It is so beautiful to become a mom but to be honest, the first few weeks after the birth of a child are not funny. You are tired, emotional and trying to find a new version of yourself taking care of a small human being who requires your company 24/7.
When I was pregnant I believed that I had all the things I needed. I was browsing lists of postpartum essentials all day long, adding every item on the list to my cart until it was full of things that people recommended as must-haves. However, when the reality struck, I knew, that some things were not worth it, and some ones were literally a life-saver and kept me going throughout these difficult weeks.
This is not another list, so. It is the real thing, the postpartum must-haves I personally utilized, the ones that helped me to come to myself, to remain sane, and feel like myself again.
The Real Postpartum Experience No One Prepares You For
Honestly, life after giving birth is not filled with cuddling babies and sweet memories. It is bleeding, sore, weeping, recuperating, and getting by on two hours sleep.
Your body does not feel like yourself, your feelings are all around and your energy is almost on the zero level. One gets lost in all that confusion. However it is the presence of the right things the things that will work that will mean the difference between barely surviving and getting back on the road slowly.
The Must-Try Postpartum Essentials That Truly Helped Me
1. Comfortable Nursing Bras & Clothes
Nothing is like comfort after childbirth. Close-fitting clothes would not suit me. During the first month, I spent my time in nursing bras that were soft and breathable and loose lounge clothes.
They simplified the process of breastfeeding, kept me relaxed throughout the healing process, and most importantly, made me feel more human.
Tip:
-
Wear cotton or bamboo materials — it is soft on your skin and it allows your body to breathe.
2. Peri Bottle & Sitz Bath
No one can prepare you with the pain down there because every mom mentions it, but you can only understand it when you undergo it. After visiting the lavatory, a peri bottle was my best friend.
And once I began sitting in a sitz bath of warm water and a little bit of salt the healing process was much more comfortable. It eased the pain and provided me with some time of relaxation (which was a luxury at the time).
Must-try combo:
-
Peri bottle once every bathroom
-
Sitz bathing in 10–15 minutes twice a day
3. Postpartum Pads & Mesh Underwear
The needless to mention is that it is time to forget the adorable underwear and embrace comfort and utility. The hospital mesh undies? Keep them. They act like a savior in the initial untidy days.
I pre-empted with more absorbent postpartum pads with which I donned loose pants or a long dress. It simplified all the things and made me feel fresh and confident.
4. Nipple Cream & Breast Pads
During breastfeeding, the truth of the matter is, your nipples will hurt. Mine did for weeks. Nature cream or a lanolin cream rubbed on the nipple helped a lot.
And the disposable or reusable breast pads were not negotiable — to prevent leakage and stains I used it both in the daytime and at night.
5. A Supportive Pillow
A good support pillow was all that you needed whether in comfortably lying down to breastfeed or just to lie down. The pain was experienced in my lower back due to prolonged feeding periods, and a nursing pillow proved to be a relief to me and at the same time kept baby comfortable.
Bonus:
-
You can use it subsequently during tummy time or baby sitting.
6. Nutritious Snacks & Water Bottle
I could hardly have time to eat between feedings and changing diapers and zero sleep. But I soon discovered the truth of this — it is impossible to recover without tooting along the food.
I also ensured that I always had healthy snacks by my bedside and a large water bottle close enough.
My go-to postpartum snacks:
-
Oats with milk or yogurt
-
Nuts and dates (great source of energy and milk)
-
Hard-boiled eggs
-
Fruit slices or smoothies
Note:
-
Drink water reminders — water hydrates the body and increases the production of milk.
7. A Good Belly Wrap or Postpartum Binder
I understand that people have both positive and negative experiences with this one, but a postpartum wrap wrapped tenderly helped me a lot myself. It provided me with the support once again, made my posture more comfortable during breastfeeding, and made my abdomen feel more stable.
It is not necessary to wrap tightly but only tight enough to hold your muscles in place and assist your core to realign.
8. Pain Relief Spray or Cooling Pads
A postpartum spray containing witch hazel or aloe was a real blessing when it was time to sit or move. It made swellings subside and provided immediate relief.
In the case of stitches or pain, cold pads are miraculous. Some of them in the fridge — you know, you will be glad afterwards.
9. Comfortable Sleep Setup
Sleep deprivation hits hard. Two hours, however many, may be all, but make two hours serene.
I ensured that my space was comfortable (low lighting, bedding, and all I required nearby) (diapers, wipes, burp cloths, snacks, and water).
It made me more relaxed and took better rest between the feedings of the baby.
10. Gentle Skincare & Self-Care Items
I did not have much time to indulge in any lengthy rituals, but it felt like doing my face and applying a moisturizer to make me feel good and sane. Minor acts of kindness helped me appreciate the fact that I was not insignificant either.
Try this quick routine:
-
Splash face with cool water
-
Use a gentle cleanser
-
Use a lightweight moisturizer
-
Swipe on lip balm
It is so easy to say, yet it was a massive difference in my everyday mood.
Conclusion
I purchased so many of the things that people told me were necessary, and they never saw the light of day.
Here’s what I personally didn’t need:
-
Glamorous postpartum robes (my old T-shirts were good enough)
-
Nipple shields (I found plain creams to be more effective) cost a lot.
-
Luxury postpartum vitamins (I used recommended vitamins prescribed by the doctor)
Moral of the story?
You do not have to purchase all of them. Begin with what is most basic and build up to what really suits you.
.png)
0 Comments