Postpartum Essentials and Recovery Kit

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Women spend so much time preparing for the birth, and while that is important, do not forget about the postpartum period. I want to share my postpartum essentials and recovery kit with you.

I was definitely underprepared for what postpartum was going to look like with my first child, Elexious, when I was 18 years old, and she was born 2 months early. She was in the NICU for two and a half weeks so I was on the go traveling back and forth to the hospital, home, and the Ronald McDonald house that I didn’t properly rest during that period. It took what felt like forever to heal and feel like myself again.

Fast forward almost nine years to the birth of my son Elliott, with whom we chose to birth at home. I think I spent so much time focusing on the birth itself I forgot to consider the postpartum period, yet again! This caused extra discomfort during my postpartum healing period that could’ve been eased had I been more prepared.

Third time’s the charm, right? Yes! With the birth of my third child, Elise, who was also born at home, I felt I was adequately prepared for this postpartum period. My husband was nearing the end of his deployment so I knew I had to be more prepared this time around since I wouldn’t have him home with us for the first few weeks. Thankfully, I did have my sister, my mom, and my oldest daughter to help me more days than not. 

For my “postpartum kit,” these were the items I made sure to have before going into labor. I ordered or purchased them all when I was around 35 weeks pregnant. I didn’t want to chance them being delayed or out of stock!

1. The number one thing I recommend for the postpartum period is witch hazel! It’s relatively cheap and can double for other purposes if you do not use it all in the postpartum period. My midwife recommended mixing a little (we never measured, probably added 1-3 teaspoons (5-15ml) worth) into my peri bottle each time I used it. Witch hazel can help with general perineal healing or if you happen to get hemorrhoids (or even just discomfort from constipation), you can soak those round makeup remover cotton pads in witch hazel and place them on to your pad or disposable underwear. There are also witch hazel liner pads and foam that can be used. The foam was easy to apply to my pad.
2. Peri bottle – I used the basic one that was included in my birth kit (the same ones they give at the hospital), and it did the job, but I wish I had bought the Frida Mom peri bottle that has the angled spout. I found myself trying to position myself and the bottle weirdly to spray the right spots. 
3. Disposable underwear and pads! The pads are a given, and most people know this, but disposable underwear was very nice for the first week or two. I actually applied my pad to my disposable underwear after the first few days when my bleeding slowed down, and I didn’t want to waste a whole pair of underwear so often. I used the Amazon Basics Women’s Protective Underwear brand, which was very comfortable. I prefer Always Infinity FlexFoam pads as they’re very soft compared to other pads I’ve used. 
4. Heating pad for afterpains. I had a reusable heating pad and the ThermaCare Portable Menstrual Heating Pads that stick to your lower abdomen. I feel like the ThermaCare heat penetrated much better than the reusable heating pad did. I could also wear it when moving around and not have to worry about repositioning it, which made a huge difference.

The postpartum essentials that I recommend having before going into labor are:

1. Meals – Whether these are homemade meals you have prepared and frozen ahead of time, prepackaged frozen meals from the grocery store, meals that your family or friends have planned to make for you, or if you have the ability to order delivery foods to your home – just have food readily available so you don’t have to cook! At least enough for the first few days when you need to rest as much as possible. I was lucky enough to have my freezer stocked with food for all of us for the first few weeks, so we didn’t even have to leave the house for groceries! 
2. Snacks – High protein, high-calorie snacks for those times in between meal when you’re hungry. 
3. Drinks – Tons of water and drinks with electrolytes, such as coconut water, Bodyarmors, or Liquid IV packets. Hydration is very important.
4. Designated Feeding/Resting Spot – I’ve breastfed all three of my children but I would think this is also relevant for moms who formula feed as well. Create a designated comfortable spot where you can sit to feed the baby and nourish yourself as well. Have everything you need close by for those times when they’re cluster feeding or having an extended “contact nap.” I keep extra drinks, snacks, a couple of diapers and wipes, my phone charger, and the remote within arm’s reach for those times I may be “stuck” for a while. 
5. Support – this doesn’t have to be physical, in-person support, but find someone you can call when you’re having a hard time. Motherhood is so great but also so hard. Sometimes, it helps to just say things out loud and feel heard. 

I hope this is beneficial for you! If you have any postpartum essentials or something extra in your postpartum kit not here, please comment below!