And we are back for another must haves! I wanted to share with you guys my postpartum must haves. Postpartum is a really uncomfortable and crucial time where you want to make sure you’re taking it easy and remembering to take good care of yourself. Easier said than done when you have an infant and possibly other kids needing your attention but I will give you insight to some things that helped me with Emma and hopefully will be helping me while recovering from Noah as well.
I talked about this in my hospital bag essentials post but Postpartum diapers and pads are huge! The ones that the hospital gives you are so uncomfortable and do not help the self-esteem either. I bought the always postpartum “underwear” and I got heavy duty night pads as well. The pads are so much more comfortable once the bleeding eases up.
Lidocaine spray. I used this in the hospital and for a few days afterwards once I was home as well. I just sprayed it on after going to the restroom to help ease the (3rd degree burn) pain.
I squeeze bottle for when you pee. Guys it burns to pee after birth, especially if you tore. You also don’t want toilet paper to get stuck down there either. What you want to do if fill the bottle with warm water, NOT TOO HOT, and spray down there while you are peeing. It will help and it will keep you clean as well. The hospital provided me one with Emma but you’ll want at least two.
Stool softener. This will be your friend. They gave it to me in the hospital and I took it for about a week at home. Your first BM after baby hurts, sorry to be blunt but it isn’t fun. Stool softeners will help ease the pain a bit.
I use a postpartum band as well to help the uterus go down in size and help with the cramping a bit. This wouldn’t really be considered an essential but it was definitely nice to have!
Comfortable clothing whether it be leggings, pj’s or biker shorts. Allow yourself to be comfortable during this time of healing.
Nursing bra / top. If you’re breast feeding have a good nursing bra and top on hand, you will pretty much live in these at home so baby can have easy access to the boob.
Nipple butter! Whether you’re breast feeding or pumping this will help, a lot! My nipples bled from pumping every 2 hours. They were chapped and hurt and nipple butter really did help.
Padcicle. Some people make homemade or you can buy them as well, I believe Frida mom makes some. Personally, I felt uncomfortable with the ice pack on my lady bits but I’ve heard from tons of friends they really helped so I am adding them on the list.
I bought the Frida mom perineal with hazel healing foam for healing, pain relief and cleanliness. I used the hospital version of this with Emma but I liked the idea of the foam so I went ahead and purchased this
Hand lotion. As a new mom, especially a first timer you will be washing your hands and sanitizing a ton, especially if you are like me and are having a pandemic baby. Your hands will be dry and you will thank me for telling you lotion.
Chap stick is something else that is great to have on hand, and lets be real, you can never have too many chap sticks.
A couple other pointers for you mamas out there. Keep a hair tie on your wrist, you never know when you will need it. Hydrate hydrate hydrate! Have a good water bottle on hand and always have water and things like armor drinks or Gatorade, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Last, I know this is a hard time, you are emotional, you don’t feel yourself and you are figuring out your new life with a new baby. Mama allow yourself to heal, give yourself grace and soak it all in. You got this and you are amazing.
All of my favorite items are linked here in my liketoknow.it app. These are the things I will personally be using just in case you are interested.
