Explore my postpartum care list from a mom of 3, to help you be prepared after giving birth with all the must have postpartum essentials.
It can be tricky preparing for the postpartum period, especially if this is your first pregnancy and you don’t know what to expect.
Every woman’s experience is different and can vary with each birth. The best you can do is be prepared for any and all circumstances.
As you probably gathered from the title, this list isn’t going to be pretty.
I’m going to be real with you, the postpartum healing process is gross and uncomfortable. The good news is, with the right tools, you’ll get through it just fine.
Below you will find all postpartum essentials you could possibly need for your postpartum care.
Keep in mind, because every woman’s experience is different, you might not need all of these products. There’s really no way to tell until you’re there.
You can always return what you didn’t use, if you keep your receipt. Or gift it to a pregnant friend!
Either way, I recommend you stock up on these items just incase.
For your convienience I have provided links to these products. I’m shy, so I opted to buy these online instead of going to checkout with the worlds most embarrassing shopping cart.
If you do decide to buy online, don’t forget to use Ebates to get cash back.
Postpartum Care List Essentials
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure here.
Nursing Pads
Nursing pads belong on your postpartum care list and come in handy if you plan to breastfeed and you leak. Not all women leak, but if you do they are a must have postpartum essential.
I used disposable pads in the early days when I was leaking a lot. Then, to save money I switched to reusable pads when I started leaking less.
Nipple Cream
Again, only if you plan to breastfeed, you may want nipple cream if you experience dry or cracked nipples.
This problem doesn’t only vary from woman to woman but can vary from baby to baby. I never needed nipple cream with my first baby, but it was a life saving postpartum essential with my second.
Funny enough, I didn’t need it again with my third baby.
Nursing Bras
Another breastfeeding must on your postpartum care list, I recommend getting 4 or 5. The more the better, especially if you leak a lot and are constantly soaking through.
Peri Bottle
To use for cleaning up after going to the bathroom, because you can’t wipe for a while.
I think it’s pretty standard for the hospital to send you home with one, but if you think you’ll want another there’s this one too.
Maxi Pads
Postpartum bleeding can last two to six weeks. You can’t use tampons, so stock up on maxi pads.
I used these in the beginning. When the bleeding slowed down I switched to these because they are so much more comfortable.
Disposable Underwear
I found these helpful for sleeping in instead of using a pad because they offer more coverage.
There’s nothing worse than being a sleep deprived new mother and waking up to a mess in bed because your pads failed you.
Dermoplast Spray
You’ll want to spray this down there for relief of pain and itching after birth.
Large Underwear
To fit the huge pads you’ll need in, and for comfort. Go for some with a loose waistband, especially if you’ll be having a c-section.
After going through postpartum three times and trying different brands I can say the third times the charm and I got it right when I got these.
Related Post: The Ultimate Pregnancy To-Do List
Mattress Pad
Depending on how much postpartum bleeding you experience, you may want to use a waterproof mattress pad to put under you while sleeping or while sitting on the couch feeding the baby.
It’s a lot easier to throw this in the washer than it is to scrub the bed and couch when you have leaks.
Stool Softener
After pushing out your baby, your body is not going to be ready to do any more pushing for a little while.
You will need to take a stool softener at least a day or two after giving birth, but sometimes longer.
This one is safe to use while breastfeeding.
Hemorrhoid Cream
Yea, hemorrhoids, such a pretty word right? 🙈
Some women experience them during pregnancy and after birth, especially if you push for a long time.
Hemorrhoid cream can help heal them and ease the pain so don’t over look these for your postpartum care list.
Witch Hazel Pads
Another pain reliever for hemorrhoids but also for tearing.
I tore giving birth and putting a few tucks pads right on my maxi pad felt amazing. I could not have made it without these on my postpartum care list.
Sitz Bath
A sitz bath is another pain reliever for hemorrhoids and tearing where you sit on a basin filled with water and sitz bath soak.
Icepack
You will experience some degree of swelling and a postpartum icepack can help reduce it, and feel pretty good too.
Nursing Nightgowns
I lived in my nightgowns (for longer than I’d like to admit) postpartum.
You will need one while you are in the hospital, I recommend getting your own because there’s aren’t very comfortable.
Postpartum Belly Wrap
There is a lot of controversy as to whether belly wraps do anything to tighten up your tummy after birth.
Even if they don’t, it still feels nice to have something tight around your stomach after birth while everything’s going back to normal.
Pain Relievers
I was prescribed pain relievers at the hospital, but when those ran out I still needed Ibuprofen.
Pretty Clothes
Another postpartum essential on your postpartum care list should be some clothes that fit and make you feel comfortable.
While I did find a lot of comfort in my nightgowns and sweatpants, it really did feel nice the first time I put on something pretty after birth.
It might take a little while before you fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes.
Getting some “in-between” clothes can help you feel a little more comfortable in your postpartum body.
What postpartum essentials are you adding to your postpartum care list? I want to know in the comments below!
You Might Also Like
What I Should Have Done Before Baby Arrived
The Ultimate Pregnancy To-Do List
What I Should Have Put On My Baby Registry
