15 Main Character Must-Haves for Postpartum Recovery
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Postpartum Physical Health Must-Haves for YOU
Your health means a lot to me! Thank you for showing up, it’s worth it!
To keep you from wandering the aisles of Target with stitches, perineal pain, and a brand new baby, I’ve created this list of must-have postpartum recovery essentials to aid in giving future you some much needed TLC. This post goes one step further by not only telling you what you need and when you need it, but pro-tips and natural alternatives. Very little do you ever hear people talk about these things, so I’ve got you covered! Whether you have your baby at the hospital, a birth center, or at home, you must consider your postpartum recovery.
Top 15 Postpartum Must-Haves Recommended by Clients
During postpartum recovery, Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads provide cooling relief where it’s needed. In addition, these pads can absorb 260g of liquid, which you’ll likely need as postpartum bleeding continues. These include a soft top layer, making them comfortable for sore, healing, and sensitive skin. As unglamorous as it sounds, they’re lifesavers!
Pro-tip: Frida Mom also makes disposable underwear that go hand-in-hand with these perineal ice packs.
When you need this: After vaginal delivery or a cesarean. For quick relief, Frida Mom Instant Maxi Pads provide dual-use. Either in a pair of cotton or disposable underwear, or along your c-section incision for cooling therapy to help with itching and soreness. This also adds a layer of protection over your incision to avoid bumping or rubbing against it when you’re holding or feeding your baby.
2. Dermoplast
This is the tried and true pain-relieving, antibacterial spray that many clients swear by! Not only does it relieve pain and itching around cuts, it works for vaginal stitches or c-section wounds! A natural alternative is Earth Mama’s Herbal Perineal Spray, which excludes artificial preservatives, fragrances, and butane.
Pro-tip: Spray on your padsicle, and use on vaginal tears before your postpartum poops.
When you need this: After vaginal birth or a cesarean.
3. Tuck’s Pads
Intended to relieve itching from hemorrhoids, my clients found their cooling property to be helpful for pain relief in between the use of vaginal ice packs. The natural alternative would be soaking your maxi pads in witch hazel and refrigerating them until use. If you’d like a more plant-based pad option, The Honey Pot Company has a wonderful option for postpartum.
When you need this: If experience tearing after a vaginal birth, or develop hemorrhoids at any point.
These babies are so helpful when needing to take your first poop after birth and are safe to take while breastfeeding. Trust me, the absolute last thing someone who’s just labored and birthed a tiny human wants is to become constipated from pain meds and hormones. The same goes anyone who has been through c-section, who don’t have the stomach muscles to strain.
Pro-tip: Start taking stool softeners while still in the hospital. Trust me on this!
When you need this: Postpartum, no matter how you gave birth!
5. Peri Bottle
Surprise, surprise— the one and only Frida Mom Peri Bottle is amazing! Fill this up with warm water to lightly rinse because you’ll likely want to avoid wiping with toilet paper. The hospital or your medical provider may supply you with one, but in my opinion, they’re incredibly messy, so it’s great to have a designated peri bottle. Frida Mom’s Peri Bottle has a slimmer neck for comfort and is designed to have a continuous stream of water.
Pro-tip: Add some witch hazel for added comfort and healing!
When you need this: Postpartum, no matter how you gave birth. If you had a vaginal birth, avoid wiping, while with a c-section you may not be able to bend over easily enough to reach everything. Remember, the peri bottle is your friend!
6. Sitz Bath
Yes, it’s hard to find time to take a bath post baby, but you can use a sitz bath to give yourself some relief and comfort. If you want to get the healing benefits of a sitz bath but don’t see yourself taking many baths, a foldable over-the-toilet sitz bath seat is the perfect solution.
If you want to try an herbal sitz bath, consider supporting local or small businesses who creative postpartum specific blends to ensure you do your best healing.
When you need this: Postpartum, no matter how you gave birth. If you birthed vaginally, experienced hemorrhoids, labored prior to c-section and have vaginal swelling, or just want a comfortable way to clean yourself, then this is the best option!
Although the hospital will give you mesh underwear, they’ll barely get the job done causing a big struggle. We’d like to make things a little more comfortable, yes?!
That’s where Frida Mom comes into play, making a comfortable boy short disposable mesh underwear. They’re comfortable, created specifically for postpartum, and will make your hospital stay much more comfortable.
Want a be a little more eco-friendly? I also love the Thinx Postpartum Sets. They’re slightly more supportive, reduce your need to use bulky pads, and are easy to clean.
When you need this: Postpartum, no matter how you gave birth.
Comfy pajamas?! Count me in. After birth, I recommend a nightgown or loose fitting pajamas to let everything breathe and heal properly. The great thing about Kindred Bravely is that they serve well for pregnancy and postpartum.
When you need this: Postpartum, regardless of how you gave birth.
These help in more ways then one, from nipple soreness to breast soreness from engorgement. Want to take things up a notch? Try Earth Mama’s Booby Tubes.
When you need this: Breastfeeding, especially when baby is learning to latch, teething, or if you develop engorgement or mastitis.
10. Nursing Pads
If you’re nursing or donating, you’re also likely leaking through your bra. And here’s the thing, breastmilk STAINS!
Hear me out, you do NOT have time right now to stain remover your way out of all the breastmilk stains (though try Puracy Natural Stain Remover if you do). Reusable nursing pads will save you tons of time!
When you need this: While breastfeeding, day or night when you want to avoid getting heavy-staining breast milk on your clothes.
Raspberry leaf is often included in “pregnancy teas” to help tone the muscles in the uterus, which can help shorten labor and ease labor pains. Do not use red raspberries during pregnancy if you are having complications. The high level of B vitamins in particular makes it useful for relieving nausea, soothing leg cramps, and improving sleep.
For postpartum purposes, this tea is used to help with bleeding and swelling as well as to restore tone to the uterus. The high nutrient content may help to enrich breast milk, though over-consumption can cause supply issues due to raspberry’s astringency. Please contact your medical provider before purchasing and/or drinking raspberry leaf tea or any herbs!
12. Breast Massager
This not only feels amazing, but can have many physical health benefits, including pain relief, lymphatic drainage, and improved blood circulation. If you do it for long enough (15 to 20 minutes), it also releases a bunch of hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin, which can make you feel relaxed, connected and calm.
If you are breastfeeding, it has additional benefits such as regulating milk supply, unblocking milk ducts, and helping relieve painful engorgement.
When you need this: Typically while breastfeeding, but it is also amazing for breast or chest bodily awareness and TLC.
13. Nipple Cream
Trust me, you want this, and TONS of it. If your baby’s latch is good, nipple cream won’t be a big deal, but you’ll still need it. If your baby’s latch is on the come up, you’ll have sore nipples and run through this like water.
Pro-tip: Contact a lactation consultant, because breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt!
When you need this: When Breastfeeding!
15. A Postpartum Doula
