My Favorite Postpartum Things
- Meghan Williams
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
I knew to expect challenges postpartum, but I very much underestimated how difficult it would be to recover and take care of a newborn and breastfeed and feed myself…all of the things. Listed below have been my favorite products to help with this amazing, but difficult time.
Nourishing this community means being transparent with you! This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and use.
Top 3 Postpartum Must-Haves (for those of you in a hurry)
Best for C-Section Recovery: High-Rise Reusable Underwear
The Feeding Game Changer: Multi-Compartment Snack Containers
The Nursing Savior: Silver Nursing Cups
Hospital & Recovery Essentials
The hospital will provide pretty much everything you need, but there are somethings that will make yourself more comfortable. In this section, you will find what helped me be more comfortable at the hospital during labor and after during a slighted extended stay from getting an emergency c-section.
Non-Slip Socks
I am a sensory person, so the hospital socks were a huge no for me. Just thinking about them now makes me flinch. I read beforehand a lot of people have the same experience, so I am so thankful I brought these with me. They form to your foot and you can choose your correct size instead of a general, one-size-fits-all size with grip on both sides of the sock. (Grimaces)
Postpartum Underwear
If you end up getting an epidural, they will put mesh underwear on you after. It will be fine early on, but I found that switching to the Frida disposable underwear at the hospital to be much more comfortable. After most of the bleeding had stopped, I switched to reusable underwear. They are around the same cost and you can reuse them, plus, another step up for comfort. I had an emergency c-section which left me with a ton of fluid retention. It got to the point that the disposable underwear kept ripping. The high rise reusable underwear stretches and helps supports your c-section incision, if you have one.
Disposable Underwear
Reusable Underwear
Wedge Pillows
If you have not planned for a c-section, I hope you do not need this section, but if you are like me and end up needing an emergency c-section, you may have a lot of swelling. The best way to get rid of it is elevation, rest (because it is so easy for a new mother), and lymphatic drainage massage. These are the pillows I ended up sleeping on. A bonus with these, after my daughter started crawling, she started climbing on these and the leg wedge pillow helped her pull up to stand!
Upper Body Wedge Pillow
Leg Wedge Pillow
Nourishing the New Mom (YOU)
No matter what your postpartum journey looks like—whether you are breastfeeding or formula feeding, YOU need to be nourished. My daughter, Zoey, was (and still is) very much a “Velcro baby,” which made feeding myself feel nearly impossible. It is way too easy for your “mother mind” to focus entirely on baby while putting yourself last.
Snack Containers and The “Feed the Desk” Strategy
I worked with a nutritionist shortly after having Zoey because I was running on empty. The best advice I got was to “feed the desk.” Essentially I made little grab-and-go packs containing protein, healthy fats, fiber, and carbs. I would leave them out on the counter or somewhere I would walk by often and every time I would walk by, I would take a bite.
My Favorite Snack Staples:
Protein: Peanuts, Beef Jerky, Pepperoni, Salami, and any other charcuterie meats.
Why it is Important: Protein provides essential building blocks for your body to heal tissue and muscles after birth (especially important for recovering from a c-section). It also helps keep your blood sugar stable which helps you not get hangry.
Fats: Natural Peanut Butter (to go with apples) and Cheese.
Why it is Important: Your hormones are going to go through some crazy changing postpartum. Fats are crucial for your hormones and healthy fats like Omega-3s support your mood and helps enrich your breast milk!
Fiber: Berries, Apples, Carrots, and Hummus.
Why it is Important: Postpartum digestion is notoriously sluggish. Fiber acts like a broom to keep things moving and is a natural way to help clear out excessive hormones.
Carbs: Pretzels and Pita (My favorite Pretzels are here)
Why it is Important: Carbs are your body’s primary fuel source. Breastfeeding is extremely energy-intensive. Carbs help maintain your milk supply and may help minimize the impacts of “mom brain.”
Important Note: Getting nourished is much more important than making sure you have the perfect snack or cleanest option. You will be dealing with enough so give yourself grace and choose what works for you.
The Containers
For a Full “Lunch Box Feel: 4-Compartment Snack Container
Best for a mix of berries, cheese, nuts, crackers, charcuterie board meats, etc.
For Smaller Snacks: 3-Compartment Snack Container
I usually used these for hummus, pita, and veggies.
For the Classic Apple & PB: 2-Compartment Snack Container
Perfect for sliced apples and a scoop of peanut butter.
Now that my daughter is a toddler, these are living a second life as her daycare lunch and snack containers.
4-Compartment Snack Container
3-Compartment Snack Container
2-Compartment Snack Container
Breastfeeding and Pumping
If you plan on breastfeeding, there are some products that I believe made it so much easier to keep going. Now, a year later, I am still going strong!
Bras
First of all, you need a good bra! If I am with Zoey, I usually wear the Simply Sublime Nursing Bra. I get the support I need (Super Busty gal over here) and it is really easy to unclip and nurse. When I went back to work, I used the Pumping and Nursing Bra. I usually do not like wearing the pumping bra when I dont have to pump, because that extra clip and fabric just makes it more difficult to get back together after she is done.
If you are pumping, getting a hands-free bra is a must. You do not want to sit there for 15+ minutes holding them up and if you are trying to pump with your baby there, you really need to be able to have your hands free.
Simply Sublime Nursing Bra
Sublime Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra
Some women can go without a bra when they are breastfeeding, but I have not been one. I would leak everywhere, which brings me to my next recommendation. Bra pads.
Bra Pads
I actually started needing bra pads EARLY. I mean, I started leaking at 16 weeks. By the time I had my daughter and my milk came in, I had to switch them out after every feed so I ended up having 30 of them on hand to rotate through. I tried both the Kindred Bravely and Lansinoh bra pads and found that I like the Lansinoh slightly better. They both work really well, but it seems like the Lansinoh absorbs a little more and has stayed softer after a year+ of use.
Next up is something that will be helpful with the first few weeks of nursing and when your little one starts teething.
Silver Nursing Cups
The first couple of weeks you nurse, your nipples may be sore (even if their latch is good). These silver cups worked like magic! I would put them on at night mainly and by morning, my nipples would feel brand new.
What was the one item you couldn't live without during your first few weeks postpartum? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re heading back to work soon, keep an eye out for my upcoming post on my favorite pumping gear.
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