The Best Postpartum Care Kit (from a Mom of Three)
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If you’re a first-time mom then it is fairly daunting thinking about postpartum recovery and what the best postpartum care kit should look like.
I’ve been through three vaginal deliveries and subsequent postpartum recovery.
After the first time I knew what I needed most postpartum in order to help healing and really give me the best chance at just being able to enjoy the moment.
Postpartum recovery can be fairly simple or really challenging depending on many factors.
However, what is true for all moms postpartum is that they need to be taking care of themselves.
Don’t wait until after you’ve had your baby to gather what you need. During that time your brain will be scrambled and your body will be overflowing with new and changing hormones.
Be proactive and get what you need now so you can spend more time just snuggling your scrumptious newborn baby.
You can also find my compiled checklists for all things baby, childbirth, and postpartum in the Newborn Planner.
The Best Postpartum Care Kit
For your convenience I’ve split my postpartum essentials into different categories.
Do bear in mind that I’ve never had a c-section or a difficult delivery. Both of those might require other postpartum items.
I’d suggest asking around and seeing what other moms from differing experiences really class as necessary so you can be fully prepared.
In the meantime, here are the things that I used and would 100% make sure I had on hand should I ever decide to have another baby.
Postpartum Recovery
There’s one thing that’s true for every single woman when it comes to postpartum recovery…it isn’t glamorous.
Not even close.
You’re going to want comfort and security. The items below are what will give you those things.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is incredible for both its soothing and healing powers. I put some in a little spray bottle and sprayed it onto the pad every time I changed them.
It works well and I’ve used it during every postpartum recovery.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is something that can be used on its own or in conjunction with witch hazel.
You could even mix the two in a spray bottle. It has a soothing and cooling effect which is exactly what you’ll want.
Adult Diapers
I didn’t use these with my first but oh. my. gosh. they were amazing for after my other two babies.
Trust me, it is 100% worth grabbing a packet of these to use for the first week or at least the first few days.
You can also stick a pad in them and use them like regular underwear.
They’re comfy and it takes away all the fear you have of leaking during that really heavy bleeding postpartum.
Maternity Pads
You’re going to need these. I can’t tell you exactly how many because all women bleed for different lengths of time.
I always just bought one packet and then I was able to just use regular pads.
Period Underwear
If I knew about these after having my babies I would have 100% invested in them.
I use them now for my regular cycles but they would have been amazing for postpartum.
You’re already going to be doing a bunch of laundry so adding these in isn’t that much of a big deal.
They wouldn’t work for the first week or two, but once your bleeding slows they’ll be perfect.
The yuck factor isn’t really there, honestly. I was grossed out about them at first but they’re waaaaaay less gross than using a regular pad or tampon.
Plus, they’re super comfy.
Granny Underwear
Invest in a pack or two of full brief underwear that you don’t care about getting ruined.
They’ll be comfy and perfect for postpartum.
Flushable Wipes
In case you’re not aware…things will be tender “down there” for at least a little while.
Again, this will depend on what kind of delivery you have.
I tore with my first and it definitely took a lot longer to feel better.
With my girls I felt great after just a week.
Flushable wipes are great for hygiene without the discomfort.
Just a note…put them in the trash and not the toilet. Despite their name, they still clog things up.
Peri bottle
These often come standard issue in many hospitals, but it’s worth grabbing one ahead of time just in case.
Fill it with warm water and use it to clean “down there” without having to actually touch anything.
So much more comfortable.
Feeding
Whichever way you choose to feed there are a few things that will really help you out.
Coconut Oil
I am not a crunchy mom…at all. However, coconut oil is something that is widely used in our home.
For nursing, it’s great to use on chapped or sore nipples.
Peppermint Oil
This is NOT for nursing moms, but for it is for moms who are trying to dry up their milk.
Use some coconut oil to dilute it and then you can massage it into your breasts.
It’ll help to dry up your milk. I’ve used it postpartum after two of my babies and it really does work.
Nursing Pads (Disposable)
I did use and recommend reusable nursing pads once your milk supply has established.
However, for me personally, they just didn’t work well for those early days. Having disposable pads that stayed in place were exactly what I needed.
Nursing/Comfy Bras
Trust me…you need decent bras.
Once your milk supply has established then I suggest investing in some good quality nursing bras.
For the immediate postpartum I recommend this kind. They’re soft and will stretch.
Plus, they don’t cost the earth so if they get stained it won’t be that big of a deal.
Heating Pad
If you’re a first time mom then you may not know that when you breastfeed for the first couple of weeks you’ll likely cramp as well.
It is a normal part of the process and it aids in reducing the size of your uterus back down to where it should be.
This actually happens whether your breastfeed or not, but there is a specific hormone that is released when your baby nurses that triggers it happening.
For that reason, I highly recommend having a heating pad available.
I would heat it up ahead of time and use it as I nursed in order to help ease the cramping.
Water bottle
Motherhood can scatter your brain and even the most basic tasks become something difficult to achieve.
One of those things is staying hydrated.
It is SO easy to let it slip. You need to be drinking plenty of water, especially if you’re nursing.
Invest in a good water bottle or two and keep them with you so you can sip away all day long.
Sleeping
I’ve listed just a couple of things here. It goes without saying that you sleep is going to be disrupted for a while.
For that reason, it’s wise to encourage healthy sleep whenever you can get it.
Pregnancy/Nursing Pillow
I debated whether to put this under the feeding section or here.
I already had a pregnancy pillow which I could also use for nursing, but I used it postpartum for sleeping too.
My muscles were sore after giving birth and it took a while for everything to feel normal again.
Using the pregnancy pillow really helped me to sleep more comfortably during that time.
Comfortable Sleepwear
Get some comfy sleepwear! I personally liked to keep it light as it was common for me to have night sweats postpartum (just the body getting rid of excess water/hormones).
Just pick what you know you love best and make sure it’s nursing friendly if that’s what you plan on doing.
General Wellbeing
Taking care of your mental health is extremely important during the postpartum period.
There is so much more to self-care than just pampering, but it does help during a time when you may feel less attractive and generally worn out.
Aromatherapy
I’m not a huge user of essential oils, but I do enjoy them for things like creating a relaxing atmosphere.
I used lavender essential oil before bed and even now I have great memories linked to that aroma.
Moisturiser
Your entire body will have just gone through a major event. Take time to pamper it with a good moisturiser that leaves you feeling hydrated and relaxed.
Comfortable Clothes
There’s no trophy for getting back into normal clothes the fastest.
Allow your body time to heal and do it comfortably.
Invest in comfortable lounge wear or atheleisure and be patient.
A Robe
If there’s one thing I firmly believe every new mom should have, it’s an amazing robe.
I’ve had mine for 6 years now and it’s still doing great.
That thing has been used and used well.
Trust me, you’ll wear it a lot so get one that you love.
Bath/Shower Products
What products make you feel pampered and good about yourself?
Perhaps it’s a certain shower gel or shampoo?
Whatever it is, get a bottle or two so that you can use it postpartum.
Conclusion
Postpartum is a such a mixture of joy and challenge. It’s special but can also be so hard.
I wish I could make it better for every new mom but there are some things that you will just have to experience.
Being prepared, both physically and mentally will go a long way towards creating a positive experience and I hope the list above helps with that.
