Postpartum Essentials

This is one of the most requested blog posts I’ve ever had. There were lots of questions and comments after my Newborn Essentials post all about what we’re using with Inès so this time it’s for us: the Postpartum Essentials. Everything a new Mum might want to sleep in, nurse in, relax with or enjoy.

Everyone has different taste in PJs but I’ve yet to meet  a girlfriend of mine who doesn’t adore their Eberjey pair. Long, short, matching, mens, cropped, stretchy, robes, rompers, camis, tees, nightgowns…shall I go on? I’ve got one of their slouchy pairs as well as a cropped pair. Loads of colours and buttons for feeding make these winners. They don’t ship over here BUT you can get them via Net-A-Porter…you’re welcome!

Our trusty friends at Marks & Spencer always do the best essentials but one thing I love from them, and the first thing I bought in preparation for the birth are these mule slippers. Grippy soles (ideal for hospital bathrooms), fluffy inside and four colours to choose from, I am LIVING in these.

Having comfortable underwear and practical nursing bras is SO important. No wires, soft materials and easy-to-remove straps makes up the checklist you need to follow. I’ve put loads of good ones in the Baby & Maternity section of my Amazon shop but Hatch is also fab. For breast pads, I love Confitex. They’re washable, reusable and contoured and come with a handy little leakproof bag. They’re award winning too!

My Amazon shop also has the holy grail of postpartum essentials…the mesh maternity underwear. Stretch, skin-friendly and in a pack of 10, I don’t think there’s a Mum who wouldn’t say these are a post-delivery must have. You can shop them here.

I’ve been keeping things very simple beauty-wise. MooGoo has the best nipple balm; I’ve been using Pai Skincare oil (so good for sensitive skin) and Mutha oil (which is hypoallergenic) for stretch marks. If you’ve had a C-section then Nessa Organics Scar Saviour is one a lot of women swear by.

Pre birth I had upped my vitamin intake and some of them need to be taken post birth too as your body is in need of some healing help. Definitely check with your doctor or health practitioner before you take any new supplement.

These vitamins have exactly the Folic Acid dose as recommended by the Department of Health. For healthy cells, protection of cell damage and tissue growth, this one comes highly recommended. I’m still taking these post birth to help with keeping all my vitamin levels up.

The list of benefits on this probiotic is long. Essentially it’s for gastrointestinal health, gut support, aiding digestion, constipation relief…all the joyful tummy troubles that birth brings!

I recommended Kayo recently when talking about my favourite pregnancy beauty brands. It was started by my friend Christine Bullock and as well as some wonderful beauty products, they also have some supplements. I’ve been taking the Daily Defense Curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory with magnesium and frankincense.

When I was researching tea that helps with breastmilk production, this one came up as number one everywhere. It was voted Best Maternity Product in the UK Baby Awards 2019 so…I’d say it was popular. It’s got rosemary, fennel seeds, star anise, lemon verbena and nettle leaf in it so it’s packed full of natural good stuff; it’s caffeine free and helps with promoting milk production. Gluten free, vegan friendly and the pyramid teabags are biodegradable.

I talk about Vital Proteins a lot on my Instagram stories as I take them when I’m not pregnant. Collagen is good for everything. but make sure you check with your health practitioner before you start taking it.

Bathroom

Your midwife will help with post-birth bathroom advice but I’ve linked below to some of the things I found helpful when I had Honor. Keep everything in one place and over order on these things as you’ll get through more than you think. Anything that can be used hot or cold is a real go-to for me as your body temperature goes a little haywire.

I’m keen to take a little time to be in the newborn bubble, even though realistically I know there will still be outside pressures and distractions of life, work, and having a toddler. But taking each day as it comes, and remembering the bad ones do end, and the good ones are gold-dust, is easier with the hindsight of having had Honor. I have a loose plan, but I’m also going to try and go with the flow, when it comes to breast-feeding, any kind of baby schedule, my own recovery, and how much I end up doing – and how quickly. If I feel like seeing a friend or going for coffee, i will, and if I don’t – then I won’t feel any guilt saying no to visitors for a while either. If I want to put on makeup and normal clothes then I will, but If I want to stay in PJ’s and look like a mess for a while, i’ll do that too! It’s a prime time to be a little selfish and put the family unit before anything else.

Perhaps the most important postpartum essential is rest….when we can get it of course… but I hope the above suggestions will help. What have I missed?! Let me know and I will add it to my Baby & Maternity shop.

xx,