My Real-Life Postpartum Must-Haves (4 Babies Later, These Are My Ride-or-Dies)
Let’s talk about the fourth trimester—the sacred, beautiful, and sometimes really intense season right after birth.
I’ve been through it four times. And while each experience was different, the things that helped me feel supported, soothed, and a little more like myself stayed pretty consistent.
If you’re searching for a postpartum essentials checklist, this is a real-life version—based on what I actually used and what I recommend to my students.
But before we get into the list, here’s something I’ve learned:
.
Having the right items helps.
But it’s not what determines how postpartum actually feels.
Because postpartum isn’t just about what you have ready—
it’s about how prepared you are for the transition itself.
HEALING & RECOVERY
Soothing the body after birth—because recovery matters.
Herbal Sitz Bath
A simple way to reduce soreness and support healing in those early days. I used these daily in the first week—it made a noticeable difference.
DIY Padsicles with Witch Hazel
Cooling, soothing, and especially helpful in those first few days.
Postpartum Belly Wrap
Gentle support for your core and lower back while your body recovers.
Afterpains Tincture
The cramping hit harder with each baby. This natural remedy helped ease the pain as my uterus contracted back to it’s original size.
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
Tools that helped me nurse with more comfort and confidence.
Haakaa / Milkie Milk Collectors
An easy way to collect milk without pumping—one of the simplest ways to build a stash.
Silver Nipple Covers
Antimicrobial magic. Helpful for soothing and protecting sore skin during the early days.
Nipple Balm
For extra comfort between feeds.
Cooling Gel Breast Pads
When your milk comes in and everything feels tender—these help.
Organic Cotton Breast Pads
Reusable, breathable, and super soft. These were my go-to when I was ready to leave the house and avoid leaks.
COMFORT MUST-HAVES
Because rest and nourishment matter just as much as healing.
Nursing Pillow
Support for long feeds and better positioning.
Simple “Mom Station” Setup
This mattered more than anything fancy.
A robe you feel comfortable in
A large water bottle
Snacks within reach
Setting this up ahead of time made those early days so much smoother.
The Part Most Checklists Miss
Most postpartum checklists focus on what to buy.
But what actually makes the biggest difference is:
How you recover
How feeding is going
How you navigate the nights
How supported you feel
And for a lot of families…
that part gets figured out in real time.
Free Postpartum Essentials Checklist (Printable)
If you want something simple you can print and use as you prepare, I put everything into one place:
👉 Download the Postpartum Essentials Checklist
You can add your own items, adjust it to your preferences, and use it as a starting point.
You don’t need everything on this list to have a good postpartum experience.
But having a few things ready—and understanding what those early days actually look like—can make a big difference.
Because preparation doesn’t stop at birth.
And when you feel supported in those first few days, everything changes.
Want to feel prepared not just for postpartum—but for birth too?
