I remember the day I came home from the hospital with my first baby and thought to myself – I have a really long road ahead of me. I wish then that I would have had this resource and read this postpartum checklist to tell me all the things that I needed. The postpartum stage is one that I think a lot of moms are not prepared for. There are many moments, even with my third baby, I thought to myself “is this normal?” and then would proceed to text my midwife. Haha.
A LITTLE ABOUT POSTPARTUM
Postpartum technically is said to last six weeks, but for me personally, it really takes at least a full year before I finally start feeling more like *me*. That might be a combination of the fact that I’m in the throes of being a milk maker and the number one resource for food and a little bit of the sleep deprivation, but after a year I’m more into the swing of things. My body has healed fully, I’ve been able to build up muscle again, and I’m feeling more confident in a routine with my family.
Take this checklist and add whatever else you need to help enhance your recovery because ultimately that’s what you need to really focus on post-birth. Recovery and bonding with your baby! If you had a vaginal birth or a c-section birth, absolutely feel free to use this as a starting point for your postpartum checklist.
Continue reading for the essential postpartum checklist that every mom needs to conquer the first six weeks of postpartum (and beyond)!
POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS FOR MOM
1. Frida Mom Kit
I didn’t have this with my first or my second, but I absolutely loved the kit for my third baby. It really gets you started with all the things that you need to take care of yourself during the first few days after birth.
My favorite parts from the kit are the disposable underwear (WAY better than the hospital mesh kind) and the peri spray bottle. The underwear and the bottle are both sold separately too if you don’t want the entire kit.
2. Peri Spray Bottle
The Frida Mom Kit has one, but if you don’t get the kit then I still highly suggest the spray bottle from them because the angle of the nozzle is more effective than the normal bottles.
Fun Fact: I got this for my second baby and sterilized it prior to using by boiling all the parts… And melted the squeezable bottle. So, don’t be like me… don’t boil the bottle part!
3. Disposable Underwear
Again, I’m just a huge fan of the Frida Mom products, but these underwear are actually comfortable. And dare I say… kinda cute?! Ha! I went with the boyshort ones and really loved them!
4. Extra Stretchy, Comfy Underwear
Once you’re not changing your pad every 2 minutes, change to a smaller pad, and ditch the mesh underwear – I promise you you’ll still want really stretchy underwear to keep recovery as comfortable as possible.
To be honest, I think I went up two sizes just to ensure things weren’t tight and felt good.
5. Pads
You will go through SO MANY. You really can’t go wrong buying more than you think you’ll need. Definitely get a couple different absorbency levels as you would for a normal period.
Think of your heaviest menstrual day and then multiply that by 5 and that’s postpartum life for you for the first few days. This brand is my favorite currently! No dyes and no fragrances! They have different absorbency levels too.
When you’re past those first few days and your flow is more normal, it’s a little annoying having those massive pads so it’s a good idea to get the different sizes/absorbency levels.
6. Padsicles
If you get the Frida Mom Kit it comes with these, but if not you can get them by themselves OR – they are super easy to DIY!
These are super helpful in the first 24 hours to use to help reduce inflammation and are super soothing.
7. Perineal Spray
With my first and second I used Dermaplast, but I found this spray by Earth Mama to be a little more gentle and cleaner ingredients.
I also cannot recommend Earth Mama products enough. My daughter and my second son both have extremely sensitive, eczema prone skin and we stand by using Earth Mama products on them (their lotion is really great for sensitive baby skin regardless of skin issues)!
8. Witch Hazel Liners
The common go-to for this item is Tuck’s, but in an effort to use better ingredients I went with this product by Frida Mom (go figure!). The one ingredient in it is witch hazel which I really like versus the nine ingredients in Tuck’s.
9. Hemorrhoid Cream
An item that I never knew that I was going to need. But, you’re most likely gonna need. And when you need it – you need it now.
I was so extremely embarrassed the first time I got a hemorrhoid cream, but now there’s Amazon and no one has to know!
Side note: if you’ve ever watched the Good Dinosaur – I die laughing everytime there’s the scene where one of the dinosaur’s is trying to name the “critter” aka the little boy named Spot and he shouts out Hemorrhoid.
Alright, moving onto the next item…
10. Chucks Pads
These are lifesavers in the first few days! Accidents happen, but between having a new baby to take care of AND taking care of your postpartum needs… no one wants to have to also add washing the sheets and making the bed.
So do yourself and your bed a favor and get some of these!
11. Support For Healthy Bowel Movements
My tops recommendation for supporting healthy bowel movements post-birth is first and most importantly, stay hydrated! Drink enough water and make sure you’re also getting enough electrolytes with it. My favorite electrolyte is LMNT and I’ve been using it for over a year now (watermelon is the best flavor!).
Adding magnesium to your diet also supports healthy bowel movements and can easiely be added to your water. This kind tastes really good and has a lot of benefits to it!
Additionally, eating a fiber rich diet is essential when trying to make sure you’re staying regular. So, enjoy some oatmeal in the morning to get things off to a good start.
With my first and second, I took a stool softener that I was given in the hospital, but with my third I opted to use the methods above to support my body naturally with the things that I know it needs to make that part of my life easier!
12. Cramp Bark
If this isn’t in your arsenal of goodies, then this needs to be! I didn’t know about cramp bark until I had a homebirth and my midwife whipped it out of her bag when I was really struggling with after-birth cramps.
I’m telling you this stuff was an absolute lifesaver. With each baby, the after-birth pains and also the contractions while breastfeeding got worse and worse for me.
Cramp bark helped me be able to manage both of those as well as not have to take any pain medication. It’s fast acting and can be taken multiple times a day! I was adding a little bit to my water before each nursing session and it seriously works so fast and effectively.
POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS FOR BREASTFEEDING
Everyone’s journey is different with breastfeeding. Honestly, your breastfeeding journey with each child you have can be vasty different every time. The list below hopefully will help you have a good foundation to start your breastfeeding journey.
1. Nipple Cream
Nipple cream is a saving grace. Can you imagine one area on your body going from barely being touched to being touched… ehh… being sucked on… 12 + times a day? It goes without saying that your nipples are going to need some TLC while your body adjusts to the new normal.
Nipple cream can be applied after each feeding and whenever you need it. Think of it like chapstick for your nipples. This one from Earth Mama is my favorite!
2. Nursing Bra
A regular bra just won’t cut it 98% of the time when you’re trying to comfortably feed your new baby so a nursing bra is essential.
There are many different brands, styles, and supportiveness to them so I suggest getting a few different ones for what fits your lifestyle!
My favorite ones are anything that is wire free, but I usually buy ones similar to this and this.
They even make sports bra that are nursing friendly now too. So many cute options too!
3. Nursing Tanks
I personally don’t usually buy clothing specifically just for nursing (other than bras), but this last postpartum period I bought a couple nursing tanks so that when I do breastfeed out and about I have a shirt underneath my normal shirt so my back/stomach isn’t showing to everyone.
These ones are super comfortable and are great for layering!
4. Breast Pads
Inevitably, your baby will cry and you will start leaking or you’ll even just think about your baby and have a letdown, so it’s always smart to have these handy!
In the first couple months I have to use breast pads in my bra multiple times a day until my milk supply becomes more regulated and I don’t have the leaking issue.
Here are disposable and reusbale/washable options!
5. Haakaa
This little thing is so nifty! I used it with my second and my third baby postpartum when I was nursing on one side and would catch the letdown on the other side.
Is it flattering and cute? Not at all, but when your milk is liquid gold… you do what you gotta do!
Thankfully it’s super easy to use and easy to clean!
6. Supportive Breastfeeding Pillow
There are a lot of options for breastfeeding pillows, but ideally you want one that curves around your body so your baby can lay across on it while they nurse. Here are two great options – from Snuggle Me Organic and My Brest Friend.
If you’ve ever nursed without one you know how taxing it can be to hold baby up for 10-20 minutes while you nurse.
Save your arms by having some support underneath your little one.
7. Water Bottle
You probably already have this item good to go already, but I’d recommend taking it up a notch and getting a water bottle with a straw so that you can easily drink your water with one hand.
There have been many times where I’m holding my baby and realize the only water next to me has a twist top and I have to one-handed open up the water and it’s just not fun.
This is my favorite water bottle of all time! And it holds so many ounces so you’ll be definitely stay hydrated! Here is another option as well that is super cute.
POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING MENTALLY
I wrote an article about mental healthy struggles during the postpartum period and you can read that here. Postpartum depression, anxiety, and rage are all things that moms can go through, so please read if you’re struggling or need options on natural ways to help with your mental health.
All of these items I personally took during my postpartum period with my third baby and they helped me SO much. I honestly wish I had heard about all of them starting with my first baby.
POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS FOR BABY
I also wrote a fun article about must have newborn essentials. I literally have item #2 in every bedroom of my house now. They are amazing!