POSTPARTUM MOM ESSENTIALS
Every mom gets ready for baby's big arrival, BUT make sure you make preparations for your personal recovery after baby as well. I wanted to compile a list of items that I found useful during my postpartum recovery. If you have any recommendations of what has helped you, please share in the comments below.
I have personally used all of these products that are below. This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, if you click through an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. Thank you for supporting our blog if you buy any of these items through my personal links. :)
I can't recommend the Bellefit enough. It has made a HUGE difference with my postpartum recovery. I developed diastasis recti(abdominal separation) while pregnant so I was still getting the "Are you pregnant" question 4 months after having Brynlee. I was working out, eating well, and still had a HUGE belly. I decided to try the corset and....the results have been amazing. I started with the X-Large and then used the large, and now I'm wearing the medium corset. It has made my belly bulge drastically smaller while supporting my back (I had such bad back pain postpartum because I initially didn't have strong abs to support my back). It has helped me feel more confident in my own body again and only wished that I would have tried this right after delivery as recommended.
The Bellefit is WORTH the investment, but use code "fifelife" for $20 off on bellefit.com.
2) Ashwagandha 1950mg Organic Ashwagandha Root Powder
I have a history with depression and anxiety, so postpartum depression and anxiety was something that I expected, but still surprised with how HARD it was feeling EXTRA depressed, anxious, and stressed. I know there are safe anti-depressant prescriptions, but for me personally, I am choosing to not use any medication right now while I am breastfeeding. I have tried numerous of other naturopathic options, and I have felt a HUGE difference taking Ashwagandha. It is a natural anti-anxiety supplement made from ayurveda herbs. I'm not exactly sure what or why this helps, but I'm grateful that it does greatly reduce my depressive and anxiety symptoms.
With over 30,000 reviews and reading that someone actually delivered a baby on their bed without ruining their mattress because of this mattress cover, I was sold! We have a memory foam mattress, so everything that spills on our bed (baby spit up, blow outs, breastmilk leaking) hasn't ruined our mattress thanks to this mattress protector. It has been a lifesaver!
Always Ultra Thin Pads, Size 1, Regular Absorbency
Poise Overnight Incontinence Pads Ultimate Absorbency
Depend FIT-FLEX Incontinence Underwear for Women
5) GLYTONE Acne Clearing Toner, 8 Fl Oz
Hormones changing and lack of sleep after baby usually leads to breakouts. :/ I can not recommend this toner enough! Whenever I stop using this, my face breaks out. I pour this on a cotton ball and wipe off my face morning and night and feel like it's the secret to clear skin!!
6) PU Leather Diaper Bag Backpack
I'm obsessed with this diaper bag! I had a budget of baby items that I needed, and decided that a diaper bag wasn't a big priority compared to other items I wanted to buy for Brynlee.
I don't know why I waited 8 months to finally buy one! (I tried using bags I currently owned and even backpacks, but nothing I used seemed to fit everything I needed or had enough pockets.) I really wanted a Fawn Design bag, but those were SO expensive, so I found this replica and have been absolutely obsessed with it. It has 7 interior pockets, 6 exterior pockets, can fit everything I need, and....is actually affordable and cute!! It also comes with convertible shoulder straps and a diaper pad. Love love love this bag!
7) doTERRA On Guard Protecting Throat Drops
I don't exactly know what is in these drops that help my immune system so much, but whenever I feel like I am about to get sick, I take these (usually one a day for about 2-3 days) and I start feeling better within a day! I haven't been full out sick for over a year because of these drops!
Buy a good pair of leggings. I practically lived (still do actually) in my Lalabu Leggings. (like it's a little ridiculous how often I wear these leggings!) I wear them on hikes, camping, exercising.... but also can get away with wearing a cute blouse and cardigan with them. I love how these leggings are high-waisted with a compression panel. I think they are totally worth the cost because of how durable and comfortable the material is.
(ALSO, Lalabu has a baby wearing soothe shirt that has a cozy pouch to have your baby snuggle against you....I really loved wearing this on walks and hikes with Brynlee. I feel that baby carriers are so bulky, and this shirt was perfect.) There is a shirt for moms (Lalabu Soothe Shirt) and also a shirt made for dads too!
I feel like the only way I survived my morning sickness while pregnant was because of the Pink Stork Probiotic. I haven't tried a product that I haven't liked from Pink Stork and think their customer service is AMAZING. I made a YouTube video right after I had Brynlee reviewing Pink Stork's products that you can watch here:
My FAVORITES are:
Pink Stork Uplift: Postpartum Mood Tea- Again, I can't really explain exactly why, but glad it helps. This tea has a blend of chamomile, lemon verbena, and motherwort mixed together. I often take it in the afternoon when I need a little pick me up, and like how I feel calmer afterwards.
I also take their Liquid Prenatal Vitamin, which I think also helps elevate my mood. (I think the prenatal vitamin is also a mood regulator because liquid vitamins are proven to be 8 times more effective due to better absorption).
The Pink Stork Labor Prep Tea (drink before delivery!) I really think drinking this tea helped me push out Brynlee (I had an induction so the whole process was more than 24 hours of building up contractions, but the actual pushing part (being a first time mom!) took me only about 20 minutes.
The Pink Stork True Milk Breastfeeding Support improves milk supply and flow. I've lost over 50 pounds in 8 months, so I was worried about my milk supply decreasing due to loosing weight. I take this about once a week, and I've been doing great! My friend has taken this every day and she thinks this has saved her breastfeeding experience due to having low milk supply previous to taking this. This also comes in a tea: Pink Stork Lactation Herbal Mint Nursing Support Tea.
This camera is not really a postpartum essential necessarily, but for those who have asked what camera I have, this is it! It has more than enough accessories that comes with the camera (I'm still learning how to use all of them), but the camera is a great starter camera to learn photography.
Photography has been an enjoyable hobby of mine since having Brynlee. Choose a hobby that you enjoy and even with all of your new mommy responsibilities, make sure you schedule in some "me" time doing something that you love.
There are my TOP 10 Postpartum Essentials! Comment below what you have found helpful in your postpartum recovery and let me know if you have any questions!
xoxo
