Whether you’re a first-time expectant mother or seasoned in the realm of childbirth, it’s safe to say that during this time you’re going to receive a lot of stuff. And while diaper towers and organic biodegradable pacifiers are useful, postpartum essentials for the mother’s care after childbirth are often overlooked — because a back massager wouldn’t hurt to add to the registry too.
Postpartum care is not only imperative for the short and long-term health of your newborn, but essential to the health and vitality of the mother. Prioritizing this aspect of self-care, along with regular visits to your doctor, can alleviate some of the challenges of new motherhood and help manage physical and emotional changes such as hair loss, mental health challenges, and skin changes. According to Planned Parenthood, postpartum care is imperative because “people are at risk of serious and even life-threatening health complications in the days and weeks after giving birth, such as postpartum preeclampsia.” The sexual and reproductive healthcare provider goes on to mention that “In the United States, Black women are most at risk of having postpartum medical complications — and dying from them — because of long-term structural racism, discrimination, poverty, and barriers to postpartum care.”
There’s an abundance of information on the internet on what’s the best of the best and what’s needed to prepare for the arrival of your baby. Yet, postpartum care often receives less attention and is treated as an afterthought. Being prepared for unexpected occurrences like leaking breasts and postnatal bleeding can only enhance the beautiful experience of giving birth and embracing motherhood.
What Postpartum Essentials Are Actually Needed?
Although all childbirths are unique, medical practitioners, doulas, and specialists can pretty much agree on one thing:recovery. While fancy robes and bath soaks are nice, healing and rebuilding the strength of your postpartum body is imperative for its recovery. According to a study found in the National Institute of Health, Diorella M. Lopez-Gonzalez breaks postpartum care into several categories including vaginal pain, vaginal bleeding, breast engorgement, nutrition, exercise, bladder function, and more. Your doctor may recommend essentials and provide hospital-supplied items such as stool softener and postpartum diapers, but pain relief spray, nipple pads, and back and stomach bands will also ensure the preparedness and comfort of the postpartum stage, also it doesn’t hurt to get the nicer version of the basic hospital kit.
- Best Postpartum pads: Honey Pot Organic Cotton Cover Post-Partum Pads
- Best Nipple Pads: BODILY Nipple Pads
- Best Belly Band: Kindred Bravely Soothing Maternity Belly & Back Support Band
- Best Nursing Cups: Silverette Nursing Cups
- Best Peri Bottle: FRIDAMOM Upside Down Peri Bottle
- Best Cooling Pads: HI FINE CARE Reusable Perineal Cooling Pads
- Best Pain Relieving Spray: Dermoplast Anesthetic Pain Relieving Spray
- Best Scar Balm: Earth Mama Organic Skin & Scar Balm
- Best Skin Soothing Cream: Eczema Honey Original Skin-Soothing Cream
- Best Postpartum Diaper: Rael Disposable Underwear for Women
Postpartum Pads
Honey Pot Organic Cotton Cover Post-Partum Pads
Postpartum bleeding is known to be heavier than your usual flow after giving birth, especially for the first 10 days, so a pad or a diaper is needed for comfort and extra absorption to manage overnight leakage. Not only is Honey Pot a trusted Black-owned brand, their Postpartum pads offer extra coverage and support with added wings. They also include a blend of herbal ingredients like mint, lavender, and aloe that create a “cooling” and soothing sensation.
Belly Band
Kindred Bravely Soothing Maternity Belly & Back Support Band
Belly Bands don’t stop at pregnancy. Although they are more commonly used in the third trimester when back pain and off-sett belly weight distribution is at an all time high, they’re just as useful for post-natal surgery to help with abdominal healing and strength.
Nipple Pads
BODILY Nipple Pads
It’s common to talk about leaking breasts, but no one talks about the painful experience of enduring dry, cracked, and rough texture that happens to your nipples when you’re nursing. This particular plant-based soft reusable pad provides anti-microbial moisture and is an alternative to to the cold metal pads you’re used to seeing. This set of reusable non-slip nursing pads is said to act as a pillowy shield for damaged nipples that can reduce pain with its cooling relief.
Nursing Cups
Silverette Nursing Cups
These are the OG’s of nursing cups that many swear by. Although not organic and plant-based, they do the trick of being a one-stop and easy solution to sore nipples after nursing.
Peri Bottles
FRIDAMOM Upside Down Peri Bottle
As mentioned, the hospital will send you home with plenty of supplies for basic postpartum care. However, it’s worth enhancing that experience for easier and more hygienic use. Unlike the basic squirt bottle the hospital provides for cleaning your vagina, the Fridamom Peri Bottle is an upside-down bottle with a sleeker nozzle and a more ergonomic design, keeping your hands away from the toilet area. If you’ve had a C-section, you can refresh both your vagina and incisions without added pressure.
Cooling Pads
HI FINE CARE Reusable Perineal Cooling Pads
The HI FINE reusable pads are designed and contoured for the most sensitive parts of your post-natal body. While hemorrhoids and discomfort after childbirth are common, they don’t have to be the norm with these gel hot and cold packs. Unlike typical cooling pads, these are reusable and safe to microwave and freeze. The washable cloths, along with the instant itch relief, are a must-have in your postpartum care bag.
Pain Relief Spray
Dermoplast Anesthetic Pain Relieving Spray
Pain is inevitable during pregnancy and afterward. Whether it’s c-section stitches, a sore vagina, or just a bad back, an anesthetic pain-relieving spray is sure to alleviate any pain, itchiness, or soreness you’re experiencing on your body. A spray is preferable to a cream or cooling gel because it has a long-reach nozzle, which means no bending down, getting up, or struggling to reach distant places. Not only does this postpartum essential provide fast pain relief, but it also comforts and cools the skin in all areas.
Scar Balm
Earth Mama Organic Skin & Scar Balm
Healing and recovery are key when it comes to postpartum, and for those who have endured a c-section, it’s important to know that the scar will experience slower cell turnover than usual. So why not use a product to speed up the process that also takes the organic route? Formulated by a nurse and herbalist, Earth Mama has been known for creating clean and organic products for over two decades, making this scar balm a soothing solution with guilt-free ingredients.
Skin-Soothing Cream
Eczema Honey Original Skin-Soothing Cream
With all the stress of a new baby, changes in routine, and hormonal fluctuations, an eczema flare-up is more likely to happen than not. And while you’re caring for yourself and the new addition to your family, the last thing you need to worry about is itchy, dry, cracked, and inflamed skin. Eczema Honey Original Skin-Soothing Cream is designed for those with stubborn eczema, like those who have tried everything. With high-quality ingredients and a cruelty-free initiative, this skin-soothing cream can be used not only for your stretch marks and sensitive areas but also for your baby’s skin.
Postpartum Diaper
Rael Disposable Underwear for Women
If the Honey Pot postpartum pads aren’t providing enough support, you may want to opt for a diaper, especially for the first couple of days after birth. The Rael Disposable Underwear for Women is a cotton-covered period underwear that offers maximum absorption, comfort, and coverage for post-natal bleeding and leakage. This will save you from unnecessary movement and multiple trips to the bathroom.
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