12 Postpartum Essentials You NEED After Birth

I am three and a half years into this mom gig, although it still feels like yesterday, I don’t really think anything could prepare me for the postpartum recovery. I’m sharing 12 of my Postpartum Essentials you NEED after birth!

Helpful postpartum necessities for after birth

I want to preface by saying, every single mother has their own birth story. None of us will have the same experience.

Which makes giving birth so magical.

And when we put aside the fact that we each have our own journey in motherhood, it’s important to not walk alone. Finding a tribe of mothers who will love your kids like you do, and then pass you the wine when those same threenagers are driving your nuts.

That’s the tribe I want.

So while finding your future mom friends can be difficult, it’s nice to remember we all have one thing in common. Raising these tiny humans to be the best version of themselves.

Alright, so I’m off my soap box. What I’m trying to get at, is each postpartum recovery is there own.

You could have 48 hours of contractions and end up with a c-section.

Or twenty minutes of laboring and a unicorn birth with no drugs.

Deciding to forgo the natural plan and opt for a planned c-section.

Whatever your birth story is, we all have the path of recovery. These are my favorite postpartum essentials you will need after childbirth.

Essentials for C-Sections

These items would be my personal essentials because both of my boys were c-sections.

The Postpartum Undies

We’re getting personal here. And I don’t know about you, but I’m an open book.

I consider my c-section scar to be fairly high compared to others. My first full day in the hospital, I asked my mom to head to Target and buy the highest pair of underwear she could find. Boy did she deliver.

And they’re the best damn underwear ever. They have a compression consistency which actually felt really good for postpartum because it felt like it was holding everything in place.

The Maxi Pads

I told you this wasn’t going to be pretty.

You’re going to bleed. A lot. And for a while.

Even when you think you’re done, you’re not. Keep the maxi pads stocked to save your spouse from making a late night run to the store. This is the phase of postpartum that isn’t so pretty.

The Flushable Wipes

So you’re going to be buying plenty of wipes and diapers for your newborn, but I’m sure you never expected to do the same for yourself.

Aside from the Maxi Pads mentioned above, my next postpartum essential would be these moist flushable wipes. These are perfect to feel refreshed during showers, which are few and far between.

The C-Section Scar Balm

I was gifted the Earth Mama Skin and Scar Balm. It quickly became a necessity.

100% organic. NO petroleum, parabens or artificial fragrance. Dermatologist tested and clinically tested for irritation.

Essentials for Vaginal Birth

Kudos to all the women out there recovering down under from a vaginal birth. Ya’ll are the real MVP’s.

The Peri Bottle

Things are pretty ugly down there. And if there’s a chance you tore during childbirth and you need stitches, this baby will be your best friend.

You’ll have a chance to grab bags of freebies from the hospital, but you can grab them on Amazon here so your house is prepped.

And Ladies, warm water. Trust me.

The Tucks Pads

I’m going to guess that vaginal deliveries will leave your nether regions, well, a little less than burning with desire.

Burning, minus the desire part. So I suggest adding these Tucks Pads to give you some relief.

Or, check out this video to learn how to DIY Postpartum Pads.

The Pain Meds

This essential is often forgotten. No matter whether you’ve had a c-section or vaginal delivery.

You’re going to be swollen and there will be a lot of discomfort. Grab a bottle of Advil or Ibuprofen to keep in the cabinets. I was given narcotics when I left the hospital, but from my personal experience, I did not like the feeling of caring for my newborn while under the influence.

*I am in no way a medical professional, please consult with your doctor for any medications.

Breastfeeding Must-Haves

While my journey with breastfeeding was short, I found these to be essential for the first few weeks.

The Nipple Cream

Earth Mama Organics is always a favorite of mine for postpartum essentials. While regular condensed coconut milk worked okay, this organic nipple butter was great for breastfeeding.

The Nursing Bras

I kept things easy and just grabbed my favorite nursing tanks from Target. It was easy to wear these all day with a cardigan if it was cooler temps.

For traveling outside of the house and looking like I somewhat have myself pulled together, these nursing bras are a great option.

The Accessories

Breastfeeding will suck you dry! Stay hydrated. Grab a fun and extra large water bottle to fill every hour.

Sorry to break the news, but you’re going to be leaking. Most likely when you least expect it. Keep nursing pads on you at all times! These are disposable and work just fine, but if you’re looking for something a little more reliable then try these washable breast pads.

Bottle Feeding Must-Haves

Every baby is different, find what works for you!

The Essential Bottle

We’ve tried so many bottles between both boys. Let me just say that every baby is different.

Oliver was a huge fan of the ComoTomo bottles and they were SO easy to clean! The attachable handles were great too when we transitioned to whole milk, it turned in to a sippy cup.

Elliott on the other hand, was very specific with nipple size and type. Dr. Brown’s bottles saved the day and it helped with any colic that he may have!

The Accessories

I love all the accessories from Boon. They’re great for bottles and all the little accessories that come with bottle feeding. I grabbed two of the Lawn Drying Racks and the stems for when we hand washed bottles and nipples.

Essentials for Postpartum Comic Relief

Can you tell I’m fluent in sarcasm? There’s really nothing pretty about postpartum, except that snoozing babe on your chest. So these are a few items I like to have fun with.

Sense of Humor

Seriously, parenting is like this Olympic sport for the next 30 years that nobody prepares you for. Gear up your sense of humor, don’t take this too seriously. We all turn out okay, if not, that’s why therapists stay in business.

Clothing

I’m a huge fan of finding the perfect pair of pajamas. Target is my favorite, their nightgowns are so comfortable! Spoil yourself a little bit and grab 2-3 nightgowns.

Whether you have a c-section or not, you’ll want really comfy pants. Buy a size large because you’ll come home looking still very much pregnant and swollen. These were a favorite of mine in the hospital and for nursing on the couch.

Final Round Up on 12 Postpartum Essentials you NEED for afterbirth

This journey of motherhood will be so challenging, so rewarding and so magical. I’m hoping with these 12 essentials on hand at home, you’ll be able to make your days smoother when the nights are long. Enjoy every moment mama!