I had my hospital bag packed and the crib assembled. I’d bought the baby must-haves that’ll make those newborn days easier. But then I thought about me. What are the essential things you need after giving birth to help us moms recover?
Recovery depends on so many factors. The way we deliver. Whether this is a first delivery. The size of the baby, and so much more.
The newborn days will already be tough. I’ve learned that coming prepared will help make the healing process after birth more comfortable. After all, you’re also healing after giving birth. If it were any other procedure done at the hospital, you’d likely try to rest as much as possible.
My hospital carried a few of these items, so it’s worth checking if yours will provide them.
Otherwise, these are the items to have handy when moms get back home.
Read more about what to pack in your hospital bag.
Essential things you need after giving birth
Be warned: reading a few of these might seem scary for those who haven’t given birth yet. I had been so scared of giving birth, so thinking about pain relief wasn’t always pleasant.
Still, better to prepare than get caught off guard. Plus, the delivery for both my pregnancies wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be.
Post-delivery comfort
After I gave birth, I kept a basket in the bathroom filled with the following items. Every time I’d use the bathroom, I’d go through my routine of applying these soothing aids. You might want to keep these handy in your bathroom as well:
- Numbing spray: A post-delivery numbing spray will do just that: numb to ease the pain and discomfort.
- Ice packs or frozen pads: Wear ice packs to keep you comfortable as well. In the hospital, the nurses would straight up use bags of regular ice. Other moms also swear by freezing pads and wearing those at home.
- Tucks pads: And after you’ve numbed yourself with the spray and ice packs, you can also place Tucks pads to sooth. These are medicated to help with the healing.
- Bottom balm: A friend swore by the Earth Mama vaginal ointment to soothe any swelling.
- Squirt bottle: After delivery, you won’t want to use toilet paper to wipe. The next best thing? Squirt bottles. Find refillable plastic bottles you can fill with water each time you use the toilet.
Breast comfort
Your breasts will go through changes you’d want to prepare for. Here are a few things you need after giving birth:
- Ice packs or cabbage leaves: If you don’t breastfeed, your breasts will still feel engorged, and painfully so. Without a way to expel the milk, they’ll feel full and uncomfortable. But expelling the milk will only trick your body into making more milk, thus extending the cycle. Instead, apply ice packs or cabbage leaves on your breasts to decrease milk production.
- Nursing tops and bras: These are a must for any breastfeeding or pumping mom. Get several camisoles you can wear and layer. Nursing bras work well with your other clothes. Believe me when I say you will wear these things 24/7.
- Nipple cream: Many moms experience nipple discomfort, especially as we learn to latch a baby. You might also have blistered, cracked or sore nipples. Nipple cream will also help prevent these discomforts by applying them before your baby nurses.
- Nipple shells: These shells will keep your clothes from rubbing on your nipples.
- Nursing pads: Along with nipple shells, nursing pads are also a must to keep your breasts from leaking. I also found they added an extra layer of comfort like the nipple shells.
Miscellaneous
- Medication: Your pain threshold may differ from others. I tried to do without taking over-the-counter medicine, but if I felt I needed it, I took them. I needed to be comfortable enough to be present and able with my babies.
- Belly wrap: After giving birth, you won’t shrink down to pre-baby size just yet (that takes at least 6-12 weeks). Instead, your belly will look how it did at about six months pregnant. For added comfort, use a belly wrap.
- Sanitizers and hand wash: Have plenty of sanitizers and hand wash ready at home. You’ll need them for the constant hand washing after diaper changes. They’re also useful if you have visitors who want to hold the baby.
- Large and low underwear: C-section moms swear by low underwear that won’t rub against their stitches. And you’ll still be bigger than your pre-baby body, so large underwear will also be necessary.
- Prune juice: Bowel movements might be slow the first few days. To help move it along without too much straining, drink prune juice, which is high in fiber. Other moms also swear by papaya.
You’ll need to rest and recover during those first few days and weeks post-delivery. These items will come in handy to speed your recovery and make you more comfortable.
Want these essentials in a convenient FREE printable? Download the checklist below:
Get more tips:
- 9 Things to Do Before Baby Is Born
- Come Prepared: Your Hospital Bag Essentials with a Free Printable!
- Preparing for Baby: How to Avoid the Clutter
- The Ultimate Mom to Be Guide: Everything I Wish Someone Had Told Me when I Was Pregnant
- 8 Common Myths First Time Moms Believe about Parenthood
Get time management strategies, FREE!
Do you feel overwhelmed balancing the needs of your family and your role as a mom? Struggling to find the time to get everything done? Get organized with a FREE copy of my ebook, Time Management Strategies for the Overwhelmed Mom!
Where was this list when I had my babies!?!?!
With my first child I had NO IDEA what to expect, even after reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting. I didn’t have enough nursing pads!!!
It was so embarrassing to me, 21 year-old me, having my breasts drain all over my shirt. Thankfully, I wised up and went with my husband to find more nursing pads. Nobody tells you about rock hard breasts either.
I had no idea there was a numbing spray!!!
Great list, Nina!
HAHAHA you can write a follow up to that book, “I STILL don’t know what to expect” lol. I know what you mean, though. I read SO many books when I was pregnant, and while they were helpful, nothing can really prepare you! And yep, those nursing pads are a must. I can’t even remember how many times my husband had to go to the store to pick up another item I forgot or realized I needed. And yes, numbing spray = the best thing ever! lol.
It’s funny how much I learned after baby #1. Like what I really needed most (birth music and post-birth comfort items) and then so much I didn’t need.
But you know what happened, right? Des was an emergency induction and I had nothing packed! Sigh.
Both of my sisters are pregnant, as you know, so I’ll pass this along!
Thanks so much Tamara! I really appreciate the shares. And yes, you’re a classic example of being as prepared as you can, but knowing that ANYTHING can happen 😉
Very good of you to make this list. I’m sure it will be helpful, and lists like this are hard to fine. I didn’t use all of these, but they could have been helpful after the third kid. For some reason, that recovery was so much worse than after the first two!
Ha, we’re the opposite, Betsy. My first was pretty tough, but the twins’ delivery was so much better. I think it’s because it was my subsequent delivery, and they were so small lol.
Huh, I couldn’t stand low slung underwear after my c-sections. The seams usually rubbed against the scar. It was all about granny panties for me until I was well healed! Definitely agree with nursing bras and lansinoh. Those first few weeks of breastfeeding can be painful!
Oh how interesting! I only wrote that based on what others had mentioned, so thank you for chiming in! I guess the advice should just be: Get underwear that won’t rub on your scar! 🙂
Nipple shields are different than nipple shells. In the picture above you are showing nipple shells which help every flat nipples and keep fabric away from sore nipples. Nipple shields are not recommended for long time use and is used for mothers having difficulty with latching.
Ack! Thanks for clarifying my typo Christina 🙂 I’ve updated the post.