When you type postpartum must-have’s or essentials into Pinterest or even the LTK app, there are definitely a lot of identical posts that are mostly focused on postpartum vaginal care. Now I am not saying that those items are not a important part of the postpartum journey, but there are a lot of other items that make day to day life just a little bit easier for moms recovering from birth, adapting to life with a newborn, and navigating nursing. I wanted to create a post that included EVERYTHING you need for postpartum, so here we are. Below is a detailed list of everything I have used and loved during my first postpartum experience and plan to use all over again.
Be sure to read through the whole list, as I have included more items than are pictured in the image above.
- BUTTON DOWN SLEEP SHIRT | These are the only pajamas I will wear for at least the three weeks after giving birth. As I have stated before the button down feature makes it nursing friendly and the fact that it is a dress makes changing postpartum underwear ten times a day much less of a hassle.
- SLEEP NURSING BRA | I tried many sleep bras and these are by far the most comfortable. They are made from a very stretchy and breathable fabric, making them perfect for fluctuating breast sizes and they have a nice thick band that is not only soft but supportive. My favorite thing about the band is that is prevents the bra from riding up and restricting engorged breasts. This is a must.
- BELLY BANDIT | I wear a belly wrap 24/7 postpartum, unless it is in the wash or I am in the shower, and up until it no longer fits me. It supports the core, provides compression, and helps everything move back into place and shrink down. After my first labor, I used the basic version and loved it, but chose to upgrade to the Lux wrap this time around. It covers more area of the torso, contours better to the shape of the body, and feels luxurious (hints the name). Highly recommend.
- BREASTS PADS | I like to have both reusable and disposable pads for convenience. I typically only use the reusable at home to prevent loosing them and it is just much less hassle to use disposables in public. I like this specific set of reusable pads, because they come in different sizes to accommodate different breast sizes – definitely needed.
- NIPPLE BUTTER | This is an absolute for nursing. Your nipples will be sore and this will provide relief for the cracks and sores. I love this specific one because it is made with clean ingredients that are safe if any happens to get in babies mouth.
- BREAST PUMP | I had to have a breast pump from day one of nursing because I not only needed to receive some engorement on occasion, but I also wanted to build up a supply for the future. I invested in the Elvie hands-free pump so that I could have a little more freedom but got nervous because of all of the mixed reviews. Just to be safe, I also have the Spectra S2, which is supposed to be more efficient.
- NURSING TANKS | During those first few weeks when I am wearing the belly wrap, I like to wear a nursing tank with a built in bra around the house. It it nice because it makes nursing quick and easy, and it doesn’t feel bulky. Oh and you will definitely want to grab a comfortable cardigan to throw over your nursing tank in the colder months. I love the Barefoot Dreams because they are thick and warm.
- LOOSE FITTING BOTTOMS | This is kind of dependent on the time of the year, but I strongly suggest investing in several pairs of loose fitting sweats or shorts for those first few weeks at home. I see some women wearing leggings after giving birth, which I honestly just do not understand at all. Loose fitting pants are by far more comfortable for your wrecked vaginal area and make your postpartum underwear practically undetectable. I actually invested in a few lounge sets to add to my postpartum wardrobe, that are not only comfortable and loose, but nursing friendly.
- POSTPARTUM UNDERWEAR + CARE | This is definitely an obvious but I have to include it. I am using my trusty Always Discrete Boutique Underwear, simple witch hazel pads, Dermoplast, and the Frida Peri Bottle to help with my postpartum recovery. I did purchase one box of the Frida Mom Underwear with pads to try out, but because I have seen so many mixed reviews on these, I am making sure to have Always Discrete stocked up.
- DRY SHAMPOO | Dry shampoo is my best friend during postpartum because there honestly just isn’t time for a full on getting ready session in those first few weeks. This is my absolute favorite dry shampoo. It actually cleans the hair and makes it feel like new. I also really love LP’s new version as well, linking it HERE.
- EYE PATCHES + ICE ROLLER | In this first few weeks, I was really struggling from the lack of sleep, so these eye patches and this ice roller not only helped me feel a little more like myself but they helped with my puffiness and dark circles as well.
- BOPPY NURSING PILLOW | I have heard a lot of mixed reviews on this nursing pillow, but I loved it. I literally used it from day one of nursing all the way up to when I stopped at 12 months. It holds baby so you don’t have and you can buy a cover that matches your style. I bought this cover in both white and natural large waffle, and love it.
- COMPRESSION NURSING TANK | Once my belly bandit became too large for my mid section, I switched into wearing these nursing compression tanks. They my absolute fav. They hold everything in, continue the needed compression, and again make nursing quick and easy with snap down straps.
- BUTTON DOWN SWEATERS or TOPS | These are a must for going out in public when you are a newly nursing momma. I found that trying to make any other tops work at the beginning when nursing was still quite awkward, was impossible.
- EVERYDAY NURSING BRA | Again when leaving the house, I loved having a comfortable and supportive nursing bra. This style is so nice because it comes with a band extender, making it easily adjustable to fluctuating breast sizes.
- COMPRESSION PANTIES | I loved to wear these when I went out, because wearing a nursing tank with a regular shirt just got to bulky. These provided me with the confidence to go out and about while my midsection was still getting bake to “normal”.
Happy Shopping!
Did you see my post all about what is in my nursing/changing station cart? Read it HERE.