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So, you’ve done your shopping and got everything you need for the new baby. You have also bought everything you need for delivery and leaving the hospital. Whether you’re a first-time mom or this is another arrow in your quiver, you need to take care of yourself after birth. What then should your postpartum care kit list contain?
Preparing for delivery can be frustrating when you don’t know what you’re supposed to get. Worse still is delivering and then realizing you got the wrong things or things that are useless to you at that point. Maybe you’ve heard a few tools for new moms and moms-to-be, and you’re wondering what those are and for what use, and you may be too shy to ask.
If you’re a new mom lost in the baby and mom aisle where everything looks strange, we’re here to demystify everything. Wondering what are the must haves in your postpartum care kit list? This article will give you 10 postpartum essentials you need after your bundle of joy arrives.
In This Article
Postpartum Self Care Tips
During and after giving birth, your body goes through many changes. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean section, you will experience changes in your body that will be nothing like you’re used to.
The most important thing is for you to focus on nourishing your baby and your healing. Do not rush your body, the changes you notice have been happening for over nine months, and it’ll take time to get back to its pre-pregnancy state.
Also Read: C-Section Preparation and Recovery
The birth process is also quite torturous. You’ll have lost quite some blood that needs replenishing. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, your body will require nutrients to keep the milk flowing.
To aid in faster and proper healing, you must heed your doctor’s instructions and not miss any appointments. Do not overexert yourself until your doctor allows you. When you’ve got the green light, start light exercises such as yoga, simple dancing, and walking. Light exercises also boost your moods and keep postpartum depression away.
Ensure that you consume foods rich in fiber to aid in digestion and prevent constipation. Your diet should consist of lots of fruits and vegetables. Drink enough water to keep you hydrated and to help in the manufacture of milk.
Continue doing your Kegels to get the vagina back in shape. Do your Kegels by tightening your pelvic muscles and holding for 5 seconds, then release and repeat the process ten times. You can do this thrice or every time you need to pee. Most importantly, love yourself and embrace the new motherhood season you’re in.
Also Read: Expert Preparation Tips: How to Prepare Your Home for a Newborn
10 Must Haves in Your Postpartum Care Kit List
To best take care of yourself, ensure these items are in your postpartum essentials checklist.
Must Haves in Your Postpartum Care Kit #1: Maternity Pads
If this is your first baby and you haven’t witnessed postpartum bleeding, brace yourself for quite the pad-soaking bleeding. Postpartum vaginal bleeding is called lochia. This happens because your body is shedding the lining of the uterus that had thickened to sustain the baby.
Lochia is heavier than your average pre-pregnancy, and the regular pads will not contain it. It also tends to have clots in it and is a much darker shade of red. Maternity pads are thicker than your regular pads and are the best for this period. The hospital will most likely provide some for you during your stay there, but you’ll need to get a supply to use at home. Do not use tampons as they may introduce bacteria to your vagina and cause infections.
The vagina could still be raw from the delivery and episiotomy if you had a vaginal birth. Change the pads often to prevent infections and leaks. Vaginal bleeding should last about ten days.
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Must Haves in Your Postpartum Care Kit #2:Regular Pads
Have some regular pads to use once the postpartum bleeding has become lighter. The postpartum pads are quite thick and long, and they tend to be quite uncomfortable.
The heavy bleeding may stop, but the spotting may continue for a couple more days. In some instances, the bleeding increases after overexerting even though it has reduced. This is normal and should trickle to a stop in a day or two. The blood turns to a brighter red as the bleeding nears the end. If you think your bleeding is prolonged, consult your doctor.
Click here to Buy Postpartum Pads for Women After Birth
Essentials in Your Postpartum Care Kit #3:Disposable Underwear for Women Postpartum
Disposable underwear is a must have in your postpartum care kit. The heavy vaginal bleeding after birth may sometimes leak and spoil your good knickers that you possibly don’t want to spoil. Having underwear that you’ll not need to worry about washing will keep your mind at ease.
If you had a cesarean section, disposable underwear for women postpartum is a must-have product after CS as they don’t press the CS wound. The CS site may still be feeling sensitive weeks after delivery. Disposable underwear is light and breathable, making it comfortable and soft on the skin.
Ensure you have stocked enough boxes of disposable underwear to avoid running out. You may end up changing your underwear more often than you had imagined.
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Must Haves in Your Postpartum Care Kit #4: Pain Killers
Painkillers are some of your must-have in your postpartum care kit list after delivery, whether you went through vaginal birth or cesarean section. The CS site might still be painful a couple of weeks after the surgery. Having some painkillers at hand will help with the pain and discomfort.
Some women would experience pain and discomfort in the perineum due to the trauma during birth, especially if they had stitches. Back pain and abdominal pain as the uterus contracts can make you miserable in the first weeks after delivery.
Some over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, are safe to remove the discomfort. You will most likely leave the hospital with some pills. However, ensure that you have your doctor’s go-ahead before popping any pills bought over the counter.
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Also Read: How Do I Prepare My Body For C-Section Recovery? 9 Expert C-Section Preparation Tips
Postpartum Essential #5:Postpartum Ice Packs for Women After Birth
Ice packs are must-haves in your postpartum care kit after vaginal birth. There are no two ways about it; your lady bits will hurt for the first few days after delivery.
Pushing out a whole human being from your body through an elastic organ that has expanded to accommodate all the 10 centimeters of the baby’s head is no mean feat. There’s bound to be some trauma.
Remember, the pelvic muscles expanded to three times their normal size, those too are going to feel sore for a little while. Ice packs are a must-have in your postpartum survival kit. They will come in handy in the first days after the delivery when your body is most sore and painful. Choose the ice packs that you can break into pieces and hide away in your underwear.
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Also Read: What To Expect During Postpartum Recovery: 9 Common Problems And Solutions
Must Have in Your Postpartum Care Kit #6:Stool Softeners
Constipation after delivery is the stuff that nightmares are made of. After birth, that first poop might have you calling on every deity you know to come down and help. You don’t want to be constipated or even have a slightly hard stool after your organs have been shifted and your pelvic floor is raw after delivery. It feels like you’re back in the delivery room.
Stool softeners are must haves in your postpartum care kit list. They are the most helpful things you need after childbirth. They will come in handy even if you feel like everything is alright down there. Having things running smoothly will be beneficial in your healing journey. Choose a daily pill or a powder depending on your liking.
Eat foods with a laxative effect, such as chia seeds, flax seeds, papaya, and leafy greens. Taking Chia will also increase your milk supply and make breastfeeding easier.
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Also Read: 15 Best Foods For Breastfeeding
Must Haves in Your Postpartum Care Kit #7: A Peri Bottle
Known in full as a perineal irrigation bottle, you need it as one of the things to make postpartum easier. A peri bottle is used to wash the perineal area after bowel movements to keep it clean and free from germs.
Your perineal is a sensitive area after delivery as it’s, in most cases, sore and injured. Any slight contact with bacteria may lead to severe infection. Bowel waste is full of bacteria, and tissue alone will not keep them from entering sensitive areas and bringing contamination.
A peri wash is a beautiful way to ensure that the area is germs-free. Keep them in a strategic spot in the bathroom so you don’t have to worry about running to get one when you’ve already settled in for business.
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Postpartum Essential#8: Epsom Salts for a Sitz Bath
Sitz baths are a must have in postpartum care kit list and will be your savior when it comes to healing your perineal. You’ll need Epsom salts to put in the sitz baths for proper healing.
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A sitz bath is a shallow bath that covers the lower body up to the hips, and it’s done to cleanse the perineum. A sitz bath helps in soothing pain, irritation, or even itches in the perineum. You can buy a sitz bath that you dissolve the salts into and sit on the toilet bowl for a few minutes.
Alternatively, use the Epsom salts in your bathtub or large washbasin. Ensure that the tub or the basin is well cleaned and disinfected. Epsom salts are a must-have in your postpartum recovery kit.
Add some lavender to the oil to increase its anti-inflammatory effects. Your ‘downstairs’ will thank you for it.
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Must Have in Your Postpartum Care Kit #9:Nursing Pads
Once the baby has arrived and the milk production has started in full gear, you’ll need nursing pads. Otherwise, you’ll always be soaking your clothes in breast milk, which is uncomfortable and unhygienic.
Disposable breast pads are the best as they absorb more milk, and you can keep one for a little longer. However, they are also a little more expensive. Washable pads come in handy if you’re at home and can soak into water immediately. They are removed.
Breast milk is rich in nutrients and may attract bacteria very fast. Ensure you change them more often and wash the breast before feeding the baby.
Leaking breasts can be a nightmare for any mom, particularly when you need to leave the house. Nursing pads are some of the best postpartum products you can get as a new mom.
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Related Article: 10 Best Nursing Bras for Nursing Moms
Must Have in Your Postpartum Care Kit #10: Nipple Cream
The first few days after you start breastfeeding, the nipples will be subjected to pressure they were not used to. Cracked nipples are one of the nightmares that new moms sometimes have to deal with. Sometimes the cracking is so bad that the nipple has actual wounds and bleeds.
Nipple cream comes in handy to soothe cracked nipples and reduce inflammation. Use the nipple cream even if the nipples are not cracked to keep them soft and moisturized.
Cracked nipples can be prevented by ensuring that the baby latches appropriately every time you put them to the breast. Ensure that the baby’s mouth is fully open, forming an O before placing the nipple in their mouth. When you introduce the breast to the baby’s mouth, ensure that the whole nipple and the areola are in the baby’s mouth.
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Also Read: 10 Common Breastfeeding Problems And How To Solve Them
FAQs
- How can I take care of myself after giving birth?
The best way to take care of yourself after giving birth is to get as much rest as possible, eat healthy meals, accept help from your friends and family, and follow your doctor’s advice for quick recovery.
- What do I need in my postpartum kit?
The must haves in your postpartum care kit list include maternity pads, a peri bottle, stool softeners, and a sitz bath. You may also need ice packs, a beast pump, nursing pads, and nipple cream
- How many pads do I need postpartum?
There is no exact number of pads that you will use postpartum as it depends on how long the bleeding lasts. Most moms use an average of 6 pads per day for two to four weeks.
- How long do you bleed after giving birth?
Bleeding after delivery may last for about two to six weeks as the uterus contrasts and goes back to normal. Consult your doctor if you experience very heavy bleeding which does not stop.
Final Thoughts
The ultimate must haves in your postpartum care kit list must contain all these things that make your life as a new mom less painful and more comfortable. There are more than you can throw in, such as comfy pajamas, freezing your meals, and having a book to pass away the time.
The Frida Mom Hospital Packing Kit for Labor, Delivery, & Postpartum is a pack must have solution for new moms that contains most of the postpartum essentials such as a peri bottle, ice maxi pads, disposable underwear, pad liners, perineal form, and toiletry bag. Check it out on Amazon.
Most of the pain and discomfort in the first days or weeks of motherhood can be alleviated by preparing for it even before you go to the delivery room. Preparing helps you know what to expect and makes you ready for it. Nevertheless, you may get some surprises along the way. Embrace them all in stride and enjoy being a mommy.
Find other things that make your life easy and adopt them along the way. Although the motherhood experience replicates across many new moms, each experience is as unique as the individual. Find what is relevant to your situation and adopt it. Express your individuality even in your must have postpartum care kit list and get what you feel you will really need.
Read Next:
- 10 Best Hospital Grade Breast Pumps
- 12 Breastfeeding Essentials for Nursing Moms
- 10 Best Nursing Bras For New Moms
- 13 Must-Have Newborn Feeding Essentials For New Moms
