A positive pregnancy test leads to a hundred little preparations for baby’s arrival. Parents decorate baby’s room, prep diapers, and select tiny layettes for first pictures. The hospital bag is carefully prepared with all of the details of childbirth in mind.When the big day finally arrives, we feel essentially prepared for the baby’s birth. It’s not until after baby is born that we discover we’re missing key items to care for mom postpartum.
I gave birth to my fourth baby last October via my first c-section and wished I’d had a list of postpartum essentials to prepare before giving birth (because you’re just too tired to fuss with figuring them out once baby arrives).
Postpartum Recovery Essentials
1. A Recovery Robe. I quickly discovered that I was missing a key postpartum recovery item last October. As a stream of visitors came to my room, including friends, family, and medical professionals, I felt exposed. I didn’t know it yet, but I needed The Brobe, a robe made especially for nursing mothers.
During my hospital stay, I longed for a comfortable, easy way to transition from nursing, to sitting, to walks around the recovery floor without worrying about gaps in my hospital gown or missed snaps at my shoulders. When I arrived home, I wanted an easy, comfortable way to nurse baby and quickly transition to other tasks.
The Brobe, with its built in, detachable nursing bra, would have allowed me to comfortably nurse and recover without the added bulk of clothing or the discomfort of a hospital gown.
2. 6 Weeks of Postpartum Pads. No, you won’t need those diaper-like pads from the hospital for more than a month. Postpartum bleeding is consistent, though, especially if you deliver vaginally. You can select cloth pads to save money or use disposable options (I prefer incontinence pads for postpartum).
3. Reusable Water Bottles. I struggle with my water intake and it’s often the last thing on my mind while caring for a new baby or pushing through exhaustion. Prepare yourself with a water bottle for your bedroom, the baby’s room, your living room, and the car if you can. Stay hydrated.
4. Portable Changing Stations. When you are recovering from childbirth, you need go-to stations throughout the house with diapers, wipes, diaper cream, nipple cream, a good book, a water bottle, and wet bags. This is especially true if your house has stairs or you are recovering from surgery of any kind.
5. Quality Nursing Bras and Tanks. I’ve made two major mistakes when it comes to nursing bras. The first is buying inexpensive bras that do not hold up (and I mean that in both ways). The second is not buying new bras before baby’s arrival, thinking I’ll somehow make it to the store with a newborn to try some on (I won’t). Find yourself quality nursing bras that will last through the next year and buy new ones before your next baby arrives if your old ones are worn out. This isn’t “treating yourself.” It’s a necessary expense to care for yourself postpartum.
This is just another reason to love The Brobe. It provides the support you need in a convenient way. Wear the robe with the bra to bed or leave off the robe and put it on when you wake up. The Brobe allows new moms to prioritize self-care in those first weeks.
6. Healthy Snacks. This is a great time to stock your fridge with the fruit that you love, little bags of carrots, hummis, and bagels and cream cheese. Put together some easy snacks ahead of time, like trail mix, nuts, granola bars, pretzels, cereal bars, and even some hard candies. It’s challenging to find time to feed yourself when baby arrives. Plan ahead now and you’ll thank yourself later.
7. DIY Postpartum Ice Packs. I needed these for all 4 of my deliveries. I even remember “wearing them” in those enormous disposable panties from the hospital once I got home (be sure to ask for more of these before you leave). You won’t want to put them together when you get home, so have a few waiting for you in the freezer.
What are your top postpartum recovery essentials?
Thank you to The Brobe for sponsoring this postpartum recovery post. I received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.
The big thing for me was food. I just wanted something to eat and then fall asleep before baby needed to be fed again at least for the first couple of weeks. That’s why I stock my freezer as well as I can while pregnant. It’s a sad day when those freezer meals are gone!
These are all great ideas! I’m really struggling to get everything together this go around. Thank you for pointing out that nursing a bras are a necessity and not a treat- I needed to hear that!
Yes! Taking care of yourself is a necessity. It will make all of the difference!