Surviving the Fourth Trimester
The path to motherhood is so wonderful and amazing, but it does have its share of challenges. The postpartum period, also known as the “fourth trimester,” is a time of many physical and emotional changes as your body heals from childbirth.
Bringing a new life into the world is a wonderful and life-changing experience. Those precious moments when I first held my daughter in my arms was filled with overwhelming love and joy.
My husband and I are expecting another baby and we are so excited to share a special connection with another precious addition to our family.
In the midst of this beautiful chaos, it is important to take care of yourself and make sure you have the right postpartum essentials to make your journey into motherhood as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. They can make a world of difference during this period!
During my first pregnancy, I dedicated a significant portion of my time to learning about pregnancy symptoms, getting ready for labor and delivery, planning nursery decor, creating a list of essential baby items to purchase, and learning how to care for my baby upon her arrival.
I didn’t prepare myself for postpartum care and recovery. I had a basic understanding that I’d need to use pads and might experience some discomfort, but I underestimated the full extent of postpartum recovery. As I prepare for my second child, I intend to have all these essentials ready in advance!
In this guide, I will walk you through the must-have postpartum essentials that every mother should consider. Whether you’re a new mom preparing for the arrival of your little one or a mom looking for a better postpartum experience, this blog post is your roadmap to self-care and recovery during the fourth trimester.
Must-Have Postpartum Essentials
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Whether you have a vaginal or c-section delivery, you will experience bleeding. It will slowly decrease over a few weeks. These incontinence & postpartum underwear are comfortable to wear, feel like regular underwear and are not too bulky under clothes.
During the first couple weeks when my bleeding was at its heaviest, I would layer another pad inside so I didn’t have to change my underwear as much. Then I eventually switched to comfy underwear and a pad.
The incontinence underwear and pads are made with an organic cotton cover and grown without the use of toxins, pesticides or synthetic chemicals. I love how they have clean ingredients are are still able to provide leak-free protection.
Upside Down Peri Bottle for Postpartum Care
A peri bottle is used to clean yourself after you go to the bathroom and is especially important after a vaginal birth. You are in pain and swollen and the last thing you want to do is rub toilet paper on your skin. The warm water from the peri bottle can provide soothing relief and ease discomfort.
You’ll receive a peri bottle after delivery at the hospital, but this one is even better because it is angled upside down making it easy to squirt the warm water to the right area.
Postpartum Absorbent Perineal Ice Maxi Pads
After a vaginal delivery, you will be swollen, tender, and in pain. These instant ice maxi pads can be placed in your underwear to provide cooling relief and comfort. They are made with medicated witch hazel, and contain no harsh chemicals, fragrances or dyes.
Your hospital may send you home with some extra ice maxi pads, so I would wait to buy these to see if you even need them!
After my first baby was born, I used Dermoplast spray for pain relief, because I didn’t know of any other alternatives. I didn’t do any research ahead of time, so I just used what the hospital gave me. However, I plan on using one of the two options below for my next baby. They are a cleaner and more natural alternative.
Perineal Medicated Witch Hazel Healing Foam
I just heard about this perineal healing foam by Frida recently. A lot of people rave about it and call it ‘magical.’ It helps relieve pain and reduces swelling in your perineal area. Similar to the ice maxi pads, it is made with medicated witch hazel, and contains no harsh chemicals, fragrances or dyes. You just pump the foam directly on top of your maternity pad.
The Herbal Perineal Spray by Earth Mama is another great option. It is a cooling, herbal numbing spray to help relieve pain and it contains witch hazel, cucumber and organic essential oils. It has a clever upside down sprayer so it’s easier to reach hard to get places. I love how it is cruelty-free without parabens, propellants, benzocaine or artificial fragrance.
I am still undecided on which one I will buy. I may just get them both!
Another great way you can give yourself relief is with a sitz bath. It provides soothing relief for perineal discomfort and promotes healing. You just lay the container on your toilet, fill it with warm water, add in a touch of epsom salt and then sit on it for about 15-20 minutes.
Breastfeeding Must-Haves
Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream
You can experience discomfort and nipple pain in those first several weeks, which can be caused by improper latch, friction, dryness, etc. Nipple cream can provide relief and help soothe sore and cracked nipples. I absolutely loved this nipple butter cream while I was breastfeeding.
This nipple cream is certified organic and has no petroleum or preservatives. It is also safe for your baby so there is no need to wash it off prior to breastfeeding.
It can also be used on other parts of the body such as your lips, cuticles, or anywhere with dry skin. After I was done breastfeeding, I used the remaining part of my cream on my lips at night and it was very hydrating and moisturizing.
I absolutely love the Earth Mama brand. I also use their organic diaper balm on my baby and it helps prevent diaper rashes. I wish I had discovered it when she was first born!
Organic Bamboo Nursing Breast Pads
Nursing pads are a must if you are breastfeeding. One of the most common issues a breastfeeding mom experiences is breast milk leakage. It can occur unexpectedly, often due to a letdown reflex when your baby isn’t nursing. Nursing pads help absorb and contain excess milk, preventing embarrassing wet spots on your outfit.
You can either buy disposable nursing pads or reusable nursing pads. Disposable nursing pads are convenient because they can be thrown away after use, while reusable nursing pads are more cost-effective over time and better for the environment.
I used a combination of both reusable and disposable nursing pads. I preferred reusable nursing pads while I was at home and disposable nursing pads when I left the house.
The Lansinoh disposable nursing pads contain adhesive strips that stick to your bra and keep the pad in place. I liked not having to worry about my nursing pad falling out while I was breastfeeding in public. However, when I was in the comfort of my own home, I preferred using the organic reusable nursing pads as it was much more cost effective and eco-friendly.
These breast therapy packs offer both hot and cold pain relief for sore and tender breasts. Heat them in the microwave to help relieve clogged milk ducts and mastitis. The heated packs can also serve as a helpful pump aid to encourage milk let-down. Freeze the packs to help relieve the pain and swelling of breast engorgement.
I used these packs a lot during the first few months of breastfeeding!
These are my favorite nursing bras for sleep and lounging around the house. They are breathable, stretchy and I didn’t feel constricted in them. I could easily insert my nursing pads into the bra. I loved the convenience of being able to effortlessly pull them down without needing to check what I’m doing, especially during those middle-of-the-night nursing sessions when I wanted to keep the room dimly lit.
Personally, I liked bras with this pull-down feature over ones that had clasps. In my experience, it felt challenging to unclasp or clasp a bra with one hand, as my other hand was always occupied holding my baby.
The Kindred Bravely Nursing Sleep Bra has a lot of great reviews, making it another excellent choice. Personally, I opted for the more budget-friendly alternative.
A nursing pillow can make breastfeeding more comfortable for both you and your baby. I would use either the boppy pillow or a nearby pillow for nursing support and it worked out great!
I love the boppy pillow for its versatility; it serves various purposes, including acting as a nursing pillow, providing support during tummy time, assisting in propping up your baby, and offering stability as your baby learns to sit. I highly recommend buying one as you will use it for many months to come!
The Haakaa is a manual breast pump that lets you express milk using natural suction. You simply squeeze it and then attach it to your breast. I would apply this to my opposite breast while I was nursing. It is a great way to catch all your milk rather than it being wasted and leaking into your bra.
For a breast pump, I highly recommend using the Aeroflow website to see if you can get a pump covered by your insurance. You just need to submit your insurance information and they will show you what is covered/partially covered by your insurance. I used this website for my daughter and it was a very easy process!
More Postpartum Essentials
Below is a list of additional items that are important to have readily available.
Lounge Clothes
For the first few months, I lived in soft lounge clothes that were loose, comfortable and easy to nurse in. Aerie has a lot of cozy lounge clothes!
Water Bottle
It is so crucial to stay hydrated after delivery. Ensure your favorite water bottle is always within arm’s reach, so you can stay hydrated effortlessly throughout the day and night.
Snacks
Eating nutritious and healthy foods is so important for your postpartum recovery. Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories! Even if you won’t be breastfeeding, it is important to be well nourished.
When my daughter was between 4-8 months old, I would get nauseous if I didn’t eat something directly before or after nursing her. I would keep a few healthy snacks that were high in protein and fiber near the areas where I fed my daughter so I could snack while nursing her. Protein and fiber help keep you full longer.
Pain Medication/Stool Softener
Pain medication and stool softeners are prescribed or recommended after childbirth to manage pain, promote comfort, and facilitate recovery during the postpartum period. Please follow your healthcare provider’s guidance regarding medication use.
Night Light
A night light is perfect for nighttime feedings and diaper changes, because it allows you to see what you are doing without fully waking your baby. It maintains a sleepy environment, which helps your baby to return to sleep more easily.
Welcoming a baby into your life is such an incredible journey. These postpartum essentials will help you feel more comfortable and supported as you heal, recover and care for your newborn. Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s a community of moms here to support you. Take care!
Would you like to save this blog post to reference later? Simply save it to your Pinterest board using the images in this post, ensuring you can revisit it whenever you want!
