.
Water bottle: You need to stay hydrated while you heal, especially if you're nursing. Get a big water bottle, and keep it full. I like Owala, but obviously there are people who can't go anywhere without their Stanley or Yeti.
Lotion: I don't know why, probably chalk it up to hormones (an ever-present postpartum excuse), but every part of my body is so dry in the first couple months after giving birth. Find some good lotion and keep it close. I've had a lot of favorites over time, but I currently favor this brand. It smells great and absorbs really well.
Postpartum clothes for your postpartum body: I don't advocate for a full-blown new wardrobe for the immediate season after giving birth. That's not affordable or attainable for most people. You can keep your maternity clothes for a bit and then transition to some loose normal clothing as you lose weight and bloating. But I highly recommend getting just a few items that fit properly. We're talking a few pairs of postpartum leggings, shorts, or jeans, depending on the season. You can maybe stock up on some nursing-friendly dresses, if you like them. My best tip is to look for clothes that fit but that are not marketed specifically for postpartum, as those are typically more expensive. On the other hand, if you're planning to have multiple kids, it's nice to have a few things designed exactly for your season of life. Watch for sales and clearance at stores like Motherhood Maternity and Kindred Bravely. I like to have some high-waisted leggings, bike shorts, and stretchy jeans in a size up from normal. They make me feel more confident and comfortable in my strange postpartum skin.
A quick note on body binders. Some people swear by them, but I've read too much competing information to feel comfortable using them personally. Since I can't vouch for them myself, I can't recommend a certain brand.
That's it, except to share this very long text I recently sent to a friend of mine who just gave birth. It's something I want every new mom to know! I removed some personal details to maintain privacy.
"Feel free to ignore every message I send while you are adjusting and admiring Baby and trying to rest. But here’s something I wish someone had told me in my first baby's first week or so of life: Everything with tiny babies that feels hard or weird or foreign (like nursing difficulties and sleep deprivation and postpartum healing, etc) happens in very short phases. If something seems impossible, give it 2 weeks, and everything will be different :) A lot of things feel like the end of the world when you’re tired and trying to keep a small human happy and healthy, but it’s all fleeting, and things get better very quickly!
For instance, my friend's nipples were chapped, and she was using so much nipple cream after her baby was born, that she bought the entire store supply from Walmart, and then 2 days later, everything healed and was never bad again. But in the moment, she thought her entire year-long nursing journey would be that way 😆
A week after my first baby was born, I told a few middle-aged moms that I was really tired, and they said, “Welcome to the next 18 years of your life, you’ll always be tired now.” Which was the least helpful thing EVER. Literally a week later, Baby was on a manageable schedule, and I felt loads better. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that life will just be hard from here on out. Life is wonderful. Baby is wonderful. And things normalize a lot more quickly than you may think. Love you!"
If you're planning to breastfeed, check out my post to create a portable nursing station below! And if you have any questions for someone who's been where you're going, please comment below :)
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