First, we need something to put all of our supplies into!
Cart/basket filled with all the postpartum supplies. They have cool carts here with three tiers and wheels so you can cart it around the house with you. Each level can be a different type of item. Baskets also work and can be used as a diaper caddy once the initial postpartum period is over. I had baskets staged all over my house with items that I may need in those specific locations, such as a basket with bathroom support supplies, or a basket near where I planned to nurse, or a diaper changing basket.
For You:
Pads & Underwear
We both preferred the Adult Diapers and I loved the ones from Amazon here. I found they were most helpful the first few days postpartum when bleeding was heavier and then at night so I didn’t have to worry about leaking.
After the first few days, I did switch to pads and comfy underwear during the day. Some recommendations for others were higher-waisted underwear, especially for those who had a c-section because it doesn’t irritate the incision. Some underwear I wore were the Baobei bloomers and the Itsbodily underwear. (Use code MAMASTEFIT for 10% off Bao Bei)
I used the pads given to me by the birth center but you can wear anything that you would normally use during your period, or there are “clean” brands out there like Rael.
Peri Bottle
This is one of the most useful items I think! I had three different types that I used. I got the one from the birth center that the typical hospital issued peri bottle. It does the job and for most and it’s free from the birth location. The one I used the most at home though was the one from Baobei! It is designed with a curved tip so that you don’t have to hold it at an odd angle to get all the water on your bottom. It aims perfectly! I had one for each bathroom and then had one in our diaper bag if I was out and about and needed to change my pad.
Sitz Bath
Sitz baths can be placed on the toilet, for you to soak your perineum in. It can help with healing and soothing discomfort. Soothic sits right in your toilet seat! You can use code 15SITZBATH for 15% off.
Ice packs!!
Ice feels so nice during those first few days postpartum. I used ice packs for the first 2 days and whenever I felt like my perineal area was swollen. Ice can be really helpful with the swelling on the vagina and anus. You can also make your own padsciles ahead of time, but if you are spending a few days in the hospital after birth, you won’t need them by the time you get home.
Tucks pads/Witch Hazel Pads
These are also great for swelling! Some brands have longer wipes that fit the length of a pad, which can be helpful in the first few days of healing. I used the Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads to provide relief as needed.
Comfy clothes, robe, and slippers!
I lived in a robe for the first few days postpartum. It was so much easier than having to get fully dressed every day. I just wore a comfy bra and some comfy shorts and threw the robe on! It was easy access for nursing but provided full coverage for walking around.
The robe I used was Kindred Bravely, and so were the shorts I wore every day postpartum. I had three pairs!
I also wore my Ugg slippers that I have been obsessed with to keep my feet warm. This was a big thing for my mom, staying warm to help with healing.
The three bras I alternated between postpartum were the itsbodily everything bra, kindred bravely’s adjustable crossover nursing & lounge bra, and the Baobei Bralette. They were sooooo comfy and soft but also allowed for easy access to nurse Colin.
Water Bottle and Snacks
Having a water bottle close by was helpful to remain hydrated, along with having a basket of easy-to-eat snacks & drinks! I was super hungry during those first few weeks with nursing and recovery. Pick snacks that are quick to eat but also nutritious. My favorite snacks were:
External Support Devices can also be helpful you can learn about them more here in one of our previous blogs.
Toddler toy kit nearby of toys for your older kids to play with while you’re tending to the baby. Can be anything, but these toys are reserved to when you are tending to the baby.
If nursing:
Silverettes were MAGIC in a nipple shield. They’re just amazing with helping the initial soreness, or nipple damage caused by bad latches.
Haaka was amazing when leaking milk while nursing to catch that liquid gold!
Breast Pads, disposable and reusable ones were also helpful to prevent me from leaking milk EVERYWHERE.
Heating pad from Baobei was super helpful during the engorgement period, Warm wet heat.
ItsBodily has postpartum kits with a lot of the stuff you need too!
For Your Support Team to Do
During the postpartum period, it can be so helpful to have help from friends and family. They may want to help but do not know how to at the moment. So, discussing this with them prior to the birth can be helpful.
Assign tasks! For example, during my postpartum, my mother was visiting and she was helpful in cleaning the house and cooking food for us. My husband had started classes soon after Colin was born so having her help around the house was helpful for me! Gina and the kids helped entertain lily while they were here, especially that first week postpartum!
If you don’t have family or friends nearby to help you, having them go in on meal delivery service gift cards can be nice! Since we just moved across the country to California prior to Colin’s birth a lot of friends and family sent us Doordash gift cards which were really helpful after my mom left, so I didn’t have to worry about making dinner every night.
Make a list of chores that your visitors or support team could take care of, to include tasks that may need to be done during that first few weeks, such as appointments for older kids or taking care of the dog.
Setting boundaries with visitors! It can also be important to set clear boundaries. Postpartum is a really vulnerable time for us; we may be processing our own birth experience, physically healing from pregnancy and birth, and if we have visitors that do not respect our boundaries, it can make this period even more difficult.
Prepare for the Postpartum: Conversations to Have
Having open conversations with your partner can also be helpful for expectation management! Sitting down together to discuss what to expect out of you while postpartum and what you need help with from them. After our first child was born, my husband took charge of cleaning the house and taking care of our dogs. I was able to focus on Lily and it was so helpful. It’s also helped to discuss what you may be like in the postpartum period. It is a time some people are highly emotional with mood swings and sudden crying. Ensuring your partner knows what’s normal and what’s abnormal in regards to postpartum baby blues vs mood disorders can be helpful! Also respecting that this is a huge change for your partner as well! So, listening to their needs during this time can be helpful as well! Some helpful question prompts are:
What chores must be done during the initial month postpartum and which ones can wait till I am recovered? Are you okay to do them or will we need to hire someone/bring someone in to do them?
What can you do to help with the baby? Diapers? Bottles? Baths? So that I can rest or take a shower during those times.
During the first(second, third, fourth) week postpartum, I would like to focus on [fill in the blank….]
During your postpartum period, I can do [fill in blank…] and I need [fill in blank…] from you. (Partner)
Who are we okay with coming to help us during the postpartum period? Or would we rather do this just us? When would we like visitors to come to the house?
Having these conversations it can help avoid resentment between partners and hopefully keep the open communication going throughout the postpartum period.
The early postpartum period is A LOT. We are physically healing from birth, and also caring for a brand new baby. And then throw managing our current relationships with older children, our partner, and other family members and friends.
Having a team ready to support you is ideal, but not always realistic, especially during a pandemic when travel may be restricted or lack of paid maternity/paternity leave in the United States.
Our family and friends can support us from afar with meal delivery or sending helpful items from this list, and we may find that we need to rely heavily on our partners. Prepare ahead of time with expectations you may have of each other, and be prepared to have regular check-ins during the first few weeks postpartum!