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After giving birth to your baby, it is easy to get swept up in loving on your new little one. But you need to remember that your body just went through something major and you need these postpartum recovery tips so you can also focus on your healing!

The postpartum recovery process can be painful, but there are some postpartum recovery tips & products that can make healing much easier.

Here is a list of the postpartum recovery essentials that can help you during this postpartum period and speed up the healing process:

Postpartum Recovery Tips

Tucks hemorrhoid pads

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You can place these on your pads to help cool down pain and itching. Because they have witch hazel in them, they can reduce swelling on your pelvic floor and ease inflammation.

You could also use witch hazel that comes in squirt bottles and place some on a maxi pad, freeze it, and this will also soothe the pain away.

Bonus Postpartum Recovery Tips: I remember with my first little one the nurses would also bring me a rubber glove filled with ice. That felt soooo good, but they said not to use ice too much when I got home because that could slow down the healing process.

Dermoplast spray

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Provides an immediate relief for your pain and itchiness. It comes in a blue and red can. The red can has antibacterial properties which could sting when applied if you have stitches. Stick with the blue can (don’t get the red!) and spray away.

Maxi pads, Depends/Adult Diapers or Hospital Mesh Undies 

These are very useful since you experience a lot of bleeding postpartum (like a lot, a lot)  and they are also useful for holding other items like ice packs or your Tucks pads without making your underwear wet.

Large, comfy underwear 

The hospital could provide you with some disposable underwear type but you can also bring your own to make you feel more comfortable and also speed up the recovery process. Grab a pack of loose inexpensive postpartum underwear you wouldn’t mind throwing away in a few weeks. Bring on the granny panties!

Squeeze/squirt/perineal bottle  

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These can save you especially if it’s still painful to wipe. This can also help relieve the itching. You can also squeeze warm water to your bottom as you pee to reduce the burning sensation.

This is a must-have for the first couple of weeks as you recover from any tearing. Otherwise using the bathroom can really sting.

Most hospitals will provide you with one after your delivery.

Stool softener 

After giving birth, everything in your intestinal tract could slow down due to hormonal changes, milk production, and other factors. For the love of all that is holy take the stool softener, mama. This is one of the most important postpartum recovery tips.

No one warned me how painful it could be to have your first bowel movement after delivery.  You will be so grateful for the stool softener! Your doctor may also put on you on an Iron supplement postpartum if you lost a lot of blood during the delivery. Iron is known for causing constipation so a stool softener is a must.

Prunes/prune juice 

This is another alternative to stool softeners and is helpful especially if you have hemorrhoids.

Postpartum girdle/ belly wrap

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These will help you get rid of your pregnancy belly and help reduce uterine swelling. A wrap will apply a gentle pressure to your uterus and abdomen which will provide you comfort and relief.

I bought this one on Amazon and loved it with my first baby! I mostly wore it when I was sleeping since it was a little annoying to wear during the day and it helped me get back to my regular size fast.

Bed Pads

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Since you will still bleed down there, bed pads can help keep your bed or mattress clean at all times.

If you ever potty trained a puppy and had piddle pads it looks a lot like that and you lay it on your side of the bed to catch any leaks.

Bonus Post Partum Recovery Tips: If you have extras leftover save them for when you start potty training your kiddo in a few years.

Tylenol and Ibuprofen 

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Tylenol is great for treating pain, while Ibuprofen can help with the swelling. Check with your doctor for what they recommend after the delivery. Many will prescribe you with a higher level medication for the first few days and then a stronger dose of Ibuprofen for later.

Nursing pillow 

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Aside from using this for nursing, you can also use them as a seat and relieve pressure off your pelvic floor. Your hospital may also give you a plastic inflatable donut to sit on for the first few days postpartum.

I used a Boppy Pillow and I really liked it. I also tried My Breast Friend Pillow.  I personally felt like it was too bulky and too much of a hassle, but some moms swear by it!

Hot/cold packs 

These packs come in handy for different purposes and you most likely already have some on hand. Cold packs can help to reduce any postpartum swelling while hot packs can help increase circulation.

Big shirts/ robes/ stretchy pants 

You can feel better and extra relaxed and cozy when you have a comfy pair of sweats especially after giving birth.

Like the undies, maybe don’t wear your favorite pair of sweats for the first couple of weeks during your postpartum recovery.

Warm socks/ slippers 

These are useful especially if your circulation is still a bit messed up after giving birth and it keeps your feet feeling cozy.

Rest 

This is an important thing to have even if life seems super busy – which it often is after a baby. You can get up occasionally for circulation but in general, taking it easy and slowing down can help a lot in your recovery.

You will be up a lot at night with your new little one, so give yourself a break during the day. Just snuggle with your new little one and watch a show or if you have other kiddos try to arrange help with them as you heal.

Bath or soaks 

Getting in a bath with some soothing herbs can help reduce cramping and increase circulation.

Related: What Is A Postpartum Sitz Bath & Why You Need One

Epsom salts

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A warm bath with Epsom salts can help in comforting those aching muscles you have been using during labor. It also helps with relieving pain from the stitches.

Prenatal vitamins

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Even after giving birth, it is still vital to take your prenatal vitamins. These will help your body recover quicker, increase your energy levels, and help you heal faster.

Talk to your doctor about what he or she recommends for you during your postpartum recovery.

Going through a vaginal delivery can take a toll on your body but there are a lot of things that can help you get through the postpartum period, make you feel more comfortable, and also make the recovery process quicker.  

The first few weeks can be rough, I won’t lie, but you can do this!  Your body was made for this. You are a mama!

What postpartum recovery tips do you have? Share them below!