Welcoming a newborn baby into the world is one of the most memorable experiences for any mother. However, the postpartum phase can be overwhelming and daunting for many new mums. From physical pain to hormonal changes, there are many challenges that women face during this time. That's why we have put together a comprehensive list of postpartum essentials for new mums to help along the recovery journey.
It's important to note that not all postpartum essentials are created equal, and different items will be necessary at different stages of your recovery. To make things easier, we've organised a list of 30 postpartum essentials into categories so you can easily find what you need when you need it. Our categories include:
Simply click on the category that interests you to jump to that section and start exploring the related products. Let's dive in and explore the must-have items for any new mum care package or postpartum recovery kit.
Comfort and Support
Comfortable breastfeeding bras
1. A comfortable breastfeeding bra is essential for new mums who are breastfeeding. It's a bit of myth that wearing an underwired bra while breastfeeding can cause mastitis. Whether you go for one with or without underwire comes a lot down to personal preference. If you've got larger breasts you may find an underwired bra give you more support.
One of our favourite brands is Hotmilk They offer a range of wired and non-wired bras that are super comfy and sexy too. Plus some of them come with a a racerback clip so you can get those shoulders out. They go up to J cup, so plenty to choose from.
Nipple cream
2. Breastfeeding can be painful to start and nipple cream can help soothe sore and cracked nipples. Look for nipple creams that are made with natural ingredients like chamomile and shea oil. New mums love our nourishing nipple balm, it's vegan friendly too.
Breast pads
3. Breast pads are essential for new mums to prevent leakage and keep their clothes clean. Look for pads that are made with natural materials like bamboo and cotton. Our washable bamboo breast pads can be found in our breastfeeding starter kit.
Nursing pillows
4. A nursing pillow can help new mums find the right position for breastfeeding their baby, and provide support for their arms and back. Look for pillows that are made with washable covers and are hypoallergenic. We recommend on with a clip that ties around the waist really helps, like the ones from MyBreast Friend.
Baby wrap
5. Babies love to be held and snuggled up to their favourite humans. Baby wraps and carriers are great from birth to free up your hands so you can get a cuppa tea or some food while the baby sleeps. We love the animal print wrap from Amawrap. Who say's you can't look stylish postpartum.
Hygiene and Sanitation
Postpartum knickers
6. Postpartum knickers provide comfort and support for a new mum's healing body. They're lightweight and breathable, so they're gentle on c-section scars and swollen perineal areas.
Maternity pads
7. Maternity pads are thicker and more absorbent than regular pads, and they are designed to handle the heavy postpartum bleeding. Look for pads that are made with natural and organic materials.
Perineal cold packs
8. Perineal cold packs can help ease the pain and swelling after delivery and can be used either on the perineal area to help with soreness and swelling, or on c-section scars. Look for packs that are made with non-toxic materials and use them in a sleeve to protect your skin from ice burns.
Perineal spray
9. Perineal spray can provide relief for sore and swollen perineal areas, and for haemorrhoids too. Look for sprays that are made with natural ingredients like witch hazel and aloe vera. They can be used both in the perineal area, but also to help with healing on c-section scars.
Sitz bath
10. A sitz bath can help soothe sore and swollen perineal areas after delivery. Look for sitz baths that are easy to use and can fit over a toilet seat.
Clothing
High waisted leggings
11. High-waisted leggings provide support and compression for a new mum's postpartum body. Look for leggings that are made with soft and stretchy fabric.
Breastfeeding tops
12. If you're planning on breastfeeding then having some tops that provide easy access and some cover come in handy. Our favourite brands are The Milky Tee and BeeShirt.
Breastfeeding cover
13. A breastfeeding cover can help new mums feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public. Look for covers that are lightweight and made with breathable fabric.
Leakproof underwear
14. It is really common after birth to leak urine in the first few months after giving birth, as your pelvic floor muscles have weakened. Leakproof underwear is great to catch those unexpected leaks in those early days post birth. The Modibody Postpartum Control Briefs, provide both light compression and leak proof underwear in one.
Belly wrap
15. A belly wrap can help support a new mum's abdominal muscles and reduce swelling. Look for wraps that are made with adjustable and breathable fabric.
New PJs
16. Nothing feels better than a brand new set of super comfy PJs. Choose a pair that are made from natural materials like bamboo or cotton as you'll likely to experience postpartum sweats as your hormones change post birth.
Health and Wellness
Breastfeeding tea
17. Breastfeeding tea can help new mums increase their milk supply and promote relaxation. Look for teas that are made with natural ingredients like fennel and fenugreek. If you are breastfeeding, why not try our breastfeeding starter pack?
Food meal service
18. Finding time to eat, let alone cook a meal is a real challenge during the first few weeks after birth. Getting family to bring over meals that an easily be popped in the freezer and reheated is great.
Frozen meal company Cook offers a 10% discount to new parents for 12 months on all orders.
Snacks
19. Getting little sleep means you're likely to crave high sugar foods. Part of the postpartum period is about survival, so if you wanna treat yourself to a packet of chocolate digestives then go for it.
Water bottle
20. Staying hydrated is important for new mums, especially if they are breastfeeding. Look for water bottles that have a straw, which can make it easier to drink water while holding the baby. Check out our breastfeeding water bottle which is £19.99.
Postpartum vitamins
21. Postpartum vitamins can help new mums replenish their nutrients and support their recovery. Look for vitamins that are specifically formulated for postpartum women. We love the Pregnacare New Mum Vitamins.
Dry shampoo
22. Finding 10 mins to wash your hair can be a challenge in the first few weeks. Dry shampoo can help absorb excess oil and refresh hair between washes. Great for when guests pop by.
Relaxation and Restore
Postnatal massage
23. After giving birth and carrying the baby for 9 months your body is likely to feel sore and achy. Postpartum massage relaxes muscles, increases circulation and helps to flush toxins from the body. Whether you go for a light massage or deeper massage is totally down to personal preference, either way taking time for yourself and restoring your body is an absolute must.
Handheld massager
24. Newborns love to snuggle up to their parents and while they're tiny, after a few weeks your back and glutes can start to get sore. A handheld massager is great to help release trigger points that have built up over time. You can use a trigger point massage ball or for a superdooper option you can invest in an electric massage gun like a Theragun. Make sure that you go gentle on those trigger points as too much work in one area can cause bruising.
Book a postnatal mot
25. Having a woman's health physio check how your body is recovering after birth is something that can make a massive difference to your overall wellness. In the session (usually 60 mins) you'll go through some questions about pregnancy and birth and then check your posture, pelvic floor muscles and stomach muscles. These checks don't tend come in in the 6 week check, so lots of women end up suffering in silence, especially around some of the more taboo topics like peeing when you lift your baby. Your physio will provide you with gentle exercises and treatment to help with your recovery.
Yoga Mat
26. Having a comfy yoga mat is great for pelvic floor / core exercises. Don't worry, we're not suggesting you kickstart your fitness routine as you'll want to wait for your six week check for that, but gentle stretching, breath work and pelvic floor exercises are something that can be done as soon as you feel up to it.
Oil diffuser
27. You'll be spending a lot of time at home during the first few weeks after birth. Oil diffusers are lovely for filling the house with soothing and calming scents. You can select different essentail oil fragrances based on your mood, whether you need a zesty pick-me-up or a relaxing chill out scent.
Entertainment
Podcasts
28. Listening to podcasts can be a really nice distraction during those nighttime feeding sessions. Queue up your favourites and grab yourself a pair of wireless headphones too.
Binge worthy boxsets
29. There aren't may times where you can guilt-free binge on box sets, but having a newborn is definitely one of them. Write a list and enjoy working your way through it. Our favourite is The Letdown , an Aussie show that follows the life of four new mums - definitely relatable.
Find a local new parents whatsapp group
30. Whether it's your first baby, or baby no.3, those first months with a newborn can be a rollercoaster ride. Hormones, lack of sleep and anxiety about looking after a little one can be really lonely. Finding a local new mums whatsapp group can be a real source of support. Even if you're just a lurker, there's comfort in knowing there are other people going through the same thing as you. Plus it's a great place to find out about the local new parent meet-ups and recommended specialists like lactation consultants.
Try searching for your local group on facebook or ask your midwife if they know of any in the area.
Now that you have a comprehensive list of postpartum essentials, you can create a new mum care package or postpartum recovery kit for yourself or a loved one. If you’re looking for a new mum gift, we offer a range of postpartum recovery kits. Start by choosing items from each cluster based on your needs and preferences. You can also add personalised touches like a handwritten note or a favourite treat. Taking care of yourself during the postpartum phase is essential, and having the right essentials can make all the difference.
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