The postpartum essentials mothers say they wish they'd bought before birth: recovery comfort, feeding, sleep, and the small things that make the fourth trimester easier.
Most of the preparation before birth goes to the baby: the nursery, the car seat, the stroller. Then you come home and realize almost nothing was planned for you. These are the postpartum essentials mothers tell us they wish they'd had ready before the baby arrived.
Think of it as a postpartum recovery kit for the fourth trimester, the twelve or so weeks after birth when your body is healing and your whole life is rearranging itself.
Why prepare postpartum essentials before birth?
Once the baby is here, running to the store is harder than it sounds. Having a small stash of recovery and comfort items ready means you can rest instead of shop. Aim to have these gathered in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Postpartum recovery essentials
Every birth is different, and your provider will guide your recovery. These are the comfort items many mothers are glad to have on hand:
- High-waisted underwear. Full coverage, soft, and roomy. Many mothers also love disposable postpartum underwear for the first week or two.
- Large pads. Postpartum bleeding is normal and can last several weeks.
- A peri bottle. Hospitals often send you home with one; a second for another bathroom helps.
- Cooling pads or a soothing spray, if your provider recommends them.
- Stool softener, if your provider suggests it.
- A comfortable way to be supported. Many mothers find gentle abdominal support comfortable as they start moving around. Ask your provider when it's right for you.
Postpartum clothing essentials
Your body will change week to week, and your clothes need to keep up:
- Two pairs of high-waisted support leggings. Soft, stretchy, and easy. The Restore Legging has an adjustable belly band built in, so you can set the support as your body changes.
- A supportive band to wear under dresses and your own clothes. The Restore Band is designed for exactly that.
- Nursing-friendly pajamas and a robe.
- Three or four nursing tanks or tops.
- A long cardigan for warmth and privacy while feeding.
- Soft socks and slippers.
For outfit ideas that go beyond pajamas, see our guide to postpartum outfits for the first 12 weeks.
Breastfeeding and feeding essentials
- Nursing bras, in a size or two larger than you think, since your size may change after your milk comes in
- Nursing pads, reusable or disposable
- Nipple balm
- A nursing pillow
- A large water bottle with a straw
- Burp cloths, many of them
- A breast pump, if you plan to pump; check whether your insurance covers one
If you're formula feeding or combination feeding, add bottles, a bottle brush, and a drying rack. Fed is the goal, however you get there.
Sleep and rest essentials
- An eye mask for daytime sleep
- A white noise machine
- A soft night light for night feeds
- A bedside caddy with water, snacks, lip balm, and your phone charger
- An extra-long phone charger
Food and nourishment
This is the essential mothers mention most often, and it's not something you buy at the last minute:
- Postpartum freezer meals. Soups, casseroles, breakfast burritos, and lactation-friendly snacks made in the third trimester.
- One-handed snacks: granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, cheese sticks.
- A meal train. Let a friend organize it. People want to help.
Emotional and mental health essentials
The fourth trimester is emotional. Mood swings in the first couple of weeks are common, and it's important to know the signs that something more is going on.
- A plan for rest, with your partner or support person taking some night shifts
- A list of people you can text at 3 a.m.
- Your provider's number saved in your phone
- Permission to say no to visitors
If you feel persistently sad, anxious, or unlike yourself, talk to your provider. You're not alone, and help is available.
The small things that make a big difference
- Dry shampoo and a claw clip
- Lip balm in every room
- A few beautiful things that aren't for the baby: a candle, a good robe, a favorite tea
- A basket in each room where you feed, stocked with diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and water
- Something that makes you feel like yourself
Postpartum essentials checklist (quick version)
- High-waisted underwear and large pads
- Peri bottle
- Two pairs of high-waisted support leggings
- A support band
- Nursing pajamas and a robe
- Nursing bras, pads, and balm
- Nursing pillow
- Water bottle with a straw
- Eye mask and white noise machine
- Bedside caddy
- Freezer meals and one-handed snacks
- A support plan for rest and help
What you don't need
- Shapewear promising to "snap you back"
- Stiff jeans in your pre-pregnancy size
- Complicated gadgets you'll never set up
- Anything that makes you feel like your body needs fixing
Your body just did something extraordinary. The best postpartum essentials are the ones that let you rest, heal, feed your baby, and feel held while you do it.
Planning for the hospital too? Start with our honest hospital bag checklist for mom.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. MADRE makes apparel, not medical devices. Please follow the guidance of your own healthcare provider.