We have officially made it four weeks as a family of four.  We are slowly but surely getting into the hang of things, although I think a real schedule is still a ways away for us.

But, we have been able to successfully get to the grocery store and storytime without meltdowns and I made it through my first weekend with both boys by myself while Hubs was traveling a couple weekends ago.  So far, the only casualty has been Little’s afternoon nap, which he’s decided he doesn’t need anymore (#RIPnap).

So today, I’m excited to share some of my postpartum essentials for both recovery and nursing.  These things are specifically postpartum things for moms and not things to have on hand for baby in the beginning – that’s a whole other post!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Please see full disclosure for more information. 

Essentials for Postpartum Recovery & Nursing

These are the things that I have used after having both of my children and recommend having on hand before you have your little one.

Postpartum Essentials for Recovery

You’ll get many of these things from the hospital – and I recommend taking all the things you can from the hospital, but for most of these things, you’ll need to have extras at home.  I actually like to corral all the items in a little basket for each bathroom that I’ll be using when we get home so I have everything I need ready.

Maxi pads

Just stock up on these.  I used the really thick ones for about the first week – week and a half and then switched to long, super thin pads because they are way more comfortable.  I’ve seen a lot of people recommend just buying adult diapers, but I really think the bulk would drive me bananas.  Whatever you choose, just make sure you have something that is really absorbent and will stay in place.

Peri Bottles

Even though you’ll get one of these from the hospital, I recommend having one for each of the bathrooms you’ll use at home.  After giving birth, you will want to avoid using toilet paper for a while.  These little bottles are perfect for helping keep you clean while you are healing.

Flushable wipes

On that same note, grab several packages of flushable wipes to use instead of toilet paper.  Just like the peri bottles, I found it helpful to have these on hand in all the bathrooms in our house.   These are the exact ones that I got.  You can buy them from Amazon or from Wal-Mart.  I ended up buying a couple of these 3-packs and that was plenty.  Numbing Spray

Because delivering a baby just makes things sore.  Numbing spray can help relieve pain and also any itching if you have stitches.  It’s really good to have on hand in the first couple of weeks.

Sitz Bath

I got a sitz bath from the hospital with my first, but not with my second, so I’m not sure if it’s standard at all hospitals.  Regardless, this is really helpful to help soothe and heal things down there after birth.  Fill it will warm water and sit for about 10 minutes each day if you can.

Other Things You Might Need

It’s worth mentioning, although I’m sure you already know, that because every labor and delivery is different, there are some things that you should have on your radar even if you end up not needing them.  For me, these things were Tucks cooling pads and stool softener.  Both of these things helped a lot when I had my first – I ended up having more stitches and major anxiety about having a bowel movement after delivery.  (I actually asked the nurse to be in the bathroom with me because I was so nervous.  In hindsight, maybe that was overkill, but it wasn’t easy and it definitely wasn’t comfortable.  Of course the nurse just reassured me that I had just pushed out a baby that was more than 9 pounds, I could certainly survive a bowel movement…perspective, I guess.)

I ended up not using these with my second, but want to keep them in the list since they were so helpful the first time around.

Postpartum Essentials for Nursing

Nursing bras & Camisoles

I’ll be honest, I live in sleep bras the first several weeks postpartum.  They are comfortable, and I can sleep in them.  Win-win as far as I’m concerned.  I also like having nursing friendly camisoles on hand.  I find them helpful to layer with a cardigan or under another top especially if I’ll be out or nursing around others.  It’s nice to have a separate layer if I need to pull my outer shirt up for nursing.  It’s also helpful to have a great, supportive nursing bra, but I haven’t actually found one that I absolutely love yet, so I don’t have a good link so provide for that.  I’m on the hunt this time though and really hoping to find a great bra that will get me through several months of nursing.

(Mama’s – if you have found a supportive, comfortable, at least semi-attractive nursing bra that you love, please tell me about it in the comments, or email me.  I’m in the market!)

 

Nursing Pads

Because your boobs will likely leak at some point.  TMI?  Maybe.  Factual?  Yes.  That’s really all I have to say about it.  I use both disposable and reusable nursing pads.  I like to use these bamboo pads during the day since I can change them more easily and the disposable ones at night since they are more absorbent.  These are the exact nursing pads I’ve used with both of my boys and I have really liked them.

Nipple Cream

I am really thankful to be able to breastfeed my babies.  But, I would be lying if I told you that it is always comfortable.  In fact, it can be quite painful as baby is learning to latch.  I was hopeful this wouldn’t be the case the second time around, but alas.  This nipple cream from Earth Mama Organics helped so much the first couple of weeks and is safe for baby so you don’t have to worry about washing it off before nursing.  I also really like it because it can be used to soothe any dry or chapped skin – so you don’t feel like you’ve wasted it if you end up only needing it for a short time (which hopefully is the case).

Nursing Pillow

I have both a Boppy Pillow and the Brest Friend Pillow.  When Little was born, I used my Brest Friend all the time.  It traveled with us to friends’ houses and stayed with me wherever I was in the house.  I love this pillow because it also clips around your back for extra support and has a little pocket for your phone or water bottle.  Because it clips, it stays in place, which I like.  I use it a lot less with Hug – mostly for the middle of the night feedings.  (I still use the Boppy for help with tummy time and I used it for extra support for Little when he was learning to sit.)

A Water Bottle

You should keep a water bottle close by when you can since it is so important to stay well hydrated while breastfeeding.  I keep this one on hand everywhere I go.

Healthy, ready to eat snacks

I know that pregnancy cravings are real.  But no one told me about breastfeeding cravings before I had Little.  I was hungry all the time.  Because breastfeeding burns extra calories, it’s important to have healthy, ready to eat snacks on hand or in the pantry and fridge to help fuel your body well while you’re taking care of your little one.  And let’s just be real, you don’t always have time to put together a well thought out meal when you’re in the thick of recovery and nursing a newborn.  Having these snacks on hand helps ensure that you’ll get enough food and that it will be healthy.

Breast Pump and Pumping Bra

Your insurance will likely cover this, but I recommend having a pump on hand.  This is important if you plan to return to work and if for some reason your little one has trouble nursing.  I used Medela’s Pump in Style Advanced with this nursing bra and really liked it when I was working.  I’m also planning to try using Medela’s Manual Pump with our second since I’ll be staying home the whole time with him.  Before choosing a pump though, I recommend seeing which one(s) you might qualify for with your insurance.

Milk storage bags

I really like the Medela storage bags since they fit easily with the adapter to the pump.  But, I found myself a little frustrated that it was often hard to find them without the adapter included (it’s helpful the first 1-2 times you buy a box of bags, but at some point, I felt like I didn’t need one more plastic adapter.)  I have also used Lansinoh’s bags without any trouble.  I definitely recommend storing milk in bags though because they save lots of space compared to bottles in the freezer if you are building a stash.

And that’s that.  If you are able, I recommend getting these things before having your little one to be prepared.  Like I said, I like to have the recovery things in each bathroom beforehand if possible.

Mamas – I’d love to know what your MUST HAVE recovery & nursing items were.  Let me know in the comments below!

Was this post helpful to you?  I’d love you to share on Facebook for Pinterest using the share buttons below!