Postpartum Checklist: 12 Best Items For Postpartum Moms
Your little one is here (or soon to be here!) You’ve spent the last nine months getting ready for this little one, and preparing for the best birth possible! While everyone talks about pregnancy and labor, postpartum can get a little lost in the noise. I remember being shocked at some of the things I wasn’t quite prepared for postpartum. It’s my hope that this list helps you get set for a comfortable and smooth transition into new motherhood.
Postpartum Checklist: 12 Best Items for Moms Who Just Gave Birth
1. Depends
I found Depends to be a lot more comfortable to wear than an extra large maxi pad. They worked better the first week or so after delivery, staying in place easily and being easy to change. I recommend them to all brand new moms until you’re ready to transition to regular maxi pads.
2. Witch Hazel Pads
These feel SO WONDERFUL down “there”, especially if you had any tearing during delivery. You just make a nice line of these along your pad (right against your skin). They help cool and comfort the area and also aid in healing. You’ll be so glad you have them!
3. Numbing Spray
I’ve always had this given to me at the hospital. Make sure you take some home with you! Just another way to get a little relief from the discomfort you may experience postpartum.
4. Sitz Bath
You can purchase these on Amazon and they make it really easy to soak post-partum. You just fill them with warm water and a sitz packet or epsom salts and then put it on your toilet seat. Some of them will agitate the water for you, which can feel really nice. Let your little girl area soak for 10-20 minutes. This helps soothe the area and is great for healing.
5. Stool Softener
Your doctor will probably prescribe you one. USE IT. Those first several bowel movements are pretty rough to make happen. Don’t put yourself through any extra difficulty you can avoid! I really don’t want to go into detail here, so just trust me on this. It’s not glamorous- I get it. You’ll be glad you used it.
6. Peri Bottle
You should absolutely get one of these at the hospital. Take it home with you and continue using it for several days. It’s just a squirt bottle that you’ll fill with warm water and use instead of toilet paper when you pee. It’s wonderful. You don’t want to wipe. Say no to scratchy toilet paper.
7. Gel Nursing Pads (Soothies)
I learned about these when my sweet nurse gave me some with my last baby. He was a VORACIOUS eater in the hospital and I was already getting quite sore.
These are amazing and I constantly rave about them to new moms. They help keep your breast area from getting too dry (and especially from sticking to regular nursing pads). When you put them on, they’re nice and cool- which is also really soothing. I would definitely pair these with #6 just to make sure you don’t get an infection/fungus while using these. (And clean them frequently)
8. Nipple Cream (Newman’s Ointment)
This is also on my Labor and Delivery Packing List. Any nipple cream is important. Newman’s Ointment is (in my book) a must.
Ask your doctor for Newman’s Ointment. It’s only available by prescription. It’ll change your life. It includes a little bit of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti- fungal, and it feels a slight bit numbing (like a cool, minty sensation). It not only adds a lot of extra soothing to the girls, but it helps prevent mastitis/yeast problems. I use this stuff for AT MINIMUM the first few weeks I’m nursing.
9. Water Bottle. The Bigger the Better
Especially if you’re nursing, but even if you aren’t. Water is so important postpartum! Get a cute (very large) water bottle and take that thing everywhere. Fill it up and make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day!
10. Healthy Snacks
It’s important that you’re getting the nutrition you need to support your postpartum recovery. Keep a box of healthy snacks on hand. Take a few minutes to cut up some veggies so they’re easy to grab when you suddenly become ravenously hungry.
11. Freezer Meals
Get ready for your postpartum period ahead of time by doing a little bit of meal prep! I love to make at least a week worth of freezer meals before I have baby. These are easy to do with disposable baking tins and a container of aluminum foil.
I have a small Pinterest board with some of our very favorite freezer meals you can check out here!
12. A Show to Binge Watch
It’s important that you take things as easy as possible for the first several days you’re home, and even after that you’ll find yourself sitting and nursing baby for HOURS on end. I love having a show to binge-watch during this time. It gives me something to occupy my mind while I’m snuggling baby, and something to look forward to if I’m up all hours of the night.
While it seems like a good idea to use this time to read, I’m always too tired during this period of time to make it work. TV shows are about my speed until baby is sleeping better at night.
BONUS: For Moms with Toddlers
I like to create a bin of special toys and activities for my toddlers to play with ONLY when I’m nursing baby. This can be a time of contention, as your (last) baby feels a competition with the new baby.
Make nursing time a special time for your toddler as well, and this point of friction can be made a little bit easier.
Postpartum Checklist (Free Printable)
I hope you enjoyed this Postpartum Checklist! Is there anything you would add? Comment below and let me know! To download your free printable, just click the button below.
