12 Must-Haves

What you Need Postpartum

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I had just given birth and two days later my sweet hubby was driving me and our new baby home.  He was making his squeaky little newborn noises in the back seat.  I was just so exhausted I wanted to curl up on the couch with my pillow and fuzzy blanket.  It didn’t hit me until the next morning that I was severely lacking on postpartum supplies.  Poor hubby had to run to the store to stock up on a mega pack of menstrual pads, tons of snack food for me, and a few other supplies that I had no idea I would need.

Don’t do what I did. Save yourself some time and stock up now.

Having just hit full term with this baby, I decided to jot down some “necessities” of what you need postpartum.  Here is my list that I’ve compiled after going through the postpartum weeks six different times.

 

1.) Blankets

Whether you prefer receiving blankets or swaddle blankets – they can be used for so much!  We stocked up on these Kelham and Cole Muslin Baby Swaddle Blankets (White/Grey) because they are large 47×47, soft and so useful!  You can wrap baby in them, use them as a breastfeeding cover, a changing pad (folded), to catch milk, or a thick burp cloth.  I think you can never have enough baby blankets – especially cotton ones because they mult-task for you!

2.) Pads/Underwear

I’m playing around with the idea of buying either these underwear or Depends:
TENA for Women Heavy Super Plus Absorbency Protection Underwear, Small/Medium, 18 Count – this way I won’t run the risk of ruining mine.  Typically, I just stock up on these: U by Kotex Long Super Maxi Pads.

3.) A good nursing bra

You will need support if you are planning to breastfeed.  Save yourself some problems and stock up on some nursing bras that will stretch with your growing girls. What you need postpartum is easy access and a whole lot of comfort. The one above is the Soft French Terry Nursing Sleep Bra for Maternity / Breastfeeding.

4.) Nursing Pads

If you are like me, you will leak an unbelievable amount of milk the first few weeks post partum.  I’ve used everything from cloth diapers and dish rags to cloth pads and disposables… these are the best, in my opinion: Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads, 100 Count.

5.) Freezer Meals

Eating well is a  crucial part of postpartum recovery.  If you have kind friends and nice family you might get a few meals hand delivered to your home after baby is born. However, there will be a time that those meals run out.  When they do, do you really want to be relying on take out?  I know I don’t.   What you need postpartum is a ton of freezer meals. I plan to have my freezer fully stocked with meals from the MyFreezEasy website by the time baby comes.  They offer meals plans for all kinds of diets and dietary restrictions.  They have a full gluten-free plan and others including a traditional foods plan and even meals for specific types of meat (all chicken or all beef, etc.).  This is an awesome meal planning program and if you haven’t read my review on MyFreezEasy you can at this link.

 

6.) Ice packs/hot packs

Sore nipples? Plugged ducts? Do you know what you need postpartum to avoid these things and help with let down with these...my favorite hot/cold packs are  Lansinoh TheraPearl 3-in-1 Hot or Cold Breast Therapy.

7.) Comfy Clothes

This is so important.  You have just birthed your baby and your body will not be back to what it was postpartum.  Expect this.  Anticipate this.  You will look about 5 months along.  Some people just continue to wear maternity clothes for a couple months after birth.  Ask me how I know.  I did that for way too long after number 4 was born.  There will come a time when you don’t want to do that anymore.  You want to look more like your normal self.  Here are some of my top picks for comfy transitional wear.  I lived in my pajamas the last time and I plan to wear lots of leggings and tunics this time.  Here are some of my top picks:

Comfy pajamas:

Kindred Bravely The Davy Ultra Soft Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Sleepwear Set 

Kindred Bravely The Angelina Ultra Soft Maternity & Nursing Nightgown Dress

High Quality Solid Brushed Leggings

HOTOUCH Womens Comfy V-Neck Flare Hem Tunic Top 

8.) A Robe

You will not have time to take a shower and get dressed everyday (at least I didn’t).  You might have leaked all night on your pajama top.  Invest in a robe that you can throw on if the doorbell rings or if you need to quickly get up and make breakfast for your other kids.  I prefer a fully cotton robe or something lightweight because fleece or a thick fuzzy robe has always been too hot for me in the postpartum time.  Think hot flashes and sweating.  A lightweight robe is best. This is the one I just got for this time: Jockey Women’s Cotton Long Robe.  Shown above is the TowelSelections Turkish Waffle Bathrobe.

9.) Plenty of Handsoap & Hand Sanitizer

Seriously, don’t forget this one.  It’s cold and flu season … oh yeah RSV season, too.  You know what you need postpartum?  Hand soap and sanitizer.  I know I want to stock up on some handsoap not only for myself but because we will have houseguests and I want them to only touch the new baby with clean hands.

Seventh Generation Hand Wash, Free & Clean Unscented

Method Foaming Hand Wash, Sweet Water

PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer NATURALS 

10.) A Peri Bottle

Medline Cleansing Bottle, 8oz. (above)

If this is your first baby you might not know about Peri Bottles … but if it’s your second or more you are all too familiar with it.  Usually the hospital sends home one with the new mom, but in my opinion, it is great to have more than one – especially if your bedroom is upstairs and you will be using a bathroom downstairs during the day.  For those of you who don’t know a Peri Bottle is a necessity to cleaning yourself after you use the bathroom – everytime you use it – during the first few weeks postpartum.  This helps you keep clean and avoid infections.

This one is different than the one they give you at the hospital, but I thought it looked interesting.  Fridababy Fridet, The MomWasher

11.) A Place for Baby to Lay

This one seems obvious – but maybe it is easy to forget.  Especially if you live in a two story house.  Do yourself a little favor and put a bassinet or pack-n-play downstairs and one upstairs.  You will need a place to put baby if you are napping, cleaning, cooking – any activity that means you can’t wear your baby.

Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard with Change ‘n Carry Portable Changing Pad

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet

12.) A Water Bottle

If you think you were thirsty during pregnancy – you have no idea what thirst is until you are making milk.  I don’t naturally feel thirsty a lot but breastfeeding is a game changer – especially the first 6 weeks or so.  Get a water bottle and keep it filled up.  You won’t get dehydrated and you will keep your milk supply up at the same time!  This one looks awesome: Ello Kella BPA-Free Glass Sipper with Straw, Grey, 20 oz!

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There you have it – my 12 items to stock up on for the postpartum time period.  What are your postpartum must-haves?  Leave a comment below!