Postpartum Essentials to Prep Before Birth
Hey Mama,
As a doula moms often ask me what they can do to prepare for postpartum and what items to have on hand. I wanted to lighten your mental load by offering you a list of my favorite things for mama’s and families during the immediate postpartum season.
It’s easy to feel the pressure to do all the things, but I want to remind you that even if we plan for every single scenario parenting has a way of showing us that we will always be forgetting or likely needed something that didn’t get included in the planning. I am admittedly type B (or maybe even type C - I heard that is a thing the other day). So, for me personally, postpartum was approached from a very simply survival technique and a constant mental sticky note that “Target is just down the road”. We tend to approach postpartum as if life stops, and in some ways maybe it does, but let’s make a mom pact to not get overwhelmed, do our best, and always remember that the store is right down the road.
Here are my favorites for postpartum mamas:
AfterEase by Wish Garden - It is an amazing tincture to help with postpartum cramps. You can usually snag it at Sprouts, Wish Garden Website, and Amazon. I haven’t used their other postpartum tinctures and products, but I would assume they are all amazing. Sleepy Nights tincture for pregnancy is AMAZING; I used it when I struggled with pregnancy induced insomnia. It helped me fall back to sleep if I woke up. I used it postpartum until my hormones had a shift and I was able to sleep again.
Adult diapers - I know.. ew. But seriously! I WISH I had known to use them when I was postpartum. My best tip is to size UP - they seem to run smaller and sizing up will give a little more room!
Peri Bottle - I highly suggest having one in every bathroom. Some are designed with a curved top and those are the most easy to use but really you can use any kind. To level up the bottom comfort you can also order sitz baths - Wish Garden has sitz bath mix you can order.
Perineum spray and witch hazel pads - two great options for tender tenders.
Water bottle you actually like - okay, let’s not pretend we have preferences. Just because a container holds water doesn’t mean we will use it. Weight, size, etc all matter. Get a water bottle you like and find easy to drink from. I recommend silicone bendy straws in case you are nap trapped in a funk position.
Clothes - get some lose fitting cotton pjs or lounge sets. There are some great ones out now that allow you to look kinda cute and totally cozy all at once. I think it’s important to put some thought into postpartum outfits because our self-esteem may not be at its peak and sometimes that one new outfit can do magic for our minds.
Boob care gets its own category (because the “Girls” are going to be working hard):
Nipple cream - I love a good nipple cream but if you’re in a pinch you can also use coconut oil. Earth Mama has a great organic nipple cream if you are looking to purchase something cleaner (I love the use of calendula in it).
Nipple shields - I highly recommend investing in bamboo washable nipple pads but if your nips are especially sore you can get Silverettes - silver cups that aid in healing the broken skin.
Haakaa - All I have to say is - this is a must! I LOVED my Haakaa. It works as a suctioned hand pump to collect milk from the breast not in active use. So, you can nurse one side and have the Haakaa on the other.
Snacks - breastfeeding takes a lot of energy. Be sure to plan some high protein and fat snacks like beef sticks, bone broth, hardboiled eggs, etc.
Postpartum meal preparation:
MealTrain - this is an obvious one if you have community to support you. MealTrain is a company who developed a web platform for coordinating meals for people who are ill, just had a baby, etc. If you have family and friends near by consider starting a MealTrain or asking a close friend to set it up for you. That way your village can step up help lighten the meal load.
Food prep - even if you have a community that can bring meals it’s always a good idea to prep a few things for quick lunches, breakfasts etc. I love the silicone freezer molds. You can make a big pot of chili, soup, and so forth then pour it into the molds and freeze. Once frozen pop them out and add them to freezer bags. That way you can take out one at a time when you need it. In a pinch Door Dash is a thing but try to remember how important it is to fuel your body as it heals and nurses a little one.
Stock your pantry - Be sure to stock your pantry for grab and go items when you need a snack or nutrition. We love having beef sticks, powdered bone broth and electrolytes in our pantry at all times in case our body is needing a little something. My kids know the answer to almost any complaint it: “hydrate” or “eat protein”! Same for you, Mama!
Postpartum home and heart preparations:
Set up zones - you will have your nursing zone, diaper changing zone, and so on. Stock those places with anticipated items so you don’t have to hunt for them. I love repurposing little baskets that aren’t being used into a grab-and-go boxes for different places when I anticipate needing things after I sit down.
Prepare for any intrusive thoughts by chatting with your spouse our support person because the baby comes. I like to having my clients commit to promising to share any concerning thoughts with their spouse no matter how scary or silly they might feel.
Surrender - “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 - Mamas, guard your minds and hearts. Do not let the Enemy win by playing into anxiety. surrender it to the Lord in prayer no matter what happens.
Well, this list could be extensive but I hope it gives you some good direction as you prepare your body, home, and heart for postpartum. Leave a comment and share your favorite postpartum products, tips, and tricks with me!