Get a list of the 10 most essential items for your minimalist postpartum recovery kit. Use the checklist to be prepared during pregnancy and have a fully stocked basket of postpartum care kit essentials loaded with the best and most important mommy products before baby arrives.
When looking to stock up your postpartum recovery kit in preparation for baby’s arrival and mommy’s healing, you want to make sure you have the absolute best products so you can worry less about you and focus more on baby. Because we all know you have been waiting for this moment of baby’s arrival for such a long time.
But don’t forget that your body is going to go through a lot of changes, and with those changes you will need to have the right products in order to recover faster after childbirth.
In this post I’m stripping down the postpartum recovery kit to the bare essentials. I include my 10 all time favorite must-have postpartum recovery kit items that all moms should have. This is basically the perfect postpartum recovery kit for the minimalist mom.
Heal faster. Feel better. Live life more comfortably. And enjoy your baby more!!!
Postpartum Recovery Kit For Minimalists
If you are looking for a postpartum recovery basket that has the bare essentials, the minimalist basket of only the items you are actually going to use, then this is the list for you!
After going through 4 postpartum recoveries, I now know which items are essential and which ones I still have sitting in my closet years later after my last baby was born. Never needed it and had excess. Big waste!
Like I mentioned, I have had 4 babies of my own, and with each new baby I started to realize how important a postpartum recovery kit was.
I didn’t have one with my first daughter, and realized I wasted so much energy running around, bending over and looking for items that I desperately needed and needed quickly but just didn’t have in a convenient spot.
Lesson learned, and I finally got more organized with my second baby. And with the two following pregnancies, I became even more prepared and made a basket to keep handy in the bathroom stocked with items I knew I would need and the items I might need just in case.
So let’s get started with the top 10 must have postpartum recovery kit items to help you heal faster and feel better as a new mom.
What essentials do you put in a postpartum care kit?
1. Peri Bottle
You will be getting a free peri bottle from the hospital but there are better ones to choose from. Having a peri bottle like the Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle, which is my favorite, can make for an easier recovery.
You can easily get this from Amazon. It’s not expensive and so worth having. The angle of the nozzle makes for an easier cleaning process, and let me say, this is something you will use several times a day for several days.
Related: 11 Natural Postpartum Recovery Tips For Healing After Childbirth
2. Maxi Pads
First get a small pack of the heavy maxi pads such as Stayfree Maxi Overnight Pads with Wings for Women.
You may use these for 1-2 weeks (every woman’s body is different) and then you’ll want to be done with them as soon as possible because you’ll be tired of the bulk that is completely unnecessary as the bleeding slows down. Get a thinner maxi pad for when the flow is lighter and you can feel more comfortable.
3. Perineal Spray
There are many different types of perineal spray products so be sure to do your research on which is best for you. Some popular choices for a vaginal spray to use during postpartum recovery are dermoplast and herbal perineal spray by Earth Mama.
4. Mesh Panties or Dark Colored Panties
The last thing you want to do is extra laundry and stain remover. So make it simple and a quick clean up and just buy yourself a bunch of black underwear. Have some extra pairs in your postpartum recovery kit for accidents that might occur. Just a quick grab and you’ll be fresh and good to go.
Or even simplier, get some disposable mesh panties which will help decrease the amount of laundry you will need to do.
5. Medication (Motrin or Ibuprofen, Laxatives)
It’s hard to say if you will need any of these medications, but at least be ready to purchase them after arriving home from the hospital if you decide not to buy them in advance. Pain is something that can linger for weeks after childbirth, and having medicine to mitigate the pain will only help in the long run. If you are looking for a laxative, Colace is a safe choice for postpartum moms.
6. Perineal Cold Pack
These are so nice to have when your groin area is in a lot of pain after childbirth. Stock up on at least 10 of these cold packs to have in the initial stages of postpartum recovery. The pain dissipates almost instantly when you have a cold compress to use.
7. Bathroom Wipes
Definitely have bathroom wipes in your postpartum care kit basket for those really messy moments when you need to clean your hands or other sensitive areas. Showers might not come that often for you now that you have a baby so having a quick and easy way to clean yourself will be a life saver. Make sure you choose a brand such as Cottonelle that is natural and less irritating and is also flushable.
8. Nursing Bra
Leaks are going to happen, spit up is going to happen, and maybe some other big blow out messes might end up practically anywhere. Have a spare nursing bra ready to go in your basket waiting for you for when that uh-oh moment happens. Do a quick change when you finally get that much needed bathroom break and you’ll be good to go.
9. Nipple Pads
It’s inevitable that nursing moms are going to leak, and it especially happens at night when its’ dark, you’re groggy and the last thing you want to do is search the house for the nipple pads. Have them right where you can see them, open them up and put them on in a matter of seconds. These will also save you from doing tons of laundry from leaking nipples.
10. Nipple Cream
It is quite common for new moms to have nipple irritation if you are breastfeeding or pumping. Do yourself a huge favor and keep the nipple cream on hand and use it frequently to prevent any unnecessary bleeding, pain or discomfort. If at any time your nipples are cracking, the nipple cream is a lifesaver.
But the most important thing you need to do to take care of yourself during postpartum recovery is to have a balance between getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, drinking lots of water and staying active.
Finding a balance between all those things is what’s going to help you feel more like yourself and recover faster. It’s not just the products you buy but it’s the effort you take towards self care.
If you are looking to get started on focusing on one of those areas in particular, I recommend starting with some light exercises. Continue to read what my favorite beginner exercise is for new moms.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
*It is important to always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program and get medical clearance. Always warm up thoroughly and stretch after all workouts. LiveCoreStrong.com and Jena Bradley will be not be responsible or liable for any injury sustained while exercising at home, gym or elsewhere. Perform exercises at your own risk.
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