The early postpartum days felt like a blur of healing, feeding, learning, and trying to find a rhythm in the middle of total exhaustion. Along the way, there were a few products that became genuine comforts, helping with recovery, breastfeeding, and the day-to-day reality of caring for a newborn. This post is a collection of the essentials that made that season a little easier and a lot more manageable.
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1. Silverette nursing cups
These will save your life, just trust me! Buy the XL – it doesn’t matter if they’re too big but you don’t want them to be too small. Nipple and breast sizing changes once you have the baby so just be safe and size up. I put them on immediately after the first feed and never had any dryness, cracking, sores, etc. I promise they’re worth the cost!
2. Donut pillow
I truly do not understand why more people aren’t talking about this. I never once saw it included in a postpartum essentials list. Everyone should be shouting about these from the rooftop, especially the hospitals and nurses!! I digress. This pillow allowed me to sit in the car and around the house comfortably. I didn’t have it when I gave birth and it was the first thing I rush ordered after 1 day of being so uncomfortable in any sitting position.
3. WOOL nursing pads
You do not need a jumbo pack of cotton / bamboo / mystery blend nursing pads with a waterproof layer (hello boob sweat on top of let down!!). You need 1-2 ( I only had1 pair) pair of good quality wool nursing pads. They absorb so well, dry insanely quick, are delicate on your skin, breathable, and naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. These are the real deal!
4. Disposable underwear
Yes they give you some in the hospital, but these are SO much more comfortable and supportive. Comfort is so important postpartum and these are soft, stretchy, and secure enough to keep everything in place without being too tight. They light grey didn’t show through the lounge sets or loose dresses I was living in postpartum which was an extra perk.
5. nursing friendly basics
Trust me when I say I tried ALL the nursing bras and tank tops you can imagine. I’m nearly 2 years post partum and still nursing. These 2 items have been on repeat since giving birth. They are more expensive but worth it in my opinion. I wash them both multiple times a week – that’s how much I love them! I never touch the cheap Target or Amazon nursing items I bought because of these.
6. Organic Cotton Pads
Postpartum bleeding lasts on average 4-6 weeks. It is so important to use high quality organic pads as you recover. I ordered about 6 different brands of jumbo / overnight pads because I didn’t know which would be the most comfortable. After testing them all, the ones shown above were to most comfortable. You will want to buy varying sizes as the bleeding will slowly decrease over the weeks. AVOID HERBAL INFUSION!!! You don’t need any extra burning or tingling.
7. help with first pp poop
Fiber is your best friend for that first postpartum poop. If eating fiber rich foods isn’t enough for you, I’ve linked some helpful products above. I prefer to take a more natural route, using hydration and magnesium.
8. a big ole waterbottle
This one speaks for itself. Get yourself the biggest water bottle you can find. Ideally two if you have a two story house so you don’t have to lug the thing up and down the stairs. Make sure to get something spill proof!
9. Passive Milk Collector
This is an absolute life saver! Just stick it in your bra during those early weeks when you have a lot of leakage. You can also squeeze it then attach to release some of your let down if it is too strong for your baby. 100% food grade silicone. Super soft, easy to pour into a milk bag, and easy to wash!
10. Upside down peri bottle
This is so much easier to use than the one they give you in the hospital. get one for each bathroom you use on a daily basis.
11. Witch hazel
Witch hazel is commonly used postpartum because it can help soothe perineal soreness, swelling, and hemorrhoid discomfort after delivery, especially when used as a cooled pad or wipe.
12. Liquid Iodine Supplement
Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase the body’s need for iodine, a mineral that plays a critical role in fetal brain and nervous system development. Because low iodine intake during pregnancy has been associated with cognitive and developmental concerns in infants, maintaining adequate intake is especially important when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.
For that reason, both the CDC and the World Health Organization recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women take a daily multivitamin or prenatal supplement that includes iodine. The recommended dietary allowance is 220 mcg per day during pregnancy and 290 mcg per day while breastfeeding, compared with 150 mcg per day for adults over 18.
I prefer this liquid because it is flavorless and you only need 2 drops per day. One bottle will last you 450 days – best bang for your buck!
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