6 Postpartum Essentials You’ll Want To Have
Whether you are a first-time mom or not, the postpartum period can always surprise you. It is helpful to have an idea of what postpartum essentials you may need during this time.
You might have ambitious plans for your maternity leave or high expectations for yourself as a new mom.
While it’s perfectly fine to have those expectations, during the postpartum period, you will want to keep these two priorities in mind:
Healing and feeling.
What do we mean by this?
Healing: It took 9 months for your body to grow and birth your baby. Giving yourself plenty of time and space for physical healing is a must.
Feeling: Mental and emotional healing and adjustments are important and necessary too. Your role as a parent is brand new. It’s normal to have big feelings and emotions as you begin this new adventure.
So, let’s talk about a few postpartum essentials that can help during this healing and feeling phase.
Postpartum Essential #1: Peri Bottle
This postpartum essential is 100% needed.
After giving birth, sensitive areas are going to be sore. You’re also going to bleed during the postpartum period and may continue to bleed for up to 6 weeks.
Having a peri bottle on hand is extremely helpful.
Fill your peri bottle with warm water and then gently spray that water on your perineum during or after using the toilet or while showering. Using the peri bottle to keep that area clean will help you heal. Cleansing with a peri bottle is soothing and helps relieve the discomfort you may be feeling.
Most hospitals provide a peri bottle for you to take home. But there are also several options you can buy that you might prefer:
Here are a few to choose from:
These options have a better angle to push the water up than the peri bottle you will most likely take home from the hospital. Whichever type you choose, a peri bottle will help you feel more refreshed, clean, and relaxed.
Postpartum Essential #2: Soothing Pads
Bleeding after birth is completely normal. However, there are some symptoms of severe or heavy bleeding that are not normal. Read more about that in our blog about postpartum red flags.
After birth, your nurses will most likely send you home with large, absorbent pads. They often also add a cooling element to the pads to help soothe your soreness.
Once you’re home, you’ll need to change your pads every few hours to remain comfortable. So, you’ll want to have plenty of pads and cooling or soothing options ready.
A few choices you can stock up on:
Get even more tips here: Postpartum Perineal Care.
Postpartum Essential #3: Postpartum Underwear
Comfortable underwear after giving birth is a must.
If you’re giving birth in a hospital, you will be provided with soft, mesh underwear along with a cooling pad. It’s helpful to take a few pairs of the mesh underwear home with you if you can.
Don’t worry, you won’t wear mesh underwear forever…
But, you may want to invest in underwear that is more stretchy and comfortable than your normal underwear.
You don’t want to feel constricted at all during this time. No need to try and squeeze your big absorbent pads into underwear that is too small. Remember, this is a season. And during the postpartum season… comfort matters.
A few postpartum underwear options to choose from:
It’s okay to try out a few to see which ones feel comfortable to you. That’s all that matters!
Postpartum Essential #4: Comfortable Outfits
You deserve to be comfortable.
You just birthed a human being…
Your body went through a lot. And there is still a lot of healing to go through.
Having a few fresh, comfy outfits waiting for you at home will allow you to be relaxed and cozy when snuggling with your new baby.
You will most likely not want to wear jeans or tight pants for a while. And that’s okay! Embrace the chill vibe of new motherhood. It also helps to look for outfits that allow for easy breastfeeding.
Here are some idea to get you started:
- Kindred Bravely Pajama Set
- Latched Mama Jogger Set
- Ingrid + Isabel Pajama Set
- Sunnybuy Maternity Set
You’ll be happy you had a few of these comfy outfits ready.
Postpartum Essential #5: Plenty of Fluids
During recovery after birth, one of the most important postpartum essentials is…
Drinking fluids.
Your body just completed a marathon. Your fluids will need replenishing. Also, your body is preparing to breastfeed. Drinking plenty of water helps keep you hydrated as you build up your milk supply.
So, always have a large water container nearby. Drink it throughout the day. Your body and baby will thank you!
If it brings you joy, invest in a quality water bottle that keeps your drink at the temperature you want.
Here are a few cute water containers to choose from:
Find a water bottle you will use, keep it near, and keep it full!
Postpartum Essential #6: Extra Help
Last but not least … reach out for help.
As you focus on healing, your helpers can be there to pick up the slack. Prioritize sitting with your baby and soaking in every moment.
Friends, family and neighbors often want to help. Don’t be shy asking them to pick up some groceries, walk the dog or drop off a hot meal.
Additionally you may consider hiring a postpartum doula.
Your postpartum doula is there to provide emotional support, education and to give you much needed rest. (Here we are again with the very important healing and feeling.)
Her priority is you and your partner and making sure all of your physical and emotional needs are met while you settle into life with your new baby.
Imagine a highly trained, experienced and caring postpartum doula; someone with fresh eyes, hands, and a full heart coming to your home as frequently as you wish to help you. She is there through the highs and the lows, the tears, the fears and the laughter too.
Our postpartum doula team is ready for you.
Having the time and space you need to care for your baby and yourself is truly possible. If you’re curious, reach out to us. We look forward to helping you.
