Postpartum essentials to aid your recovery after giving birth

A peri bottle helps cleanse and care for the perineum (the area between your vagina and your bottom) following birth. This bottle from Frida Mom allows for a gentle stream of water to be directed at the perineum which can help to reduce swelling, prevent infection and ease any discomfort caused by stitches. Ergonomically designed, it’s a doddle to use and consistently receives glowing reviews.

If you had stitches after birth, it can help you to feel clean and refreshed without disrupting them. This bottle is a must-have for your postpartum essentials kit – and at a really good price too!

One BabyCentre parent said: “A perineum bottle was my absolute saviour last time!”

To support you through the early days of breastfeeding and the pain of sore or cracked nipples, a good nipple cream is a must-have item. A cult product in the world of postpartum care, few products come as highly recommended as Lansinoh’s Lanolin Nipple Cream.

This multi award-winning skincare hero consists of just a single, natural ingredient: lanolin. It works by forming a protective shield over the nipples which helps them to heal, at the same time as preventing additional irritation and chafing. And there's no need to remove it before a feeding session. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin is 100% natural, hypoallergenic and ethically sourced as well as being approved by Allergy UK. So, it's completely safe for little sucklers.

Members of our BabyCentre Community say it is one of their most essential postpartum products, and one that transformed their breastfeeding experience.

One BabyCentre parent said: “I 100% recommend it for soreness and cracking.”

During childbirth, your perineum can experience significant stress, leading to swelling, bruising, and tearing for which you may need stitches. Raved about by parents who have used it post-birth, this spray offers relief and comfort to this delicate area and has countless mentions in our BabyCentre Community chats.

If your baby arrived by caesarean you can apply it to your scar to support healing. Developed by midwives and part of a widely acclaimed range of products designed to support women throughout pregnancy and beyond, Spritz for Bits contains a blend of lavender, witch hazel, and tea tree oil – ingredients known for their antibacterial properties and ability to soothe.

One BabyCentre parent said:“Spritz for Bits! It's amazing stuff!”

These reusable breast pads from Lansinoh can offer postpartum support for sore breasts and can even help with milk letdown if you’re breastfeeding. To help reduce pain and swelling from engorgement or mastitis, simply pop the freezer-cooled pads inside your bra over the top of the breasts. The cold temperature against the skin helps to reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels making you feel far more comfortable. Warmed up, the pads can encourage milk let down and promote a faster flow as well as help to unclog milk ducts – something which BabyCentre Community members share helped them with breastfeeding challenges.

One BabyCentre parent said:“Lansinoh Therapearl Breast Pads. Life saver for sore boobs and blocked ducts. Also helped my sore boobs when stopping breastfeeding.”

The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump is a practical and efficient milk-collecting device for nursing mums which can help to make the breastfeeding journey a little easier. It’s especially helpful in the early days where it can relieve the discomfort of engorgement.

Highly praised by the BabyCentre Community, the Haakaa is technically not a ‘pump’ at all, but uses gentle suction to extract breast milk as your baby is feeding on your other breast. The reason it’s such a handy piece of kit is it ensures you don’t lose a drop when breasts letdown simultaneously.

The Haakaa’s compact size also means you can chuck it in your changing back for use on the go when you need it. The lack of wires and attachments is a big plus too: once the suction is activated (just gently squeeze the bulb) you can feed hands-free.

It’s worth mentioning that while it is a popular choice and loads of mums find it incredibly useful, some have found it to be less comfortable than wearing than an electric pump and (no surprises) lacks the power of a motorised pump. If you’re pumping regularly, we’d definitely recommend adding an electric pump to your list of essentials, too.

One BabyCentre parent said:"The Haakaa breast pump is the BEST thing I have ever used! It’s an absolute game changer… I highly recommend it.”

Another highly recommended product from Frida Mom's postpartum essentials collection is disposable postpartum underwear. These cotton pants are breathable and stretchy, and will keep postpartum pads in place, offering comfort and peace of mind. They can be really handy in the first few days of adjusting to life with a little one, protecting you from leaks and sparing you from having to deal with cleaning postpartum laundry.

For mamas who have given birth by c-section, Frida Mom have also designed a pair to sit comfortably above your scar. Top marks.

As well as disposable underwear recommendations, many mums in the BabyCentre Community enthuse about buying a few pairs of quality, soft ‘big pants’ to wear with maternity pads. We’ve picked out these full cotton briefs from trusted brand Sloggi which come in a handy 3-pack. Made from high-quality breathable cotton with lycra, (for that vital bit of s-t-r-e-t-c-h!), they have soft seams for additional comfort and offer good value for money. Reviews cite how comfortable and well-made they are – although one suggests sizing up for a looser fit. Unleash your inner Bridget.

One BabyCentre member said: “Big pants. Not any special maternity ones, just the massive full brief-type ones a size or two up from pre-pregnancy size. In black.”

Koala Babycare silver nipple protectors have been highlighted in our BabyCentre Community as a hero product that helped to heal and protect nipples when creams just weren't doing the trick. Made of 100% Silver 999 which is known for its healing, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, wearing these shields between feeds can help to bring relief and create a barrier against clothing, which in serious cases of cracking and soreness can rub against the nipples and cause more discomfort. While they might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the reviews are largely positive, with many saying they helped when nothing else did and enabled them to continue breastfeeding when they thought their only option was to stop.

Some mums did share that the shields did not cover their areola which caused them some discomfort, so it’s important to check if they will be a good fit for your nipples and won’t dig in around the edges. There are two sizes of shield available (regular and maxi).

One BabyCentre member said: “I bought the Koala silver nipple shields; they literally saved my nipples in the first few weeks because the cream didn’t do much as my nipples weren’t dry or cracked, just painful.”

Your breasts are likely to be very sensitive and tender following childbirth due to the hormonal changes that are taking place and the onset of milk production. A soft, breathable bra is a must-have clothing item which can offer comfort and gentle support. It was one of the essential postpartum purchases highlighted by our BabyCentre mamas, with M&S receiving a complimentary shout out. It’s also a good idea to choose one made from stretch material so it can accommodate changes in breast size.

We've picked out the Flexifit™ Non Wired Nursing Bra from M&S as it offers a really comfortable fit that supports the changing curves of your body and features an inner cotton sling which provides extra support when nursing. There are plenty of reviews to have a look at if you need more feedback, with many fans highlighting its smooth lines, comfort and support.

BabyCentre members said:

“It’s the best nursing bra I have ever owned. It's soft like butter, supportive enough for my 38F boobs, easy to access for feeding and SO comfortable,”

“Quality is good and the snaps are easy to do one-handed. Wish I had bought this sooner.”

A postnatal maxi pad with a difference. Not only are these pads highly absorbent to protect from leaks, they have a built-in first-aid pack to bring relief to the swollen perineal area, activated by ‘snapping’ the cooling pack. While they cost considerably more than regular postnatal pads, many mums say they’re worth every penny for the comfort they bring – up to 20 minutes of cool relief in a jiffy.

A good breastfeeding pillow can help you to position your baby at the correct height and angle, so it’s easier for them to latch onto the breast properly. This will help to minimise the risk of poor latch issues, which can lead to nipple pain and ineffective feeding. We love this curved nursing pillow from Mamas & Papas which moulds around your body and gives you support where it’s needed. Made from layers of organic sustainably-sourced cotton, cool muslin and ultrasoft knits, it’s soft to the touch and will ensure a snuggly resting spot for your little one to have their lunch, whether breast or bottle feeding. In the event of inevitable spills and splashes, simply pop the cover (which comes in the bundle) in the machine at 40°C.

We all know that drinking water is vital for our health. It's especially important to stay hydrated after giving birth to help prevent prevent constipation and urinary tract infections. You also need to stay hydrated if you're breastfeeding. Breast milk is largely made up of water and so it’s crucial that your daily water intake is enough to ensure a sufficient supply for your baby.

Having a water bottle to hand at all times – especially when you’re nursing – is a great idea. Although not one of the cheaper bottles on the market, a Stanley drinks bottle is a sound investment, made to last, and enables you to keep your drinks cold for up to 12 hours or iced for up to 48 hours. Impressive, hey? We also love that it's easy to carry, is car-cup holder compatible and can clip onto your buggy so you can take it wherever you go. Plus, did we mention it's available in lots of gorgeous colours? That helped to turn our heads too.

These super-soft cotton pads are perfect for gently soothing the perineal area or haemorrhoids and can help to reduce swelling and bruising. Soaked with witch hazel, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, the pads should be placed on top of a maternity pad and worn until you change. This award-winning product is not only great for use after birth, it can be used to treat the whole family for minor skin wounds, sunburn, spots, and itching.

What do I need for postpartum recovery?

Caring for your newborn while recovering from childbirth can be both physically and emotionally demanding. There are a few things you can do to make life a little easier and yourself more comfortable, and some great products worth adding to your postpartum wish list.

Where possible, stock up in advance so when the time to meet your little one finally arrives you can focus on your baby and the magic of getting to know each other (in the outside world!).

Your postpartum recovery kit shopping list should include:

Postpartum hygiene essentials

• High-absorbency maternity pads
• Peri bottle for perineal hygiene
• Perineal cleansing pads
• Breast pads - to manage leaks and keep you dry and comfortable

Postpartum clothing and support items

• Loose, breathable clothing
• Comfortable underwear (bring on the big knickers!)
• A soft, supportive nursing bra
• A tummy wrap or binder - offers abdominal support post vaginal or caesarean birth

Postpartum breastfeeding support

• A nursing pillow - to support you with positioning
• A breast pump - for expressing milk and relieving engorgement
• Nipple repair cream - to heal and protect cracked/sore nipples

Postpartum pain relief and repair

• Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen
• Cool packs - for soothing sore areas such as the perineum and c-section scar
• Perineal spray/foam - for providing relief

Postpartum hydration and nutrition

• A water bottle to keep hydrated (crucial for recovery and breastfeeding)
• Healthy snacks (for an energy boost)

Postpartum relaxation

• Bath salts
• Essential oils (always check which are recommended to use)
• Relaxing music
• A good book or audiobook