Planning for your postpartum healing can sometimes feel like just another thing to add to the list of “things to do before the baby comes.” Even though you’ll get lots of helpful items and tools to use from your hospital stay, making your own postpartum healing plan is just as important as making a birth plan! Part of the plan involves gathering products to ease any pain or discomfort that comes after birth.
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As a mom of two–soon to be 3– and a local birth worker, I wanted to share my favorite postpartum healing items I find most helpful, non-toxic, and budget friendly. (P.S.- If you’re building your baby registry, don’t forget to add these items for yourself on your registry)! Mom and baby are one unit. You both grow and heal from birth together! Add all of your postpartum needs to your baby registry. Your friends and family will be happy to purchase items specifically for you to ensure that you have the best healing experience possible.
- The Upside Down Peri Bottle: Have you tried the peri bottle given to you at the hospital? Eek! Unless you want your bodily fluids to get all over your hands when trying to take care down there (after every bathroom break) – you’ll want to get this instead: Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle. Things like toilet paper and washcloths should be avoided for the first few days PP (or longer if you have any trauma) and the peri bottle does the job (and is mess free!)
- Comfy Postpartum Underwear: There are many options out there! I chose the Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear. They’re so comfortable, don’t make you feel like a grandma, and can be worn with pants/dresses should you leave the house when you’re still bleeding (although you should be in bed). These can also be worn all day since you change out the pad as needed. You’ll probably only need 2-3 boxes.
- Pads: Again, so many options! Walking down an aisle at the store can be overwhelming. Here are a few options that will get the job done without all the chemicals. Keep in mind, your bleeding will often be similar to how you normally bleed during your cycle so choose your pads accordingly. I love these:
Organic Cotton Maxi Extra Long Pads
Cora Organic Cotton Bladder Liners Extra Long
- Herbal perineal spray: OMG! Your new BFF! If you take anything from this list- do yourself a favor and get some perineal spray! There are a lot of great options out there, but this is my favorite. Just a little spritz after every bathroom break.
- Herbs for soaking: No matter if you had/will have a vaginal birth with no tearing or multiple stitches, hemorrhoids, or even deliver/ed your baby via cesarean- herbs for soaking or steaming your yoni will help speed healing and offer a relaxing moment of self-care for you! Check out my favorite local gal Tiger Lily Herbs on Instagram for locally made herb blends right here in Austin. Also check out Earth Mama Organic Herbal Sitz Bath Herbs you can pick up at the store and visit Kitara Love for more info on the benefits of postpartum yoni steaming.
- Herbal tinctures for pain management – THIS herbal tincture is the bomb! With my second birth I didn’t take any narcotics and only needed over the counter meds a few times thanks to these lifesaving herbs (and I did have some tearing the 2nd time around)! If you’re looking to kick your after birth pain/discomfort to the curb- get yourself a bottle of Afterease from Wish Garden!
- Icepacks: Umm- another new BFF! If you’re birthing at the hospital, you’ll get perineal ice-packs (they lay in your undies like a pad). Ask for more as you go home! If you’re not birthing in the hospital or like a DIY project, check out this brand of ready to go ice-packs or the DIY recipe!
- Nipple Balm: Lastly- the beloved nipple balm. Well, I don’t actually know if it’s considered beloved- but it definitely comes in handy when you need it! If you only use it a few times in the beginning of breastfeeding, all the time, or even use it as a pumping lube (a great hack), I LOVE Mother Love Nipple Cream. Smooth, light textured, free of seed oils, safe for baby to ingest, & nourishing to your sore or cracked nipples. Add 2 to your baby registry and don’t forget to pack one in your birth bag (if you’re packing one)!
Let the baby registry planning and postpartum planning commence!
Featured Image Credit :: Noelle Westcott Photography
