"As you prepare to bring home your new baby from the hospital, you’ve likely stocked up on diapers for the little one. But did you also stock up on diapers for yourself?
Until you’ve been through it, this might not seem necessary, but healing from childbirth can be harder than expected. And yes, adult diapers may make the recovery process a little bit smoother.
When I was preparing for the birth of my first baby I read about padsicles and whipped up a week’s worth to have in my freezer. These frozen pads were magical, but I quickly ran out and realized I was not properly prepared for the long road ahead. With a second baby on the way, I’ve upped my postpartum-healing stash and plan to have a whole section of my bathroom devoted to feel-better products.
The tricky thing about the healing process is you don’t know how it will be. You also don’t know what kind of birth you’ll have. While it’s great to stock up on some items in advance, if you prefer to wait you can always do a quick online Amazon or Target shopping spree as you head home from the hospital.
Every birth and every recovery is unique, but there are some stand-out products that are nice to have by your side as you recover from childbirth.
Ready to fill your cart? These are the postpartum recovery items you’ll want to consider.
Your hospital will likely provide you with a basic peri bottle, but this one from Frida Mom has a unique angle that makes it easier for use. If you live in a multi-story home and will be using bathrooms on both floors, it's not a bad idea to have one of these in each bathroom.
Insider tip: when leaving the hospital, snag as many pairs of disposable undies as you can. Eventually you'll run out and you'll still want a comfortable and breathable underwear choice, so these mesh ones are great to have ready.
This cooling spray can bring about nice relief following bathroom visits. Consider storing it in the fridge for an extra burst of coolness.
A sitz bath can be helpful for healing hemorrhoids and vaginal tears. Check with your doctor first, but if they give the green light for baths, consider adding epsom salt.
When you're in pain, a numbing spray can really come in handy. Some hospitals will supply you with Dermoplast, an easy-to-use numbing spray. If you can't score any at the hospital, it's available on Amazon and at many drug stores.
Things can tend to get swollen down there and regular use of ice packs can help. This one from Frida Mom perfectly fits, whereas other ice pack options can be bulky and uncomfortable.
As if you don't already have enough going on down there, hemorrhoids can occur after childbirth and they can be incredibly uncomfortable. This balm can ease itchiness and discomfort.
Another way to help ease hemorrhoid pain is with Tucks pads. These small pads will offer relief and can be helpful when wiping (as you continue to avoid toilet paper).
These witch hazel pad liners are much larger than the above mentioned Tucks Pads and are good to place on top of a pad in your underwear. They are pricier than the Tucks, so you may want to use these for a week then switch to the Tucks option.
Honey Pot offers another calming pad option, made with mint, lavender, and aloe.
If you've had a cesarean birth, have this cream on hand for use after the incision has fully closed. The cream can help minimize the appearance of scars and reduce scar tissue build-up.
Another option for c-section recovery; you can use these silicone sheets to help heal and fade your c-section scar after your incision has closed.
Prefer to make your own padsicles?
Start with a large pad and use the below items to create your own frozen and cooling relief pad.
Start with a large pad like these to create your own padsicle. Plus, for every period product purchased, one is made accessible to a person who needs it.
Witch hazel can help reduce swelling and bacteria, so this is an essential part of making your own padsicles. Make sure to select a witch hazel that is alcohol free.
Aloe vera has healing and soothing properties, which can help bring you some relief.
This is optional, but you can add lavender to your padsicles for an extra calming effect.