Having a new baby is an incredibly exciting and busy time, and while you are likely to have all that you need for baby and more at home, what about what you will need after giving birth?
New moms have some items that they will need after giving birth that are not always talked about that much. Here is a list of items for your postpartum care kit that you will want to make sure you have ready at home for after your baby’s birth.
What Should I Buy For Postpartum Recovery?
If you’re having a new baby or even know someone who is, these are the perfect items to put in a postpartum care box. After care birth for mom deserves special attention too!
Try to stock up on these items fairly early because trust me, in those early weeks after you give birth you won’t be thrilled to go on a Target run.
I love leisurely browsing the aisles just as much as anyone else, but not immediately after having a baby. Amazon will be your best friend for making a diy postpartum kit!
Consider making a postpartum care kit just another important step in how to prepare for bringing baby home!
Postpartum Care Checklist
1. Pads
Every postpartum survival kit needs pads. After birth, you will need lots of pads, from the huge ones they send you home from the hospital with to overnight pads, and eventually, to regular size pads, you will need them all.
Regardless of whether you give birth vaginally or via c-section, there will still be a lot of bleeding for those first few weeks. Make sure that you have a healthy supply of pads in each bathroom at your house.
I am also a fan of these clean cotton, eco-friendly pads with no synthetic dyes or materials. The last thing you need during postpartum recovery is to have discomfort from your pad.
2. Comfortable / Disposable Underwear
As mentioned above there is a lot of bleeding after birth. You don’t want to ruin your cute panties so before the birth consider purchasing some dark-colored underwear or even the disposable mesh kind that they give you at the hospital.
They might not be attractive, but they are comfortable and practical and you can throw them away without having to worry about washing them.
If you want suggestions about the best maternity undwear that you can also use postpartum, be sure to check out my in depth guide.
3. Pain Relievers
Make sure that you have your favorite over the counter pain reliever on hand.
You will be sore after giving birth and pain relievers with acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help to reduce some of the swelling and relieve the pain.
They can also help to relive post-epidural headaches which are a common occurrence for many new mothers.
4. Breast Pads
Whether you are nursing or not you will still have some breast milk leakage for at least those first few weeks.
You can buy disposable pads that you can simply throw away or reusable ones made of cotton or bamboo that can be thrown in the washing machine.
5. Nipple Cream
If you are planning to breastfeed or pump it is a good idea to have some nipple cream on hand.
Your nipples are likely to crack during those first few weeks of nursing and pumping and nipple cream can make a huge difference in your comfort level.
6. Nursing Bra
Your breasts might feel painful and engorged after giving birth so you will want a comfortable nursing bra for support. It’s fine to go bra free, but in situations where you will want to wear a bra, for example, leaving the house or welcoming visitors, a nursing bra is a must have.
Ditch your regular, wired pre baby bras for these nursing bras and get the most comfort from bras while breastfeeding!
Its also MUCH easier to hold those breast pads in place that I mentioned earlier with a nursing bra.
7. Pain Relieving Spray
After a vaginal birth, there is no denying that there will be some pain and discomfort as you heal and particularly after bathroom visits.
One of the nurses at the hospital told me about this and I HAVE to pass along the info to you. There is an amazing product called Dermoplast that contains benzocaine as the active ingredient.
The benzocaine helps to relieve some of the pain and swelling after a trip to the restroom. Dermoplast comes in a red bottle and a blue bottle, the blue bottle also contains menthol and lanolin, and most new moms seem to prefer the blue bottle.
Place one of these sprays anywhere you might pull your underwear down, such as your bathrooms, and bedside table, you will be glad that you did!
8. Peri Bottle
You will probably come home from the hospital with at least one of these, but if you have more than one bathroom at home you may want to pick up a spare.
These are used to gently cleanse your vaginal and anal area after a bathroom trip so that you don’t have to wipe too much and risk irritating your stitches.
You can buy a mild cleansing liquid to fill your peri bottle with or you can make your own with water, witch hazel (alcohol-free), and a drop or two of very mild soap.
9. Stool Softeners
You will probably be given stool softeners at the hospital after giving birth vaginally or via c-section and either way you are going to be glad that you have them.
The pain medications that you are given can leave you a bit constipated and even if you didn’t have any pain medications going to the restroom is still going to be uncomfortable for a while.
Anything you can do to make that process easier with less straining is going to be a winner.
Have some stool softeners ready at home and make sure that you are staying as hydrated as you can.
10. Gas Pills
Gas pain can make you extremely uncomfortable after giving birth, particularly if you have a c-section. Have gas pills on hand to help relieve any discomfort that you might be feeling from gas and bloating.
11. Baby App for your Phone
This postpartum essential may seem a little strange, but you are going to be exhausted and it is nearly impossible to remember what breast you started feeding with last time, how many wet or poopy diapers there have been, or how many times they spit-up.
These best baby apps for new moms give you a handy way to keep track and when you get to the pediatrician and they ask their many questions about all of these things you will have the answers at your fingertips!
12. Freezer Meals or Meal Delivery Service
Having a baby is exhausting and to heal you need to eat well, but you probably aren’t going to feel much like cooking.
If you can fill your freezer with simple, yet delicious freezer meals for new moms before the baby arrives that you can just toss in the crockpot or oven you will be so glad that you did.
If you aren’t a fan of cooking this may be the perfect time to check out a meal delivery service where most of the work has already been done for you.
13. Pre or Post Natal Vitamins
The baby may be here, but you still need all of those essential vitamins and minerals to help you through the postpartum recovery period.
Make sure that you are taking these vitamins daily and though you may not notice it you will have more energy (you are still going to be exhausted) and heal faster.
How Do You Take Care Of Postpartum Mom?
Use the best postpartum care products to care for yourself and physically recover after giving birth. Giving birth is honestly no small feat!
These are just a few of the postpartum care kit essentials that you might consider gathering together at home before your baby is born.
It is a great feeling to know that you already have these comfort and recovery essentials ready and waiting for you when you get home from the hospital so that you can focus on your new baby!
Let me know if you plan on preparing a postpartum care kit for yourself or even as a postpartum gift for a new mom!
If you’re still in the planning mood, get your childbirth hospital bag together with this helpful checklist for what to wear after giving birth!
