These postpartum supplies can help reduce pain, swelling and infection after birth, and otherwise make the newborn days more comfortable.
Frozen Maxi Pads with Witch Hazel or Comfrey
Witch hazel is an astringent which helps reduce inflammation and aids in healing. Soaking a maxi pad in witch hazel or even plain water and freezing it, curved over a bowl for shape, sounds unusual but can help soothe a sore perineum after birth. Comfrey tea is another brew which aids in healing, but is not recommended for women who have had stitches.
Honey or Nori for Healing Tears
Honey has a number of valuable medicinal properties - antibacterial, antimicrobial, helps prevent scarring and disinfects wounds. Raw UMF (unique manuka factor) is the best for wound healing, and has been used for postoperative care for a number of different types of injuries. Applied to torn labia or perineum it helps promote rapid healing.
Nori – the sheets of seaweed used for making sushi – is another unlikely ingredient for postpartum healing. Placed over tears, nori assists in the healing process. Replace the seaweed frequently.
Cloth Pads
Disposable pads, whether used post-partum or during menstruation, can prolong bleeding. Just as many women find their periods are a few days shorter while using cloth pads, some find post-partum lochia reduced in heaviness and duration by switching to cloth. While disposable pads are useful for the first few days post-partum, especially if using the frozen herbal pads mentioned above, wearing cloth pads after this may shorten the post-partum bleeding period.
Prune Juice and Stool Softeners
The first postpartum bowel motion can be painful; stool softeners are a good idea.
Frozen Meals
Takeout meals quickly become unappetising for a postpartum mother to recuperate on. Buying (or better yet, making) some easy-to-reheat frozen meals beforehand will save a good deal of stress and time during the newborn period. Some communities such as churches organise rosters for people to bring meals around to the family for the first few weeks postpartum.
Iron Supplements
To replenish iron stores lost during the birth and postpartum period, stock up on iron-rich foods or iron supplements. Some iron supplements can cause constipation, which should be avoided after birth, so be sure to combine any supplements with fiber-rich foods and fluids.
Peri Bottle
Urinating after birth can be painful, especially if the birth involved tearing or “grazing”. Using a peri bottle to dilute the flow of urine can reduce stinging. Some women fill these bottles with plain warm water; other use infusions of healing herbs. An alternative is to use a sitz bath, made with preparations such as the Merry Mama.
Breast Pads and Nursing Bras
The early days of breastfeeding often involve an easy letdown and/or oversupply; to cope with leaky breasts, use breast pads. Washable cloth pads are generally more comfortable and look more natural than disposable pads. Nursing bras and tank tops are another useful investment, but don’t buy too many before the birth; breast size can change significantly once a woman’s milk comes in.
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