Postpartum Prep: Must-Have Products & Self-Care Tips for New Moms
The Ultimate Guide to healing & nourishing yourself after birth
Bringing a new life into the world is a beautiful and transformative experience, but it’s also a time of immense change for your body. As a soon-to-be mom, you’ve likely spent a lot of time preparing for the birth itself—arranging the nursery, buying baby essentials, and maybe even packing your hospital bag. But once your baby arrives, there’s one more thing you’ll want to focus on: taking care of yourself during those first weeks postpartum.
Postpartum recovery isn’t always discussed as much as pregnancy or labor, but it’s just as important. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my own postpartum prep checklist, which includes items for physical comfort, healing, self-care, and nourishing your body as it recovers from childbirth. Plus, I’m offering a free download of my comprehensive Mom-to-Be Self-Care Checklist, which includes everything from birth prep to breastfeeding to postpartum essentials. You can grab the PDF on my website—for free!
1. Maternity Pads
After giving birth, your body will experience postpartum bleeding (lochia), and maternity pads are a must. I’ve been advised to stock up on a good supply of these, especially in the first few weeks when bleeding tends to be heavier.
Intl.: Cotton Maternity Pads here
2. Perineum Ice & Heat Packs
Taking care of your perineum is crucial, whether you have a vaginal birth or a C-section. After childbirth, many new moms experience soreness and swelling in the perineal area, and ice and heat packs can work wonders to alleviate discomfort. Ice helps with swelling, while heat can offer soothing relief as your body heals.
Intl. Amazon Link: Simple Perineum Ice Packs or Ice Packs
Aus: Perineum Ice Pack or a double pack here
3. Peri Bottle
A peri bottle is a lifesaver for postpartum hygiene. After giving birth, you’ll want to avoid any unnecessary irritation down there. A peri bottle lets you gently cleanse your perineal area without wiping, which can help keep things clean while minimizing discomfort. It’s simple but effective.
Intl. Link: Peri Bottle
Aus Link: My Peri Bottle
4. Witch Hazel Recovery Wipes
Witch hazel is a natural remedy known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Recovery wipes infused with witch hazel can be a soothing, cooling way to clean and refresh the perineal area after birth. I’ve heard great things about these wipes for reducing swelling and promoting healing, so they’re definitely on my list.
Intl. Link: Frida Mom Witch Hazel Wipes
Aus Link: Frida Mom Witch Hazel Wipes
5. Comfy Full Brief Underwear
Let’s face it—comfort is key during the postpartum period, especially when it comes to underwear. I’m planning to purchase full-brief, high-waisted underwear that can comfortably hold the maternity pads in place while also giving me some much-needed support.
6. Wide, Comfy Clothes
I’m not planning to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes right away, so I’m stocking up on loose, comfy clothing to make postpartum recovery easier.
7. Chewing Gum & Stool Softener
Okay, this might sound a little random, but I’m keeping chewing gum and stool softeners in my postpartum kit. Chewing gum helps with digestion, and stool softeners will make those first bathroom trips after birth a lot more comfortable.
8.Meal Prep: Nourishing My Body
Meal prep is definitely a priority for me. I want to make sure I have nutrient-dense meals ready to go, so I’m focusing on things like bone broth, leafy greens, healthy fats, and protein-rich foods to help my body heal and keep my energy up during those first weeks with baby.
(I’ll write a seperate Blog post on this topic, stay tuned! )
Book I’ll Be Using as a Guide: The First Forty Days by Heng Ou
During my postpartum journey, I plan to take a holistic approach to recovery. I’m excited to dive into The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou. This book has been highly recommended by other moms and provides thoughtful advice on nurturing your body and soul in the first 40 days after childbirth. The book focuses on the importance of nourishment, rest, and bonding, and I know it’s going to be a game-changer in helping me make a smooth transition into new motherhood. I’ll be using it as a guide, and I’ll link to it in case you want to check it out for yourself!
Download My Mom-to-Be Self-Care Checklist
If you’re preparing for postpartum, too, don’t forget to grab my free Mom-to-Be Self-Care Checklist! It has everything you need to prep for birth, breastfeeding, and recovery. You can download it here:
Final Thoughts: Take Care of Yourself, Mama!
Motherhood is a beautiful, challenging, and life-changing experience, and taking care of yourself during the postpartum period is essential. By preparing ahead of time with the right products and resources, you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoother, more comfortable recovery. Remember, you deserve to be cared for, too.
Much love,
Charlie
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