Postpartum Essentials You’ll Regret Not Having for Mom and Baby!

Congratulations on your bundle of joy, mama!! This is such an exciting time as you move through your pregnancy. One thing mamas often forget is what they will need for themselves postpartum. So here is a postpartum essentials checklist for you and baby from a third time mama!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Meaning at no extra cost to you, if you click a link and make a purchase I can receive a commission. As an amazon associate I make commissions off of qualifying purchases.

Disclaimer: This post is in no way medical advice and it should not be viewed as medical advice. I am not diagnosing, treating, prescribing, etc. in this post. This blog post is for educational and entertaining purposes. Always make sure to consult with your doctor prior to starting a new health routine or medications. Don’t delay treatment or care based on what you read on this blog post.

The items on this list will help aid you in your postpartum recovery. Remember, you just had a baby and that took A LOT out of you! You need rest, help, and to recover. So don’t jump back into things going full force. Take your time, recover, and snuggle your sweet baby.

These are also not exhaustive lists of postpartum essentials and you do not need everything on these lists. A lot of times the hospital will give you extras of certain things to bring home, so be sure to ask when you are getting discharged!

Postpartum Essentials for Mom

I have split these lists up into general essentials, vaginal birth essentials, and c-section essentials. That way you can go immediately to the topic you find most useful for you!

General Postpartum Essentials

Peripads– These are SO important. You cannot insert anything into the vagina until your doctor clears you, so you cannot use tampons. But you will be bleeding (remember you just delivered an entire human and organ out of your uterus). Peripads are going to be your best friend postpartum! These are my favorite as they are not too bulky or uncomfortable. You will also want extra absorbent pads in the beginning. These are a size 5 which are the over night sizes.

Comfortable Underwear– You definitely will not want to break out your cute panties any time soon after having a baby! You’ll want to wear full butt coverage panties (granny panties!). I personally purchase a cheap set that I can throw away after postpartum if they get nasty. These ones are a great option!

Tylenol/Ibuprofen– I always have tylenol and ibuprofen on hand after having a baby. It is so helpful for any pain I feel after having the baby.

Stool Softener/Miralax– The first bowel movement after having a baby can be so scary. No matter if you had a vaginal delivery or c-section. I like to keep over the counter stool softeners and miralax on hand. Remember always speak with your OB/GYN prior to starting a new medication.

Abdominal Binder– These can be useful after a c-section or vaginal delivery. Definitely after a c-section though! This can help give you core compression and allow you to move around without feeling like your insides are going to fall out!

Adult Diapers– Okay…I know what you are thinking. Why in the world would you purchase adult diapers? But let me tell you, the mesh underwear and diaper sized pads they give you in the hospital are SO uncomfortable. With my second baby I bought these exact depends and never looked back! I wore them in place of underwear the first week or two when my bleeding was the heaviest. Highly recommend!!

Prenatal Vitamins- Especially if you are breastfeeding you want to still take your prenatal vitamins. You could switch to a postnatal vitamin if you’d prefer.

Water Bottle– You will need to stay hydrated after having a baby. This is the best water bottle I’ve found for postpartum! It is the stanley Ice flow. What I love about it is that it closes (no spills on your newborn!) and has a handle to carry it with. It can be so hard to carry baby and everything else you need so this makes it a million times easier.

Snacks- Pick out your favorite snacks and have them around the house. I kid you not I keep snacks everywhere! Once you’re sitting down and baby finally falls asleep or you just start breastfeeding you can’t get up and go to the kitchen to make a snack. Stash a few near your bed, couch, favorite nursing station, etc. so you always have something to eat when you are hungry.

Vaginal Delivery Postpartum Must Haves

A Sitz Bath– This is a must have after a vaginal delivery. Especially if you had a tear or have hemorrhoids. Both hospitals I have delivered at gave me a sitz bath prior to discharge, so before you buy one be sure to ask for one! This is the type I got from the hospital. I also saw some electric ones on amazon! I have never tried them, I just use the ones from the hospital. This is so good to aid in postpartum recovery.

Perineal Ice Packs– This is another MUST HAVE after having a vaginal delivery. If you are swollen, sore, or have torn this will be your best friend. They have ice packs in the hospital, I always request extra to bring home with me. I honestly don’t think you can have too many ice packs.

A hack while in the hospital: If you are very sore and want something colder than a perineal ice pack, ask your nurse to rip open a diaper and put crushed ice inside the diaper. She can then tape it back up and you can wear that. It stays cold longer!

Dermoplast Spray– This is something the hospital gave me with my first delivery and it was perfect. You spray it directly on your peripad or on your perineum. It helps so much with pain and burning.

Tucks Pads– This is another must have to help you heal in your perineum. You take the tucks pads and line them up on your peripad. They are cooling and feel so good. You can also use these on hemorrhoids if you have hemorrhoids from pushing.

Peri Bottle– This is another must have after a vaginal delivery. After all the trauma you just endured, you definitely do not want to wipe down there after using the restroom. The peri bottle can be used to spray while you urinate to neutralize the burning the pee can cause. You then use it after you are done urinating to spray directly on yourself to clean up. The hospital will give you a peri bottle, but it will be a straight bottle. This one has an angled spout to help you aim better, which I like! Definitely not a must have purchase if money is tight since the hospital will give you one too!

Hemorrhoid Cream– I like to keep this handy after a delivery because you never know if you will get hemorrhoids from pushing.

Honestly I can tell you: I keep a peri bottle, tucks pads, ice packs, and dermoplast spray in at least one bathroom on both levels of my house. That way I don’t have to go upstairs or downstairs to go to the bathroom.

Postpartum Essentials after a C-Section

C-section Underwear– High waisted disposable underwear designed not to roll down over your c-section incision. I love these because they are disposable! There are also washable C-section panties on amazon if you prefer something not disposable. Especially after the first few weeks when your bleeding slows down.

Simethicone– Gas can sometimes be an issue after a c-section, so having gas medicine on hand is a great idea!

Prescription Pain Medication- Any pain medicine your doctors have ordered/prescribed to help with pain from surgery. Remember to always follow a doctors orders. Do not take this blog post as medical advice it is for educational purposes only. See disclaimer above at top of post.

Abdominal Binder- I’d say this is a must have post c-section! There is one linked above under general postpartum essentials. The hospital I delivered at last had them on hand, so you can always check with your hospital prior to purchasing one on your own!

Breastfeeding Postpartum Essential Items

Nursing Bras– I love a few comfy nursing bras for immediately postpartum. You’ll be at home recovering and resting, so being comfortable is the number one goal. If you want a pumping bra (which I highly recommend if you are pumping) Kindred Bravely has my absolute favorite bras! They are a little more expensive, but I have four that have lasted me through 2 breastfeeding journeys of 1+ years. Here’s the link!

Nursing Tops– To be honest, this is 100% up to you whether it is a postpartum essential or not. I personally only have a few nursing tops, I’m fine just lifting my shirt up to nurse. They are convenient for being out in public, but definitely no a major essential for everyone! This is the exact nursing tops I have and I love them!

Nipple Cream– This is an absolute must. Or have coconut oil on hand to use as nipple cream. When you start breastfeeding your nipples will be sore. I keep coconut oil next to me everywhere I am in the house and use it after every nursing session.

Nursing Pillow– There are so many nursing pillows on the market, my favorite one is the My Brestfriend Pillow. It gives you lumbar support, straps around your waist, and gives extra support for your baby. This is especially important in the newborn phase when your baby has no head control. Highly recommend!

Haakaa– If you have not heard of the haakaa yet, you definitely need one! I have bought one with every pregnancy and will be buying one again this pregnancy. I would say you don’t need to bring it to the hospital because your milk won’t quite be in yet. But having it at home is so worth it. I collect milk throughout the day from the opposite breast that I’m breastfeeding on and save it. That way I have a stash of milk in the freezer if I ever need it. Best invention!!

Breast Pump– This is my favorite breast pump. I’m a big spectra fan and love that this one is rechargeable so you aren’t stuck next to a wall. But ALWAYS call your insurance before buying your pump!! Most insurance companies will cover one pump per pregnancy/year. This one was an upgrade on my insurance plan, but I only had to pay $70 vs $200!

Breast Pads– In the beginning of your breastfeeding journey while your milk supply is regulating you may leak milk. Having breast pads in your bra to catch the leaking can prevent you from leaking through to your shirt!

Silverette Nursing Cups– This is one item I have never used before, but plan on buying for my third baby! I have heard incredible things about these cups, especially to help heal your nipples from damage!

Hydrogel Reusable Pads– These are a must have if you are having any nipple pain with breastfeeding. The hospital I delivered my last baby at had these on hand and gave me some to bring home! Definitely ask if that is the case at your hospital!

If you are planning on breastfeeding, check out my blog post Breastfeeding Essentials for New Moms That You Can’t Live Without!

Essentials You Need for Baby Immediately Postpartum

Safe Space for Baby to Sleep- It does not have to be a crib, you can use a pack and play or a bassinet. Always make sure what you use for baby to sleep in follow safe sleep rules. Never sleep with baby in your arms or next to you on the couch or bed. Baby should ALWAYS have their own sleep space.

EDIT: The bassinet I used and originally had linked, the Ingenuity Love to Dream Bassinet has recently been discovered by consumer report to lead to infant deaths (at least 2 they are aware of) due to the bottom of the bassinet sloping and infants rolling to their belly. This causes there to be a risk of suffocation. I have discontinued using mine and do NOT recommend purchasing this bassinet for your infant. Here is a link to the article by consumer report.

Swaddles- I love the Halo swaddles! You can use regular swaddle blankets as well, I just feel my children were able to squirm their way out of the regular swaddle.

Diapers/Wipes– You’ll definitely need diapers and wipes for when you get home. The hospital may send you home with a few, but they won’t last long. I recommend not stocking up on a ton of newborn diapers, because you don’t know how big your baby will be. They may never fit in newborn diapers, or only spend a week or two in them!

Diaper Cream– This is always good to have on hand. You never know when a diaper rash will come up and you want to have diaper cream when it does.

Sleepers– I’m going to be really honest with you for a second, I spent so much money on cute clothes for my first baby as a newborn. Do you know what she wore? Sleepers! I now only purchase comfy sleepers for my children for the newborn phase.

Baby Wash and Lotion– We use the cerave baby brand because our children have sensitive skin.

Baby Carrier– This is a must depending on whether you feel like you want a carrier or not. I have personally not used this, but will be buying it for my third baby. My close friend used it everyday with her last child! It is pre-wrapped so you don’t have to go through the hassle of trying to learn how to wrap it. And it is soft like a baby wrap vs a structured carrier. I am so excited to use it this time around!

Car Seat – This is so important! Baby needs an appropriate rear facing car seat. This is the one I have and love it! But there are so many options out there. If you don’t know what car seat to get you can always consult with a Certified carseat passenger safety technician.

Please remember this is not an exhaustive list and you don’t have to purchase everything from this list! These are my preferred postpartum essentials to have on hand after delivery!

Your postpartum recovery is so important as you just went through something major as well! It is okay to ask for help and to rest. Your postpartum care is essential to your recovery.

Are you interested to know what to pack for your labor and delivery hospital bag? Check out my blog post all on that here.

Would you add anything else to your list of postpartum essentials? Let me know in the comments!