13 Postpartum Essentials You’ll Need for Recovery, Tested by a New Mom

If you’re not sure where to start with your postpartum supplies, the Bodily Care for Birth Box has 11 essentials to help you recover, from breastfeeding support to perineal healing. The kit comes with a variety of comforting and practical items. These include soft, thick maxi pads, nursing pads to prevent leaking through your shirt (with bonus grips so they don’t slip out of your bra), stool softeners, guidebooks for both the birthing parent and their partner and reusable underwear if mesh hospital pairs aren’t your thing.

To make cleaning your perineum an easy, fearless activity in those early days of motherhood, the Bodily Care for Birth Box also comes with a peri bottle that has an extended, angled neck. There’s something for your sore nipples too. It includes hydrogel nipple pads that can be a bit shocking on sensitive areolas at first, but quickly work to provide instant relief and soothe pain. My favorite item, though, was the pair of super-soft slouch socks that put the ones you receive in the hospital to shame. Not only did I wear them in the hospital, but I’ve practically lived in them every day since.

This kit was full of hits, but there was one miss: The reusable underwear, while ultra-soft and much cuter than standard mesh underwear, wasn’t very effective. It rode up significantly, which made it uncomfortable, especially when wearing a pad. It also fell apart after one wash, making it go from reusable to disposable quite quickly. That said, everything else in the box worked like a dream, and I would recommend it to first-time moms or as a gift to give to new moms.

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Bleeding in the days and weeks after childbirth can be heavy at times. “It’s highly likely that you’ll bleed through your underwear at least once during the postpartum period,” says Michaela Ward, APRN-CNM, a midwife at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. That’s why she recommends getting disposable underwear or at least a few pairs you’re okay throwing out if they get stained. You’ll receive some stretchy, disposable mesh underwear in the hospital, and many new parents take a free stash of those home. If you find those to be a little too flimsy, some brands are now making absorbent underwear specifically designed for postpartum moms, just like this best-selling option from Frida Mom.

I tested the Frida Mom disposable postpartum underwear, and it was hands down one of my favorite products. The underwear is sturdy while still being stretchy and comfortable. Pads easily stick onto the material and could be pulled off without ripping the underwear to shreds like they often do to flimsy hospital pairs. Granted, after a few uses, the fabric does start to wear down, but they certainly last longer than most other disposable underwear products on the market. I loved how they didn’t ride up even while wearing a pad, which made them comfortable whether I was going for a walk or trying to steal a few short hours of sleep.

One thing to consider is that your hospital should provide you with a supply of disposable mesh underwear, so if you’re okay using those and looking for ways to cut back on cost, you could skip these. In my experience, however, the hospital underwear doesn’t do enough to provide the comfort and security that goes a long way in boosting your confidence postpartum. Plus, for the price, you get eight pairs in a box and they’re sturdy enough that you can reuse them a few times before having to dispose of them, making them well worth it in my eyes.

Comfortable clothing—like a super-soft nursing bra—will serve you well in the initial postpartum period. Your breasts may be engorged, leaky or tender in the first few days, so a comfy bra is a must-have. Our top pick is the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado Designs, which received a Best of The Bump award for the overall best nursing bra two years in a row. Ultra-soft and wireless, you can ensure it will keep you feeling your best as you move throughout your day—and during those late-night feeding sessions. Other standout details include the clip-down design for easy nursing access, inclusive sizing options and the removable foam inserts for extra support.

The Bravado Designs Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra—which comes in a range of on-trend colors—was a welcome addition to my postpartum care products. The fabric was silky and soft, so it didn’t irritate my sore, sensitive nipples in those early days of breastfeeding, but it still held up well in the wash. The wireless design took the pressure off engorged, painful breasts while also being sturdy and supportive in the ways I needed. I also appreciated that the bra stays put, which means no readjusting or chafing while you’re moving around. It’s secure enough that you could even sleep in it if you don’t mind the clasps overnight.

Some moms, including me, recommend sizing up—especially if you plan to use any breast pads to absorb leaking milk. The bra has a large buckle with several clasps in the back, which did make it a bit cumbersome to put on, particularly with tired arms from long nights of rocking baby to sleep. Once it’s comfortably on though, the front clasp makes nursing super easy, even with one hand. The price point may seem a bit high, but it’s comparable to other bras on the market and will make your life much simpler if you choose to breastfeed.

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Regardless of whether you delivered vaginally or via C-section, it’s normal to have bleeding and discharge, called lochia, for a few weeks after you give birth, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. That’s why you’ll need a stash of maxi pads—and yes, you’ll need to stick to pads and avoid using tampons during the postpartum period. This is because the lochia your body is discharging contains bacteria, Ruiz explains. If you block it with a tampon or menstrual cup, it could push bacteria back up into your uterus and cause an infection. “You want everything to flow out,” he says. And, he adds, if you had a vaginal delivery, your vagina needs time to heal.

That’s where the Always Infinity Feminine Pads (in the heavy flow absorbency, of course) come in handy. They’re shockingly absorbent given how lightweight they are. I was sure I’d leak through them quickly, but the pads held up to the postpartum bleeding. Plus, Always offers several different absorbency options so you can find the one that fits your needs best. They were so thin and flexible that they’re much more comfortable than other options on the market. Several postpartum parents agreed they had a “barely there” feel to them, and as an avid pad hater myself, I certainly enjoyed the ability to almost forget I was wearing one. The pads were also long enough that I felt comfortable sleeping in them without concern that I would leak through my underwear.

These Always pads stuck well to most underwear fabrics—though they certainly adhered better to some than others—and the wings helped them stay in place. Something I didn’t love was that the adhesive irritated my skin a bit if it wasn’t stuck on perfectly. Luckily, these pads are available both with and without wings, so whatever your preference is, this product can meet you there. You’ll definitely need pads after you give birth, regardless of what your birth story is. And as far as pads go, these ones are a fantastic choice.

Post-birth, your vagina will likely swell (after all, the area experienced a huge increase in blood flow and fluid.) Applying ice to the region is an easy, effective way to find relief, especially in the first 24 hours after vaginal birth. There are plenty of ways to go about it—women have used everything from reusable ice packs to ice chips in an adult diaper—but Frida Mom has come up with a genius 2-in-1 absorbent maxi pad and ice pack that’s shaped to cover the entire perineal area. Thanks to their instant, crack-and-cool design, you’ll be able to experience targeted icy relief for up to 20 minutes without having to wait for them to cool in the freezer.

Calling these pads genius is an understatement. Frida Mom once again found a way to make postpartum life and healing so much easier. Not only are these pads super simple to use with a quick crack to activate them, but they’re so soft that you’ll wish your underwear were made of them. They’re also perfectly long and thick, so you don’t have to worry about leaking into your underwear while wearing them, and the icy relief will reach all of your sore and sensitive parts. I recommend giving the pads a good shake after you crack them to make sure the cooling effect spreads quickly and evenly, and avoid feeling like you’re sitting on crushed ice. Some other postpartum parents also recommend popping them in the fridge before using to increase the cooling effect.

An added bonus of the Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads is that they’re multipurpose. When you’re done using these on your perineum, you can hold onto them to relieve C-section incision pain or soothing engorged breasts. While I do highly recommend these pads to any postpartum parent, it’s important to note that most hospitals will provide you with a supply of instant ice maxi pads. So if you’re on a budget, this may be a product you can avoid and snag from the hospital instead, though they likely won’t be as high-quality as Frida Mom.

Witch hazel causes blood vessels to shrink, which can be helpful if you’re struggling with hemorrhoids postpartum, Ruiz says—and with all that pushing and straining you do during birth, hemorrhoids are fairly common. But the pads have other uses too. If you tore during birth (another very common occurrence) and had stitches in your perineal area, they can help soothe things down there. “Witch hazel pads are great for hemorrhoids as well as lining your pad or ice pack to soothe your perineum,” Ward says. “You can also put a little witch hazel in your peri bottle.”

If the postpartum period had a candle, the scent would be witch hazel and baby poop. Even if you’ve never used witch hazel before, it will become a mainstay in your medicine cabinet after giving birth. Tucks Medicated Hemorrhoidal Pads make it super easy to find relief. You can line your maxi pad with these small, circular pads to maximize the cooling effect from any vaginal soreness, tearing or hemorrhoids. They’re also thin enough that you won’t really notice them in your underwear, other than the instant relief as soon as they touch your skin. If you’re suffering from hemorrhoids, these will quickly cool things down for you.

A downside is that the deep cylindrical shape of the container makes it a bit difficult to get the last ones on the bottom out. Also, the small shape of the pads means they can move around easily on your maxi pad and might also bunch up while you’re moving around. My advice: Be sure to keep the container tightly closed so they don’t dry out. Overall, Tucks Medicated Hemorrhoidal Pads are a gloriously soothing product, and you get a lot of them for the price. Plus, they’re easy to find if you run out as they’re sold in most pharmacies and grocery stores.

Having made it through the pain of childbirth, get ready to face a whole new challenge—the first post-birth poop. (Yikes!) Yes, it may hurt a little, but you’ll get through it. If needed, talk to your doctor and ask if it’s safe to take a stool softener, like this option from Colace. Greeves especially recommends taking stool softeners if you have a history of constipation or if your diet has changed. Also, “if you have a third- or fourth-degree vaginal laceration that can occur during childbirth, we recommend stool softeners for at least three months,” she adds.

I tried Colace stool softeners for a few days after a vaginal birth, and they’re very effective. Just knowing you’re taking a stool softener alleviates the fear of that first postpartum poop. Thankfully, these capsules from Colace do more than just wash away that dread. They’re easy to swallow and work immediately to relieve constipation and soften stools. I didn’t experience any side effects—such as stomach pains, cramps or noticeable effects on my breastmilk—either. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor and/or lactation consultant before taking any medication to ensure it’s safe for you and baby. Once you get the okay for a stool softener, Colace is a great choice with its easy-to-open bottle, clear instructions and reasonable price point.

In addition to taking stool softeners, you can ease the process by doing some gentle stretches, drinking plenty of water and loading up on fiber-rich meals (Spadola suggests easy-to-digest foods like broths, soups, smoothies, fruits, veggies and whole grains). Moreover, “if you've had a vaginal birth, you can also wrap toilet paper around your hand or use a witch hazel pad to gently support your perineum as you are having the bowel movement. Afterward, cleansing with a peri bottle and a soak in a sitz bath can be soothing,” advises Spadola.

After birth, your body undergoes a hormonal process where your milk comes in. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, this can be an uncomfortable physical experience. As your breasts fill with milk, they may feel warm, tingly and hard to the touch. Cooling nursing pads protect your clothing from leakage while also offering relief to sore nipples. We’re fans of this soothing gel design from Medela that will effortlessly contour to the shape of your breast and provide instant relief.

I can attest that Medela’s Tender Care HydroGel Soothing Gel Pads will be a glorious addition to any postpartum care package. Breastfeeding can take a serious toll on your nipples, especially if your little one decides it’s time to cluster feed. When your nipples are highly sensitive, the cold of the gel pads can be a bit shocking, so I held my hand over the gel pad for the first few seconds to help warm it up. Once that feeling passed, the gel pads worked immediately to soothe sensitivity and soreness. They were sticky enough to adhere to my breast easily without moving around inside my bra, and I could wear them for hours between feedings.

These gel pads are reusable, so you get a lot for your money. That said, to reuse them and keep them sanitized, you have to restick them to their plastic backing, which I found to be difficult because of their unique shape. I also didn’t love having to wipe my nipples off before breastfeeding again. When your baby is hungry and crying, that extra step feels like a lot. Plus, it means you probably don’t want to wear them when you’re out of the house unless you have access to a bathroom. The benefits still far outweighed the downside of these gel pads though. The relief I felt while wearing these pads was unmatched by any other I’ve tried.

If you choose to breastfeed, having a nipple balm on hand is essential. Nursing can be painful, especially in the beginning. Your nipples might be sore, sensitive, cracked or even bleeding and a good balm provides hydration and relief. The Honest Company’s Calm Your Nip Balm is a convenient product to have on hand to help soothe those sore nipples. It comes in a small, easy-to-open bottle that can be flipped open and close with one hand. I was also a fan of the scent, which was pleasant, mild and earthy.

This balm did feel a bit greasier than I expected it to be, and it stained the clothes that it came into contact with. Be mindful of what you touch when it’s on your fingers, because even a good stain spray didn’t get it out for me. Once on though, the balm provided a nice protective coating on my nipples and instantly started to soothe any pain. The layer seemed to last several hours as well. I also loved that the balm didn’t need to be cleaned off before the next nursing session and was safe for my baby. Fewer steps are a game changer when it comes to middle-of-the-night feedings, and this postpartum essential definitely delivers on that front.

A peri rinse bottle is a postpartum bathroom essential. “It’s incredible for comfort, especially if you had a vaginal delivery,” Ruiz says, since the bottle “keeps everything clean and decreases your risk of infection.” After the exertions of birth, your vagina will be swollen and tender, and wiping with standard toilet paper can be less than pleasant. That’s why you’ll want to turn to a peri bottle. To use it, Ward recommends filling the bottle with warm water, aiming it at your vagina and squirting it from front to back while you pee. “This helps dilute the urine so there’s less stinging and also helps keep the area clean,” she says. You can also use it to rinse off the area afterward.

The hospital will give you a peri bottle to use and bring home, but in my experience, those always have short necks that aren’t angled. This makes it particularly difficult to fully clean yourself well. Plus, who wants to stick their hand that far down into a toilet? Thankfully, the cleverly designed Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle solves those problems. The neck of the bottle extends so that the bottle goes further into the toilet than your hand. The angled spout also means you don’t have to awkwardly adjust your wrist to try to cleanse every spot. The bottle itself is a soft plastic that’s easy to hold and squeeze without any resistance. And the water comes out in a smooth, gentle stream that doesn’t hurt your already inflamed perineum.

When you’re done using it, the extended neck sinks back into the bottle so it fits on your counter without worrying about knocking it over. The only thing I didn’t love about the bottle was its opaque color, which made it hard to tell how full it was. Otherwise, this peri bottle is an absolute must-have and will make your postpartum life so much easier than sticking to the one you’ll receive at the hospital.

If you have stitches in your perineum after delivery, the area can get uncomfortable and even itchy. Perineal sprays act as a local anesthetic to alleviate pain and discomfort. “It just numbs your bottom,” Ruiz explains. For postpartum parents who prefer something more natural, Earth Mama Organics has an herbal perineal spray that’s benzocaine- and butane-free and formulated specifically for postnatal care.

As far as perineal sprays go, Earth Mama Organics Herbal Perineal Spray has an incredibly enjoyable scent—one of the best I’ve encountered. Every time I sprayed it, the light herbal smell calmed and relaxed me. The bottle was small and easy to hold in one hand, and it sprayed well in a gentle, misting stream. The best part about it was that it sprayed upside down without any issues; you can use it sitting down on the toilet or standing up before you pull up your underwear. Any perineum products you can use upside down will make your life so much more straightforward.

This perineal spray is safe to go directly onto your skin, and it has a nice cooling effect you can feel immediately. However, the relief didn’t last much longer than a few minutes. At a reasonably low price point, this is an ideal perineal spray option for anyone looking for a non-medical, herbal option. But if you want something with more powerful ingredients, you may prefer the Lansinoh 4% Lidocaine Perineal Spray. As the name suggests, it contains four percent of the numbing agent lidocaine, so you’re more likely to find instant relief that lasts with this option.

Soaking in a sitz bath—a basin that sits over the toilet—helps ease vaginal soreness and swelling of the perineum. It’s also a helpful tool if you have hemorrhoids or are recovering from an episiotomy. The Mayo Clinic recommends sitting in warm water for 5 to 15 minutes (you can also use cool water if you find it more comfortable). Sitz baths, just like this one, are readily available in pharmacies or online.

I found the Carex Sitz Bath very easy to use, thanks to its clear instructions. The bath places directly over the toilet when the seat is up and fits well over two different toilet types I tried. The thing I loved most about this bath is that it came with a hangable water bag and tube so you can keep your bath warmer longer without having to get up and refill it. The tube can slide in through either tub hole in the front or the back, so you can choose what’s most comfortable for you. It also attaches to the bottom of the tub so you can stay hands-free. The holes both in the front and back of the tub make emptying the water into the toilet when you’re done very easy and mess-free. While the Carex Sitz Bath is a great option, especially for the price, some hospitals do provide a sitz bath to their patients. Before purchasing, consider checking in with your care team to see what they’re able to provide.

For added relief, some postpartum parents choose to include salts like these Lansinoh Soothing Sitz Bath Saltsinto their sitz baths. The Epsom salts and herbal blend are designed to provide a calming, soothing effect on a sore perineum. Be sure to check with your medical team before adding salts to your bath though, since it's possible they may irritate tears or stitches.

If you’ve had a C-section, your doctor may recommend a prescription-strength painkiller to help ease your pain during the first few days after you give birth. However, if you had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and want something to help with soreness, Ward recommends alternating acetaminophen (Tylenol) every six hours with ibuprofen (Advil). If you happen to be breastfeeding, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally considered safe, but talk to your doctor before taking any medication.

I tested this Advil pain reliever for the first few days after delivery when my pain and soreness were at their highest. It’s a reliable, well-working tablet that helps reduce swelling in your whole body—and there are a lot of swollen, sore parts of your body after childbirth. Advil is fast-acting and long-lasting, so it can help get you through the most uncomfortable days. The bottle was also easy to open and close, and the childproof lock is reassuring if you have other kiddos in the house. The pills were small and easy to swallow with no strong flavor, which I appreciated. Even though it’s not strictly a postpartum product, it’s definitely something you’ll want to have on hand in those early days and weeks.