Things That Have Helped Me Post Partum
The internet is filled with lists upon lists of NEEDED items for post partum and many companies take advantage of new moms not knowing what they will need. I was committed to using JUST what was needed by only purchasing items when the need came up. We have a small house and after spending months nesting and donating, I didn’t want to fill it back up with unnecessary baby and post partum items. Read below for the bare bones of what I have found to be 100% needed to recover from a natural but induced birth and a baby stay in the NICU for 17 days.
0-2 Months Post Partum
Fridamom Peri Bottle(The hospital will give you one, but this one has an angle and makes it a lot easier to use. Skip literally ALL of the other Fridamom items… you don’t need them)
Nursing Pads(When your milk comes in, you will totally want these. Did you know breast milk stains clothes becuase there is FAT in it?! I learned the hard way)
Hemorrhoid Cream(The hospital gave me a script for this and had me add it to the top of my pad and tucks pads. It really helped with the stitches for the fisr couple of weeks)
Witch Hazel and Cotton Pads (This is basically the recipe for homemade Tucks Pads. I used a plastic container and put it in my post partum basket that I left on the back of the toilet. Bonus points because whatever you don’t use for recovery, you can use on your face as a toner!)
Overnight Menstrual Pads (I used the hospital pads and liked them for a while, but ultimately, I wanted to get back to the ones I always use)
Dermaplast(They may give you this at the hospital, ask for extras before you leave to go home!)
Madela Hand Pump(When the electric pump just seems to not be pulling enough out, just to switch it up a little, or for stubborn clogged ducts, this is a must have! Mine goes with me everywhere.)
Haakaa (I wish I would have had this sooner! It suctions onto the breast you are not pumping or nursing on and pulls out extra milk that may have otherwise been wasted. It also is INCREDIBLE for clogged ducts with a little warm water and epsom salt - game changer).
Tylenol Extra Strength (The hospital will probably send you home with some Ibprophen and Acetomitophen, but the scripts probably won’t last as long as you need them to)
Colace (the fear of the first poop after birth is REALLLL. trust me, you will want this to make life a little easier)
Nail File (you’ll be glad you have it for yourself and for baby)
GOOD Friends
Freezer Meals (Do yourself a favor and double your dinner recipes for the last trimester of your pregnancy. Put them in aluminum half pans w/ reheating or cooking directions for easy heating and disposal after birth.)
3-4 Months Post Partum
Body Armour Zero Sugar(Helps keep pumping and nursing moms hydrated. I like the zero sugar becuase it doesn’t hurt my stomach or make me/baby gassy)
Oatmeal any way you can tolerate it (It helps with milk supply and keeping your calories up)
Ripple Kids Milk(This dairy-free milk from pea protein has been helping me clear out my brain fog becuase it is fortified with many of the nutrients I am missing in my vegeterian diet and are expelled with pumping)
Try this dairy-free latte recipe in the morning to boost your nutrients for the day!
Protein Balls (They are quick, delish, and packed with dense nutrients at 6-7 grams of protein per ball)
Check out my classic Peanutbutter Chocolate Protein Balls Here
Check out my Carrot Cake Protein Balls Here
Eggs (I hate eggs, but they have been a life-saver for vegeterian protein post partum while breastfeeding.)
Check out my egg fritatta recipe here
Check out my mom’s dill egg salad recipe here
Mio Water Flavoring (Mio no longer has food dye in it and is using only naturally occuring coloring like beta carotene. It helps change the flavor of water so it is easier to keep chugging all day. I LOVE the Blood Orange Hibiscus with B Vitamins and Magnesium - delicious!)
