11 Postpartum Essentials on Amazon That I Actually Used

If I could only choose one postpartum essential, it’d be this peri bottle. I’d fill it with warm water and use it to rinse down there every time I went to the bathroom for more than six weeks after giving birth. Although the hospital provided me with a bottle, the upside down design of Frida Mom’s peri bottle allowed me to clean even the hardest-to-reach places without making a mess. (This can also be helpful for people who have limited mobility after C-sections.) In addition to keeping my stitches clean and safe from infection, this portable bidet provided a warm, calming shower for my vaginal area that just felt nice. I still use it sometimes, even though my stitches have healed.

A vaginal birth does a number on your nether regions, and you’ll burn for a while afterwards. I was in desperate need of some relief, especially in the first few weeks postpartum, and this hospital-grade spray provided just that. I sprayed it on every time I changed my pad, and the combination of aloe, lanolin and menthol dulled the pain, as well as provided moisture and protection to support healing. It stings a little bit when it goes on, but that minor discomfort is worth it for how well it soothes the pain of a healing tear.

Witch hazel is truly a postpartum miracle. Derived from the witch hazel plant, this soothing astringent contains oils and other chemicals that reduce inflammation, swelling, and the presence of bacteria. That makes it great for both perineal tears and swelling and aggravated hemorrhoids. The problem is in the application. At the hospital, they advised me to layer witch hazel pads on top of my pad, but I couldn’t get them to stay in place. Even if you have the magical ability to keep them in place, that doesn’t guarantee the witch hazel will reach the right places. With this foaming spray, however, I just pumped a bunch onto my pad. Then when I pulled up my pants, the witch hazel applied perfectly where I needed the relief. 

Whether you give birth vaginally or via C-section, postpartum bleeding happens. To avoid ruining your favorite underwear, I recommend buying some inexpensive options, like these Hanes briefs. I liked that the high waist offered support to my recovering belly, while the cotton-polyester material kept me dry and protected from any leaks. Not to mention, they don't resemble the typical granny panty-stel of most postpartum underwear. I bought them in a size up to accommodate my still-shrinking uterus as well as the bulky pads.

Even with period underwear, I needed pads to keep my nether regions super clean and protect my healing stitches. But the pads they gave me at the hospital were comically large and super absorbent, which isn’t necessary as the postpartum bleeding starts to slow. After a day or two, I switched to the Poise pads so I could keep things clean while remaining comfortable. Because they are designed for incontinence, I felt they were better at containing leaks than typical pads, particularly at night. 

Eventually, the bleeding slowed down to a trickle such that I didn’t really need pads or the period underwear anymore. But I still needed something. Enter, thin pantyliners. I used these during pregnancy (thank you, estrogen-related discharge!) and had them on hand. They really came in handy for later in my postpartum journey. They’re so thin they feel like you’re not wearing anything. But they’re absorbent enough to take care of lingering bleeding and even minor postpartum urinary incontinence.

Anyone who’s gone through birth will tell you that the first postpartum poop is nerve-wracking. And it takes some time for the process to return to normal. That’s where a stool softener comes in handy, as it can make the passage of a bowel movement a little easier. In the hospital, I was given Colace. When I got home, I bought this generic stool softner because it’s the same thing but significantly cheaper, working just as well for less. 

The second stage of labor (pushing) doesn’t just put pressure on your perineum, but your anus as well. It can take some time for your bathroom habits to regulate, adding more discomfort to the anus. I know I poo-pooed (heh) witch hazel pads earlier, but they are good to have in case you have irritated hemorrhoids. As with the witch hazel foam, these https://www.amazon.com/Tucks-Cool-Hemorrhoid-Pad-Count/dp/B06ZYLFV8L/cooling pads can be applied to the area after you go to help reduce swelling and provide some comfort.

Before I gave birth I read about women creating "padsicles" ahead of time to help with postpartum swelling and bruising. But foolishly I thought I’d be able to go without. The hospital gave me a few ice packs, but they were humongous. I didn't want to feel like I was wearing a diaper 24/7, so I purchased some reusable perineal ice packs. The slim design makes them much more comfortable to wear, but doesn’t take away from their cooling power. Plus, they come with soft sleeves to keep everything sanitary. Just throw the sleeve in with your laundry laundry when you’re done. The gel packs can also be heated, which may be helpful to moms who are breastfeeding.

If you plan to breastfeed, nipple cream is a must. I bought a bunch of fancy "organic" and "all–natural" balms that did nothing to soothe my raw skin in those early days of breastfeeding. But Lansinoh’s cream worked wonders. It’s hypoallergenic and made of  lanolin, a petroleum- and paraben-free moisturizing wax made of sheep's wool. This means you don’t have to worry about wiping it off before you nurse. These mini tubes were great because I could place them around the house for easy, 24/7 access. I kept one in my nightstand, one in the pocket of my nursing pillow, and one in the changing table drawer. I’ve even used it on my baby’s dry skin, making my dollar go even further. 

Free time is limited as a new mom, but I’m so glad I used mine to fill the tub, relax and help my body heal. Sure, sometimes I could only take a bath in the middle of the night and usually for only five minutes. But soaking in this blend of epsom salt, aloe and a number of soothing minerals a few times a week did wonders for my healing — physically and mentally. This product has lavender and other essential oils in addition to the salt, which makes it feel like a treat. I personally felt way better using my regular tub, but you may find that a sitz bath, which fits into your toilet, is more convenient and just as effective.