So much attention is given to the first three trimesters of pregnancy that it’s easy to forget about mama in the fourth! To make the fourth trimester more comfortable, I’ve put together this short list of postpartum essentials.

These are all things that I’m currently using that I absolutely love! I think you really will too!

It’s always a good idea to get these things before baby arrives! That way you don’t have to leave the house for a while once you and baby are home after delivery. 

I made a little postpartum kit basket that I keep in the bathroom so all of my healing goodies are in one place, it’s like a treasure chest for your vagina 😀

So let’s jump in!

Oh, and if you’re currently pregnant and preparing for your little one check out my other posts for helpful tips: What Is a Birth Plan? (And Why You Should Be Writing One) and Surviving The First Trimester- 7 Tips Every New Mama Should Know!

7 Postpartum Essentials

    1. Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads

When I was recovering in the hospital I was constantly asking for ice packs to help relieve some of the pain and swelling. 

While sprays work well, nothing beats an ice pack in the beginning when your lady parts feel like they’re on fire!

The hospital was using ice cubes wrapped up tightly in a diaper. These worked great, and are a good option- but there is something else that I liked even better!

The Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads are a great alternative to the ice cube diaper method. With a couple of distinct advantages.

• The ice packs don’t have to be kept frozen– which means you can take them anywhere with you! Leave them in your purse, your car, wherever you think you may need them.
• They’re large and shaped perfectly to fit comfortably within your undergarment. There’s also an adhesive backing which helps to keep the ice pack in place!
• They’re absorbent and have a cushion support as well for added comfort.

These ice packs were my favorite pain relief method when I came home from the hospital. Once the swelling came down I moved onto a spray, but in the beginning it was an ice pack all day every day for a week or two.  

Regardless if you use the ice pads or an ice filled diaper I must say both worked wonders to have the feeling of the tundra “down under” 🙂

     2. Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle

A squirt bottle to wash my lady parts after going to the bathroom was something that I had no idea even existed until I was in the hospital recovering after labor. 

At first it sounds kinda weird, but let me tell you…

This thing was a life saver! 

However, the one that the hospital provides doesn’t have an angled tip. This can make washing yourself kinda tricky. 

And they just don’t work as efficiently….. 

That’s when I found out about the Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle!

Mama, I know what you may be thinking- that you can do without this. But I’m telling you- for less than $20, this will make cleaning yourself after going to the bathroom so much easier!

If it’s in your budget- it’s worth it. Trust me. 

I was so sore after coming home, going to the bathroom wasn’t a fun experience. But with the Frida Mom, it made it just that easier. 

Mama Tip: Make sure you bring the squirt bottle from the hospital home. It’s a good backup. If you have more than one bathroom in your home, place the hospital bottle in the bathroom less used, and the Frida Mom in your primary bathroom.

     3. Frida Mom Peri Wipes

I had a vaginal birth with a 2nd degree tear as well as an episiotomy. As a result I was so swollen when I finally got home. I’m so glad I found out about these wipes because they work great!

The “cooling” feeling lasts for hours on end– helping to bring the pain and swelling down. Even after removing and reapplying the same piece I was pleasantly surprised that the cooling sensation quickly returned. 

Another big plus is the size! These are much larger than the Tucks that so many mama’s use. 

You don’t have to use more than one at a time, unlike the Tucks- and they don’t fall out and into the toilet! Yes- that really does happen!

Mama Tip: These wipes can be a little on the big side for some of you. If that’s the case, but them in half! That way you can get twice as much use out of a package, as these only come in a smaller 4oz package.

     4. Frida Mom Perineal Comfort Donut Cushion

With being so swollen after labor, it came as no surprise that I had zero desire to sit down on anything hard. Or anything at all really

This donut cushion from Frida Mom easily inflates, stays inflated, and even comes with a gel pack that worked quite well! 

It’s light and very portable so I’d often bring it with me if I left the house.

To make it even more multi use- you can sit on either side of it. One side has the cooling gel pad, and the other is donut shaped which is super helpful for relieving pressure!

Overall I am very happy with this product- and so glad I decided to get it! Make room in your budget for this Donut Cushion- you’ll make me later! 

     5. Earth Mama Perineal Spray

I am a big fan of Earth Mama products, they contain no chemicals and they work- really really well and their perineal spray is no different!

In case you haven’t noticed, a large part of 4th trimester care revolves around mama’s private parts!

Don’t let this scare you!

Just be aware that you’re going to be achy and swollen down there for a little while after birth. 

Your body will heal just fine! But it is helpful to have some things to assist mama during this time. 

The Earth Mama Perineal Spray is another tool that mama can use to get through this and help relieve the swollen, burning sensation that’s occurring down under. 

This chemical free product is a much better option than the toxic numbing spray the hospital provides you with. 

With a neat spray bottle design that allows you to spray upside down without issue, I was glad to add this to my postpartum care kit. 

It’s small enough that I even take it with me when I leave the house!

You can use this by spraying it onto the pad or directly on yourself. It provides that much needed cooling sensation and the smell is great too!

For added relief you can keep it in the fridge! I did this as well and loved it (when I remembered it was there haha)

     6. Always Discreet Boutique Adult Diapers

No mama looks forward to wearing diapers after birth- myself included. However after trying them on, I quickly realized that it wasn’t as bad as I had thought. 

I actually liked wearing them- because they’re so comfortable!

Wait, did I just say that out loud? 

While these are not the sexiest things to wear, diapers are super helpful for all mama’s during postpartum.

Trust me- you want a set of good diapers waiting for you when you get home!

Something that…

• Is comfortable 

• Doesn’t leak

• Has a slimmer profile 

These diapers from Always Discreet checks every one of these boxes!

I used these after I got home from the hospital and I had zero problems with them.

I’ll be buying these again for when we have our next kiddo!

As an added bonus Always Discreet makes their diapers more feminine and cute with their little bows and lace patterns. 

     7. Earth Mama Nipple Butter

I didn’t want to get too much into breastfeeding essentials because that will be another post in the near future. However, I just couldn’t help myself and had to include this product here.

Every mama goes through their own breastfeeding journey when they first start out. And to be honest- I’m still not an expert at it!

As I mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of Earth Mama products. This organic nipple butter is made of natural and healthy ingredients. They claim you don’t have to wipe it off your nipples before feeding your little one! Who has time for that anyways?!

I’ve been using this for months and I absolutely love it! There’s a slight coca butter smell and taste, however it’s barely noticeable which is great! My newborn doesn’t mind breastfeeding at all while this product is applied.

Even if you are not planning on breastfeeding, this could still benefit you! 

I actually had very chapped nipples in the first trimester of pregnancy so I purchased this item early on. 

It helped tremendously! 

I was so happy to have this item in my postpartum bag!

This truly is a great option for an organic, non GMO, non toxic moisturizer option for more than just nipples!

Final Thoughts

Postpartum can be a tough adjustment period for new mama’s!

Our bodies are sore, we haven’t had much sleep, emotionally we’re all over the map- it’s a lot!

Do yourself a favor- take the time now before you give birth to do some research on products that will make yourself more comfortable after birth!

Don’t wait to gather these things after baby arrives- you’ll be too exhausted and it’ll be the last thing you want to do.

What am I missing on this list- what’s worked well for you? What are some things that you think others mama’s should try? We can always learn from each other!

As time goes on- I’ll be updating this article- so tell me what you think!