Caring for Your Postpartum Body

Woah, what just happened

It’s becoming more common for women to share with each other the reality of post-birth days. This makes me happy as too many are blind-sided by all that goes into the weeks and months of recovery for the mother, There is a lot going on with our bodies on top of all that is involved in caring for a new human!

When I had our first baby, I looked for blog posts like this to tell me how to prepare. After the blessing of a healthy birth of baby three, I’m pulling together a list of my postpartum essentials for you friends who are expecting (or you who want to shower a new mama with practical gifts!)

I recommend getting two large baskets to hold all the things, one for the bathroom and one for your bedside. It’s wonderful to come home from your birth stocked with what you need to care for your amazing body. You may choose to even pack some of these items to have with you at the birth center or hospital.

Supplies and tips for the postpartum daze

BATHROOM BASKET

*click on bold/italicized words to see the exact product*

• Pads/ Underwear: Bleeding is typically heavy for days and then will normally taper off like a period. I’ve found that the heavy-duty pads given by the hospital get me through the super heavy days, then I go to regular long pads with wings. It wouldn’t hurt to grab a package of larger undies you don’t mind getting ruined. I also love these disposable underwear as they have a high waist to support the tummy a bit.
• Flushable wipes for bathroom trips
• Hemorrhoid cream (if necessary) for the poor bum
• Tucks pads for soothing hemorrhoids and perineum area
• Dermoplast spray for perineum soreness
• Epsom Salts for soothing baths

TIPS

A suggested little routine for every trip to the bathroom the first few brutal days: While using the toilet, change pad/underwear. Then clean whole bottom area with your peri-bottle from hospital and/or with flushable wipes. Spray tender or burning areas with dermoplast. Squeeze a dollop of hemorrhoid cream (if needed) on a tucks pad and place it up in the bottom area before pulling up the pad/underwear.

Try to keep the lady areas as dry as possible (change pads often) to avoid a urinary tract infection. As you get further in your week post-birth it may be a good idea to not use all the wet items (spray, tucks, cream) every time you use the toilet– consider alternating.

If the bottom doesn’t keep gradually getting better, don’t hesitate to call your provider or go in for a check-up to make sure recovery is headed in the right direction.

BEDSIDE BASKET

• Heating pad for the uterine cramping 
• Middle-of-the-night snacks like trail mix or granola bars. Not only to satisfy the nursing munchies, but to easily take any needed medicine that shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach. Pineapple juice is supposedly good for nursing (and delicious). These little cans are in many stores in the juice aisle.`
• Journal or devotional and pen to process and/or pray about alllll the feelings and memories.

If Breastfeeding:

• Medela breast shells… *my #1 must-have* I know a few people who had no issues whatsoever breastfeeding, but many encounter some sort of nipple challenges. With my three children I have experienced bleeding and cracking and friction blisters and even bite wounds (ouchhhh) when teeth come in. These breast shells sit right in the bra (and don’t even look weird) so the broken nipple skin doesn’t get stuck to clothing fabric, while also giving them airflow to speed up healing
• Lanolin cream. I’ve also used other nipple balms, but have found 100% lanolin very helpful with healing.
• Breast coolies...another option for allowing nipples to heal without sticking to fabric. Also just soothing for the normal soreness of the first days 
• Breast thermal gel pads– when used cold, these are for soothing soreness and for slowing down milk flow. When used as heat packs, these can help engorged breasts, get the milk flowing and relieve clogged ducts.
• Over the shoulder all-purpose cloths. Love these for catching milk flow, burping and the occasional spit-up situation
• Brest Friend– I wondered if I could go without this and just use extra pillows, but the support and “extra hand” it gives you makes all the difference in the world when trying to help you and baby establish a good latch. I also love that the covers have a pocket so I can stash little things or my phone in there.

TIPS 

Be patient with your journey, but also advocate for yourself if you wonder whether your postpartum experience is normal. You can ask your doctor or midwife for a PT referral or recommendations for a chiropractor or counselor or psychiatrist… whatever support you think may help during this important time, don’t hesitate to speak up for yourself.

kellymom.com for any questions you have breastfeeding… one of my all-time favorite resources.

CLOTHING

• Baby Belly Band– I also put this on my pregnancy supplies post... it’s a great support for postpartum core healing, to use while walking around the house or when you start exercising, etc.
• Ab/Back Support Binder- helps support your core when you feel like a total gumby
• Hands free pumping tank–another item I initially thought may be unnecessary that proved to be everything when pumping at 2a.m. It can be hard (and EMOTIONAL) to figure out how to hold both pump bottles while adjusting the pump settings without spilling precious milk! This is just so great.
• Nursing clothes- I need to have a couple shirts and/or dresses designed for nursing. Though you can make most tops work in public by having a tank or high leggings underneath, being able to easily and comfortably nurse in public (i.e. very easy access where you don’t need 7 hands for holding everything!) helps you get out a little more when it’s time. Especially true, I think, for mamas with milk oversupply (a post for another time!). A comfy brand is bearsland on amazon
• One pair of high-waisted leggings– for similar reasons to above… helps me get out and feel like a person (when I’m ready) without the pressure to fit into pre-pregnancy clothes
• Compression tanks- again, for when I’m ready to wear “real” clothes again… I like these to help support my tummy and to hold up maternity or loose-fitting pants

OTHER

• Battery-powered low light flicker candles and or night lights– to make getting up at all hours of the night a more pleasant experience. You can see enough to nurse and rock and even change a diaper if they’re close enough to the changing table. We like these so that we are not blinded by regular lights (or using our phone flashlights, ha!). Bonus is that keeping low lighting throughout the night helps baby start distinguishing from the get-go nighttime from daytime.
• Water bottle or jar with top and straw. The straw was a big deal for me the first weeks to be able to stay hydrated while reclining or feeding in any position.
• Mommastrong– this is a $5 month video health/fitness program that is seriously just GOLD. Please look into it. I just started it recently and wish I had had it for every pregnancy and postpartum time.

Connect!

If you’re reading this and about to have a baby, I am cheering for you! I hope with all my heart you are able to receive all the rest and support you need to ease into this time. Feel free to send me a message with any questions or any prayer requests, I’d love to hear from you.

Also, other veteran mamas, please share your experience and comment with your favorite postpartum essentials below!

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Happy Placemaking,

Serra Ann

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