I'm a newborn photographer, so...
...I know everything about postpartum, right?! Well, maybe not. But I do have 5 kids, so I've done the postpartum thing a few times now, and I'd like to share what I've learned from my own experiences to enhance your own! The new baby experience has been magical for me (I express that sentiment on my homepage), but those first few weeks can be rough on your body. Nursing doesn't always go smoothly, you're usually sleep deprived (even if you have a sleepy baby, it's hard to sleep peacefully with the feeding scheduling and anxiety about their well-being), and you're still sore in so many places. Here are my favorite products to help you along the way (I am in no way reimbursed for my endorsements):
1) Motherlove Sitz Bath Spray: The hospital (if you deliver in a hospital) will most likely send you home with the Tucks pads. Those can be helpful, but I discovered the Motherlove spray after my fourth baby and found it to be so soothing for pain and itching. I made sure I had it on hand for after delivery of my last baby, and it was my go-to for discomfort the first few days after delivery. Available on Amazon for $14.99 (https://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Postpartum-Recovery-Herbal-Perineal-Hazel-USDA/dp/B0BMNY2SQD/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=7T7L6CBPK0SZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K22FnyGj2tRkLA2lIda1tMkf1mcSczQDzJZMCoYJ9GXmetdH4tL7LGFcwMJn-IYD9uuIDVmM2abJeBES0sT-yz6S0rCNdhomSsoDkBkgrgliOXd6hkV-EQWRYfu7LaAruspbMQiypsQ8ByC_nMrqz6IUh8AsRx951FpY9AIO4QfDjh_teEE7V_qAqJT9rb6vghO-GY5ktnIbKgpD_20aZjULMnkOt09WE35ZcOVuCxZG-kx9_OJJ06eyYp2cqYm-17ivnhdOj63R9FiTrNCZ-Y3SRo2zG3-32VRDi3zjKVc.z0wpsxo-UNdnDelKyyZSdcWzZDZBwe4lMUndjtPQw1M&dib_tag=se&keywords=perineal+spray&qid=1734383367&sprefix=%2Caps%2C4077&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1)
2) Honey Pot Postpartum Pads: Postpartum you will bleed for several weeks. I only discovered these pads after my last baby, and they had the double function as feminine hygiene and soothing pain and itching. Some people might not like the sensation of these, as they have that menthol-like coolness to them, but I personally thought they were very soothing. I assume you could also use the regular Honey Pot menstrual pads (always check with your health care provider when in doubt), but I went with the variety specifically marketed to postpartum mamas. These are available on Amazon for less than $9 (https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Pot-Organic-Cotton-Postpartum/dp/B09PGVT3Z4/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=27YKEPZC2AKEH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wG2TBwBI7zvng0-0VNE7pSE6v4fohZ59l8H3jWrQHQOkj1NlcA6HRGPwyp5BUjQSQWUIPeOHYJhud99DdsOH1-UFQoqV5duyYgUXvHtIr_Krt52fSWPHl-kWLtfjmdprZYT2KFmPC1TK9xmhu3gHnmaTQQDDOgNkDEhBlUBj8Rxl67h4OBhZi7KuMVQtxGgW1BaeEQAOuLuvCufo3Ds91P8w8moaG5mA4pI5XCLE6hEUfKZHRIPBypcEZ3G_B3Loh3h4anWgYEewBcIbvPxHlmenG2ffdLaNg-tfe38g-4F4MXz2uyhJQxruplRaXstdJepOnvLq3aRyMunaDPUykVjq2Zg2hpxfhIaA9zk_TuNu3LpOT34T79ZLG2we48FYO2LLiKtf55Vo86JSnw5QO6j_cGaWiQgxlrHICBZkY_ohpW4WLCmTAzMz5cimu5d8.wX-e4RLzm5W77IzAFnGhPH0JIL6ggWpqG07gn4JrR0g&dib_tag=se&keywords=honey+pot+postpartum+pads&qid=1734403757&sprefix=honey+pot+pos%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1)
3) Nursing Pads: Nursing pads are a MUST for those first few days/weeks after delivery, especially if you are breastfeeding. I used both reusable cotton pads and disposable stick-on pads post pregnancy, and they were essential to avoiding embarrassing leaks any time I went out. I don't have a particular brand preference. Personally, I preferred store brand stick-ons because they stay in place better when lifting the bra to nurse several times a day and because they are relatively inexpensive (and I only needed them for a few weeks).
4) Lansinoh Soothies: Okay, let's get real for a moment; when you are first breastfeeding, your nipples tend to get chapped. A nipple ointment is really helpful, but even more helpful (and in addition to, I you want) were these soothing hydrogel nursing pads. They are soothing and keep you moisturized. You can even refrigerate them for additional comfort. Just keep in mind that they tend to get dirty after a couple days of regular use, so you might want to invest in more than one set for those early days! You can get a pack of four for less than $10 on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Soothies-Breast-Breastfeeding-Nipple/dp/B0B8JF33XR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UN90Y8G9XXJX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dAa5HitXRQHiNCCuDpAzSuiAhjytOECQp2nvlTkIivfXhdISb4e9HZTd6zemhs48Iq5Qrf_uiytzmRvWezavu_cGlEE13R9VlMvYj98PEvv3S4E7WQ6QT1AVqt8S0N5D9UpMtUT2AD0HApDwjj1sLFS_v_iDz9CHMGkVioxkoSR5x32ZtgbkS5dKj4OutEt9lEo_0CxnHAgO2KaCsR3cU6AjwZWrYhiAv_e8i3VQF7eENbsc5WfWeE1UOj_0AjSNmI_eQ0tGmYNWmsd14IXyfcMqWeEenll8x9rVu5yyO5aME49HOeCVOHZYOVgePDXmGj5CtJ4dBoQmLuQ-I-AxouwMBs0NgVMEddzMrWWqmG52ZGdzqSKAl1d4S6iQMJyie9lPzMG-Y7o6wfiWXi_xU9feWjezdb9KzHhc-PQtaXrPQxo3cJBExPJb8WV6yBQe.2X2Z_nrE7qWVr9UEZHiDDVxkeo83-Vn8KK4f_g9aSHY&dib_tag=se&keywords=lansinoh+hydrogel+pads&qid=1734405197&sprefix=lansinoh+hydro%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1)
5) A good wireless bra: Okay, you want to be comfortable postpartum, of course, and even if you're not breastfeeding, you don't want to deal with a stiff underwire as you're dealing with leaky, potentially sore breasts. And you definitely don't want this if you are breastfeeding. I personally never found that nursing-specific bras were necessary, but a comfortable, stretchy bra is. I only recently discovered kindred bravely bras, and I am a fan! Try out their buttery soft French Terry Racerback Nursing and Sleep Bra. Well worth the $36 (https://www.kindredbravely.com/products/french-terry-racerback-nursing-sleep-bra-aqua-mist?_pos=1&_fid=440ce3f4a&_ss=c)
All right ladies, so what were your go-to postpartum essentials? Did I miss anything. Please share in the comments on Facebook.
