Navigating Postpartum Recovery: 11 Essential Products for New Moms

As you prepare to welcome your new baby into the world, it's essential to consider the importance of self-care during the postpartum period, or the fourth-trimester. While the postpartum care phase presents its challenges, there are postpartum essentials available to help alleviate discomfort and promote healing, whether you birthed your little one naturally or via c-section. If it’s your first time shopping for postpartum essentials, let's delve into a curated selection of top-rated postpartum must-haves so you can create the ultimate postpartum recovery kit in your hospital bag and home.

1. Frida Mom Peri Bottle: Perineal Hygiene Reinvented.

Following childbirth, maintaining perineal hygiene is imperative for you and your new baby. The Frida Mom Peri Bottle emerges as a steadfast postpartum care companion, boasting an ergonomic design and an angled, upside down peri bottle spout for effortless cleansing. Its efficacy in promoting perineal hygiene and comfort during the postpartum journey is unparalleled.

2. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter: Alleviating Discomfort with Nature's Bounty.

Breastfeeding– while rewarding, often accompanies challenges such as cracked and sore nipples. Enter Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter, a spin on traditional nipple cream, formulated with organic calendula and cocoa butter. This nourishing solution offers instantaneous pain relief and nurtures tender nipples, fostering a harmonious breastfeeding experience during postpartum recovery.

3. Always Discreet Postpartum Underwear: Confidence in Protection.

In the wake of childbirth and postpartum recovery, leakage is a common concern. Always Discreet Postpartum Underwear provides maximum absorbency and comfort, ensuring seamless movement while safeguarding against leaks. Its discreet design affords postpartum pad wearers the freedom to focus on nurturing their new baby without interruption.

4. Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads: Alleviating Discomfort, Naturally.

Hemorrhoids and perineal swelling often accompany the early days of the postpartum period, totally normal, new mother. Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads, infused with soothing witch hazel, offer respite from discomfort and inflammation without need to use an ice pack. Their cooling effect provides immediate relief for hemorrhoids, promoting a swift return to comfort. Pro tip: you can also DIY your own soothing ice packs and witch hazel pads by applying witch hazel, aloe or the soothing solution of your choice to maxi pads. Roll them up and keep them in the freezer for instant cooling post-birth pain relief.

5. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow: Supporting Optimal Breastfeeding.

While a breastfeeding pillow isn’t always considered a postpartum essential for recovery specifically, proper breastfeeding positioning is paramount for both mother and new baby. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow, with its wrap-around design and firm support, facilitates optimal latch and adjustable positioning. By reducing strain on a new mom's back and shoulders, it fosters comfortable and nurturing breastfeeding sessions, especially if you throw a nursing bra into the mix!

6. Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray: Immediate Comfort sans Irritation.

Bleeding, pain and itching during the postpartum period demand swift relief without exacerbation. Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray, formulated with benzocaine and menthol, delivers instantaneous pain relief devoid of stinging or irritation that comes with vaginal delivery. Its gentle composition ensures comfort and alleviates discomfort effectively for new moms, making it one of our postpartum essentials.

7. Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray: Harnessing Nature's Healing Touch.

The perineum and perineal area requires gentle care for new moms after vaginal birth. Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray, enriched with organic herbs like witch hazel and calendula, offers immediate relief from soreness and discomfort. Its refreshing squirt bottle application promotes expedited postpartum recovery and enhances overall comfort.

8. Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Underwear: Comfort Meets Practicality. 

Selecting postpartum underwear necessitates a blend of comfort and functionality for new moms. Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Underwear, crafted from ultra-soft, stretchy bamboo fabric with a high-waisted design, fulfills these criteria admirably. Its gentle support envelops the postpartum body, prioritizing comfort without compromise (It’s not just for the early days, I still wear mine just because they're comfy!). Disposable underwear and mesh undies that allow breathability post-birth are always smart to have in your drawer, too.

3. Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump: Effortless Breast Milk Expression. 

Breast engorgement is a common postpartum journey challenge, but the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump offers a simple lactation solution. This innovative breast pump uses suction to express breast milk supply effortlessly while breastfeeding on the opposite breast. It's compact, portable, and easy to use, making it a must-have for breastfeeding moms looking to relieve engorgement and/or building a freezer stash of breast milk! Another new mom tip: if you have a clogged duct, put some Epsom salt in it and fill with warm water (not too hot!) until combined. Put the Haakaa breast pump on the affected breast as you normally would and let it relieve some of that pressure. This product has been a lifesaver for me, I've fought many clogs with this beauty by using it multiple times a day at the first inkling of a clog. 

10. Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Breast Pads: Nurture and Soothe.

Sore nipples need not hinder the breastfeeding experience. Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads, with their soothing gel formulation, provide instant pain relief and promote healing. These sterile breast pads offer prolonged comfort, allowing new moms to breastfeed with confidence and ease.

11. Belly Bandit C-Section and Postpartum Recovery Undies and Belly Bands

Belly Bandit offers a wide variety of undies, bands, and maternity clothes for new moms to speed up c-section postpartum recovery with comfort in mind. The C- Section and Postpartum Recovery Undies are comfy and breathable but also provide targeted compression to reduce swelling. If you’re looking for even more support, their Belly Wraps are super strong yet discreet under breathable maternity clothes. 

As you embark on the transformative postpartum journey of being a new mother, prioritize self-care and embrace the support offered by these esteemed postpartum essentials. With their aid, and potentially that of a postpartum doula, too, you'll navigate the postpartum period like the warrior you are. Most importantly, give yourself grace, all while cherishing every moment with your little one. And please, please! Follow your doctor's instructions, especially if stool softeners were prescribed or recommended. (You can thank me later). Here's to a journey filled with healing, joy, and boundless love for your new baby.

Further Reading 

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out The Best Baby Products & Brands of 2024 or our article Soothing Solutions: 16 of the Best Teething Toys for Babies The Best Soft-Structured Carriers for You and Your Baby. The village is a great place to find tips and tricks for all your baby gear needs. 

About the Author, Lauren Shaver Morris

GoodBuy Gear Contributing Writer

Lauren is considered an authority on safe babywearing and helps parents find the confidences to safely wear their child. As a nurse, Lauren understands proper ergonomics for babies whether parents choose to use stretchy and woven wrap carriers, apron-style carriers or structured carriers. Lauren is also twin mom with a toddler, so tandem wearing is a must to keep her household running!