Helpful Postpartum Items to Have on Hand During Your First Days of New Motherhood
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After five birthing and postpartum experiences of my own, I have found a handful of material things incredibly helpful in those very early days. Beyond the items you’re likely to be gifted during your baby shower, gathered on your own, and in addition to the things you’re packing in your hospital bag for the 24-48 hours after birth - you may find these things really helpful in your first days of new motherhood:
Padsicles are wonderful! You can easily DIY them solo - or with a bestie or your man or your momma - and look forward to the relief they’ll deliver in those first few days postpartum. I recommend not adding essential oils or using pads that add them. They’re usually unnecessary and less exposure to possible irritants to an already irritated area = the better. I’ve used and recommend alcohol-free witch hazel, cold-pressed aloe vera, and organic overnight maxi pads. While you’re at it, grab a pack of these disposable grannies for ease of padsicle use and clean-up.
Peri-bottle on tap or the one you were using at the hospital - to keep your vulva and ethers from any additional irritation.
Mini-Crockpot for the easiest and satiating of breakfasts. Oatmeal is a good friend of mine, and could be a really good friend to you, too. Put a serving of steel-cut oats (or two, one for your beloved) in the pot just before bedtime and they’ll be hot and ready for you the next morning. Toss some rinsed berries and your yogurt and/or nut butter of choice, and if you want to be real fancy, sprinkle you some chia or flax or pumpkin or hemp seeds on top and voila! A whole, nourishing breakfast and a good simple start to a day of wellness.
Protein Bites in the freezer and Vegetable Drinks in the fridge can be a middle-of-the-night (or anytime, really) grab for when you need a quick snack and quick boost in nutrients. You could even have your partner leave them out for you in the kitchen so they’re temperature gentle/ideal when you’re ready.
Dohm White Noise Sound Machine. Your senses will have become phenomenally keen. Tuning out the daytime birds and every single creak and footstep in the house while you’re trying to get some daytime shut-eye may become ever more of a thing. I’ve loved this particular machine because it operates with an actual fan inside, not a recording (see? senses on hyper-keen) on loop. Ah, you may benefit from one of these, too.
Bassinet attached (or real close) for the breastfeeding and the sleeping wins! If you’re breastfeeding and hoping to stay in good tune with your baby’s feeding cues AND get some decent sleep - you’re going to need baby near you, as closely and safely with you - a sleeper that is a breath away is invaluable.
Cloth Diapers for over the shoulder burping + wiping spit up, keeping under baby during disposable diaper changes without needing to wash the diaper changing pad or bed sheets or whatever.
Nasal Aspirators are not created alike, and you might be surprised by how often baby may benefit from one. Frida Baby’s Snotsucker gets the job done; far better than any one that will come in one of those packages with the clippers and all the little newborn safety things, and even outperforms the old-school rubber ones the hospital used to send folks home with.
Baby K’Tan has the best, hands down (pun intended), easiest squishy-newborn carrier out there. I have. tried. them. all. So incredibly easy to use, feels like a baby carrier version of your favorite casual tee (sizing: select your pre-pregnancy t-shirt size), keeps them nice and snug and skin-to-skin when you’re eating or getting a little work done, keeps folks from touching all over your baby when you must (or want to) go somewhere community-centric or public.
I hope these links and notes are helpful for you in the nurturing of a comforting, supportive postpartum experience.
