Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting thing but postpartum recovery… not so exciting! While I had a smooth postpartum recovery when I had Taya two years ago, I realize that everyone’s postpartum journey and recovery are different. With Taya being my first, I had no clue what to expect for postpartum recovery and truly, I was learning as I went along. No one informed me of how extensive postpartum recovery is. While I was prepared in the sense of having adult diapers and such, I wasn’t organized at all. This time around as a second-time mom, I am all about being as organized as I am prepared with supplies!
Today, I’m giving you a peek into my postpartum recovery cart. This cart is in my bathroom right next to the toilet for easy access to everything I need in the weeks following giving birth.
Before we dive into how I organized my cart, I wanted to show you all of the items and products I chose for my postpartum recovery. Some items and products I have used before (and swear by!) and others I’m trying out for the first time.
Now let’s break down my postpartum recovery cart by tier – bottom to top! As always, everything will be linked throughout the post and at the end.
Some links are affiliate links – if you choose to make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. 🙂 It helps me support my family and keep this blog up and brewing!
WHAT’S IN MY POSTPARTUM RECOVERY CART:
– BOTTOM TIER –
The bottom tier is very straightforward since it holds one special item: postpartum perineal ice maxi pads! I never got to use my Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads during postpartum last time since I had a ton I brought home from the hospital. In fact, I had a few leftovers from the hospital, too! I’m so happy they’re still of use. Ice Maxi Pads are a lifesaver for your ladybits, especially during the first week or two postpartum when swelling is at its most.
– MIDDLE TIER –
- Always Discreet Boutique Disposable Underwear – I tried a couple of different disposable underwear brands last time but the Always Discreet Boutique was my favorite. They’re very comfortable and secure. They also hold in the Instant Ice Maxi Pads and regular pads really well. I never had any leaks!
- Frida Mom Disposable Boyshort Brief Undies – Some mamas rave about these postpartum undies but they weren’t my favorite. While they fit well, they were kind of scratchy and made it hard for pads to stay in place. Again, some moms love these! I have a couple of extra ones, so I tucked them behind my Always disposable undies.
- L. Organic Cotton Extra Long Overnight Maxi Pads – I did a ton of research on what maxi pads would be great for postpartum since I didn’t like the ones I used last time. The L. Organic Cotton Extra Long Maxi Pads had incredible reviews for postpartum use. These are overnight pads, so they’re made to be extra absorbent. I’m looking forward to giving them a try!
- The Honey Pot Organic Cotton Herbal Postpartum Pads – The Honey Pot has some incredible products and these pads are made specifically for postpartum. They’re unscented but they’re herbal-infused with mint, lavender, and aloe which gives a refreshing “cooling” effect. I’m really excited to try these out!
- The Honey Pot Organic Cotton Heavy Flow Herbal Overnight Pads – I’m also really looking forward to trying these pads from The Honey Pot. When I opened these ones and the ones above, these ones actually seem much thicker. Interested to see if these overnight pads will be more absorbing than their postpartum pads.
Side note: I actually love the mesh undies that the hospital provides (I actually have some leftover from last time – shown in the wire bin with the pads). They’re extremely soft and cozy. I personally never had an issue with pads sliding around. So, you never know what you’ll end up loving the most until you go through postpartum!
– TOP TIER –
- Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle – You’ll receive a peri bottle after delivering at the hospital but the Frida Mom one is even better because it’s angled upside down. It makes cleaning down there much easier. It’s basically a bidet for your vajay! I found filling my peri bottle with warm water was the most soothing for cleansing.
- Frida Mom Perineal Cooling Pad Liners – These witch hazel cooling liners were one of my favorite postpartum products I used after my first! I love that these liners are thin but they are super long, so they cover front to back. I started using these pad liners 2 weeks postpartum when my bleeding wasn’t as heavy.
- Dermoplast Pain & Itch Spray – Dermoplast will be your BFF right after having a baby. After you cleanse with the peri bottle and get your disposable undies/pads in place, you’re going to spray Dermoplast all over down there. It helps relieve all of the soreness going on and even helps numb everything a bit. I had a first-degree perineal tear but I never experienced pain from it and I swear it was because of Dermoplast and Tucks Pads!
- Tucks Medicated Hemorrhoidal Pads – Tucks Pads aren’t just for hemorrhoidal use… though, don’t be surprised if you get some hemorrhoids after giving birth. 😅 After using Dermoplast spray on yourself, apply multiple Tucks Pads to your disposable undies/pads. You kind of line them up like if you were making a sub sandwich, haha. That’s how my nurse described it to me! I loved using Tucks for the weeks following birth and beyond.
- Frida Mom Perineal Witch Hazel Healing Foam – I haven’t used this product before but I know many moms who loved it. I’m really interested in trying it out and if I like it, I’ll probably alternate between using it and Dermoplast depending on how my healing journey is going.
Pro Mama Tip: Put the Tucks Pads and Frida Mom Perineal Witch Hazel Healing Foam in the fridge for an extra cooling effect for soothing.
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On the other side of the top tier, I have items for breastfeeding, postpartum skincare, and mood support. It’s my plan to exclusively breastfeed my son as I did with Taya. Luckily, I know the products that work best for me this time around!
- Earth Mama Nipple Butter – Earth Mama Nipple Butter is definitely the top favorite that I have tried… and I have tried a ton of different brands! Truly soothes and moisturizes.
- Bamboobies Nipple Balm – Bamboobies Nipple Balm is my second favorite nipple balm.
- Bamboobies Disposable Nursing Pads – I had some extra disposable nursing pads from Taya, so I added them to my postpartum cart to finish using them up. They stay in place in my nursing bras really well!
- Bamboobies Washable Nursing Pads – I prefer reusable nursing pads that can be washed so I’m looking forward to using these Bamboobies nursing pads. The pink ones are in the shape of a heart and work best for daytime use. The blue ones are in the shape of a circle and are made for overnight, so they are more absorbent than the daytime nursing pads. They are extremely soft!
- Silverette Silver Nursing Cups – Silverette recently sent me over a pair of their silver nursing cups. I haven’t used them yet but they are proven to soothe sore and cracked nipples with the healing properties of silver. When using the silver nursing cups, you don’t need to use any additional nipple balms. I’m super interested in trying these out! They come in two sizes. Check them out here.
- WishGarden Herbs AfterEase Tincture – Did you know that after you give birth you can still get afterbirth contractions? It’s true, mama! I didn’t experience them with my first, or perhaps, I didn’t notice them. It’s said afterbirth contractions get more intense the more babies you have, so I’m excited to try out WishGarden Herbs AfterEase. I have it packed in my hospital bag first to start using right away.
- WishGarden Herbs Baby Blues – The postpartum baby blue during the first week or two after giving birth can be a wild rollercoaster. Hormones and emotions are all over the place. The WishGarden Herbs Baby Blues supplement helps support healthy hormone levels and emotional support.
- Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil and Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks – Both of these Palmer’s products are my holy grail pregnancy skincare products, but I also swear by them for postpartum, too. Their Skin Therapy Oil is my favorite and I really believe in the difference it makes over time for fading stretch marks and blemishes. It faded the few stretch marks I got with Taya very quickly!
– SHOP POSTPARTUM RECOVERY ESSENTIALS –
Whether you’re a first-time mama-to-be or a mama of multiples, I hope it was helpful seeing what’s inside my postpartum recovery cart! You totally don’t need to make a cart but I know it’ll be a lifesaver for me having the extra organization during such a tiring time. I hope you have a smooth postpartum recovery, mama!
XO,
