15 Essentials For Your DIY Postpartum Kit
Okay, mama-to-be, you have your hospital bag packed, your birth plan printed out, and your labor playlist set up. You have washed and folded all the baby clothes, set up the nursery, and installed the car seat. You are all set for baby to come home.
But, you can’t forget about the most important person…you! Are you ready for what is to come after the baby arrives? The postpartum period can be quite uncomfortable, but preparing ahead of time will make your birth recovery so much easier.
After you leave the hospital and come home, you will be sleep-deprived, sore, and a bit forgetful. So having everything set for your return home will make you one happy lady.
As a recovering Type-A person, I need to be organized and recommend putting together a postpartum kit before the baby arrives.
What is a postpartum kit?
It’s a central station for all your postpartum needs. The last thing you need to do is be searching through bathroom drawers, kitchen cabinets, and hospital bags looking for items at the last minute. Or, anxiously awaiting the arrival of your late-night Amazon purchase, days after your needs have passed. Or worse, sending your partner out at the last minute to find something at the local drugstore.
Make Your Own Postpartum Kit
First, find an extra basket or bin around the house, or pick up one like THIS at your local Target. Put it in the bathroom or bedroom you will frequent the most after your baby comes. Pack it with the items listed below, and you will be all set to take care of yourself after your baby’s arrival. This page does contain affiliate links but all opinions and ideas are my own.
Disposable Underwear
You are going to be uncomfortable below. You may have a lot of heavy bleeding. You probably won’t be fitting into your pre-pregnancy underwear. Mesh panties can come to the rescue to provide a disposable and stretchy alternative for underwear.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Donut Cushion
Between hemorrhoids and perineal soreness, sitting can be pretty uncomfortable after giving birth. And you will be doing a lot of it between resting, rocking your baby, nursing your baby, and recovering. Use a donut cushion to make yourself more comfortable.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Feminine Pads
Obviously, these are a must! You will get some from the hospital, but I recommend having a variety at home. Your postpartum bleeding will decrease each week, so it is nice to have thinner pads to wear for those days when you are bleeding less.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Iced Maxi Pads
Pair together feminine pads with a pain control mechanism and these iced maxi pads come in handy. You can buy them at the store or you can make your own.
Find on Target, HERE!
Preparation H Cooling Gel
Hemorrhoids are almost inevitable with pregnancy and birth. Keep yourself comfortable by applying the gel a couple of times throughout the day. It will help with any burning or itching, related to the hemorrhoids.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Witch Hazel Pads
These are great to put on hemorrhoids and keep on throughout the day. The coolness will provide some relief from the inflammation.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Perineal Irrigation Bottle
Using toilet paper can be quite uncomfortable after birth. Squeeze your perineal area with an irrigation bottle like this to clean up after using the bathroom. If you are lucky, you may get an extra one from the hospital.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Wet Wipes
Once you can comfortably wipe yourself clean, wet wipes will keep you comfortable. Dry toilet paper may be too uncomfortable. So try these wet wipes to stay clean and comfortable.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Stool Softener
Bowel movements after birth are no joke. After my first child, I thought I was reliving birth again with my first bowel movement. I learned my lesson the second time around and even started taking a stool softener before delivery.
Keep yourself as comfortable as possible by staying hydrated, eating plenty of fiber, and taking a stool softener. Avoiding constipation is crucial to preventing hemorrhoids and maximizing your comfort.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Prenatal Vitamins
Keep up with your regular prenatal vitamins, as long as you get the okay from your doctor. With sleepless nights and sporadic meals, you want to make sure you get the nutrition you need. A prenatal vitamin is a great way to do so.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Pain Relief
Your choice of pain relief will be different than the next mom out there. Do you prefer ice to keep inflammation under control? Maybe it is an over the counter pain medication or something prescribed by your doctor. Keep on top of your pain to stay comfortable.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find on Target, HERE!
Sunflower Lethicin
Planning on breastfeeding? Sometimes milk comes in super fast, and we can get uncomfortably engorged. Avoid clogs by taking sunflower lethicin regularly. With any medication or supplement, check with your doctor to make sure it is okay.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find on Target, HERE!
Nipple Cream
Your nipples will be sore from breastfeeding. Perhaps they will feel raw and very uncomfortable. Keep them moisturized with a nipple cream to help with healing.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find on Target, HERE!
Breast Pads
Your breasts will leak. Especially during the first few weeks. Use breast pads to absorb the leaking milk and avoid an embarrassing situation. I prefer reusable breast pads, but there are disposable ones out there also.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find on Target, HERE!
Abdominal Binder
You have spent the last ten months stretching out your abdominals to provide space for the baby to grow. Be kind to your body, and use an abdominal binder to help support your core muscles after birth. The binder will also help with soreness related to delivery, especially if you had a c-section.
Find on Amazon, HERE!
Find at Target, HERE!
Keep in mind, your comfort, your safety, and your healing are just as important as your baby. You can’t take care of your baby if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Take advantage of free shipping with products purchased from Amazon and Target. Can you think of anything else that has helped you during your postpartum phase of life?
Such a great basket idea! Would be great if someone gifts this at a baby shower because moms need things too!
Thank you, Lucy!
great little kit here… would make a great gift…
Thank you, Jen! Great idea!
I think this is so awesome. So many moms are not prepared for postpartum. These are great items and would even make a great gift!
Thanks, Tricia.
You really thought of everything! Such a great resource. Having had 4 kids I think this list is A+
Thank you, Lisa!
Very helpful for new mothers!
Thanks, Debbi.
Becoming a mother has a lot that comes with it you made a good list of things to purchase. Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome, Jody.
What a great list! I just had my first baby in November 2019 and every one of these items can be such a big help in recovery!
Thanks, Nissa. I hope motherhood is treating you well.
This list is helpful to partners who are looking to be helpful and put together something useful for when the new mom comes home.
Great idea, Tim! I agree, definitely helps partners see what a new mom’s needs will be.
Great idea, I’m sure all those items will come in very handy – you’ll be glad you don’t have to run around and look for them.
Thanks, Sandi!
That’s a good idea to be prepared.
Thanks, Jennifer.
Great list! Though I am happy to say I won’t need it again. LOL. I miss my babies being babies, but not that much. 🙂
Aw, they get so big so fast. Don’t they, Heather?
This might make a great baby shower gift too!
Great idea, Cindy!
Great list! You’ve thought of everything!
Thank you, Debbie!
Wish I had had some of these items when I first came home after delivering a 9# o’natural. Great list for any new mother for sure!
Oh wow, 9 lb baby…naturally! Props to you, Suzan. You are a hero.
The disposable underwear is a must. I had a c-section, and that was nice to have that didnt rub on my incision!
Absolutely, they are the best!!
Great post!! I am pinning it and sharing it in a private group of new mothers that I mentor! Thank you!!
Thank you, Holly! I am so grateful for you sharing.
I don’t have children but I can see this as a ‘gift’ list. When one of my good friends was pregnant, I was invited to the shower. However, I was unable to go. Instead of a baby gift, I gave her a card with a ‘girls night out’ on me- something I think she needed when she was feeling up to it. Now, I can include one of the above and point them to this post!
That’s a great idea, Judean. I love the idea of a girl’s night out too.
Earth Mama balm saved my sore nipples after having my daughter! I didn’t find the Bamboobies stayed put but I found disposables that worked better for me. The whole new Frida Baby – Frida Mom kit is amazing!
I agree…the Frida Mom stuff is so great!
This is a great resource for new moms!
Thanks, Jill.
Where was this when I needed it! What a wonderful idea!
Thanks, Tiffany!
I just had a baby 7 weeks ago. This idea of having a basket prepared would have been so helpful! I had a c-section so that abdominal binder would have been helpful (and maybe still would be!). I have one from the hospital, but that one looks much better! Thanks for all the tips!
You would totally benefit from the abdominal binder even now, Liz. Hope you and your little one are doing well.
I wish I knew about this when I was postpartum. Anteing that could bring comfort at that time is worth it!
It has been such a lifesaver to have comfort when needed.
These are all great ideas. I wish someone had recommended these before I had my first child!
Thank you, Noelle!
These are such great necessities for any new mama! Great post!
Thanks, Kendra!
Such a great gift idea, thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Thanks, Angela.
These are some great tips! I never thought about buying disposable underwear! I always just used the uncomfortable hospital items!
I realized there is a difference between the hospital brand and the private brands… so much better when I bought my own.