If the discomforts of pregnancy weren’t enough, a mama’s body goes through so much during labor and delivery that recovery… well, it’s not so comfortable! Sore bottom; leaky, swollen breasts; raging hormones. Dealing with all of this on minimal to no sleep… eeek!
Don’t let me scare you, new moms. It ain’t pretty, but it’s temporary. And, there are things to plan for ahead of time to make that adjustment period a little more pleasant.
Lindsay’s Homemade Natural Postpartum Care Kit certainly covers the basics in a natural way. Call me lazy or incompetent, but I tend to just purchase the things I need to have on hand.
Lots and lots of overnight/jumbo pads. Stocking up on more than enough prevents embarrassing trips to the store for my hubby, because I know I’m certainly not going to the store in the days after birth! My preference is the super thin, super absorbent variety.
Tucks pads. Any type of generic, witch hazel soaked pads will work. These came in super handy after our last birth as we traveled 9 hours one way to a wedding when our baby, and my sore bottom, were a mere 5 days old. Oy! I just placed a few on top of each fresh maxi as I put it on.
Perineum Squirt Bottle. I just use the hospital-issued one, and fill it with warm water before each trip to the bathroom. Squirting the stitches (I’ve always had stitches) followed by a gentle tap, tap of the toilet paper minimizes discomfort in the nether regions. 
Sitz Bath. I’ve never added anything to my bath, but sitting in some warm water for 10-20 minutes, 3 (or more!) times a day was super comforting and refreshing. My doctor encouraged it, but my sister’s doctor gave it a thumbs down. Anyone else been told not to take a bath?
Sleeping bras and nursing pads. “Sleeping bras” are simply loose-fitting sports bra type bras. I don’t know how else to describe them, but my sister-in-law gratefully told me to get some for night time. It never occurred to me to wear a bra while sleeping, but… you’ll want to! These bras (mostly) keep the nursing pads in place, while still leaving easy access for nighttime nursing.
Water. Your body loses so much water during and after birth that it is absolutely essential that you drink, drink, drink to replenish your system. There should be a glass of water beside a new mama at all times. If you get tired of drinking plain water, flavor it once in a while with something. So important!
Hmmm, I think that’s it (for me). For the swollen, leaky breasts, I think I’ve just rubbed on a bit of expresses breast milk or olive oil. I’ve been pretty minimalist about that in the past, but I have since come upon some natural products that I’ll be trying this time around! (Look for two different giveaways coming right up!)
What post-partum recovery products or routines do you find valuable?
I agree with your whole list! The tucks pads worked so wonderfully on my stitches and I did just like you did with them. I never would have thought to buy a sleeping bra either, until the kind girl at the maternity store mentioned I’d need at least two if only to hold the nursing pads in place. I loved them so much, I sent the husband back to the store about 3 days after the baby was born for more. I used them during the day too, especially when I was feeling engorged…they don’t add any pressure and had just enough support to help keep things comfortable.
These aren’t as neccessary, but it’s the one other thing I make sure to do for myself before the baby gets here. I’ll stock up on small juice boxes and granola bars/small packaged snacks (and mini bags of m&m’s). I get so hungry when I’m nursing and you can’t just get up so I keep a box of “mommy snacks” in a few of my most regular nursing spots (along with water bottles) and in my nightstand. It beats having to get up and find something or ask someone else, especially when your only helpers are too small to reach what you want. The m&m’s are great for an occasional pick-me-up.
Looking forward to the rest of the comments, I’ve got less than a month before #3 gets here and I’m trying to get everthing in order now.
Maygan, Do you know what the brand/model of that sleeping bra was?
Jan- they were just the Motherhood store brand. I think they were about $15 apiece. They’re designed like a sports bra but criss-cross in the front, so there’s room for expansion.
I use my “sleep bras” during the day when I’m just at home, too.
So much easier (for me) to simply lift them up rather than mess with nursing bra clips and snaps and whatever else.
Amen on the whole list. We had a hospital birth, and the nurse actually gave me doubles of everything to take home! The only thing I would add would be this: fill a non-latex glove with water and tie off like a water balloon. Freeze. Place in undies and sit. Hope that’s not to graphic, but it was the BEST comfort I had after stitches!
Anything COLD “down there” is comforting.
A couple things that helped this time around…
1. Freeze your pads. Sounds odd, looks even odder when you open the freezer, but feels great! Run a little water over your pads, pop in freezer and then use those after each bathroom visit. Feels wonderful, especially if you have more severe swelling or stitches (or in my case some surgery down there) after birth.
2. Don’t forget to soak your buns! Literally this is what my older, Irish accented surgeon yelled over his shoulder after my first check up. Warm soaks in the tub (just water, no bubbles) are great for bringing in new blood and helping the healing.
3. Cabbage leaves. Nothing says engorgement like cabbage leaves sticking out of my nursing bra. Due to my surgery I had two engorgements this time around…such fun. I put a big leaf in each bra, change as needed and it really does give some pain relief and helps the swelling go down a bit quicker.
4. Have snacks ready. Nursing causes hunger like a crazed lion. My husband would bring me a bagel or something to eat before I went down to eat breakfast. I know people who’ve stood in the kitchen eating peanut butter by the spoonful at 3 am feedings. You need to have some healthy snacks, muffins, breads, higher protein items and such ready in your freezer and cupboards before baby comes so they are ready when the crazy hunger begins. That also slows down after a while, but it is fierce those first few weeks.
New motherhood is so beautiful isn’t it? A salad in my bra, frozen pads in my underwear, a belly that looks like jelly and a lack of sleep. Is it any surprise that the first weeks are hard? And yes, so precious and wonderful when you look at the tiny little miracle you just helped bring into the world! The thing to repeat over and over is that it gets better! And the baby gets bigger, so try and love the moments while you can.
Once again, love this series!
Heather
I think you are brilliant, Heather! I always said that those ice packs for “down there” were the greatest things ever for soothing the pain after childbirth. I said no (over and over again) to any pain meds, but those ice packs rocked! What a clever way to kind of re-create that at home. I am filing that tip away to share with others too. Thanks for sharing!
Ha! So glamorous.
I’ve never tried the cabbage leaves, but totally agree on the ravenous hunger (and thirst)! Freezing your pads… very clever!
You gotta wear some sort of bra at night while nursing. The few times I didn’t I woke up with a wet shirt.
My thing is a nursing basket filled with magazines, fruit, snacks, water and anything else you need right at hand while nursing. The is helpful for middle of the night feedings where you are trying to stay awake long enough to nurse baby and get back to bed.
Oooo, that nursing basket would be a FANTASTIC baby shower gift idea!!!!!!
Re the bath – I was given the little sitz bath kit at the hospital, and for me it was way too much trouble than it was worth. My doctor also said that it could take the stitches longer to heal (I had 3rd degree tears) by being moist -that they would heal faster if kept dryer. So I tried the bath once, and actually felt more uncomfortable than I was before. My favorite was the frozen pads! Nothing better!
I have no idea what a sitz bath kit even is! Guess I always called a sitz bath a “short bath with not a ton of water.” I probably have no idea what I’m talking about!
Ditto freezing the pads… they worked great!
I didn’t like the sleep bras until much later once nursing was established. I really like the nuring tanks, esp the one from Target. They are under $20 each. Stock up and you’ll be thankful. This way you don’t have to wear an additional shirt. My son was born in November and it was cold all winter long. Not fun to have to get out of my nice warm bed. With the tank you throw a robe on and go.
I didn’t have any nursing pjs. Just look for stuff that could have easy access. I had 1 light robe and a heavy one. i would suggest 2 light weight robes for sure.
I so appreciate differing opinions. I’m a “t-shirt and shorts” type pajama girl, and I despise robes.
It’s good to know what works for others!
Ditto everything you just said.
Nursing tanks are essential! My DD was born this summer and they are all I seem to wear. I would also suggest a boppy for nursing. I was too tired to hold my baby up after delivery, and expecially at night (assuming I wasn’t laying down).
Yoga pants have saved me from having to wear too big maternity clothes until I can fit into my jeans again.
I’ve never owned a nursing tank, but I bet they would definitely be nice with a summer baby!
Thank you for writing this series! We are expecting our 1st child this winter and your posts have been helpful
I had to buy size G nursing bras..seriously, G. They are not comfortable at all for sleeping, but even more uncomfortable to go without. At Target I found champion brand sports bras/tops 95% nylon, 5% spandex to be a lifesaver for comfortable sleeping! They are cool (why oh why did no one ever mention the post partum sweet factory I’d become?!?) and totally smooth so nothing digs in anywhere even if you sleep on your side.
I found the bamboo belly bandit to be very nice for post c-section. I felt more secure that my 2 year old wouldn’t rip my incision open. It seemed to help my back during nursing too.
Those 2 items would top my list!
Oh mercy. Even at my *biggest* when nursing, my “B’s” fit… of course, I have *nothing* left when I’m done nursing!
I had my second baby two months ago and this list is great. A couple of other things that I have found to be helpful – bamboo nursing pads (I have very sensitive skin and it takes me a long time to get to being totally comfortable after starting nursing, even with a good latch).
Another big thing is good vitamins. I have had supply issues both times and when I had a lactation consultant come this time, she told me that being iron deficient can lead to supply issues. She had me start spirulina right away and that made a huge difference. Herbal teas that promote milk production are great, too!
I think many times we are so good about taking our prenatal vitamins, but then let all that fall by the wayside once baby is here. Great reminder to keep at it with the vitamins!
I noticed there is not a ton of help for post-c-section deliveries. Any recommendations? I am expecting #3 and will most likely have a c-section for the first time. #1 was a 3rd degree laceration, and #2 was a 4th degree, so the doctor said I’ve done so much damage that another delivery may cause bigger problems than I want to deal with…..so I’m weighing the options of a c-section. Any post-delivery advice is much appreciated
I’ll try to find someone to write a guest post on c-section recovery. I know nothing about it myself… I’ve torn significantly with each of my births. Sure hoping to avoid that this time!
Amen to all you listed! I’ll add:
- Medela’s Soft Shells for Sore Nipples (these worked better than lanolin for ouchie boobies
- hydrocortisone – I had one stitch right where the elastic from my unders hit that drove me mad. My doctor suggested regular sitz baths followed by Tucks pads and a slathering of hydrocortisone. It really worked
I love the straightforward honesty in this post about the not so pretty part of recovering from birth.
I didn’t get any warm fuzzies from this post but a very important part of understanding and preparing for what to expect.
Ditto on the witch-hazel pads!
Between stitches and hemorrhoids, I went through 2 big jars in just a few weeks. The squirt bottle was really helpful, too. I’ll add:
1. Cotton nursing pads. Twelve was a good number for me; I usually wore them 4 at a time, 2 on each side. For me they were MUCH more comfortable than the disposable kind.
2. Frozen washcloths. These are a good alternative to cabbage leaves for engorgement. You can even prepare them before the birth so they’ll be ready the instant you need them: just wet 4-6 washcloths, shape them around your breasts, and stick them in the freezer.
3. Prescription-strength ibuprofen. My doctor recommended this in lieu of the default narcotic for postpartum pain because ibuprofen is much safer for breastfeeding. It also has the added benefit of aiding milk let-down if you’re engorged.
Yes, the disposable pads feel like wads of rough paper in my bra. Ick! Frozen washcloths are a great idea, too!
About the baths, I had episiotomies with both of my births. My OB encourages baths after birth. With my first I was staying with my in-laws who don’t have a bathtub in their house so I didn’t take any baths and only took a couple of sitz baths since they were just a lot of trouble. With the second I had a bathtub and took baths every morning and night. My recovery was much quicker and much less painful with the second than with the first. I’m due in December and will certainly be taking baths twice a day this time to.
Another thing for episiotomy recovery is to get one of those funny doughnut pillows from the drug store or sit on a Bobby to keep the pressure off the recovering area.
I think I might misunderstand they whole “sitz bath” thing, because when I hear it I think “regular tub, not as much water, not as long” as my usual hot, soaking bubble bath.
I have two kids 15 months apart. My youngest was born 12 weeks ago. With oldest son I had a 4th degree tear. I learned the hard way when they tell you to stop pushing…. saying you are not going to stop and pushing as hard as you can does not lead to a easy recovery. My 2nd son I did stop pushing, however 9 lb 11oz, 22 inches long and 13 inches around for the head, chest, and abs created a small 2nd degree tear. Frozen pads and baths, baths, baths (with epsom salt in it) !!! When both sons were born I used 1,000 gallons of water bathing. Sitting on a Boppy was a must for me. Both tears took me 4 weeks of laying/sitting on the couch before I was back to normal activities. Not fun but makes me a better mommy.
When I started reading your comment, I involuntarily started doing my Kegals.
Ouch!
Lots of great things here, but if we’re all being honest…what about POOP?
As my mother tactfully put it, her first one was usually the size and consistency of a baseball.
With my first, a C-section, I knew i should have a BM soon, but even with stool softeners, it was day 3 or 4, and terribly difficult, hard and big (and i didn’t have tender tissue in the region). baby 2 was VBAC with a big epistiomoty, but i knew what was coming in the bathroom category and asked my nurse for prune & Apricot juice several times the first day, and then added milk of magnesia, and things worked smoothly.
my advice: just don’t keep taking twice daily M of M too long, as foamy poo isn’t something you want to keep doing long term. I recommend you switch down to stool softners while the stiches heal if you’re continuing prenatal vitamins since the Iron can cause firmer stools. both are safe for nursing moms.
At my hospital, they took newborn diapers and opened up one end and filled with ice, then put them in the freezer…lay one of those in your undies and wow! So in the hopital me and baby Hayden shared diapers.
Brilliant!