Childbirth is a wonderful thing. Before that, the time during pregnancy is the one when you really come to terms with your body and the child you are carrying. That moment is one of the most beautiful moments in one’s life. However, while new mothers are enjoying the moment of childbirth, they forget a very important and challenging phase of their life; postpartum. They forget to ask the more important question; what after? The changes that a mother goes through, physically and mentally, after giving birth are difficult. So, preparing certain things beforehand to make the journey easier is recommended.
Today, we are going to talk about certain postpartum essentials for mom and the baby too. These will help you take care of yourself after the baby comes. Moreover, your health matters because without you, the baby will be hopeless. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
16 Postpartum Essentials For Mom That You Must Have
Postpartum essentials are necessary things that a mother needs after giving birth to their child. These essentials will help a mother make a speedy recovery and make the start of their motherhood a bit easier and more comfortable.
These 16 postpartum essentials for mom and the baby too are very important and are easily available anywhere.
1. Pads
Something that you might not know before your pregnancy or even after the onset of your pregnancy is that you bleed for a few weeks after giving birth. And no, it is not your period. This discharge is called “Lochia”. It is a release of tissues, blood, and mucus. This is very different than a period. And since you just gave birth, you cannot use tampons. So, keep in mind to just arrange pads beforehand. After birth, everyone is going to be busy, and you won’t have time to do the rest. So, keep those extra large pads just in case. And keep a lot because the bleeding can be a lot at times.
2. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an item that has been around for years. It is used for skin care and even for anti-bacterial use. However, for postpartum care, witch hazel has another use. If you look in the market, there are witch hazel pads available. As we all know, witch hazel has soothing properties. And after pregnancy, your vaginal area is basically in tears. You might experience some pain or bruise in that area. Using witch hazel pads along with your regular pads can soothe that area and give you some relief.
3. Warm bath
A warm bath or a sitz bath will feel like heaven after your delivery. As we all know, your entire body is sore after delivery. Your pelvic area will be sorer after your delivery, especially if there is a tear in it. A warm bath will soothe your pain and also keep the area hygienic. So, take a bowl. Fill it up with warm water and soak yourself in it. Keep yourself soaked for 20 minutes. Don’t let the water get lukewarm or cold. Keep adding warm water as required. Moreover, when you are drying yourself, be gentle. Don’t rub it, but pat the area.
4. Heat Pads
Heat is your best friend during this time. Using heat in a particular area makes the muscles there relax. It also gets rid of soreness and any pain after childbirth. So, you can use it in your vaginal area if you get any soreness after birth. Your breasts might also be sore because of your child constantly tugging at them and milk being produced. You can also use a heating pad on your breasts. Lastly, it is great for your lower back and your legs. It will give you some relief for the time being. It will also make you more prepared to be with your child and take care of them.
5. Ice pack
Like a heating pad, an ice pack can also help with swelling. You can apply an ice pack on your external areas, like your stomach or your feet. However, keep in mind not to catch a cold. This is because your body is very vulnerable at this time. And if you catch a cold, there is a chance you might pass it on to your child. So, be careful. Moreover, don’t apply ice directly onto your skin. Wrap it in a cloth or a plastic before applying.
6. Pain reducing spray
A pain relief spray will be your best friend during these times. After childbirth, your body is weak. But your responsibility increases as you now have to take care of a new person. So, you might get pain from time to time. It can be a pain in your legs, or lower back, which are common. So, keeping a pain relief spray is handy. It helps you in times when it becomes overwhelming to take care of yourself and your child. And the relief it gives you truly feels like heaven. So keep one close to you at all times.
7. Nursing pads
Breastfeeding is something that can really get on your nerves at times. Firstly, it is a very hit-or-miss situation. Some moms get breast milk; some do not. For the ones who do, it can be a tricky situation. Either you get very less breast milk or not enough to feed your child. Or you get so much that it’s overflowing. In any case, you need nursing pads. Breast milk can overflow and wet your clothes. It gets controllable after a while, but for the first few days, it gets impossible. So nursing pads are helpful in soaking up the milk and keeping you clean for some time.
8. Breast pumps
A breast pump is one of the greatest inventions for a lactating mother. During this time, as we said before, breast milk gets impossible to handle. It might be flowing everywhere. A breast pump is a device that collects milk from the breasts in a container. You might have to use the pump by hand to collect the milk. It is very useful for discarding extra milk that a mother’s body might produce. It also helps you keep yourself clean from the onset of breast milk.
9. Cotton clothing
Cotton clothing is best to beat the heat and is always recommended after childbirth. During this time, you need to wear something which is not restricting. You might need to feed your baby, or you might need to change again. So, something which is light and moves freely is recommended. Clothes that are not cotton might also make you itch. Materials like polyester can even contribute to rashes. This also goes for your baby. You should dress a newborn in cotton clothes that are breathable. Your baby will be happier for it.
10. Carrier for baby
Even if your baby is small, you cannot always carry your baby in your arms. This happens a lot with new parents. The baby sleeps in one arm or the other. This is okay for the first few months. But you and your baby need a break. Buying a carrier for your baby will make you more comfortable carrying the baby and will free your arms to do what it needs to do… You will also be more mobile, and the baby will be more comfortable. Plus, the baby will be close to you always when you go out. You will be free from worrying and work as you want to. Even with the baby with you.
11. Crib
For your baby to sleep soundly, a crib is something you will definitely need. As we said before, the baby cannot sleep in the mother’s arms forever. The mother needs proper rest too, and that cannot happen with the baby. So, a crib is perfect for keeping the baby within the eye’s reach. You can make sure that the baby is near you and is safe. Plus, the baby will have more room to sleep, and the crib will protect them too.
12. Diapers
Diapers are your biggest essential while dealing with a newborn. Trust me; nothing feels as daunting as running out of diapers in the first month. So, keeping diapers near you and your baby should be your top priority. A thing you can do is make diaper boxes. Fill them with diapers and keep them in separate places. Keep one in your car, one in the bathroom, and one in the bedroom. Plus, always carry backups because you never know when your baby might need them. So, always keep diapers with you wherever you go so that you won’t regret it later.
13. Haircare essentials
No one tells you this. But your body goes through tremendous changes while you are pregnant and after you give birth. Your hormone levels change, and your body is not the same as it was. The most visible result of this is postpartum hair loss. You start losing a large amount of hair with no signs of it growing back. To restore your hair, you need to keep certain haircare essentials with you. Certain oils you can use are rosemary oil and castor oil for hair growth. Remember, it will take time, but your hair will certainly grow back. Pro-tip is to avoid stress as stress makes your hair fall more.
14. Help
Asking for help during this time should be your right. You are a new mom. You are recovering yourself from childbirth while taking care of your child at the same time. It can get hectic; it can get hard. And you might need some alone time for yourself. It is very important that you feel like yourself again during this time. Postpartum blues are real and can affect you terribly. So, ask for help from your family or even friends. Ask your partner to help you in any way possible. Always keep in mind that you are not going through this alone. And remember, do not blame anyone or anything for your hardships during this time. This, too, shall pass.
15. Books on motherhood
During this time, self-help books can help you feel more grounded. And books on motherhood can give you an idea of what to do and how to do it. This is very different from your regular postpartum essentials for moms, but reading can be a good time pass. And you might learn a lot about motherhood this way. Reading about other people’s experiences will open you up to new possibilities too. So, keep on reading and learn new things for your baby!
16. Extra mattresses
Extra mattresses are very useful during the first few months. Your baby might be vomiting or peeing everywhere, and you might bleed through your clothes. So, the chances of mattresses getting ruined are very high. So, keeping mattresses with you is very important. You definitely do not want to sleep on a mattress soaked with your blood or your baby’s vomit. Also, remember to keep towels and bedsheets within reach. They will be of great help.
Pro Tip On Postpartum Essentials For Mom
Being there for your baby
Lastly, you need to be there for your baby. Remember, you are the only person your baby will need right now. As a mother, it is your duty to keep your baby safe and comfortable. Sure, it can get a bit too much at times. You might feel a bit depressed or overwhelmed by the new responsibilities. But keep in mind that you will get used to it, and you need to find a balance in everything. So, be there for your baby always, even when you feel like giving up.
Conclusive Insights
So, we have come to the end of this blog about the postpartum essentials for mom. I hope that anyone reading this, whether they be a pregnant woman or a new mom, finds this article informative and helpful. So, happy parenting, and we wish you a great recovery. Here’s to the health of you and your little baby! Finally, don’t forget to let us know in the comment section below about what you think about the postpartum essentials for mom and baby!
About The Author
