Postpartum is an exciting time for new mothers. You get to meet, take care of, watch and learn who your little one is. But it’s also a time of huge adjustments and healing for you as a new mom (or second time or more time mom. For me I got so wrapped up in planning for baby and the ups-and-downs of our pregnancy that I was unprepared for postpartum. There were so many things I was not expecting. Now I know. Hopefully my ignorance will help others prepare for this crazy time. I’ve rounded up some products that truly helped me pull through those first six weeks.
Spectra S1 Double Electric Breast Pump (& Extra Parts) | 2. Kindred Bravely Emmaline Robe | 3. Bamboobies Washable Nursing Pads | 4. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter | 5. Mega Foods Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Vitamins | 6. Oatmeal Packets | 7. Protein Bars | 8. Lansinoh Therapearl 3-IN-1 Breast Therapy | 9. Flexible Phone Tripod | 10. Large Water Bottle | 11. Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra | 12. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags | 13. Memory Foam Slippers | 14. Milestone Blanket | 15. Button Down Nightgown
- Spectra S1 Double Electric Breast Pump (& Extra Parts). Not all pumps are created equal. I love this one because it has a rechargeable battery so you’re not stuck in one place and can do small tasks while pumping. Make sure to check Aeroflow Breastpumps to save on breastpumps through insurance. The Spectra S1 wasn't free for me, but it was significantly discounted.
Kindred Bravely Emmaline Robe. I pretty much wore this robe exclusively for the first 1.5 months. It’s ultra-soft, has large pockets, and is nursing-friendly. Easy to throw on whenever you need to pop up for little one. I purchases two so I always had one ready while the other one was being laundered.
Bamboobies Washable Nursing Pads. It’s surprising how much your boobs leak the first couple months and these have saved many of my clothes, especially during the night. They are a bit more expensive as you only get 4 pairs in a pack, but the large size and soft fabric are worth it. I ordered another brand that had like 10 pairs but the fabric was scratchy against my nipples and they were much smaller really only covering my nipple area. Stick with the Bamboobies!
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter. The first couple weeks were rough while my nips were toughening up. For the most part I was just rubbing some extra breastmilk on them after feeding but for those deeper cracks or occasional itchiness, this stuff worked wonders. 5. MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Vitamins. Nourishing your body postpartum is just as important as nourishing it preconception and prenatal. Your body is going through lots of changes and you need the vitamins to fill in the gaps. You can continue taking the same prenatal or switch to a postnatal. Postnatals are specifically designed for postpartum, filled with vitamins dedicated to recovery, lactation and more. They definitely helped keep my energy up. I did A LOT of research and love that Mega Foods’ are well-rounded, clean and simple created with real foods vs. synthetic and unnecessary additives. They are also free of gluten, dairy, and soy. Note: The two pills per daily dose are fairly large (I’m terrible at swallowing pills) so I have to break them in half.
Oatmeal Packets &
Protein Bars. An additional 450-500 calories are recommended for breastfeeding mothers so keep a snack stash nearby. The saying is “sleep when the baby sleeps” but it also goes for snacking, “eat when the baby eats.” Oatmeal has iron in it which is a must for breastfeeding mothers and helps promote milk supply, and I keep a pile of snacks including protein bars, nuts, and fruit next to my nursing station.
Lansinoh Therapearl 3-IN-1 Breast Therapy. Postpartum breasts are crazy. When my milk came in, I swear my breasts look like I was smuggling two beach balls around. They were so engorged and swollen it was painful. These packs can provide both hot and cold therapy. Pop them in the freezer to help relieve engorgement or toss them in the microwave and put them on a few minutes before nursing or pumping to help relieve plugged ducts (which could lead to mastitis and encourage milk letdown.
Flexible Phone Tripod. Perfect for Facetiming everyone with your new addition and watching shows in the middle of the night while up with baby. Hands-free of course!
Large Water Bottle. Breastfeeding mamas need to hydrate. This bottle makes it easy to keep water with you all day.
Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra. I probably use this item more than any other on the list. At the beginning I was pumping 6-7 times per day since our little one was having trouble latching to nurse (a common preemie problem). And I still use it daily 5 months in. You look a bit ridiculous but this bra hold your pump flanges in place so you can use your hands for each 15+ minutes session. It also allows you to be more mobile. I can wash bottles, eat, online shop, or get ready for the day while I pump. Multitasking is the name of the game when it comes to parenting chores.
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags. If you plan on building a freezer stash, I’d recommend these bags. Each can hold up to 6oz/180ml. I’ve found that this brand lends itself the best to freezing flat and being able to store in ziplock for easy organization.
Memory Foam Slippers. Between washing bottles and pump parts and walking around rocking baby on our wood floors, my feet really appreciated the extra cushioning. Not the mention keeping my toes warm.
Milestone Blanket. There’s a saying “The days are long, but the years are short,” which I have found to be the most accurate description of parenthood. Since the background remains the same you’ll be able to see how your little one grows. You can always take more photos, but you can’t go back and take more so capture every stage! We have this moon design with felt letters and numbers, but there are designs to fit everyone’s personality.
Button Down Nightgown. These are cozy, don’t put pressure on your stomach or c-section scar, and make nursing easier than other pajama sets. I love this set from Target. It comes in both long and short sleeve options.
