After you have a baby, your body needs to do a lot of healing. Giving birth is a major event with a lot of changes that occur. Here is my list of essentials for postpartum that could help you heal and feel better after giving birth.
Essentials For Postpartum:
These are the items that I can’t imagine not having after giving birth to a tiny human.
Peri-bottle– after you give birth, it’s not a possibility to wipe with toilet paper, therefore, a peri-bottle is a necessity. The hospital may give you one, but it’s not the best. I like one that aims upwards.
Witch hazel pads– I use these for about a week or two after delivery.
Comfortable clothing– after giving birth, the last thing you want is to be more uncomfortable than you already are. Having comfortable clothes with nursing accessibility can really help. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. You can use nursing tank tops underneath shirts that you pull up if you are on a budget. If you have a little money to splurge on, I love my nursing dresses.
Period panties– I use these obviously during my period, but they work amazingly after giving birth. They are much more comfortable than using pads. You can’t use cups or tampons after giving birth, so you’re basically stuck between period panties or huge pads.
Water bottle– if you didn’t have one during pregnancy you need one now. While healing you need to make sure you stay hydrated. If you are breastfeeding, you definitely need more liquid. Get a large one and refill it multiple times a day. Keep it nearby to stay hydrated.
Prenatal vitamins– during pregnancy prenatal vitamins help your baby grow and develop, if you choose to breastfeed, you should continue to take prenatals so that you make sure your baby gets all of the vitamins they need. If you choose not to breastfeed, you can still take prenatal vitamins so that you get all the nutrients you could want.
Snacks!– after giving birth, you’re likely to be stuck on a couch a lot. Having easy to eat snacks can be especially helpful, especially if you decide to breastfeed.
Related: 12 Necessities For Baby
Non-Essentials:
These items are things I didn’t buy or didn’t use and I don’t regret it.
Sitz bath– I never bought these and I wouldn’t have even had the time to use one.
Ice packs– I tried to make a padsicle before my son was born. It just sat in the freezer unused.
Disposable underwear– I used the disposable underwear that the hospital provided while we were there, but once I left I ended up using my period panties.
Epsom salts– Again, I never even would have had the time to use epsom salts to soak.
Pain reliever– I was uncomfortable but not in pain so this was never necessary for me.
Donut seat– If you tear really badly you may need to use one of these, but if you don’t tear then these are unnecessary.
Other Items You Might Want:
These are items that may be useful particularly if you tear.
Stool softener– You may have a painful bowel movement after giving birth, especially if you tear.
Dermoplast– If you tear, this can help to numb the pain.
If you plan to breastfeed make sure you check out my post on the best and worst breastfeeding products.
