Guide to postpartum care

Moms on Call's Guide to Postpartum Care

From one mom to another, we've put together a checklist of must-have items to have ready at home and after-delivery care essentials.

Guide to Perinatal & Postpartum Care

  • Peri or squirt bottle
    • Used to rinse off the perineal before and after urinating as the area heals
  • Ice packs
    • Often the hospital will send you home with a few extras if you ask for those first few days home
    • Have some soft ice packs ready in the freezer for when you run out
  • Witch hazel pads
    • Used to prevent postpartum hemorrhoids and help with perineal pain
  • Maxi pads
    • Until postpartum bleeding lets up, these will come in handy. Stock up for at least 2-3 weeks
  • Large cotton undies
  • Sitz bath
    • Designed to help with postpartum pain
  • Acetaminophen
    • Will help with overall aches, and pain and is safe while breastfeeding.
  • Stool softener & fiber
    • Fill up on fiber to prevent constipation and stool softeners, to get things going, if needed
  • Check-in with your doctor
    • Our emotions are high and easily go from up to down. Check in and be truthful with your doctor to be sure you are receiving all the care you need! Read our blog post, More Than the Baby Blues, to help you know what's normal and when it may be time to reach out.

Nursing

  • Nursing bras
    • Invest in a few comfy nursing bras that fit you well. Size up from your original size to give your new growing breast room and comfort
    • Have a few on hand, as these get soaked pretty regularly
  • Nursing pads
    • Reusable or disposable
    • Have these on hand for in-between nursing. Your breast will leak when the baby cries
  • Nipple cream
  • Breast pump or breast pump order/Rx (Set this up ahead of time with your insurance carrier; most are provided for free.)

Miscellaneous Items for the Home

  • Paper plates and plastic silverware
    • Stocking up on these seems silly, but the last thing you’ll want to do is a mountain of dishes along with sanitizing bottles.
  • Frozen homemade meals
    • This will surely come in handy! During your pregnancy, cook a few of your favorite freezable meals OR ask friends and family to drop off frozen homemade meals! Nothing better than Grandma's Lasagna! MealTrain.com also provides a great an easy way to organize meals for friends after birth, surgery, or illness.

Your postpartum care is so important! We all get wrapped up in the excitement of baby, we tend to forget about ourselves. From moms who have been there a time or two (or more), learn how to take care of you and your body! The better you are taken care of, the more energy and love you will have to share with that beautiful baby you have created.

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