Must-Haves for Your Postpartum Recovery
There are so many lists of things to pack to bring to the hospital available online, but what should you have at home to make it the most comfortable, baby welcoming place you can?
I mean seriously… your body just went through something extreme. You either pushed a baby out of your vagina, or you had major abdominal surgery after all! Time to rest and take care of yourself while you recover.
If you had a vaginal birth
Tearing, swelling, general soreness… it can take a while to recover. I recommend an herbal sitz bath in one of these every day for the first few days. It feels ahhhhmazing and will help bring healing to the vaginal area.
Let’s be honest, it also can really sting if you had tearing, so some perineal spray is super helpful.
For the swelling, it is a huge relief to soak a pad with witch hazel and put a few of those in the freezer. Pop those into your undies for an instant cooling affect that can help ease your discomfort.
A donut pillow or boppy is also very helpful when it’s painful to sit down. Staying in your bed is really the best thing while you heal, but when you want to sit down to eat or need to sit up to nurse your baby, one of these is great.
Frida Mom has a some great postpartum recovery kit options if you want to get several of these in one place.
If you had a cesarean
Cesareans take a few weeks of recovery, and if you take it easy at the beginning, it will be smoother for you. I recommend setting up a station in a recliner so you don’t have to get up and down often when you forgot something.
Make sure to have a pillow nearby to hold against your scar if you have to cough or sneeze. One of these is handy so you don’t lose things like your remote, medication, your phone, etc. OR better yet, this rolling cart so you can move it from the bedroom to the couch. A cold compress on your incision can also be helpful.
For your comfort, a belly binder may be helpful. As is special cesarean underwear.
Post surgery can be very constipating, and it can be terrifying to have those first postpartum poops. A stool softener can definitely help, as can drinking more water and eating prunes and other fiber rich foods.
For your postpartum body
Most new birthing parents have bleeding (called the lochia flow) after birth for up to 5-6 weeks. When your placenta separates from your uterus, it leaves an open wound that takes time to heal. Your body is also flushing out everything in your uterus that was there for growing your baby. That being said, you need All. The. Pads. (Heavy, Medium, Light), different ones for different stages of the flow.
And we can’t forget some super comfy undies to make it all around less uncomfortable.
Breast/chest feeding parents will likely have some chafing, and usually some cracked and sore nipples. I recommend using this nipple butter after each feeding session from the get-go to help prevent some of that soreness.
And to catch those drips of milk that might escape with let down, the Hakaa or the Elvie cups are so helpful!
A heating pad and an ice pack both have their place in your postpartum kit. Heat can help with engorgement, using it right before nursing. Ice can help to reduce swelling anywhere it is occurring on your body.
Miscellaneous helpful things
Having a comfy wardrobe ready for you at home is a must. Start with a robe and slippers, and also add in some warm socks and comfy lounge pants, and you have a functional, breast/chest feeding ready setup.
Dry shampoo is a must-have for those days when you just can’t make it to the shower.
And don’t forget the snacks! Every new parent needs easy nourishment, so I recommend having some of these on hand to grab quick when you just don’t have time to prepare a meal and you’re hangry. Trail mix, Lara bars, mixed nuts, RX bars
It’s always reasonable to consider adding a Postpartum Doula to your recovery plan. They can help you adjust to life with your new baby and are experts when it comes to taking care of you and meeting your postpartum needs.
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