Hey Mamas!
You asked, and the How 2 Mom team has answered!
Everyone thinks of what the baby might need after birth, but what about YOU?! We are here to give you a list of essential items necessary for you as a new mom! All suggested products are linked to make the shopping experience quick and easy!
Now that you’re adjusting to parenthood and recovering from delivery, whether that be by vaginal or surgical birth, your body and mental health are very important and should not be forgotten. It’s essential for you to take care of yourself so that you can easily transition into this new phase of life! Hopefully, you will find this list helpful in healing during your initial adjustment into motherhood!
These are amazing to throw in the tub when healing from delivery (aka a Sitz Bath). Take some time to relax and soak! You just underwent a remarkable and beautiful experience. It's amazing what your body just accomplished and you deserve to rest. It’s good for you both physically and mentally! We love Lavender fragrance for a relaxing environment, or Eucalyptus if you are looking for something to awaken you and help you feel recharged. Mama needs a soak right about now, huh?
AMAZING!! After a vaginal delivery, these are a lifesaver! We cannot say enough positive things about how incredibly soothing these are. Not only do they feel good, but they also help your body heal and protect against irritation. If you are delivering at a hospital, stock up on as many as possible and take those babies home! If you are delivering elsewhere, these can be found at most retail stores such as Target, Walmart, ect. Some mom's prefer to make their own witch hazel soothers. Check out our Pinterest page for ideas under Birth!
3. Nursing Bras, Nursing Tanks, and Nursing Nightgowns
Having lots of different nursing attire available is a must. As you adjust to breastfeeding, you may occasionally “spring a leak” and need another option available to change into. Plus, some days you just want to lounge around in something comfy, and you deserve it Mamma! You just gave birth to a human that you grew inside of you! Don’t forget how amazing you are 🙂
This makes pumping so much more comfortable and efficient! When your hands are free, you are able to accomplish other tasks as you pump and don’t have to hold the cups the entire time. Sometimes sitting idle can be frustrating when there is so much to do as a new mom! Having one of these around can help that process. With a wide variety of sizes and brands available, you are sure to find one that will suit your needs. Pump away, Mama!
Here at How2Mom, we recommend Earth Mamas Organic Nipple Butter. This will help you take care of yourself and make the experience of bonding with your little one much more pleasant. Plus, this is safe for baby!
Drink, drink, drink! We cannot emphasize on this point enough! Staying hydrated helps your body heal and also helps boost your milk supply. Win Win!! 🙂 Try always having a few within reach such as on your nightstand, in the nursery, ect. This will help remind you to stay hydrated. Every time you feed your baby, remind yourself that in order to keep them satiated, YOU need nourishment too! Water is a necessity for your entire body to keep functioning on a daily level. Not only does it help mom and baby physically, but it can help clear your mind as well when you are well hydrated, making it easier to stay on top of things!
These babies are wonderful if you end up with uncomfortable breasts as your milk comes in and/or as your little one adjusts to nursing. Though breastfeeding can be such a beautiful thing, it's not always the easiest road in the beginning. If you're having any breast discomfort, it always feels nice to apply something cool and soothing. Simply place these on for 10 minutes before or after nursing and it can help with the swelling, pain, or irritated skin. Anything outside of general discomfort, please contact us and we will get you in touch with a lactation specialists who can help!
This warm treat is a favorite of many moms. Sip on a nice relaxing drink while soaking in the tub and boost your milk supply at the same time. You'll still get the results you're looking for. And no worries about caffeine intake, it's caffeine free!
Prepare to feel super fancy in these babies! Postpartum means it’s time for mom to wear a diaper too!!(Temporarily, we promise!). In all seriousness though, these make the postpartum time much more comfortable during your healing period. Be sure to stock up, as your body does bleed for some time after giving birth. This is NORMAL! If you ever have any concerns about your level of bleeding postpartum, we always recommend getting in touch with your medical provider so those symptoms can be assessed for your safety.
These little bottles are pure magic. Warm water recommended (NOT hot). Fill with clean water and spritz some of this down below as you pee. Even if you didn't have any tearing, you’ll still feel SO much more comfortable because that area will take some time to heal! Again, these are often handed out at hospitals, so stock up there as much as possible.
Another favorite of mommies out there, the donut pillow! Take a seat on one of these without hesitation. The donut shaping helps take pressure off of your lower region so that you are able to sit without feeling as much tenderness. It's also very helpful for lower back pain. While fairly small and compact, it's also easy to take with you! You can always use your boppy pillow as well!
It is highly recommended to have these items on hand just in case they are needed. Nobody wants to end up suffering from hemorrhoids and having a healthy level of fiber and magnesium in your diet can deter this issue! If it does become a problem, having a (breastfeeding safe) stool softener available can help relieve any gastrointestinal discomfort you may be having and ease discomfort for your bottom. These Fiberwise bars are a favorite, not only because they are effective, but also nutritional and delicious!
Pretty simple! These can be a lifesaver if you have cramping/discomfort postpartum. Just be sure not to fill them with boiling water, these babies can get mighty hot! Very warm/hot water will be sufficient. Apply directly (if not too hot), or use a liner/this cloth as a barrier to your skin. We recommend cheesecloth kitchen towels. They are a simple household item many mom's have on hand and are easy to wash and dry.
Having pain relievers on hand is a must. These can help with some of the discomfort that you may experience during your recovery from giving birth. It's often recommended to alternate between the two medications as to not "over do" use of one type. Keeping up on this early in the postpartum period can reduce any swelling that you may have postpartum as well. At How2Mom, we acknowledge that new mama's aren't necessarily going to want to be running to the store for pain relief. We've found an AMAZING online brand that also offers a ton of household items at wholesale cost that are delivered right to your door! Save time and cut costs 🙂 Yay for mom!! Find out more by clicking the title or image which will direct you to our Wellness page.
Keep your body nourished. If you choose to breastfeed, you can burn up to 500 extra calories a day!! It’s important to make sure you have some high quality, healthy, and high calorie snacks available around the home. Keep some on your nightstand, in the nursery by your breastfeeding station, etc. Very important!! Again, learn more about the brands we shop online by clicking above.
Goodbye baby bump, hello postpartum pooch! It happens to ALL of us! At How2Mom, we feel proud of our postpartum bodies! It is AMAZING to think that a tiny human being grew inside of us. However, just because we are proud of what our bodies have done, doesn’t mean we don’t want some lower belly control wear for comfort measures. There are a variety of different products out there! If preferred, you can wear a belly band and regular waisted pants, or, opt for no belly band and high waisted leg wear with a control top instead. These are remarkably comfortable options and you can find super cute attire too!
If you ask moms who encapsulated their placentas, they will most likely tell you that it changed their postpartum experience. Let’s back up for a minute. In case you are unfamiliar, the placenta is your body’s temporary organ that delivers nutrients and oxygen to the baby during pregnancy, and it also removes waste for the baby. Some moms choose a service, which How2Mom offers, called placenta encapsulation. It is the process where we take the placenta, deyhydrate it, and put it in little capsules, much like a vitamin pill. Many women report that consuming their placenta pills improves their mood, decreases their chances of postpartum depression or baby blues, and helps with energy levels, milk supply and overall recover. The theory is that the placenta contains nutrients and minerals, iron being one of the highest levels.
At How2Mom, we strongly suggest this method, as well as high-quality, non-synthetic prenatal vitamins, both during pregnancy and postpartum. Click on either picture above to learn more.
At How2Mom, we cannot emphasize the importance of Doula care enough. The comfort and support a Doula can provide is second to none. Many only think of Doulas as a support person during the birthing process, but there are all different forms of Doulas out there! Having a professionally trained support person with you during the postpartum period can be such a life saver. They help take off so much weight in an environment that is undeniably chaotic as you adjust to motherhood. Please contact us to learn about our Recommended Resources for Postpartum Doula care.
There you have it Mamas!
Congratulations on your upcoming arrival or new bundle of joy! We at How2Mom wish you a happy, healthy, and comfortable recovery. Don’t forget to take some “me time” to yourself as well. As they say, when a baby is born, so is a mother 🙂
You deserve it!
Pin the Entire List Here!
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