Postpartum Must Haves

Postpartum care was something I thought about when I was pregnant, but not something I really prepared for. Looking back, I wish I had researched what I would need in those first few weeks and months of motherhood. New moms are often so overwhelmed with caring for a newborn that they neglect to think about themselves! I fell into this category. Stocking up on must-have postpartum items will help make your transition to motherhood a little smoother (and more comfortable!) I had a c-section delivery (read more about my BIRTH STORY HERE) and found the following items very useful, if not necessary, to have at home during the first few weeks postpartum. You’ll notice several of these items were also included in my HOSPITAL BAG!

If you’re reading this and still pregnant, be sure to read MY TOP 10 PREGNANCY MUST HAVES!

1. BELLY WRAP

I heard a lot about postpartum BELLY WRAPS but didn’t realize how necessary they were until trying one out for myself. Wraps are particularly helpful for c-section recovery, but beneficial regardless of delivery experience. I started wearing mine 2 weeks postpartum and was shocked at how much my belly shrank after only ONE day of wearing this wrap. In addition to helping get everything back into place, it also provides support. This wrap comes with 3 separate pieces that can be worn individually or all together (I ended up only using one of the sections.) For less than $25, this item is definitely a must have for your recovery!

2. NURSING PILLOW

Whether or not you decide to breastfeed your baby, a NURSING PILLOW is a must-have! It comes in handy for both nursing and holding the baby. The Boppy nursing pillow is my favorite. It’s affordable and provides great support. I actually purchased two of these pillows, one to keep on each level of our home. I recommend getting the WATERPROOF PROTECTOR because spills are inevitable! If you want an additional “fashionable” cover, I found a great ETSY SHOP that offers beautiful neutrals and fun patterns!

3. NURSING BRA

If you decide to breastfeed, be sure to stock up on nursing bras! This style is my favorite. It has pads sewn in which I love – makes washing them much easier! It’s very comfortable and has easy to use clips for nursing. I wore these bras through my third trimester pregnant as well, when my normal bras no longer fit! They’re really comfortable to sleep in.

4. BAMBOO NURSING PADS

You may find that you need to use NURSING PADS whether you decide to breastfeed your baby or not! I never experienced much leaking, but I know that many women do. I used these nursing pads during the first few days, but now the pads in my nursing bra/tanks are enough for me (the need for these will vary from woman to woman.) If you do need to wear an additional layer of protection against leaks, I recommend these super soft bamboo pads. They are SO much more comfortable than the disposable pads (especially if you experience any cracking or bleeding!) They’re great quality, environmentally friendly and wash very well.

5. SLEEP SHIRT

A comfortable nightgown that’s also nursing friendly is so nice to have after giving birth! This soft bamboo SLEEP SHIRT is excellent quality and has buttons for easy access while breastfeeding. These are great to wear during your pregnancy too! I’ve tried this style nightgown from several brands and THIS one is by far the softest and best quality.

6. HIGH-WAISTED LEGGINGS

The more stretchy and higher waist the leggings, the better! After having a c-section you really have no other choice than to wear high-waisted everything. Regardless of the type of delivery you have, high waistbands are great for keeping things sucked in and speeding up the healing process. I love the style and fit of the – they’re very similar to the Lululemon Align legging (I actually prefer these) but at a fraction the cost. I recommend investing in a few pairs – you’ll be living in them those first few months after birth! I STILL wear mine almost daily. They come in two lengths – full and 7/8 (I prefer the full length.)

7. ORGANIC NIPPLE BUTTER

I started using nipple butter in the hospital and have been ever since! The first few weeks I used it after every feeding. I’m not sure if it’s the nipple butter or if I just got lucky, but I experienced no cracking or bleeding nipples. It was important for me to find an ORGANIC NIPPLE BALM – safe for mom and baby! This one has great reviews and doesn’t need to be washed off before you nurse again.

8. NURSING TANK

I actually wear these NURSING TANKS more than I wear my nursing bras! They are the same brand and pretty much identical to the first nursing bra I mentioned above. They have a built-in shelf bra and sewn-in pads which is great – no need to wear a bra! The straps have easy to use clips for nursing too. They’re great for lounging around the house…which is really all you can do the first few weeks after having a newborn! I grabbed the black and white (NOTE: the pads show through on the white, but this doesn’t bother me, it just looks like you’re wearing a bra under the tank.) I sized up to a medium for postpartum wear.

9. BREASTFEEDING PROBIOTIC

I was advised to take a BREASTFEEDING PROBIOTIC beginning my 3rd trimester. I stuck with the same brand as my PRENATAL VITAMIN. Klaire Labs vitamins and supplements offer some of the purest and most potent products on the market, free of eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans. They also contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. If you have any type of skin or diet sensitivities, I would recommend this vitamin.

This particular vitamin supports breast health during lactation and immune health in infants. These capsules are designed to be taken by pregnant and lactating mothers.

10. DISPOSABLE UNDERWEAR

I never thought I’d be blogging about diapers, but here we go! I purchased these disposable underwear for my HOSPITAL BAG for after my delivery and ended up wearing them for 3 weeks postpartum. I outdent have lived without them. The first two weeks I wore them all day. The third week I wore them only overnight. They are SO MUCH more comfortable than having to fuss with pads. NOTE: these are necessary whether you have vaginal or c-section delivery.

11. MOTHER’S MILK TEA

My lactation consultant recommended MOTHER’S MILK TEA to help with my milk supply while breastfeeding. I can’t say it tastes excellent, but it seems to help with my supply. I sip on a cup of this tea every night before bed! It’s become part of my nighttime routine.

12. SILICONE SCAR SHEET

Another must-have item for c-section mamas are these SILICONE SCAR SHEETS which are great for helping to heal your incision. They’re breathable, flexible, washable and simple to apply. I wore these sheets every day for weeks following my surgery. Use them to hydrate and soften skin while protecting your scar from everyday movement. I felt more comfortable wearing normal clothes when I had these sheets covering my incision. I wore mine every day from the minute I woke up until I went to bed. I only removed them overnight to apply the VITAMIN E OIL mentioned above. I’ve already noticed an improvement in the appearance and texture of my scar. These sheets are reusable – the pack of 4 should last you 2 months.

13. WEARABLE PUMP

One of my favorite postpartum/nursing items is (hands down!) is the ELVIE WEARABLE PUMP. As a new mom, the Elvie has been LIFE CHANGING. The convenience of the Elvie pump comes with a high price. If you ask me, it’s worth every penny. However if you’re hesitant to make the investment, consider purchasing the SINGLE ELVIE PUMP. You’ll have to pump 1 breast at a time, but it’s STILL more convenient that being strapped down by a traditional breast pump.

14. TUMBLER

This may not seem a like a postpartum item, but it’s a must-have for me! Staying hydrated postpartum is just as important as it is during your pregnancy – especially if you’re breastfeeding. I keep cold ice water in my tumbler all day and bring it with me everywhere. I also fill it up before bed to keep by my nightstand. You’d be surprised how thirsty you get during late night nursing sessions and and having COLD water to sip on is key!

15. SUPPORTIVE UNDERWEAR

FULL BOTTOM

THONG

Once you’re past the days of wearing the disposable underwear I mentioned above, you’ll want to purchase some SUPPORTIVE UNDERWEAR. I love these two high-waisted styles that fall well above your c-section scar and provide some flattering tummy support. The high-waisted panels on both these pairs of underwear help to flatten your tummy under clothes. The first pair are FULL BOTTOM UNDERWEAR, the second pair is a THONG.

16. VITAMIN E OIL

If you have a c-section, VITAMIN E OIL will help reduce the appearance of your scar. I apply this vitamin E oil every evening before bed. Not all Vitamin E is the same…this product is formulated with naturally derived D-Alpha Tocopherol (natural form of vitamin E, not synthetic), Soybean Oil, Jojoba Oil and Rosehip Oil. It’s completely safe and effective!

ARE YOU A NEW MOM OR MOM-TO-BE?

If you’re a new mom or expecting, I have some additional pregnancy related posts you may be interested in! Click below to read!

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Postpartum Must Haves