Postpartum Essentials for a Great Recovery

Looking to make life after baby a bit more manageable? There are a few things I recommend to have on hand that will make postpartum life SO much easier.

Before we get going, I just want to say it’s SO smart to even be THINKING about this. So many people gloss over the recovery part and that just isn’t smart. As a brand new mom, myself, I glossed over it and it didn’t do me any favors. I learned the hard way what works (and then also became a labor nurse) and I want to prevent that for you. I put all my best advice in here and I think you’ll have your best shot at a great recovery if you join me in there.

OH, and no need to take notes on this — I have a postpartum checklist to get at the store (or make sure you already have):

Heads up! 👀 There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.

Postpartum Recovery Essentials

I’m going to put the things that are important no MATTER how you have your baby here — but I’ll separate out what’s important if you have a vaginal deliver vs a cesarean a bit lower too — so keep reading!

Your hospital may provide some of these, but ask your provider what they think you should have at home (or ask if you take a hospital tour). Also, not ALL of these will be appropriate for everyone, this is just a general list. 🙂

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen helps with after birth pains.

Sad news: Every baby those after birth pains get worse. I wanted an epidural for them on my third, sadly I only had ibuprofen — and I did NOT follow the advice below — so BEWARE.

Ok, you’ve probably taken Ibuprofen before, but a word of warning here.

1. You may be taking ibuprofen at higher doses than you’ve taken before
2. You may be taking it more frequently than you were before
3. It’s going to be easier to ignore YOU at this point

So, make SURE that you are taking it with food. While you can get away without taking it with food for a bit while you’re young — it will do a number on your stomach if you keep doing it.

I’m not saying you need a full meal with it — I’m just saying take it with SOMETHING. Maybe 5 cashews, a scoop of peanut butter, a banana or some other fruit.

Ibuprofen (and any NSAID) can hurt your stomach lining, and taking it with food helps protect you from negative consequences from that.

Grab a nice big bottle of it here.

They may have you taking 600mg (or more) in the hospital — and you can take this same kind at home too just increase how many pills you’re taking if you want to keep taking that amount.

Tylenol

Ibuprofen gets the “main billing” after a baby. It’s great for cramps, but I find that tylenol can help a lot if you’ve had a tear or episiotomy (or a cesarean).

I’m a REAL fan of taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen together lately.

Remember, they’re different meds and you CAN take both at the same time (they’re taken care of in different ways by your body, so you won’t OD). But DO follow the rules on the bottles.

Tylenol does NOT need to be taken with food, it doesn’t have the same issues as ibuprofen.

Grab a nice big bottle of it here.

Pads

Lots of people think you only bleed if you have a vaginal delivery, but if you still have a uterus you will bleed.

Much of the bleeding is coming from your placental scab — which happens from being pregnant.

I recommend these first off (yes — they work for postpartum bleeding too), and then moving to something along these lines.

It is going to be a LOT when you get up from bed (a gush). Also, urine can also be tricky after you push out a baby — so that’s something to be aware of.

While you’re going to want to change your pad frequently, having something like these can help prevent staining on your sheets when you move to pads.

Stool Softeners

No matter how you have your baby you want to keep your stools soft. I recently learned that Colace is pretty-much useless, so ask your provider what they recommend. Be SURE to take it in the hospital (and increase your fiber/water intake too).

A hard poop is no one’s friend in your postpartum recovery (frankly — when is it someone’s friend????)

Clothes

While you will have different concerns with each way of birth — check out my post on the best postpartum pajamas for tips on that (more tips as we get to the C-section section too). You’re just going to want to be comfortable.

I don’t want to overwhelm you by going into breastfeeding essentials. I do recommend some nursing pads if you’re planning to breastfeed, and some ointment to keep them from getting chapped (preferably one you don’t have to wash off before feeding). I have a breastfeeding class in the bundle here that’s is so helpful.

Before we separate out into the type of delivery — here are a few other postpartum posts you might want to check out:

• Things To NOT Do After You Have Your Baby
• 5 Ways To Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage
• Postpartum Power Rest: Getting your 4 continuous hours
• The Postpartum Mindset: Navigating New Parenthood with Dr. Fran
• First Night Home: Why the third night is tough!

Postpartum Recovery Essentials for a Vaginal Delivery

Dermoplast

This helps with your tear. It also helps with any itching that comes as you start to heal.

Witch Hazel

Most people use this as Tucks, but any type of witch hazel can help with inflammation. HUGE fan of this. You can also just buy it in a bottle (more on how you can use it like that below)

A Bidet / Sitz Bath

I used a Sitz Bath on one of my kids where I filled up a big bag and then squirted it at my bottom. Like this one.

I’ve seen some people just fill up a basin and then sit in it on the toilet. I’m not a huge fan of the “sitting” water as you’re not supposed to do that (aka, you’re not supposed to take a bath or go swimming as “standing” water can increase your chance of infection).

Although, having epsom salts in it does sound nice. Plus, this one will squirt you and is battery powered, or you can pump your own….

I am a HUGE fan of a bidet postpartum. You can check out my review of the Tushy but it’s pricey and I just recommend getting one online. We got one at the Home Depot that was only like $30 and SO great. I am a fan, and I may never have left the toilet with my 4th degree tear…. FYI no reason to get one that heats the water too — you’ll want it cold postpartum.

I am a HUGE fan of ice while you’re in the hospital, but it’s not AS helpful when you get home. Some people love padcicles (where you squirt some witch hazel on pads and then freeze them)…. personally, I just kept my Tucks in the fridge. Felt great. BUT in the hospital keep ice on that bottom!

I had that checklist — but I ALSO have a postpartum plan you might be interested in:

Postpartum Recovery Essentials for a Cesarean Delivery

A Binder

This just helps your uterus not be as wobbly as you’re getting up the first few days.

You don’t want to become reliant on one (and a lot of people get WAY hot in them). You need to get those muscles to go back together. But, in the hospital think they’re great.

High Undies

Make sure your underwear goes up high — a high waisted pack in a couple sizes than you normally wear is probably a good option. Some underwear hits right at your incision point and that is NOT good.

Gowns

Pants may not be your friend after your surgery for a while. People love some housecoats or gowns like these for the first few days or weeks. Remember to get one that is nursing friendly if you plan to breastfeed.

Here are a few other postpartum posts you might find helpful:

• What To Wear For A Cesarean Section
• How To Prepare For Your C-Section (Cesarean Section)
• Tips if You Are Afraid of a Cesarean
• Cesarean Section Anesthesia
• Having a positive C-section

Reminder: If you have a cesarean section you’ll likely be at the hospital longer, so if it’s planned you’ll want some clothes you feel more comfortable in (aka, not the hospital gown).

Ok, getting the STUFF you need is so important, but preparing your mind and your relationship is also super important. I think you’ll thank yourself for joining me in here. The two chapters (yes, two — because I think it’s SO important) are some of people’s favorites, and not information you’ll find other places online.

I love what Shaella had to say:

“This was so quick to do and very easy to understand. I especially liked the fact that she talked about postpartum and after baby comes home. She was so honest about her own experience and made me less anxious about what’ll happen.”

Read more reviews here.

Or, if you’re not quite ready for the whole thing — come join get my insider tips that will help you in the labor room!