The days after having a baby are something you can’t fully prepare for… no matter how much you read.
There’s a quiet mix of emotions—love, exhaustion, overwhelm—and your body is trying to heal while you’re learning this brand new little person in your arms.
After going through postpartum three different times, I started to notice what actually helped me during those early days… not just what sounded helpful, but what I truly reached for when I needed it most.
→ If you want to read the birth stories behind each postpartum experience, you can start here:
- The Birth That Made Me a Mom
- The Birth That Turned Everything Upside Down
- The Birth That Showed Me My Strength
These postpartum essentials became the things I reached for the most during recovery and those exhausting early days.
Here’s what truly made a difference for me.
The Postpartum Essentials That Helped Me Heal
1. A Gentle Stool Softener (don’t skip this one)
No one really prepares you for this part.
Going to the bathroom after birth can be uncomfortable, and it’s something you don’t want to wait until it becomes a problem.
→ The first 24 hours after birth can feel overwhelming in ways no one really talks about.
Staying ahead of it made a huge difference for me.
👉 I used something gentle like → [stool softener]
💛 Look for something non-stimulant and easy on your body.
2. Magnesium (quiet but powerful)
This is something I wish I understood sooner.
It helped support digestion, but also helped my body relax a little during a time that felt very overwhelming.
👉 I kept it simple with → [magnesium]
3. A Peri Bottle (you’ll use this a lot)
If you have any tearing or soreness, this becomes one of your most used items.
Using warm water instead of wiping just feels so much better.
👉 I used → [peri bottle]
💛 This is one of those things that makes everyday moments easier.
4. Healing Spray (small but noticeable relief)
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did.
That cooling, soothing feeling in those first few days really helped take the edge off.
👉 Something like → [healing spray]
5. Postpartum Underwear / Disposable Pull-Ups
Not glamorous… but honestly one of the most helpful things.
I didn’t have to stress about leaks or constantly changing—it just made things simpler.
👉 I used → [postpartum underwear]
6. Soft, Loose Pajamas
This sounds small, but it’s not.
When your body doesn’t feel like your own yet, being comfortable matters more than you think.
→ I also shared what I actually packed in my hospital bag and recovery bag here.
👉 I lived in something like → [pajamas]
7. Nursing Bras + Breast Pads
I didn’t fully think about this the first time.
Between feeding and leaking, having something comfortable just makes everyday life smoother.
👉 [nursing bra]
👉 [reusable breast pads]
The Little Things That Made a Big Difference
Having Simple Snacks Close By
There were so many moments I didn’t have the energy to make a full meal—especially when I was holding the baby or just feeling completely drained.
So I started keeping easy snacks nearby… not anything fancy, just things I could grab quickly without thinking.
And with my third, I had to be a little more mindful of what I was eating while breastfeeding. I noticed certain things didn’t sit well with him, so I leaned more toward simple, gentle foods.
Things like:
- dairy-free protein bars (My third baby had a terrible milk protein allergy)
- fruit
- toast with avocados or something quick and filling
- anything I could eat with one hand
👉 I kept things like → [dairy-free snacks]
💛 Nothing perfect—just something to keep me going.
Keeping Water Right Next to Me
This sounds simple… but it made a difference.
Especially while breastfeeding, I would get so thirsty and not even realize how much I needed it until I finally drank something.
Having a water bottle right next to me helped me stay on top of it without thinking.
After my third birth, I started using a copper water bottle, and I really enjoyed having it nearby throughout the day. I’ve read that they can have some added benefits too, which made me more mindful about using it—but it’s definitely something worth looking into for yourself.
👉 Something like → [water bottle]
A Quiet Shower When I Could Get One
Even just a quick shower helped me feel a little more like myself again.
Not rushed. Not perfect. Just a few quiet minutes to breathe.
There were days that felt heavy, and something as simple as warm water helped me reset more than I expected.
Creating a Calm Space
I didn’t realize how much my surroundings affected me until postpartum.
Softer lighting, less noise, a slower pace… it helped my mind settle when everything else felt overwhelming.
🤍 Letting Myself Rest (Even a Little)
This one didn’t come easy at first.
But letting someone hold the baby so I could rest—even for a short time—made a huge difference.
Sometimes even an hour helped me feel more present and grounded.
And slowly, I started to understand that taking care of myself was part of taking care of my baby too.
Those things may seem small…
But in postpartum, they’re not.
They’re what help you breathe a little easier when everything feels new and overwhelming.
Having a Place to Let It Out
This is something I didn’t think about at first…
But postpartum can feel like a lot to hold inside.
There were so many thoughts, emotions, and moments I didn’t always know how to process. Some days felt heavy, and other days I just needed a quiet place to slow down my mind.
Even just writing a few things down—how I was feeling, what the day looked like, or little moments I didn’t want to forget—helped me more than I expected.
👉 I kept something simple like → [journal]
💛 Nothing fancy… just a place to let it out when I needed to.
A Gentle Reminder
Every postpartum experience is different.
Take what feels right for you, leave what doesn’t.
And most importantly…
Take care of yourself while you’re taking care of your baby.
✨ Thank you for letting me share this part of my journey.
I hope this helps you feel just a little more prepared and supported going into postpartum.
This post may contain affiliate links. I only share products I personally used or found helpful during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
With love,
Rachel (RaiRai 💛)
If you’re in the postpartum season right now, I hope this reminds you to take care of yourself too 🤍
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