The Essential Postpartum Toolkit: Nurturing Mom’s Recovery

The Essential Postpartum Toolkit: Nurturing Mom’s Recovery

Welcoming a new life into the world is a profound journey filled with joy, wonder, and a crap ton of emotions. Yet, within all the euphoria of childbirth, it’s crucial not to overlook the essential aspect of postpartum care for mom which I feel so many people overlook. Everyone is always mainly focused on the baby that mom is often left to fend for herself after everything and everyone else has been taken care of by her. The postpartum period, often called the “fourth trimester,” demands special attention as a mother’s body recuperates from the remarkable feat of childbirth and adjusts to the demands of nurturing a newborn. In this blog post, I wanted to put together a comprehensive toolkit for postpartum care, ensuring moms receive the support and essentials they need during this transformative time. Especially for those who may not have a “village” or “tribe” behind them to help along the way.

1. Disposable Undies and Heavy Pads

Immediately after childbirth, your body undergoes significant changes, including bleeding and discharge known as lochia. Even after a c-section, you will need postpartum bleeding aftercare, especially for the first period. It takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks to heal and recover and sometimes even longer for some women depending on their labor and delivery experience. Disposable undies and heavy pads provide comfort and absorbency during this period, allowing mothers to focus on recovery without worrying about leaks or discomfort. I love wearing disposable undies during my menstrual cycle and postpartum, especially the always discreet because they fit well and are comfortable. I love them way more than those dreaded mesh panties you get in the hospital that don’t fit quite right, and the pad slides around in there. The disposable undies are a much better fit as they aren’t one size fits all and help keep everything inside your underwear and not everywhere else. Making postpartum “Padsicles” is also a great way to help soothe down there while you’re healing. Whether you tear a little or enough to need stitches. Things are going to be sore and may even burn a bit down there for a while, especially those first few weeks after childbirth and the dreaded first few poops. Which can be scary and painful if you aren’t prepared to make it as easy of a process as possible. You will want to take a heavy pad with wings and apply witch hazel, aloe vera gel, and maybe some essential oils (optional) to the pad and then fold it back up and put it in the freezer. Creating a freezer bag or 2 full of about 30 pads should help get you through the beginning stages and then creating them as needed after that. It provides an immediate cooling relief that is sure to help ease the pain down there. It doesn’t speed up the process but it does help soothe the pain from the stretching of the tissue, stitches, and even hemorrhoids that can happen during childbirth.

2. Witch Hazel (Non-Alcohol) and Numbing Spray

Witch hazel is a natural astringent known for its soothing properties, especially for perineal discomfort post-birth. Combined with a non-alcohol base, witch hazel can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Applying it to your pad or using a cotton swab to apply gently on the area will help tremendously in most cases. Numbing and postpartum sprays also offer additional relief, providing a cooling sensation to alleviate soreness and discomfort. You will usually get a can of the Dermoplast in the hospital depending on where you live and if you give birth in a hospital or birthing center. Everywhere is a little different but you can also get it on Amazon or at pretty much any store like Walmart or Target and also drugstores like CVS and Walgreens.

3. Bed Pads

Bed pads are a practical addition to any postpartum essentials list because they offer extra protection against leaks and spills when you’re sitting or lying in bed and also during the night and while you sleep, especially in the first few days of getting home post-delivery. They provide an extra layer of assurance to help keep bedding and your mattress or mattress cover clean and dry during the initial days of postpartum recovery. It’s also a great addition so you are changing the sheets less because of possible accidents or leaks.

4. Lactation Massager

Lactation massagers are a great addition to any postpartum kit because they help with sore breasts, and blocked milk ducts, and also encourage milk letdown. They are great when you’re nursing or pumping as well. You can use one while you’re nursing on one side to help with milk production while using something like the Haakaa or a breast pump on the other side and even on the breast you’re nursing on if you’re having a hard time getting milk out or you’re just really sore or blocked up. Most have a heat setting as well to help soothe while massaging the breast. I used my hands or a warm cloth with past babies because I wasn’t aware there were lactation massagers but this time around it will be great to have consistent heat or massaging on my sore areas without having to reheat my cloth or manually massage the sore area. Having hands-free relief is for sure helpful especially if it also helps encourage better milk production and letdown.

5. Postpartum Kits

Postpartum kits usually come with everything you need to help take care of your sensitive areas after birth. They are the perfect starter kits for you especially if you aren’t sure what you will need or want postpartum. They help you to know what you need and like most to help with comfort after birth. Depending on the one you purchase these kits usually include a few pairs of disposable underwear, instant ice maxi pads, some cooling liners, healing foam, nipple balm, nipple spray, a PERI bottle, perineal hot and cooling packs, non-slip socks, sometimes a canvas bag or something to keep everything in. But usually, every kit will have what you need for starting your postpartum journey and will also give you an idea as I said earlier of what you may need or what will help you in the immediate hours, days, and weeks after birth.

6. Peri Bottle and Healing Foam or Gel

A peri bottle is a gentle cleansing tool designed to aid in personal hygiene after childbirth. You can’t wipe right after birth especially if you have stitches or something like that so having a way to cleanse yourself after going to the restroom or in between changing underwear and pads is great. It’s also great if you have hemorrhoids as well. Its spray mechanism allows the mom to cleanse the vaginal and butt areas with warm water, you can even add a little witch hazel in there to help soothe the area promoting comfort and cleanliness without the need for harsh wiping, which can make soreness and irritation worse prolonging your healing time. The healing foam can be added to your pad and help with calming the area as well. Placed on a cooling pad it can help increase the soothing as well.

7. Pain Relievers and Stool Softeners

Managing postpartum discomfort is essential for a smooth recovery. We are already taking supplements and over-the-counter painkillers, as recommended by healthcare providers because they can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with childbirth and postpartum recovery. You should talk to your doctor about what the best course of pain relief is for you, especially if medicine like Tylenol or ibuprofen isn’t working. They can help you work out the best course of pain relief for you and also can assess when you may need some other option if the pain doesn’t seem to be going away or it may get worse. A good stool softener is great, especially for the first bowel movement after birth. You do not want to be pushing or straining after giving birth and the first movement may be a little harder than others so it just adds to the discomfort.

8. Prenatal and Postnatal Vitamins

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in postpartum recovery and overall well-being. You’re usually already taking prenatal vitamins during your pregnancy and you can continue taking them after as well or taking a postnatal vitamin. One brand I took during pregnancy for prenatal was Ritual. I loved the fact that they didn’t taste gross and had a citrus or lemon scent to them. It helped me especially because I don’t like taking pills and hate the gross taste a lot of supplements have. Ritual vitamins offer essential nutrients tailored to support maternal health during and after pregnancy, helping replenish vital nutrients depleted during childbirth and lactation. There are also other great prenatals as well. Ritual was just a great option for me when it came down to taste.

9. Nursing Bras and PJs

Comfortable attire is key during the postpartum period, especially for breastfeeding mothers. I started wearing nursing bras and pjs during my pregnancy as my breasts grew as well. They were super comfortable and had no underwire which became a nightmare the larger and heavier my breasts grew preparing for my nursing journey. It also makes it easier to change out your breast pads to help keep your clothing dry and stain-free from leaks during letdown. Nursing bras and nursing pajamas provide convenience and support, allowing for easy access during breastfeeding as well while ensuring comfort and relaxation for the mom. It’s so easy to nurse with a nightgown or button-down top that opens right at the breast so the baby has easy access, especially during those late-night and early-morning feedings.

10. Nipple Butter and Nursing Pads

Breastfeeding can come with its own set of challenges, including sore nipples and leakage. Nipple cream or nipple butter offers soothing relief for tender nipples, the type just depends on your preference as long as it’s made for the nipple because it also doesn’t interfere with baby nursing and they are safe for them as well. While nursing pads provide absorbency and protection against leaks, keeping clothing dry and comfortable. The nipple cream can also help with the irritation that comes along with wearing breast pads.

11. Giant Tumbler for Water

Staying hydrated is paramount during postpartum recovery and breastfeeding. Even in pregnancy, I am constantly thirsty so always having cold water is heaven-sent for me. A giant tumbler for water serves as a constant reminder for mothers to replenish fluids throughout the day, supporting hydration and overall well-being. It also helps keep your breast milk supply up if you’re breastfeeding.

12. Afterease for Contractions

Afterease added to your water is a great way to help ease the pain and discomfort of those afterbirth contractions. Postpartum after-birth contractions are normal, temporary, and common, especially for those who have had multiple births. AfterEase helps relax your spasming uterus and calms your body so you can focus on enjoying those first few days of being a new mom.

13. Bedside Rolling Cart

A 3-tier rolling cart is so helpful for so many things but especially for a bedside nursery or your postpartum essentials. It makes it so much easier to move it around and keep it close to you. It also can fit so much and keep everything organized as well. I have a few of them that I use in my house for so many different things from my office to my bedroom and now I have one just for my bedside nursery, breastfeeding, and postpartum essentials.

14. Support Network

Last but certainly not least, the importance of a supportive network cannot be overstated. Whether it’s friends, family, or online support groups, having a nurturing support system in place can make all the difference during the postpartum journey. From emotional support to practical assistance, a strong support network empowers mothers to navigate the ups and downs of new motherhood with confidence and grace. Getting in some journaling if you can also helps too.

Alright, mama, the postpartum period is a sacred time that deserves attention, care, and compassion. By equipping mothers with essential postpartum tools and fostering a supportive environment, we can honor and celebrate the profound journey of motherhood, ensuring that every mother feels empowered, nurtured, and cherished during this transformative chapter of life. I hope this post was helpful for you in your journey or even if you’re just learning how to help a mother in your life that is embarking on the journey of motherhood and you want to support her. You can also check out more posts on my blog here about baby safety and more.

Always Remember You’re Beautiful!

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