This diy postpartum care kit has everything I wish I would have known about before the birth of my first! These are the ultimate postpartum products to help you take care of yourself
This post is all about a diy postpartum care kit that will take care of you so you can take care of your new little one!
This post contains affiliate links.
DIY Postpartum Care Kit
Bathroom Basket
Going to the bathroom postpartum is definitely a bit more of a process than normal. Things are going to be a bit messy down there for a while and it will make your life a whole lot easier if you have everything you need for your bathroom breaks all in one place. I personally like to keep mine in a cute basket above the toilet. Here’s what I would suggest you include in yours.
Frida Instant Ice Maxi Pads
There are plenty of ways to make your own “padsicles” but life tends to get busy as baby gets close. So if you don’t have a lot of time or your energy is waning these days, these instant ice pack maxi pads are a great option for a premade “padsicle.” All you have to do is fold it in half and let it cool off! Plus it’s absorbant too.
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Various sizes of maxi pads (whatever your favorite brand might be)
You may want to consider buying a couple different sizes of maxi pads in your favorite brand to keep in your postpartum supplies. Whether you delivery vaginally or have a cesearan, you will be bleeding for almost six weeks. It will be very heavy at first but you may want lighter pads as you go along in your postpartum journey. It’s nice to have these on hand though so that you don’t have to run to the store (and don’t run out).
Period Underwear
I definitely don’t recommend wearing your favorite underwear when you are newly postpartum. You can grab some of the mesh underwear like the ones at the hospital, some cheap walmart underwear a size or two up that you can throw away, or you can grab this pack of period underwear. I personally like having a couple pairs of period underwear to absorb any leaks, especially if I do have to go out of the house for something.
Dermoplast Pain, Burn, & Itch Spray
The hospital where I delivered my first baby gave me this spray and it was amazing! I loved having something for pain relief that was completely touch free to put on. It did wonders for me during the early stages of postpartum!
An Upside Down Peri Bottle
The peri bottle they will give you at the hospital definitely works but the straight spout on it makes you essentially have to put your hand into the toilet to spray off. This upside down peri bottle from Frida makes life so much easier when you have to go to the bathroom. This is definitely a must have for your bathroom postpartum kit.
Tucks
Tucks pads are medicated with witch hazel which gives them an amazing cooling effect for postpartum. They are great to relieve any itching that occurs while your body is healing down there and also helps to naturally reduce swelling.
Nursing/Pumping Station
If you plan on nursing or pumping, you will end up spending a lot of time in whatever area you set up to do so. In fact, breastfeeding can take up to eight hours each day in the first month! Trust me, if you make a nursing/pumping station you will be so thankful for a comfortable space stocked with everything you could possibly need!
Rolling cart
Organizing all my postpartum supplies has been one of my biggest stress relievers during the third trimester nesting urges! This rolling cart has been perfect for organizing all my breastfeeding supplies right alongside my glider rocker.
Heat/Ice Packs for Nursing
These hot/cold packs are great for cold relief when you are engorged and for warmth relieve if you end up with mastitis or clogged ducts. These are a great addition to your nursing station.
Nursing Pads
I like to keep these organic nursing pads nearby when I’m nursing because they are insanely soft and prevent the dreaded leak through your shirt in public.
Good Nipple Cream
While this Lanolin nipple cream comes in a super small bottle, a little goes a long way! I highly recommend getting this pack of three small tubes so you can have one at your nursing station, one in your diaper bag, and an extra for wherever else you usually find yourself nursing!
Super comfortable nursing bras/tanks
The Kindred Bravely Nursing Sleep Bra is one of my absolute favorite nursing bras, especially for days I’m lounging at home! You can easily get them on Amazon or use my affiliate discount code of MonicaB15 to purchase these on the Kindred Bravely website for 15% off!
Wearable breast milk collector
These wearable breast milk collectors help you make the most of every drop of breast milk! You can choose to wear them around the house instead of nursing pads and wearing one on the opposite side while you are nursing is a great way to collect a little extra for a bottle for later!
A Heating Pad
You will likely get cramps postpartum and they can often get worse during your nursing sessions. If there is an outlet near where you plan to nurse, you may want to keep a heating pad nearby to ease them.
Other Things to Consider
Aside from your postpartum bathroom supplies and nursing/pumping station, here are a few more things you may want to consider to get maximum comfort during those early stages of postpartum recovery.
A Sitz Bath
Make sure to check with your doctor (especially if you have stitches) before using a sitz bath postpartum. I personally have never used one postpartum but I know that plenty of postpartum women swear by them! If you want to learn more about them and how to use them check out this article!
Stool Softeners (Colace or Miralax)
You of course should check with your doctor before taking anything. But once you get approval, I highly recommend taking these Colace stool softeners for the first couple of weeks postpartum. These will help with the dreaded first poop postpartum and will also help you stay more comfortable as you heal up.
A Good Size Insulated Water bottle
If you have read any of my other articles, you know that I absolutely love my Hydraflow insulated tumbler! Having something that keeps my water cold and has a straw helps me drink so much more water and stay hydrated postpartum!
Some sort of pain relief (Advil)
I recommend making sure you have some Advil on hand in your medicine cabinet before baby comes. You will be swollen and sore and some days you will need a little extra pain relief beyond the ice packs and sprays.
Postpartum Recovery Wrap
Be sure to check with your insurance before purchasing a postpartum wrap since some insurances will send you one for free. This 3 in 1 postpartum wrap is made to prevent sagging organs, promote uterine contractions to shrink the uterus quickly, and correct the position of the pelvis after birth.
Premade Postpartum Care Kits (if this seems like too much)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of building your own postpartum kit, you can also opt to order a postpartum care kit that is already made up for you. Here are two of the most popular postpartum care kits along with
Lansinoh Postpartum Recovery Essentials
If you are looking for a super affordable postpartum kit with the basics, the Lansinoh Postpartum Recovery Essentials kit may be perfect. The upside down peri bottle is a must in my opinion and this one also has hot/cold packs and a herbal perineal spray for cooling relief.
Frida Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit
For a tiny bit more than the Lansinoh postpartum kit, you can get this Frida Postpartum Essentials Kit which has disposable underwear, a few of their instant ice maxi pads, witch hazel pad liners, perineal healing foam, and a caddy to store it neatly in your bathroom for postpartum.
Build Your Own Box
If you want the ability to customize your postpartum care supplies but you don’t want to hunt down each individual item, you can easily build your own Mom Box and have it sent right to your door! They have everything from kegel balls to postpartum underwear to under eye masks!
This post was all about everything you could possible need for your own diy postpartum care kit! I hope I was able to help you feel a little more prepared for your postpartum journey. Your body is capable of amazing things. Never doubt your body or your strength! You’ve got this!
