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 more supported, soothed, and sane stayed pretty consistent.

Below, I’ve rounded up my ride-or-die postpartum tools, organized into the categories that made the most difference. Whether you’re prepping for baby #1 or just want a smoother recovery this time around—this is for you.

And yes—some of these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). I only share things I’ve personally used, loved, and would recommend to my sister or best friend.

HEALING & RECOVERY

Soothing the body after birth—because you deserve comfort, not chaos.

Herbal Sitz Bath

A healing herbal blend to reduce soreness and swelling.
I used these every day for the first 3–5 days postpartum and it felt like spa therapy for my perineum.
👉 Grab a quality herbal blend here.

DIY Padsicles with Witch Hazel

Cooling and soothing—especially in those first few days.
Just add witch hazel to pads, freeze them, and thank yourself later.
👉 Get witch hazel here.

Postpartum Belly Wrap

Gentle compression helped me feel supported (and less like jelly) while my body healed.
Bonus: it gave my lower back some much-needed relief.
👉 Check out an affordable, comfy wrap here.

Afterpains Tincture

The cramping hit harder with each baby. This natural remedy helped ease the pain as my uterus contracted back down.
👉 Here’s the one I used and loved.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

Tools that helped me nurse with more comfort and confidence.

Haakaa / Milkie Milk Collectors

No cords. No effort. Just slip one in your bra and collect milk while you nurse on the other side.
This was one of my favorite breastfeeding hacks for building a stash without pumping.
👉 Check them out here.

Silver Nipple Covers

Antimicrobial magic. These helped my sore, cracked nipples heal quickly—without any creams.
👉 Find the ones I swear by here.

Nipple Balm

When I needed more moisture and comfort between feedings, this natural balm saved me.
👉 View my go-to balm here.

Cooling Gel Breast Pads

When your milk comes in and everything feels sore or engorged, these cooling pads are heaven.
👉 I kept these in my nursing kit—grab them here.

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.
👉 Check out the ones I used here.

COMFORT MUST-HAVES

Because rest and nourishment matter just as much as healing.

Nursing Pillow

A well-fitted pillow made all the difference during long feeds.
It supported my arms and baby—and helped prevent that dreaded shoulder hunch.
👉 Find a highly rated option here.

Soft Robe + Water Bottle + Snack Basket

Okay, not affiliate links—but real talk?
Having a cozy robe, a giant water bottle, and snacks stashed by my bed made postpartum so much smoother.
Pro tip: set up a little “mom station” near your nursing area so you’re not constantly getting up.

Want the printable version?

I put all of these into a free downloadable Postpartum Essentials Checklist so you can print it, add your favorites, and get prepped with confidence.

👉 Grab your free checklist here.

You were made for this.
With the right tools and the right mindset, postpartum doesn’t have to feel like survival mode.
It can be healing, powerful, and even a little sacred.

You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.