Are you wondering how to prepare for postpartum recovery? I’ve got all the tips and must-haves for you!
The best time to prepare and gather postpartum necessities is definitely while you’re pregnant. There are some things about postpartum recovery after labor and delivery that I wish I would have known to prepare for.
Once you have that baby, you will be so exhausted and your body will be recovering. The last thing you’ll want to do is go to the store or wait for things to be shipped to you.
When I had my baby last year, I had no idea what to expect or prepare for. I tried to research beforehand, but I didn’t know how difficult some parts of my recovery would be.
Actually, I frantically ordered things last minute from my hospital bed when I realized what else I would need. Let me help you avoid that and feel more prepared for your postpartum healing journey.
I’ve put together a list of 15 postpartum must-haves to help you be most comfortable after delivering your baby and to recover more smoothly.
Plus, I’ve also put together a printable hospital bag packing list for you, your baby and your partner!
Postpartum Recovery Kit Must-Haves:
1. Dermoplast:
This is an anti-pain and anti-itch spray. It helps SO much with the pain and itchiness that your stitches cause.
Sometimes, the hospital supplies you with a small can or two, but I ordered some more here to keep using at home after I finished the small can from the hospital.
2. Disposable Underwear:
TRUST ME ON THIS. I know, I know. But they are such a game changer. They are comfortable and you don’t have to worry about staining any of your underwear or your sheets or your couch.
You’ll have bleeding as your uterus clears itself out for a few days or weeks regardless of whether or not you tear and need stitches or have a c-section.
This is the best price I found them at. I bled for awhile and I liked to change them fairly often to stay dry, so I went through almost two 32-packs.
3. Perineal Spray & Cold Balm:
This spray is so easy to use down there and makes such a difference. Their Perineal Balm is stored in the fridge and is SO refreshing while you’re healing.
They are both from my favorite pregnancy and postpartum company ever. I love how clean the ingredients are, which is so important with pregnancy and newborns.
*Make sure to use CODE: MeganFolsom15 for 15% off of your whole order!*
4. Nipple Butter:
If you’re breastfeeding, you will probably get pretty sore and dried out initially. You’ll want a nipple cream or butter to prevent cracking and to serve as a barrier.
I LOVE that this one doesn’t have any lanolin in it, which can be very irritating on your skin.
*Make sure to use CODE: MeganFolsom15 for 15% off of your whole order!*
You’ll definitely want to keep yours near your breastfeeding station to apply after nursing!
5. Breast Packs:
These can be frozen and heated up to help with different things during postpartum. A heat pack or warm hand towel helps your milk let down and increases your flow when you first start breastfeeding.
After you finish breastfeeding, you can apply the cold/ice pack to relieve the engorgement pain between nursing sessions.
Then, you can also use the heat pack to relieve clogged ducts and mastitis, if needed later in your breastfeeding journey.
You can buy these at the best price from Amazon or Walmart.
6. Peri Squirt Bottle:
If you have stitches, you won’t be able to wipe for awhile and it’ll probably sting when you pee. You’ll want one of these bottles to help get the perfect angle to rinse when you use the bathroom and then you can pat dry with toilet paper.
7. Nursing Pads:
I tried several brands and these were my favorite! If you’re anything like me, you’ll need them for several months until your milk supply regulates.
8. House Dresses:
I’d recommend black or other dark colors so that you don’t have to worry about stains or anything. I found several, very affordable ones at Walmart that I also brought to the hospital with me and knew I wouldn’t care if they got ruined.
Also, I made sure that they all either had zippers or buttons for easy access at the hospital for the nurses and to breastfeed. There are so many affordable, great options for dresses, robes and loungewear.
9. Comfortable Nursing Bras:
You’ll want some that are more flattering and supportive later, but to start out, it’s really all about comfort (especially through the engorgement phase).
These ones were my absolute favorite full cup nursing bras, especially for all of my girls with bigger boobs struggling to find ones that fit (they have small sizes too though).
10. Sitz Bath:
Definitely ask for one at the hospital first. If they don’t offer you a free one to take home, you can buy this one for $15. You’ll want to use this several times a day to help with your pain and healing.
11. Herbal Sitz Bath Add-In:
This is my favorite thing to add to a sitz bath to help with your healing. If you’d rather, you could just add epsom salt, but be sure to get this one or one without added fragrances.
12. Tucks Pads:
Your hospital will probably also provide some of these, but I ordered more to use at home too. They are soaked in witch hazel and help to soothe irritated areas, itchiness and hemorrhoids.
You’ll just place them inside your disposable underwear or on top of the pad inside your regular underwear.
13. Adjustable Sandals:
My feet and legs were SO incredibly swollen after labor, which they said was from the IV fluid. It took over a week for the swelling to go down, and I seriously could not fit into any of my shoes until then.
Fortunately, I realized that I had some velcro sandals that I could adjust to wear home from the hospital and to all of our pediatric office appointments. These are the ones I have from Nordstrom and LOVE.
14. Perineal Cold Packs:
You stick these inside your underwear as well and the temporary cold pack is so soothing! They are disposable, so you won’t have to stress about having to clean or try to reuse them.
Again, your hospital will probably provide you with some of them to use during your stay, but I had to order more for home.
15. Water Bottle:
You will need plenty of fluid to bring the PP swelling down and to stay hydrated, especially if you choose to breastfeed. I recommend getting an insulated, stainless steel one that stays cold for hours, like this one or this one.
Were any other things that you found helpful during your postpartum recovery! Did you use any of these things on my list? Let me know in the comments below!
RELATED POST: 15 Things You Should Do To Prepare for Your New Baby
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