Having a baby is a life-changing experience. You need to be prepared not only for your new infant, but for your new postpartum body. You’ve bought diapers. The car seat is installed. You picked out adorable baby clothes for your newborn’s first photos. But are you prepared? Read on to learn about postpartum essentials that all new moms need.
1. Comfortable Clothing
You’ve been wearing cute maternity clothes for many months. But now it’s time to focus on comfort. You will be bending, lifting, and dozing. You need clothes that move with you. They need to be soft. And yes, they should still be cute because you deserve to look good and feel good.
You should pick out your postpartum clothing as you near your child’s birth. Your baby belly won’t disappear immediately following birth, so don’t expect to fit into those skinny jeans just yet. Instead, plan on wearing maternity clothes that fit you during your sixth month of pregnancy.
Find loose-fitting shirts, preferably with a low neckline that make nursing easier. Your pants should be soft and flexible, like yoga pants. If you have a c-section, make sure your pants don’t irritate your wound. Loose, comfortable dresses allow c-section wounds to heal without having the pressure of a waistband on it.
You will also definitely need a new bra after giving birth. Choose wireless bras with soft cups that will not rub against sore nipples. Nursing bras are supportive and allow for easy feedings if you choose to breastfeed. For underwear, you want something soft and breathable. Think cotton boyshorts, hipster undies, or briefs. For a c-section, you want underwear that is cut high so the waistband sits above your wound and not on it.
2. Nursing Supplies
If you plan on nursing, you’ll need to be prepared for when your little baby arrives. At first, your nipples will probably be sore and may even crack. After each feeding, you’ll want to apply nipple cream to help keep your nipples moisturized.
In between feedings, your nipples may leak. Acquire breast pads and place them inside your bra. These will absorb any leaked milk and prevent stains on your shirts. Breast pads are available in disposable and reusable options. The disposable ones don’t need to be washed between uses. You just throw them out and get a new pair. Plus, they usually come with a sticky surface to keep them in place inside your bra. However, reusable options are cheaper in the long run and are more environmentally friendly.
You’ll want to get a breast pump and storage bags to pump excess milk. Some days your baby may be extra hungry or your production may be low. On these days, it’s good to have a supply of breastmilk on hand. With stored breastmilk, you’ll also be able to leave your little one with grandma and grandpa and take a night off. Once you return to work, a breast pump is invaluable. Many insurance companies offer free breast pumps to nursing mothers, so check with your insurance before buying one.
You will need somewhere to store that precious milk, so have available a supply of storage bags. They make special resealable plastic bags to store breastmilk. They have a place to write the date the milk was pumped. These bags have measurements on the side so you have an idea of how many ounces of milk you have available.
3. Recovery Products
Following the birth, whether it’s vaginal or c-section, you will need to take extra care of your body. You can expect to experience lochia — a discharge of mucus, uterine tissue, and blood — which lasts up to six weeks. You should not use tampons because of the risk of infection, so you should stock up on pads.
You’ll want to use a peri bottle after a vaginal birth. This squirt bottle, often provided by the hospital, keeps the area clean, but it also eases the sting of urination. You simply fill it with warm water and spray your perineum when using the bathroom to soothe the burning sensation. Continue using it after you’re done to clean the area.
Use witch hazel pads to help with swelling, pain, or bruising in the vaginal area following the birth of your child. Simply place them on top of your regular pads and change them regularly. They even prevent infection by destroying bacteria. You may want to use witch hazel pads in conjunction with a pain-relieving spray that is made for sensitive areas and postpartum use. This will help numb the area to prevent pain and itching.
You may also want to have a heating pad and ice packs on hand. Both work to ease aches and pains, at least temporarily. A sitz bath is another option to help with pain associated with an episiotomy or tear. It also eases the pain of hemorrhoids and reduces swelling. Plus, it’s just good hygiene.
Postpartum Essentials
Your body changes during pregnancy. But it doesn’t stop with the birth of your sweet baby. Your postpartum body may feel achy, sore, and straight-up painful. Having the right postpartum essentials will help you take care of your body. So, be sure that you have available everything you need not only for your baby, but for yourself.