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Good immediate postpartum care is by far the most helpful thing you can do for yourself right after delivery. Women's bodies go through a lot during and after pregnancy – perineal tearing, stitches, pain, vaginal swelling, hemorrhoids, and in some cases, permanent hemorrhoids after childbirth. Postpartum care plays a key role in quick recovery and preventing long-term medical issues.
This checklist includes some of the postpartum must-haves for any new mother. It will serve as a helpful guide if you are putting together a postpartum care package for yourself, your partner, or you are looking for some postpartum gift ideas for a friend.FridaBaby Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit
The FridaBaby mom recovery kit includes all the essential products mom needs to heal after delivery. The kit contains disposable underwear, pads, perineal cooling pad liners, perineal healing foam, and a handy caddy. Each product delivers pain relief and cooling or cleansing for perineal tears, stitches, and hemorrhoids.
NewGo Reusable Thermal Ice & Heat Pack
These reusable hot/cold pads are designed and contoured for the delicate areas of the body. They provide instant relief from vaginal irritation and inflamed hemorrhoids. Sleeves that can be used as breast pads to relieve breast pain before and after nursing sessions are included.
MomWasher Peri Bottle
Essentially, this is a bidet for the vagina. It is specifically designed to be held upside down, with a narrow neck for easy maneuvering "down there." The MomWasher Peri Bottle speeds up the postpartum healing process and it is way better than the squirt bottle provided by the hospital.
Frida Medicated Pad Liners
These medicated pad liners cover the full length of most maternity pads to help reduce swelling and speed up healing. They provide instant cooling relief for the perineal area. Medicated with Witch Hazel, these pads do not contain any fragrance or dyes.
Over-the-Toilet Sitz Bath
Soaking in a sitz bath is an effective way to soothe the perineal area after labor. Soothic provides an easy-to-use kit that fits well over any standard toilet seat.
Stool Softener
Sometimes drinking 10-12 glasses of water is not enough. Stool softeners like Colace (affiliate) are considered safe while breastfeeding, but please remember to consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication.
Hemorrhoid Sprays
Mom might prefer a hemorrhoid spray to a cooling pad or other product. Herbal Perineal Spray by Earth Mama is a great option. It is soothing and provides immediate relief.
Nursing Tops
A good nursing top that is comfortable, functional, and allows you to nurse discreetly will go a long way toward encouraging successful nursing.
Best Nursing Tank
Best Nursing Top
Reusable Thermos
It is recommended for new mothers to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated while breastfeeding. A 40-ounce thermos by your bedside will come in handy for storing warm or cold drinks for those long nights of breastfeeding. Make sure that the lid on your thermos doubles as a small serving cup.
Breastfeeding Snacks
Any favorite snacks that can be eaten with one hand while mom breastfeeds baby – granola bars, nuts, healthy crackers, etc. – are essential to any postpartum care package.Homemade Food that Can Be Frozen
Freeze a batch of healthy meals or vegetarian burritos that mom can grab and warm easily for a quick meal during the early days after delivery. Remember that babies have sensitive tummies and they “eat” everything a breastfeeding mom eats so stick to non-dairy and easy-to-digest foods.
Meal Train
Start a meal train for the new parents. They will appreciate you for minimizing or eliminating any cooking hassle during the early days after delivery of the baby. A crowdsourcing platform, like Meal Train, that helps schedule and organize homemade meal giving for new parents is a great option for this.
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FAQ
What is the Postpartum Recovery Timeline?
Recovery can take three to four weeks if you do not tear during delivery. It can take up to 6 weeks if you experience a perineal tear during vaginal birth. For a C section, you will spend three to four days recovering in the hospital and will need another six to eight weeks of recovery before you return to normal.
What Not to Eat During the Postpartum Period ?
Avoid fish that is high in mercury content, like swordfish, shark, or king mackerel. While breastfeeding, avoid coffee, soda or other caffeinated drinks that may disturb the baby's sleep cycle. Also, avoid any food that can cause gas or constipation. Don’t consume alcohol and don’t smoke while breastfeeding. Certain medications are also prohibited while breastfeeding. It is very important that you consult your doctor before taking any medication.
