We’re New Moms — These Are the Postpartum Care Products We *Actually* Used

Frida Mom is known for its postpartum products, and for good reason — Frida Mom has some of the best items out there! Not only are the products great, but the brand has curated postpartum kits full off essentials. This kit comes with disposable underwear (comparable to the mesh ones from the hospital), an upside down peri bottle (so much easier to use than the upright ones), instant ice maxi pads, perineal cooling pad liners, and perineal healing foam.

After birth, everything “down there” hurts — for weeks. After you’re done with the hospital-provided Dermoplast, you’ll still probably want a spray-on pain-relieving product. If you’re looking for something natural, the Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray is a great option. It’s made with witch hazel, cucumber, and organic essential oils, and it provides cooling, soothing relief.

Disposable nursing pads can be helpful, but you’ll probably need breastfeeding pads for at least a few months, so washable pads are a cheaper, more sustainable option. These KeaBabies pads are comfortable and easy to wash and wear, and this pack comes with enough to wear for a full week.

Staying hydrated after giving birth is so important, especially if you’re breastfeeding. When you’re producing upward of 30 ounces a day, it’s necessary to drink a lot of water to replenish your supply. This Simple Modern tumbler keeps drinks cold for hours on end, and the handle and straw make it easy to drink one-handed (since you’ll likely be holding your baby with your other hand).

If you’re going to breastfeed, it’s so important to take care of your breasts and nipples. Whether this is your first baby or your fourth baby, nursing can be challenging. This Frida Mom kit comes with disposable nipple pads, cooling hydrogel nipple pads, no-mess nipple balm, cracked nipple saline spray, and hot + cold breast relief packs. Using these products from the get-go will help you avoid issues like cracked/bleeding nipples, painful engorgement, and clogged ducts.

When you leave the hospital, they may give you a basic plastic sitz bath to take home with you. If you want something a little more sophisticated, though, this collapsible sitz bath is a great option. It has a deeper bowl, wider seating area, large drain holes, and a flusher hose. Sitz baths can help relieve pain and hasten recovery, so don’t shy away from using this regularly.

Recovering from birth takes a lot of energy, which is already in short supply when you have a newborn. One of the ways to support your body is by nourishing it with nutritious food. This book provides guidance on more than just meals — it has shopping lists, recipes for foods and body salves, and advice for new moms. We tend to focus so much on what baby needs, we often forget about what moms need. The First Forty Days encourages moms to prioritize their own care, promoting healing and bonding with baby.

There’s nothing worse than finally getting your baby to sleep, only to have someone ring the doorbell or knock loudly on the door. This little sign will let people know they should stay quiet — it’ll remind friends and family to text or call if they’re coming to visit, and it’ll tell delivery people to just silently leave the packages at the door.

Silverette nursing cups are lightweight metal nipple covers that provide natural pain relief for sensitive nipples. Silverettes come in two sizes (regular and XL) to offer a comfortable fit for any breastfeeding parent. When you’re nursing, even breast pads can feel irritating to cracked nipples, so these soothing cups can protect your nipples from further irritation. Silver is naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal, containing anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe and prevent pain.

After a few days, it can be frustrating to deal with disposable pads every time you go to the bathroom — they don’t stick well to the disposable mesh underwear, and it takes additional time (especially if you’re also using witch hazel pads, foams or sprays, etc.). Instead, match your baby and go for an adult diaper. Technically these are disposable underwear, but they’re so comfortable and secure, and they’re much easier to just pull on.

Chances are your hospital will send you home with some pre-moistened witch hazel pads, but you may want to stock up on extras. The last thing you want is to be worried about running out of a product that works, especially when you’re trying to focus on healing.

Everyone will tell you how important it is to take stool softeners after giving birth, but don’t forget to also stock up on gas relief pills. After giving birth, your body deals with a lot of hormonal and physical changes, so it’s totally normal to experience increased gas and bloating. In addition to taking gas relief medication, you can also try stretching, drinking warm beverages, using heating pads, and doing some light exercise.