Postpartum recovery looked different for all my pregnancies, and I’ve rounded up a whole list of absolute must haves for new moms after delivery, including self-care products, the best nursing bras, and more to make your recovery easier.
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If you are currently pregnant and thinking about all the things you need to buy for this new baby, don’t forget to think about the things you, the new mother, will need after delivery. After having my first baby, I really wasn’t that prepared when it came to my postpartum journey. The second time around, I knew better and made myself a postpartum essentials kit, which had all the important items in it, like postpartum pads and postpartum underwear.
A postpartum basket could also be a great gift idea for a new mother if you have a pregnant friend. It’s honestly such a lifesaver having all the postpartum essentials on hand, so you don’t have to go out and buy everything and can just focus on taking care of this new baby.
This post will give you over 11 postpartum essentials
11 Absolute Must Haves For New Moms After Delivery
Let’s just dive right into the postpartum essentials list. If you don’t want to buy all individual items, I’ve included some all-in-one postpartum care kits at the very bottom of this list.
1. Maxi Pads
Even though these are on the pricier side, I absolutely loved these pads for post-partum. Unlike any other pads, these pads are infused with essential oils, creating a “cooling” effect that helps soothe. You will feel refreshed and cool, day and night.
2. Disposable Underwear
Shop Disposable Underwear Here
There are often two things you might fall in love with in the delivery room—your baby, and the incredibly stretchy and utilitarian giant mesh undies they give you. Stock up on a few pairs of similarly roomy and supportive panties for your home to keep your postpartum comfort at a maximum. FRIDA MOM has an 8-pack of disposable postpartum underwear and MODIBODI has a leak-proof Postpartum Control Brief you’ll want to keep forever.
3. Peri Rinse Bottle
The hospital or birth center will provide you with a plastic squirt bottle to use instead of toilet paper while your most sensitive areas are healing. This ankled Peri Rinse Bottle by Frida Mom is so much more convenient and makes it very easy to “clean” down there. If you fill it with warm water, it also helps with the burning pain if you had stitches or scrapes.
4. Lactation Gummies
There are a few ways to increase your milk supply, like teas and eating oatmeal but I never liked the taste of these teas, so I ordered these gummies. They are not just good for you, they actually taste delicious and helped me increase my milk supply. They are plant-based and 100% organic, I highly recommend these for your post-partum recovery and throughout your nursing journey.
6. Nursing Pads
Nursing Pads are an absolute lifesaver if you are breastfeeding. I like the reusable and washable ones much better than the disposable ones. These are so much more comfortable and ultra-soft.
7. Nursing Bra
Another Postpartum Must-Have are Nursing Bras. These are super comfortable and great for those nighttime feeds. They are literally so comfortable you can sleep in them, and leave a nursing pad in them if you are leaking milk at night.
8. Water Bottle
You will never feel as thirsty as at 3am after a nighttime feed, so it’s important to drink enough water throughout the day. I always keep a water bottle at my nightstand and with me when I’m leaving the house.
9. Nipple Butter
Breastfeeding is amazing for Mom and Baby but can also be extremely painful in the beginning. I’ve used and loved this nipple butter for the first few weeks postpartum, to help heal sore and cracked nipples.
10. Stool Softener
This is something I wish someone would have told me before giving birth. I’m not sure what the science behind this is but going to the bathroom just feels weird after you had a child. Feeling constipated is something many new moms experience after childbirth. These Lower Bowl Stimulater Pills can really help and are extremely handy to have at home.
11. Postnatal Vitamins
OBGYNs recommend a postnatal multivitamin for at least six months postpartum – and for breastfeeding mothers, you should continue as long as you are nursing or pumping breast milk. Postnatal Vitamins help with mood health, balanced energy levels, and immune health.
I hope this post about Must Haves For New Moms was helpful and will make your 4th trimester a bit easier. If you have anything that needs to be added to this list, feel free to leave a comment below.