The postpartum period is a rollercoaster of emotions - and often physical discomfort - as you get used to this new little human in your life and navigate recovery from childbirth.
There are lots of essentials you'll need for baby, most of which you'll have been stockpiling long before your due date.
But there are postpartum essentials for mom that are sometimes overlooked in all the chaos.
So here are our 5 postpartum essentials that we know will make those early days a little bit more comfortable.
5 postpartum essentials
- Ice: If you have a vaginal birth, an ice pack can really help ease the pain. Studies show that ice can reduce pain and help with swelling. You can buy ice packs that are made specifically for postpartum, but a regular ice pack wrapped in a sanitary pad will do as well.
- Witch hazel: Witch hazel pads can help relieve burning and itching for your vagina, and witch hazel also shrinks blood vessels so it's good for hemorrhoids. You can buy witch hazel and apply it to cotton pads, or buy pads already containing witch hazel.
- Maxi pads: Regardless of whether you delivered vaginally or via c-section, it’s normal to have bleeding and discharge, called lochia, for a few weeks after you give birth. So stock up on maxi pads, not tampons, for this period.
- Peri rinse bottle: A peri rinse bottle is a postpartum bathroom essential. If you have a vaginal delivery, your vagina will be swollen and tender and wiping with standard toilet paper can be sore. So instead, fill your peri rinse bottle with warm water, aim it at your vagina, and squirt it from front to back while you pee. This helps dilute the urine so there’s less stinging, and also helps keep the area clean. You can also use it to rinse off the area afterward.
- Breast pads: After birth, your body undergoes a hormonal process where your milk comes in. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, this can be an uncomfortable physical experience. As your breasts fill with milk, they may feel warm, tingly, and hard to the touch. Cooling nursing pads protect your clothing from leakage, while also offering relief for sore nipples.
Other worthwhile items
Obviously this list is not exhaustive and there are other items you can buy in preparation for your postpartum period.
Outside of the above essentials, we'd suggest disposable underwear, a large water bottle to keep you hydrated, pain relief medication, Epsom salts, stool softener from your doctor, and an eye mask!
