In this post, I’m sharing all of my must have supplies that make life & recovery a little easier in the early postpartum days.
The early postpartum days can be intense! And it’s so important to have the supplies you need to make life & recovery a little easier when you are sleep deprived, healing, and pretty much stationary. A little bit of thought beforehand will go a long way to make sure you’re all set up for success in those early postpartum days! I’m going to share all of my must have postpartum supplies & why I love them – these are all the essentials I like to keep stocked and stored wherever I need them – for example out on my bathroom counter, bedside table, etc.
Recovery
Frida mom briefs: worth the hype! I have tried it all – adult diapers, the beloved hospital briefs, and now these..and I have to say they are my favorite. They are comfy and stretchy like the hospital briefs but have much more structure so they really hold you in. Makes all the difference in those first few days where your abdomen feels empty and weird lol.
Maternity pads: you’re going to need some heavy duty ones for those early days, and these are my personal favorite. Love that they are made from organic cotton, have no harsh chemicals, and also don’t have the wings on the side that get in the way when you are wearing briefs.
Peri bottle: there are fancier ones out there, but the basic one has always worked just fine for me. If you’re birthing in a hospital they should have one of these for you to take home.
Claraderm: the absolute best childbirth spray! It’s coconut oil that’s loaded with some of the most powerful, healing essential oils and what I reach for instead of the dermoplast spray or witch hazel. I’ve had very easy recoveries with all three births (despite some tearing) and I owe it all to this spray! I also start spraying it on around 34 weeks or so to prep all the tissues down there.
Stanley Tumbler: my most favorite water bottle ever and absolutely worth all the hype! Keeps my ice water cold for hours on end plus holds a whopping 40oz of liquid, which means less trips to fill it up and a more hydrated mama.
After ease: my go-to for those pesky afterbirth cramps! Think full on labor contractions, except you’re in mom mode ow and can’t devote all your attention to relaxing through them (so they feel harder). This is a great natural option to help ease their discomfort.
Advil: for when the after ease just isn’t cutting it lol! I always end up taking this here and there when they just get too uncomfortable.
Hair ties: not necessarily a postpartum item, but my hair is almost always pulled back in a ponytail or bun in those first few weeks and these hair ties are literally just the best. They don’t crease your hair nor do they tug on your hair, so it’s not uncomfortable to keep it up in a bu all day if need be. I have crazy thick, heavy hair so this is key for me!!
Diapers & wipes – another not necessarily postpartum item but when you have a new baby you’re going to need lots of these! Wanted to mention them because I think it’s key to have stashes wherever you’re going to be hanging out – so for example I like to keep a bunch right on my nightstand for easy access. We typically buy dyper brand diapers on subscription, but I don’t like buying a huge box of newborn size so we start with honest diapers first and then switch over.
Nursing
Nursing pads: when your milk comes in you’ll likely be leaking a lot, and it takes a while for your supply to regulate so this no longer happens. Nursing pads are my best friends during this time so I don’t have milk leaking everywhere. They do make reusable ones but I love how the disposable ones stay dry while you’re wearing them.
Nipple Butter: so good to have on hand to keep everything moisturized early on. I love that this one is made from simple, organic ingredients and doesn’t have to be wiped off before nursing.
Boob ice packs: another thing when your milk comes in – your boobs can feel really sore (on top of your super sore nipples, so fun!) so I love these ice packs for those first couple days. You just pop them in your bra for instant relief, and afterwards they make great ice packs for kids boo-boo’s lol.
Silverettes: these have been a must for me each & every time! My nipples always get extremely sore & tender for the first few weeks or so and these really help me get through that time. They are basically like little silver nipple covers – silver apparently has healing properties (didn’t know that before!) but also I think these are just a huge help because it keeps your nipples from getting smashed in your bra when they’re already taking a beating! I notice that when I’m not wearing them as much, it hurts more when baby latches in the early days when we’re still figuring it all out.
Oils
Nipple roller: 10 drops copaiba oil + coconut oil in a 10 ml roller. I use this along with nipple butter (I honestly reach for this way more) to help soothe nipple pain – copaiba is highly anti-inflammatory so really helps with healing. I also don’t have to wipe this off before a nursing session!
Stretch mark roller: 10 drops frankincense, 10 drops geranium, 3 drops rose + vitamin e oil in a 10ml roller. This is my go-to to help stretch marks heal – I’ve gotten them with each pregnancy but being consistent with oils has really helped them to heal nicely and eventually they completely fade and aren’t really noticeable.
Diffuser & oils: a must all the time, but especially postpartum!! In the early days when we’re really tired, it makes ALL the difference to have some bright & citrusy oils pumping in the background to help wake us up and make the vibe more cheery lol. On the flip side, it’s also so helpful to diffuse calming oils at night so that everyone gets the best rest they possibly can. If you don’t have oils yet, I would highly recommend getting this starter bundle – it’s what I bought years ago and can’t recommend enough.
Baby roller: 3 drops lavender, 3 drops frankincense, 3 drops gentle baby + coconut oil in a 5ml roller. I’ve used this roller from day one with all my kids – it has such a calming, gentle smell and also supports their little bodies through all of the powerful constituents in the oils. (Note: I’m very comfortable using oils on my kids BUT they are not all created equal and quality really matters here. I use Young Living oils and trust them, but wouldn’t necessarily trust other brands. I also love this book for lots of ideas & recipes for using oils on babies & kids safely)
Supplements
Prenatal: I continue to take my prenatal even after baby is born because I’m nursing, and this one is my personal choice! I’ve done a lot of research on prenatal vitamins and this one is one of the best I’ve come across – it’s extremely high quality and is very comprehensive. Note: it does not contain iron, which is a key nutrient during pregnancy, so you have to supplement that separately.
Beef Organs: what I take to supplement iron, but also just for extra nutrients in general such as Coq10, selenium, and B12. I’ve always taken liver capsules when trying to conceive (liver is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can consume and is great for supporting fertility), and this supplement takes it up a notch since it contains multiple beef organs, including spleen which is incredibly rich in heme (most absorbable) iron.
Omega 3’s: a great supplement to take at any stage, but I especially like to take it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to help support baby’s brain and eye development.
Probiotic: another great supplement to take at any stage, but again one I am really diligent about postpartum since baby can receive these beneficial bacteria strains through my breast milk, which is so important to help establish their own microbiome. You can also give probiotic supplements directly to babies to help with this as well, I usually give a few drops of this liquid one daily.
Ningxia Red: another staple for me all the time, but especially during pregnancy to flood my body with nutrients & antioxidants and postpartum to do the same (also really helps with milk supply!) I drink at least 2oz daily. It also always gives me a natural boost of energy which is very helpful in the early days and helps keep me from drinking more caffeine.
Placenta pills: another postpartum must! You may be totally weirded out by the idea of consuming your own placenta LOL and I get it. But I have to say…I’ve done it with both girls and have had really great postpartum experiences. My energy is surprisingly good for not sleeping well, my milk supply is always robust, and I’ve honestly never experienced the “baby blues” or those crazy emotional highs & lows most women talk about. I can’t say for sure if it’s due to encapsulating my placenta…but these are the benefits thats are often reported (there isn’t much solid research available, but there is a lot of anecdotal). I had mine encapsulated this time around as well, and while Beau is only about a week old so far I’m feeling pretty great! If you google “placenta encapsulation” in your area you should be able to find someone you can hire!
So there you have it! All my must have postpartum supplies for an easier, more supported experience. Outside of having the necessary items on hand, my biggest piece of advice is to think ahead a bit so that you can rest as much as possible in those early days. Have some meals frozen or a meal train set up, consider hiring a postpartum doula, ask for help with things that must get done, and let all the other things slide for now. Life will settle into a routine and you’ll get back to normal life (or your new normal!) soon, but be sure to just rest, slow down, and soak in that sweet baby mama!
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