When preparing for postpartum, I felt I knew everything I needed last time and had pretty much all the things. There were a few more things I learned along the way of course! With my second pregnancy nearing its end soon, I am starting to gather my collection of more natural postpartum care essentials! I wanted to put together a list for you of what I am preparing in case it helps you! I did not have a c-section last delivery and am not sure what the cards have in store this time, so this doesn’t have c-section specific information. If I end up with one, I’ll definitely do a post about it later! For now, here is what I am putting together in my natural postpartum care baskets in my bathrooms and around the house for when baby boy arrives. 

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Table of Contents

First, prep your stations!

Grab a cute basket or tiny table or stool, a diaper caddy, or something that you can keep all of your essentials in for easy access postpartum. It makes your life a lot easier! I have this tiny plastic table Mike got me from Target and it is perfect!

Here are some ideas:

  • Adjustable locker organizer – this is what I have and it fits a little diaper caddy or Fridamom kit perfectly!
  • Frida Mom postpartum recovery kit comes with the perfect cardboard caddy that fits (and comes with) so many essentials!
  • Diaper Caddy – a simple basic organizer caddy
  • Diaper Caddy Basket – if you’re looking for something a little bit cuter…this looks SO cute in the changing station and has a shoulder carry and handles for easy transport around the house!
Frida Mom Postpartum recovery kit

Next, what do you really need for natural postpartum care?

For bleeding and tears:

  • Adult diapers – I used Always brand last time but they definitely are not clean or natural. I have some of these on hand and I am going to try an organic brand this time as well!
  • How many postpartum diapers do you need? – start with an 18 pack or something like that. You can always buy more! 
  • Overnight /heavy maxi pads
    • Take what you get from the hospital, but also buy some you know you like 
    • Natural postpartum care overnight pad alternative: Rael overnight pads – these are SUCH high quality I was so impressed with how great they felt, were packaged and worked!
    • Oi Adult Care Organic Pads made from 100% organic cotton. They make a moderate and heavy style that would work postpartum definitely! I love their lighter regular pads and liners!
    • Honeypot is another brand many people recommended. FAIR WARNING: the ones with herbs and things added to them for postpartum legit BURNED like crazy. I do not recommend them!
Rael period underwear, overnight pads and body wipes
  • Perianal spray/foam
    • You can take what they give at the hospital the Dermoplast spray etc 
    • For more natural perianal sprays check out the below brands. I have used both and have both ready to go this time too!
Earth Mama Perineal Spray
  • Witch hazel wipes
    • Tucks pads from the hospital work great, the ingredients actually aren’t too bad 
    • Frida mom comes with these witch hazel pad liners/wipes and they are great! Check out the kit for everything you need really!
  • Mesh underwear like from hospital are super comfy with a pad. I used a mixture of these and the adult diapers for the first week or so and then if the diapers are too much, but you still don’t feel like you’re ready for your regular undies, these are still great!
  • Body wipes:
    • I got these Rael body wipes that are mainly sterilized water and cotton to try to help me feel refreshed postpartum. (When I may not be grabbing a shower right away as often as I would like). I’ll let you know how they are! I packed some for the hospital too!
    • May come in handy between adult diaper changes and messy postpartum the first week or so!
  • Stool softener:
    • You may also want some Docusate on hand as a stool softener if you have any trouble pooping postpartum. It does help. I don’t have a natural alternative really for this yet – I’ll keep you posted!
    • A friend seconded this!

For breastfeeding/pumping:

  • Natural nipple butter
    • Natural nipple butter like Earth Mama Organics works great 
    • Erbaviva also makes a natural nursing balm and it’s also great
    • Warm salt water soaks I also was recommended by my lactation consultant last go around. I plan to try this this time too if needed 
Earth Mama Nipple Butter
  • Silverette cups
    • I bought these too late last time I am so excited to have them this time so much earlier! They are made of silver which is antimicrobial, helps protect and heal you sore nipples from breastfeeding or pumping. They are just genius. You can read more about them here.
Silverette Cups
  • Comfy and stretchy nursing bras as your milk comes in – and comfy to sleep in for overnight sessions
    • I did a post on all my favorite nursing and pumping bras here
    • Best for beginning stages of nursing and sleeping:
      • Kindred Bravely French Terry sleeping and nursing bras – lived in these!
      • Bao Bei Maternity Adore Me bralettes: these are great pull down/up style and are super comfy as well and come in cute colors! Also work well for light movement/yoga in the beginning too
      • Our Embrace: I bought these recently and OBSESSED with the comfort while pregnant. I know they will be a staple this time – will have to test them out overnight still!
        • use code SARAHFAMASTORY for 15% off!
      • The Little Milk Bar Allie bra: bought 3 for mother’s day sale and these are SO comfy feel like nothing is on and will be so cute postpartum too!
      • I’ve also heard great things about Bodily bras which I haven’t tried yet!
  • Pumping bras – it is nice to have an option on hand just in case!
    • Davin and Adley – everything she makes is beautiful and functional!
      • The Amelia Cami is my favorite but I have the Ella and Autumn too. The Amelia may not fit as well when you’re still very swollen postpartum, as they are more of a crop fit. I lived in these still and used when I needed to pump bc they are just that good! 
      • She also makes a ONE PIECE bra line for leaking. It’s amazing and genius rather than the stick on pads that move all over and I didn’t love!
      • You can use code SARAHFAMASTORY for 10% off
    • Love and Fit Shop makes an everyday luxe 2.0 nursing and pumping bra I just bought and I cannot wait to test it out for you all. It is super soft and looks super functional for pull aside nursing and also secure pumping!
      • you can use code SARAHFAMA for 10% your purchase. They also make AMAZING leggings I’ll have to do a review on for you!
  • Lactation Massager
    • I also have the lactation massager roller and lactation massager both from LaVie Mom.
    • I used them much more in the beginning when my milk was regulating, I have one of each! I left the roller in the shower so I could massage with the warm water
  • High-waisted postpartum bloomers/undies
    • Bao Bei Maternity makes postpartum bloomers and postpartum undies that are fabulous. I enjoyed having one pair of their high waisted bloomers to keep me secure postpartum (over a diaper or with a maxi pad a week or so out). I also loved having the couple pairs of the Cheeky Postpartum Highrise Undie too. All of them are also great for c-section mamas I hear!
Bao Bei Postpartum Bloomer
Bao Bei Postpartum High Waisted Undies
  • Breastfeeding pillow
    • I used the Breast Friend pillow a lot, I didn’t love the boppy being too soft. I eventually realized that the laid back position worked best for me and wish I had learned about it earlier! I was so hunched over a pillow for so long causing a lot of neck and shoulder stress and pain! So use them but remember you can also lean back!
  • Milk Collector
    • Something like the Hakaa is what you may have used or heard of. I honestly didn’t love this as it pops off so easily
    • I bought this Elvie Curve this time and am so excited to have something that fits inside the bra and won’t pop off! I will report back!
    • There are also the Hakaa Lady Bugs (I have these now too from a friend, I’ll test them out and report back too!)
Elvie Curve
  • Comfy Pajamas
    • Grab yourself a pair of PJs that unbutton or have nursing access, or a nightgown style if you like that!
    • Target makes a lot of cute button sets (friends raved about!) and also Amazon has some cheap sets too
    • As it’s going to be summer for me this time, I plan to just sleep in my nursing bras lol.

For nutrition:

Having healthy snacks on hand is KEY! Producing milk takes calories and you will definitely be hungry and thirsty! 

If you’re up to it you can also pre-make meals and freeze. I’ve seen many recommendations for egg cups, smoothie baggies in the freezer with pre-cut fruits, tray dinners and casseroles etc. I haven’t done any of this for second baby though 🤣. Last time I planned out a meal kit delivery like Hello Fresh a couple weeks postpartum. I also started doing Daily Harvest deliveries for super easy smoothies or microwaveable meals.

What I am stocking up on and planning for baby #2:

  • Daily Harvest delivery the week before my due date 
  • Frozen things that I can make in a pinch like some flatbreads and things Mike and I both enjoy 
  • For easy to grab snacks at any hour of the day: 
    • Fig bars
    • Granola bites if you want to make them ahead and freeze! I actually am going to try these lactation bites from Majka – will report back soon!
    • Healthy protein bars – this recipe is great to prep ahead! Or I also love Rx bars and plan to try Bomb Bars and Aloha bars possibly! 
    • Apples and nut butter
      • (I went through so many jars of this one last time and ordered myself 2 jars for this time). This is a great way to get some natural carbs with some healthy fats to help fill your belly. Or banana would work well here too! 

For hydration:

For your pelvic floor:

  • A pelvic floor physical therapist is a really great idea postpartum. I live with a physical therapist so it would be crazy if I didn’t include this! I already have one lined up! 
    • You can get an Rx from your OB! 
  • A postpartum workout plan that eases you back into core connection is key!
    • This is something I found extremely important – I have Kim Perry’s Abs After Baby and love it and looking forward to it again this time around. All of her workouts are 10-15min and so doable (and she’s a mama of 3 girls, so she’s been through this a few times!)

Final thoughts on natural postpartum care

This is is definitely not all-inclusive and also you don’t need every single thing on here. I hope it helps you get an idea of what worked for me and helps you get started on your postpartum journey! Every body and every birth is different and everyone’s postpartum journey is different. I didn’t have a c-section, but I know most of what I mentioned above will work either way! 

To all my mamas-to-be out there, you got this! If you know an expecting mama, feel free to send this over to her to help her prepare! Having some stations of your postpartum recovery products in the bathrooms and laid out ahead of time does make all the difference.

What did you have in your postpartum care checklist or what do you plan to have the next time around? Let me know! 

xo- Sarah