Congratulations, new mom! As you bask in the joy of welcoming your bundle of joy and settling into your new role as a parent, you may be wondering, “What’s next?” You are now entering the postpartum phase.
Immediately after childbirth, mothers can anticipate a variety of physical and emotional changes as they adapt to their new role and the responsibilities of nurturing a newborn. The first few days postpartum are filled with surprises, so it’s essential to be prepared.
Read on for five things you need to make sure you have ready for your first few days at home after giving birth.
5 Important Items for Postpartum Self-Care
You probably have a lot of baby supplies stocked up and ready, but what about self-care for mom? If you had a natural delivery, there’s all kinds of things you’re going to want to have on hand for yourself. So, make sure you stock up so you can stay as comfortable as possible during an uncomfortable time.
Peri Bottle
I had never heard of a Peri Bottle before but was so glad the nurse gave me one to take home and told me what to do with it! You’re going to want one of these.
A Peri Bottle, short for perineal irrigation bottle, is a specialized bottle designed for postpartum care. You fill it with warm water and use it after going to the bathroom instead of wiping with toilet paper. You may have stitches or tearing, and you don’t want to wipe that! Just quirt a little warm water and pat dry.
Using gentle products during recovery is essential, and choosing hypoallergenic toilet paper can further reduce irritation and keep sensitive skin comfortable, especially when paired with regular perineal rinsing for a cleaner, more soothing postpartum routine.
Witch Hazel Pads
Witch hazel pads can provide soothing relief and help reduce swelling in the perineal area after childbirth. With their natural anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel pads offer a gentle way to cleanse and cool the skin, promoting comfort and aiding in postpartum recovery.
Simply patting a witch hazel pad on the area can provide immediate relief and contribute to overall postpartum comfort. My nurse actually showed me how to line the post-partum pad with witch hazel pads to help protect things from rubbing on the pad and provide continued relief. Tucks pads also work!
Hemorrhoid Ointment
No buts about it, pushing out a baby does a number on all your parts. You might have ended up with a hemorrhoid from pushing, and it may not go away. My mom likes to remind me way too often of the one I gave her when I was born.
There are several options available, but Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment is a good option to address more than one issue at once.
A Comfortable Reclining Chair
You might not be expecting to see this on the list, but believe me, you’re going to want the best reclining chair you can find, because you will be spending hours in it, at all times of the day and night. I also recommend it to be a glider or rocker so you can rock the baby to sleep.
I made a big deal about not need a “very expensive chair” and that the couch would do just fine. Two days into being a new mom, I was uncomfortably trying to feed my son on the couch and told my husband to go back to the store and get me that $400 chair NOW.
Special Postpartum Underwear
I snagged every pair of those giant postpartum underwear from the hospital and really missed them when I switched to pads. I’d have stocked up if I’d known they were an option. They’re basically “new mom diapers,” but who cares when they’re comfortable and all your sensitive parts are hurting.
Being a new mom has a lot of ups and downs, and the better you feel, the more you’ll be prepared for everything that the first month (and every day after) is going to throw at you. Making sure you have the right supplies to take care of yourself is the first step toward prioritizing your well-being and embracing the challenges and joys of motherhood. By focusing on self-care, you’ll be better equipped to care for your newborn and navigate the exciting journey of parenthood with confidence and resilience.
Believe me, you’re gonna need it!
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Another insightful post. This is another one that I can easily relate to. I remember my mother would often recall how difficult her life became following childbirth. She was often in extreme pain. It also didn’t help matters that I was a cranky baby that would give her hard time lol. But she did manage to find a way to deal with these problems. A recent Oscar-nominated film about childbirth and the painful consequences that follow which resonated with me was “Pieces of a Woman”. It tells story of a woman struggling to piece her broken life back together following a tragic loss of a child in birth. It definitely isn’t an easy watch but it’s still an important film that demands to be seen by mothers.