The Ultimate DIY Postpartum Care Kit (All-Natural and Non-Toxic)
After giving birth to my first child, I learned the hard way how imperative it is to have a postpartum care kit.
When my second child came around, I knew exactly what I needed to have readily available for a faster postpartum recovery. That was when I decided to assemble my DIY postpartum care kit.
As a former surgical nurse, I have used many postpartum recovery products throughout my career. However, as a mom, I have now learned to filter those products to ensure their absolute safety for our bodies and our babies.
Next, I will share the most effective, natural, and non-toxic DIY postpartum kit essentials based on my knowledge and personal experience.
I will also share tips to ensure you make the best out of your DIY postpartum care kit.
If you are reading this, you might not know exactly what to expect after giving birth. Or what postpartum body changes your body will go through.
But with the help of this list and some other resources I will share with you, you will be equipped to tackle postpartum head-on and hopefully heal faster.
But for THIS article, we will focus mainly on the postpartum recovery products you will need after your vaginal birth. If you are recovering from a c-section, most of these items will also apply to you.
Remember that you will not only be using these postpartum care essentials at home but also pack some of these essential items in your hospital bag.
Because of the nature of some medicated products in this article, this list won’t be 100% “natural.”
However, to my knowledge, this postpartum checklist contains the best options regarding ingredient safety, optimal ingredient standards, popular mom reviews, and effectiveness.
Before we start, I encourage you to look at the Third Trimester Checklist Bundle. It contains helpful pre-filled Checklists (including this Postpartum Checklist) to help guide you step-by-step on what you should be getting done to get ready for the baby’s arrival and thereafter. In turn, reducing stress and overwhelm while increasing productivity.
Let’s get started…
The Ultimate Natural Postpartum Care Kit Essentials
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Having these postpartum products on hand before the baby comes is a lifesaver. In addition to this postpartum kit, make sure you also read The Complete Postpartum Care Plan for Vaginal Delivery so that you can receive additional postpartum recovery tips and instructions.
Believe me, when the baby arrives, there will be no time in the day to shower, let alone step out of the house for hemorrhoid ointment and breast pads.
Yes, hemorrhoids! More on that later.
BEFORE YOU CREATE YOUR DIY POSTPARTUM CARE KIT
If you plan to have a home birth, the following recommendations will apply to you.
But, if you are having a hospital birth, especially a vaginal hospital birth, chances are you can get to take home some postpartum self-care goodies.
If you are anything like me and don’t want to take any chances, I will still list some of these items below in case you might want to purchase them ahead of time.
Always keep in mind that although provided by the hospital, some of these products might not have the best ingredients.
Possible postpartum supplies you might be able to take home from the hospital might include:
- peri bottles
- bed pads
- maxi Pads
- medicated numbing cream
- peri cleanser
- stool softener
PERINEAL AND VAGINAL POSTPARTUM RECOVERY ESSENTIALS
When it comes to temporary postpartum body changes, your lady friend will need all the help she can get.
During the birthing process, it is possible that there will be some tearing (internal, external), stretching, episiotomy, and so on.
Although every mother experiences a different degree of pain and discomfort, discomfort is still almost inevitable.
PERI BOTTLE
Use a peri bottle during and after urinating to keep the urine from irritating torn skin.
If you develop hemorrhoids from pushing, the peri bottle will also help you cleanse the area without using harsh materials rubbing on your healing and sensitive skin.
PERI CLEANSE
This is also a great way to keep your lady parts clean, cool, and happy.
Earth Mama Herbal Spray and Earth Mama organic postpartum balm are some of my favorite natural products.
Earth Mama Organics is one of my very favorite companies. Not only for organic postpartum essentials but also for mother and baby. They carry an entire line of organic, non-toxic, and chemical-free products that are healthy and beneficial for you and your baby.
I urge you to check out their:
Related Article: Earth Mama Organics (15 Best Organic Products for Mom and Baby)
PERSONAL WIPES
Wiping with dry toilet paper will feel irritating and even painful. In addition, depending on the condition of your lower area, small bits of toilet paper might stay stuck in unwanted parts.
If you need to wipe after using the toilet, Water Wipes are ideal. Water Wipes are the best and safest option since they are made of 99% purified water.
Water Wipes are what I used for my children and were a must-have toiletry in our house when our kids were little.
WITCH HAZEL
I can’t recommend this product enough! Witch Hazel pads are a MUST for your postpartum care package.
They were my saving grace and the only thing that relieved me after I had my son. They helped to soothe and heal my peritoneal/hemorrhoid area faster.
Overall, witch hazel serves as an antiseptic and helps fight bacteria to prevent infection. They can also stop minor bleeding and help relieve hemorrhoids.
Put a new witch hazel pad (or two) in your perineal area with every maxi pad change.
Cool Comfort Pads from Naticare have organic witch hazel and aloe. These pads are also non-GMO, Paraben free and chemical-free.
SITZ BATHS
Sitz Baths are another great postpartum care product essential.
It not only helps cleanse the perineum, but it relieves itching, irritation, and minor pain.
In addition, the warm water used along the Sitz Baths helps increase blood flow to the perineal area, promoting faster healing.
Sitz Baths Soak (organic) from Thena is an excellent choice. It is made of organic yarrow, comfrey, calendula, magnesium, and lavender oil, which naturally promote healing and relief of discomfort.
MAXI PADS
Following birth, your uterus will continue to expel bodily fluids.
The postpartum bleeding that happens after birth is called lochia, and it can last approximately 4-6 weeks.
Having maxi pads in your postpartum care kit that can handle that amount of flow is essential.
My top choice for maxi pads is Menstrual Overnight Pads (Certified Organic Cotton) by Rael. They are made with 100% organic, OCS certified, non-GMO Texas cotton grown and nurtured without toxins, pesticides, or synthetic chemicals.
That is precisely what you want for your healing body and especially while nursing your baby.
Side Note: The hospital will provide you with a few giant maxi pads from the dinosaur era, but I think is a better idea to pack some of your pads in your hospital bag.
PADCICLES
Perineal cold packs, better known as padcicles in the mommy world, are a gift from heaven.
Truly, they are miraculous and a must in every survival postpartum care kit. At least they were for me.
Just grab one from your bathroom cabinet/basket, crack the pack to activate the cold, and give your lady friend some much-deserved cooling relief. Genius!
You can make them yourself by buying all the ingredients separately, or you can buy them ready to go.
The best part, they already come with a built-in cold therapy. This means you won’t need a trip to the fridge whenever you need a pad change.
DONUT CUSHION
Last but not least in the perineal care essentials is this donut cushion. I can’t tell you enough how something with a whole and a few witch hazel pads allowed me to sit down for a few minutes at a time.
This postpartum supply reduces pressure on the pelvis, coccyx, lower back, and perineum, relieving pain from hemorrhoids and childbirth (among other uses).
POSTPARTUM CLOTHING ESSENTIALS
NURSING TANKS AND BRAS
To breastfeed your newborn multiple times a day, you will need easy-access garments.
Here are two great options for sleep and daily use.
GRANNY PANTIES
Well, my friend, sorry to inform you, but you are about to enter into the grannie panties-buying, minivan-driving, and mom jean-wearing revolution.
Alright, alright, just kidding… and no offense to van drivers’ moms. I am a proud van driver myself. You will soon find out why you need one after sports become part of the picture.
Inexpensive, comfortable, and stretchy underwear are the way to go in the first few weeks postpartum.
Not only do they need to accommodate the extra-large maxi pads, but they need to fit comfortably and be thrown away if required.
This cotton, high-waisted underwear multi-pack has the best postpartum reviews.
They are leakage-proof and high-waisted, which helps support your lower abdomen. High-waisted underwear is also ideal for c-sections moms because they prevent the underwear seam from rubbing against the incision. Ouch!
COMFY PAJAMAS
Being in my pajamas for the first few weeks after birth felt not only comfortable but a necessity as I was recovering from childbirth. I was so sore that my pj’s were the most comfortable garment to wear and nurse in.
Side note: these are one of the items you will want to pack in your hospital bag. If you want a complete list of what to pack in your hospital bag for baby, mom, and dad, read this.
This Pajama set from PajamaGram has excellent Amazon reviews.
Or, if you don’t want to feel like a bum all day by wearing your regular pj’s, then opt for these super comfy, stylish, and inexpensive pajamas instead. You’re welcome. 🙂
* Here is a full list of what to wear after giving birth at the hospital from head to toe.
ABDOMINAL CARE ESSENTIAL
POSTPARTUM BELLY BANDS
Medically known as abdominal bands, they help keep things in place as your belly shrinks back to size. They also aid with postpartum discomfort, swelling, and circulation by means of compression.
Belly Bandit is the belly band that most moms swear by. However, it can come with a hefty price tag.
A more affordable option with great reviews is the Postpartum Girdle by Trendyline.
BREASTFEEDING AND BREAST POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS
BREAST PADS
Leaky breasts are almost inevitable as your body gets ready to produce more milk to meet the demands of your growing newborn.
You can opt for disposable breast pads or washable organic nursing pads.
NURSING BREATS PACKS
In addition to breast pads, warm and cold breast therapy is another postpartum care kit MUST!
Booby Tubes® is another excellent Earth Mama product designed to help us endure the breastfeeding journey, especially during the early weeks. Booby Tubes® are gel-free breast packs with an organic cotton shell filled with fresh, pliable flax seed.
You can use them warm or cold, depending on your nursing needs.
Cold therapy: alleviates feeding discomfort, reduces swelling and tenderness of engorgement and helps during the weaning process.
Warm Therapy: helps encourage milk flow, avoid clogged ducts, and promote let-down.
NIPPLE CREAM
Nipple care will be essential in preventing and treating cracked nipples. In turn, it will save you a lot of pain and frustration.
A great choice that is safe and non-toxic is the Organic Nipple Cream.
OTHER pOSTPARTUM cARE KIT RESOURCES
ORGANIC POSTNATAL VITAMINS
Although not a postpartum “must-have” per se, it is a postpartum essential.
During the postpartum period, your body needs all the help it can get. You can opt to continue taking your prenatal vitamins, or you can opt for postnatal vitamins explicitly created for your postpartum and lactation needs.
Postnatal vitamins have plenty of vitamins and minerals to aid and speed postpartum healing.
But, we will not be taking any junk full of chemicals.
A great option is Actif Organic Postnatal Vitamin with 25+ Organic Vitamins and Organic Herbs. These organic prenatal have amazing Amazon Reviews making them a popular natural postpartum essential amongst many moms.
In addition, as per the manufacturer, they are said to increase breast milk production by up to 50% and contain Choline to support healthy brain development.
The Actif Organic Postnatal Vitamins are Certified non-GMO, gluten-free, BPA-free, and free of corn and corn derivatives.
Remember to consult with your healthcare provider before you start taking any supplements.
PAIN AND DISCOMFORT
Part of your postpartum recovery kit should include pain relievers and stool softeners.
However, ensure to talk to your doctor before taking any medication.
Tylenol is a safe option to use while breastfeeding (source). Although not organic or dye-free, good old Tylenol will get the job done when natural remedies and alternative methods are enough.
The bottom line is: happy mama, happy baby. Therefore, Tylenol is a keeper in our postpartum care kit.
★ Related Articles:
- Earth Mama Organics (15 Best Organic Products for Mom and Baby)
- The Complete Postpartum Care Plan for Faster Healing (Vaginal Birth)
- The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby, Mom, and Dad
- 15 Important Things To Do Before Baby Comes (Checklist)
- How to Prepare for Labor (Mentally, Physically, and Resources)
- 13+ Postpartum Body Changes (+ Care Tips and FAQ)
- 11 Things to Expect After Giving Birth and Tips to Heal Faster
- How to Survive the Newborn Stage (A New Mom’s Guide)
Conclusion
The postpartum period is like anything else you’ll ever go through.
The miraculous creation that lived inside you for nine months will finally be in your arms. And that will come with many feelings, new experiences, and challenges.
There will be moments of surreal and utter bliss and joy.
But there will also be moments of exhaustion and overwhelm.
Making sure you have crafted a postpartum care plan and included this natural postpartum kit (before the baby comes) will give you peace of mind and allow for faster healing.
Having a DIY postpartum recovery kit, and knowing that all ingredients are safe and optimal for you and your baby, will give you one less thing to worry about.
Will you be making a postpartum care kit?
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