A Complete List Of Postpartum Care Essentials For Recovery

In the postpartum time, there is a lot going on. You obviously have a new baby to look after, but you'll also require some attention to yourself. Despite how easy or tough your delivery was, you'll be uncomfortable and sore for a while, and healing can be a bit unpleasant.

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Postpartum Essentials for Bleeding

Whether you have a vaginal or c-section birth, you will experience some menstrual discharge and release after the baby is born. This is known as lochia. This bleeding is your body's way of getting rid of the blood and tissue that has accumulated in your uterus.

Taking care of yourself and your necessities throughout this time will help you feel more at ease, heal faster, and avoid infection. Here are some items you should have on hand to aid with your recovery.

#1 Maternity pads

These aren't your average maxi pads. They're big and thick, and they're designed to handle a lot of postpartum bleeding. It's conceivable that your hospital will send you home with some extra pads, depending on your situation. Before you go, make sure you ask.

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#2 Underwear

They may not be the most fashionable option, but they'll keep those massive pads and ice packs in place. Mesh underwear is a type of underwear that is elastic, soft, and airy. The nicest thing is that they're completely disposable. So you may throw them away when you're done with them. Make sure you have a few on hand, especially for the first week.

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#3 Chux pads

These protected water-resistant underpads can be placed on your bed or anywhere else you want to sit or lie down to minimize postpartum bleeding incidents.

#4 Large and comfortable underwear

Make a stash of dark-colored, temporary, or outdated maternity underwear that can carry those extra-large pregnancy pads. Because they're prone to get stained, a dark color is a good choice. Undies that are old or disposable are much better because they can be thrown away.

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#5 Normal pads

For the first week or two, overnight maxi pads or urine sanitary napkins are recommended. You should also load up on medium and light flow pads once the severe bleeding has subsided because a lesser discharge can linger up to six weeks once the heavy bleeding has subsided.

Changing your maternity pads on a regular basis will help you heal faster and avoid infections or other complications. Also, wait to use tampons until you've spoken with your doctor. Also, if you develop a fever or any other warning signals, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Postpartum Essentials for Soreness

Even if you feel wonderful when you go home from the hospital, you're likely to experience some difficulty as your body heals. For example, you could have a damaged perineum, stitches from an episiotomy or rip, a c-section incision, or hemorrhoids when you return home. Here are some items to keep on hand helping reduce your soreness and make the postpartum phase a little easier to endure.

#1 Squirt bottle

Fill a peri bottle with lukewarm (not cold or hot) faucet water and gently squeeze it to discharge a stream of water over your perineum while urinating and after each visit to the bathroom. Warm water makes it easier to pee, stimulates blood flow, which aids in healing, and delicately cleans the region to avoid infection.

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#2 Gauze or disposable cloths

While using the washroom or peri bottle, gently pat yourself dry with fresh, dry, temporary gauze or washcloths.

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#3 Pain medicines

For postpartum discomfort, Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen work effectively. However, before taking any over-the-counter medication, specifically, if you're breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor.

#4 Ice packs

Ice aids in the reduction of pain and swelling. You can buy disposable postpartum pads with built-in ice packs, create your own ice packs, or buy chemically activated disposable packs. Make sure the ice does not come into contact with your skin. Instead, use disposable pads with built-in ice packs to provide a barrier between your skin and the cold.

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#5 Donut pillow

By relieving pressure on your swelling perineum or hemorrhoids, a standard pillow or donut cushion can make sitting more pleasant.

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You may make homemade iced pads by dipping sanitary pads or gauze in witch hazel and freezing them in a clean ziplock bag if you want to get creative. Then, when you're ready to use one, simply take it out of the fridge. Based on how chilly it is, you may want to add a layer between your skin and the pad to protect sensitive skin.

Postpartum Essentials for Your Breast Care

Whether you wish to breastfeed or not, your body produces breast milk naturally at first. However, after a few weeks, prolactin levels are determined by supply and demand, and if you're not breastfeeding, your milk production will dry up.

Whether you plan to breastfeed or formula feed, you'll need to take care of your breasts after giving birth. Here are some items to have on hand regardless of your feeding choice.

#1 Supportive bra

After having a baby, your breasts may become large, heavy, sensitive, or swollen. A nice bra should be comfy and support your breasts' added weight without being overly tight. A supportive breastfeeding bra is useful if you're nursing.


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#2 Breast pads

Regardless of your feeding plans, every new mother produces breast milk. As a result, breast pads will keep leaking breast milk to a minimum.

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#3 Nipple cream

Almost all breastfeeding mothers, as well as some non-nursing mothers, will have sore, dry, or painful nipples at some point throughout their pregnancy. As a result, having a nipple cream or ointment on hand to administer when they get tender or unpleasant is very helpful.

#4 Pillow for breastfeeding

A breastfeeding pillow is very useful in the first few weeks after giving birth if you plan to breastfeed your baby. A breastfeeding pillow can help mothers who have enormous breasts are healing from a c-section, or have twins feel more at ease. It also helps to relieve back and neck pain.

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The above-mentioned items are our pick of the complete list of postpartum care essentials for recovery. Knowing and understanding what you'll need for your postpartum healing, as well as having the appropriate resources on hand, can help you feel psychologically prepared to look for yourself. Being prepared can also have a direct impact on your physical and mental recovery. You'll be able to deal with pain as soon as it appears. You'll also save time and effort by not having to go shopping for supplies when you're not feeling well.

In HappyPreggie we understand what it means to give birth to a baby and how painful this whole time can be. That’s why we have come up with the list just for you so that you don’t have to give any extra time to research. If you loved our article you can also try reading Top 9 Breastfeeding Positions You Need To Know or How To Treat Your Child's Wounds & Injuries.