The Postpartum Essentials Guide:
Supplies, Symptoms & When to See Me!
Everything you need to know for your first weeks postpartum — from what to stock to when to ask for help.
Hey friend — I am so glad you're here. Whether you're weeks away from your due date or you're reading this in the thick of early postpartum, this guide was made for you. Your body just did something enormous. These are the practical, no-fluff things I wish every new family had from day one.
Your Postpartum Recovery Kit
Stock these before your due date. You will not want to be ordering anything at midnight in those first days home.
Gentle cleansing after every bathroom visit — essential for comfort whether or not you had a tear. Use warm water every single time.
View on Amazon →Benzocaine numbing spray for perineal pain — the hospital often sends you home with one, but having your own means you'll never run out.
View on Amazon →Reduces swelling and pain in the first 24–72 hours. Get the reusable kind and you'll be able to use them for other stuff too!
View on Amazon →Cooling, soothing, and reduces swelling. Layer in your pad or apply directly to the perineum. A game-changer for hemorrhoids too.
View on Amazon →The mesh hospital underwear is beloved for a reason. Stock up — you'll want far more than you think, especially in that first week home.
View on Amazon →You'll be bleeding for a while, and just the reassurance of having something you know you won't leak through is amazing.
View on Amazon →Regular pads won't cut it in those first days. Stock the longest, most absorbent ones you can find — you'll be glad you did.
View on Amazon →Waterproof mattress-or-couch-protecting pads you'll use constantly — for birth, early postpartum, and honestly for years to come once baby is here.
View on Amazon →Your first postpartum bowel movement doesn't have to be traumatic. Start taking this immediately after birth and keep taking it until things feel normal.
View on Amazon →Warm water soaks relieve perineal soreness and support tissue healing. Sits right over your toilet — 15 minutes of pure relief.
View on Amazon →Safe postpartum and one of the most effective tools for managing pain and inflammation. The moment baby arrives, it's okay to take it.
View on Amazon →Supports bowel regularity, sleep quality, and nervous system regulation — all three of which take a significant hit postpartum.
View on Amazon →Hydration goes way beyond water postpartum — especially if you're breastfeeding. LMNT is our go-to for replenishing what your body is giving out.
Visit LMNT for a free sample pack! →A small rolling cart stocked with everything you need means you're never stranded on the couch without your essentials. Keep one by your feeding spot — it's a total game changer.
View on Amazon →For afterpains (especially intense with subsequent babies), breast engorgement, and general comfort. A postpartum non-negotiable.
View on Amazon →The Lactation Essentials
As an IBCLC, I have opinions. These are the things I actually recommend to my clients — not just what looks pretty in a flat lay.
Pure silver nipple cups that use the antimicrobial properties of silver to soothe, protect, and heal between feeds. Worth every penny.
View on Amazon →A clean, beautifully formulated nipple balm for healing cracked or sore nipples. Safe for baby — no need to wipe off before feeding.
⚠️ Important: Do not use alongside Silverettes. Choose one or the other, not both.
Soft, washable, and so much better than disposable. Slip these inside your bra to absorb leaks between feeds without the waste or irritation.
View on Amazon →Non-negotiable. A good hands-free bra means you can eat, scroll, or just rest while you pump instead of holding flanges in place for 20+ minutes.
View on Amazon →You need to drink constantly when you're breastfeeding. A big, beautiful bottle you actually want to reach for makes a real difference. You deserve something that brings you a little joy.
View on Amazon →An insulated bottle that keeps pumped milk cold for up to 20 hours and goes straight into your bag. A cult favorite among pumping parents for very good reason.
Get Yours! →There is such a small window to capture these uniquely tender moments with your newborn. You will never regret having these photos. It is truly a gift to your future self.
Book It Now! →This is one of the most common and most fixable reasons pumping is painful or ineffective. Most people are using the wrong size right out of the box. An IBCLC can measure you properly — it makes a huge difference.
Book with Be Well Baby →Most insurance plans cover a breast pump — and Aeroflow makes it incredibly easy to claim yours. Don't pay out of pocket for something you're likely entitled to for free.
Visit Aeroflow →When to Keep Healing — and When to Get Help
Not every symptom means something is wrong. But some symptoms mean you deserve more support than you're currently getting. Here's how to tell the difference.
- Vaginal bleeding that gradually lightens over 4–6 weeks
- Perineal soreness in the first 1–2 weeks
- Mild cramping as your uterus contracts back down
- Occasional leaking when you laugh, sneeze, or cough
- Feeling some pressure or heaviness when you're upright for a while
- Night sweats as your hormones shift
- Leaking that hasn't improved by 6–8 weeks postpartum
- Pain with intercourse when you try to resume
- Ongoing pelvic pressure or heaviness beyond 6 weeks
- Difficulty fully emptying your bladder or bowels
- Scar tissue pain at your incision or perineal tear site
- Low back or hip pain that isn't improving
- Bleeding that increases or soaks more than a pad an hour
- Visible bulging or a sensation of something falling out vaginally
- Inability to control bowel movements
- Sharp or severe pelvic pain at any point
- Any symptoms still present at 3 months — research shows these rarely resolve without support
Ready for more support?
If anything in this guide resonated — or if you're realizing you need more than a guide — I'd love to connect. Be Well Baby supports families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and life with a baby, both in Portland and online.
Visit Be Well Baby Beyond Birth Blueprint