DIY Postpartum Care Kit
Are you looking to create a DIY postpartum care kit? Then let us show you how to create a postpartum care kit that contains all the postpartum essentials you’ll need after the birth of your baby.
Creating a DIY postpartum essentials kit before your baby arrives is a must!
Not only will it help to make you feel more comfortable, but it can also play an important part in your postpartum recovery.
We recommend creating a couple of postpartum care kits so you can always have one on hand when you need it. Great places to stash one include your hospital bag (essential!), home bathroom or bathrooms, and a smaller kit for your diaper bag so you have one handy whilst on the go.
But what do you include in a postpartum care kit?
In this guide, we are going to list out all the postpartum must haves we used for our postpartum recovery as well as our favorite postpartum care kit supplies for breastfeeding.
And if you love this guide for a DIY postpartum kit, then make sure to check out our guides on best postpartum diapers, best postpartum tea, and best snacks for hospital bag. Or even our guide on what to wear in the hospital after giving birth.
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DIY Postpartum Kit
Whilst some hospitals may provide new moms with postpartum supplies like a bed pad, mesh panties, postpartum pads, and so on, it is probably enough to supply you for your entire recovery, only during your hospital stay.
It is not something I would be comfortable to reply on.
The only way to ensure you have these supplies on hand is to supply them yourself.
So, let’s dive in and take a look at the postpartum care kit items that you want stocked and on-hand in the house before baby arrives.
And if you are having a c section, you’ll want to check out our ultimate guide on c section recovery must haves as they will differ somewhat to a vaginal birth.
1. Bed Pads
Postpartum bleeding is normal.
And it starts off heavy.
Whilst your flow will slow over time, your postpartum bleeding often lasts for four to six weeks but can last up to 12 weeks after your baby is born.
During the first few days or more you’ll want to a bed pad under yourself while you sleep in case of leaking due to the heavy bleeding.
A bed pad helps to protect your sheets and mattress and hopefully saves you a pile of washing.
2. Waterproof Mattress Protector
Like with a bed pad, a waterproof mattress protector is great to protect your mattress from unexpected stains. This could be postpartum bleeding, breastmilk as your supply kicks in, or even heavy sweating as your hormones adjust.
Either way you’ll want a waterproof mattress protector on your bed!
3. Overnight Pads/Maternity Pads
As we mentioned heavy bleeding it to be expected for at least the first 7-10 days. Normal pads will not be enough, and you’ll put yourself at risk for leaks.
So, we strongly recommend that you buy yourself a packet or two of heavy pads.
![Postpartum Maternity Pads [Pack of 28]](https://proudhappymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/31oK10G8L-L._SL500_.webp)
4. Extra Long Regular Pads
When the heavy bleeding ends, you may still bleed for up to 12 weeks, extra-long pads will help catch everything better, but you won’t need the bulk of an overnight maxi pad anymore.
5. Postpartum Underwear (aka postpartum diapers)
When it comes to postpartum bleeding, the trick is to find a solution that best suits you!
Many new moms love the comfort that postpartum diapers provide.
Afterall, holding in a giant pad and ice pack is a job for underwear with a lot more coverage. Postpartum underwear is designed with a wide and comfy waist band to help keep everything secure.
There are though some options that you have when it comes to postpartum underwear depending on what makes you feel the most comfortable. These include:
- postpartum underwear
- postpartum underwear for c section
- postpartum underwear with postpartum pad
- mesh panties with postpartum pad
- period panties with postpartum pad
- granny panties with postpartum pad
You may even want to have a couple of options like the Frida Mom Disposable High Waist C-Section Underwear on hand, especially if you have had a C-section.
With 100% leak protection the Always Discreet Boutique low-rise incontinence underwear are a favorite among new moms!
Not only do they look like real underwear, they are comfortable too!
But what makes them stand out is the innovative absorbent technology that turns bleeding into a gel as it helps to prevent infections and lock in odors.
6. Witch Hazel Wipes/Pads
Witch Hazel will be your best friend on your swollen and uncomfortable lady parts and to provide relief from pesky hemorrhoids.
You can make your own DIY witch hazel pads postpartum by spraying a distilled witched hazel and aloe vera gel mixture onto a maternity pad and then folding it back up and placing it into a ziplock plastic bag in the freezer.
Here is our recommended mixture for your padsicle:
2 tbsp of witch hazel
1 tbsp of aloe vera
drop of lavender oil
7. Postpartum Cold Packs
Ice is also going to be key in your postpartum recovery due to all of the swelling and hemorrhoids.
We recommend getting a couple of cold packs that you can use as needed.
8. Peri-Bottle
Even if you don’t need stitches, wiping after using the bathroom hurts after you have a baby.
Instead, we recommend cleaning yourself with a peri bottle.
Simply fill up the peri-bottle with warm water and gently spray yourself clean.
You’ll want to invest in a peri-bottle that is angles upwards so you can easily reach where you need to reach without straining yourself.
9. Sitz Spray / Numbing Spray
If you’re after some added relief down there, then you may want to consider using a sitz or numbing spray to help make you more comfortable.
10. Stool Softener
Postpartum bowel movements are no joke! Especially if you have had a c-section or have a bunch of stiches down there.
A stool soften can help to easy so of the strain and make the process more tolerable, but ensure your consult with your doctor or midwife first.
11. Postpartum Sitz Bath Soak
Taking a sitz bath is a wonderful way to soothe your swelling and hemorrhoids down there.
There are some fantastic herbs for postpartum bath that are going to give you relief as well as aid in your recovery.
Simply fill your tub with a few inches of warm water, add your sitz bath soak, and relax.
12. Donut Pillow
Even just sitting will be uncomfortable after you have a baby. A donut pillow will allow you to sit and take the pressure off of your sensitive bottom.
This is especially great if you had a tear or needed stiches!
13. Postpartum Tea
Nothing is more relaxing than sitting down in your comfy postpartum pajamas with a cup of hot tea, especially when you’re trying to recover postpartum and navigating your life as a new mom.
Herbal teas have been used for centuries by new moms and are often considered to have properties that may benefit your postpartum recovery.
So, make sure you add a pack or two of postpartum teas to your postpartum kit so you sit down with a cup of tea and relax.
Created with new moms in mind, Pink Stork postpartum recovery tea is 100% organic without any GMO ingredients!
Ingredient in this postpartum tea include Red Raspberry Leaf, Oat Straw, and Dandelion, along with several other carefully chosen components.
And best of all it tastes great!
14. C-Section Recovery Kit
If you’re planning to have a C-section then there are a few extras that you will want to include in your DIY C-Section postpartum kit.
These include:
- C-section postpartum underwear that won’t rub on your incision
- Baby wipes for a waterless shower
- Scar gel
- Postpartum abdominal support binder
Postpartum Care Kit Supplies For Breastfeeding
While you are creating a postpartum care kit for your recovery ‘down there’, it’s also a great time to create a nursing supply basket. Having everything you need for successful breastfeeding and breast comfort in an easy to transport caddy will make nursing easier.
1. Nipple Cream
The thing you don’t expect as a new mom is how sore your nipples are going to get when you start breastfeeding!
It doesn’t matter if it is your first or fifth, if your starting breastfeeding with your new baby, you can expect dry and cracked nipples.
That’s where a soothing nipple cream can be a life saver as you and your baby are first learning how to breastfeeding together.
2. Breast Pads
Whether you opt for disposable or reusable breast pads, having breast pads on hand is a must!
Your nipples will leak quite a bit as your body builds a supply and gains control of the letdown reflex. Breast pads will help protect your clothes from breastmilk stains as well as help prevent embarrassing leaks.
3. Comfy Nursing Bras
You will mostly be lounging around feeding the new baby, no need for fancy and uncomfortable nursing bras. What are known as ‘night nursing’ bras are a must!
You may want to check out our guides on best nursing bras for large breasts and how many nursing bras do I need?
When it comes to maternity bras, your comfort is the up most important! And that's why we love these wirefree nursing bras! They are soft, seamless and super supportive and even come with matching bra extenders to ensure maximum comfort.
These bras offer full courage, and they have removable padded cups for discretion. In addition, the straps have easy drop-down cups that give you easy access for your baby.
4. Snacks
You’ll be surprised how hungry you get breastfeeding! Having a few high energy snacks such as trail mix and energy bars in your favorited nursing spots can be a real hunger buster.
5. Water Bottle
Just like being hungry, you’ll also be surprised how thirty you are breastfeeding!
Having a large water bottle on hand is a must.
6.Nursing Pillow
A nursing pillow isn’t essential, but it is certainly a nice to have when you are breastfeeding. It will save your arms from aching as well as help you position your baby.
You might like our review on My Brest Friend vs Boppy nursing pillows.
The My Brest Friend nursing pillow is a fantastic choice when it comes to supporting both mother and baby during breast and bottle feeding.
The pillow wraps around your torso providing built-in back support and is secured with a clasp so it stays in position.
The top of the cushion is flat which helps your baby to maintain the ideal positioning to latch on.
And the flat front cushion eliminates the gap between the baby and parent, which prevents your baby from rolling in or away during breastfeeding.
The cover is both removable and machine washable for easy cleaning.
Final Thoughts On Postpartum Recovery Kits
Postpartum recovery can be tough but being prepare with a postpartum care kit can help to alleviate some of your discomfort!
We hope this guide has been helpful in helping you decide exactly what you need to have on hand when your baby arrives.
An if you love this postpartum care kit checklist, make sure you check out our guides on how to save money on baby items, things new moms need for themselves, best body lotion for pregnancy, and what to wear home from hospital after giving birth.
