Those first few weeks [and months] after baby is born are sometimes called the 4th trimester.
The term refers to the first 12 weeks after baby – and they really are an extension of your 40-week journey to meeting your little one. It’s up for debate but many will tell you that of all the trimesters before it – this one will be the toughest stage yet. Your entire world has been turned upside down, you will be experiencing lots of emotions, and depending on your birth you may have a tough recovery ahead.
One thing is for sure – late nights and early mornings will be in your future. In this article, we are sharing 6 must-have postpartum recovery essentials – some of the things we’ve highlighted money can’t actually buy.
If you haven't already heard about their maternity and post-pregnancy essentials, you'll want to familiarize yourself with their line-up. BFF stands for “body formulated fit” – but we know this product will soon be your true BFF. We love that it can be used pre AND post pregnancy.
How does it work?
It has six panels that are designed to hug your curves. As you know by now, as your belly grows it is nice to have some compression and that feeling of being held in. The BFF is also great for recovery as well – flashback to those post-cesarian days where you literally had to hold your tummy just to cough, laugh, or sneeze. Belly Bandit also has a cute line of comfy leggings and biker shorts so you can live up that oversized tee-shirt! Don’t forget to pack all of these goodies up in your hospital bag.
Looking for relief “down there”? Let’s not beat around the bush – see what we did there? You’ve gone through a lot and your vagina deserves some TLC. Keep this Perineal Spray in the fridge to provide that extra cooling relief you need. Bonus points that it has been designed to be used upside-down in those hard-to-reach places. Also, hemorrhoids happen.
You may also want to try some of their other natural products – we are obsessed with their nursing friendly natural deodorant, and the milk maid tea may help to increase your milk supply. This is why we've featured Earth Mama in this article about our 5 Must-Have Natural Products for Mom & Baby – go ahead and click that link to read more about their entire line.
Frida Mom Products
We really couldn’t just choose one as the entire line of Frida Mom by FridaBaby products as a 4th-trimester recovery lifesaver. From a convenient upside-down peri bottle that actually works to soft, seamless, breathable disposable postpartum panties that keep pads in place. Best part? They even offer petite sizes!
You’ll want to pack up all of these items and more in your hospital bag to make the recovery process easier and to allow you to feel more like YOU rather than twinning with your newborn in a diaper.
We are team fed is best but regardless of the journey you are on – sterilizing pump parts and bottles can get exhausting. Enter the biggest #momhack ever – the Micro Bags from Medela. Use these to sterilize your pump or even bottle parts on occasion to save yourself the hassle of cleaning everything in the sink. We are also obsessed with their multipurpose quick clean wipes and spray for sanitizing on the go. Less sterilizing more snuggles – who’s with us?
If you are looking for a breast pump you'll want to check out our article on The Medela Breast Pump Family to figure out which pump is the best choice for your lifestyle.
P.S. Don’t forget a nursing bra!
This may be one of our last recommendations – but creating a postpartum plan really should be at the top of your list. In episode 1 of the 40 Weeks to Forever Podcast, Doula Rhiannon Langford acknowledges that having a baby is a “big adjustment” for families and that a postpartum plan is just as important as a birth plan. “A lot of people just really focus on how to prepare for birth and then they know nothing about what to do when they come home with the baby. They might know how to change a diaper and do a swaddle but outside of that, it is a brand-new experience. And there is also a lot of physical recoveries to do, plus the exhaustion of adjusting to a newborn’s sleep schedule.” She suggests mapping out your expectations ahead of time, creating clear boundaries, and communicating your desires to your partner and family members.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
How will you navigate stairs in your home during recovery?
Who will drive you to your follow-up appointments?
What support do you have lined up if you need extra support with breastfeeding?
Remember, it is never too late to communicate your wishes to family, friends, and mothers-in-laws if you get our drift.
Be patient
You’ve just born a tiny human so remember to be patient with yourself as you learn ALL of the things. Try to soak in those snuggles, don’t chain yourself to an unrealistic schedule, and let the laundry pile up if you must.
Be patient with your body as you heal and recover. It took 9 months to create your beautiful baby – so give yourself the freedom to enjoy this special stage as you are with your new little family.
40 Weeks to Forever- episode 01
In this episode, we chat with Rhiannon Langford about evidence-based birth, how to work through fear and anxiety, and we even dig in on the challenges of cesarian recovery and the 4th trimester.
In this episode, we chat with Angela Grant Buechner, President of the Canadian Lactation Consultant Association. We discuss cluster feeding, what to look for if things don’t feel right, and how to let go of the guilt when it is time to end your breastfeeding journey.
In this episode, we discuss how to prepare your body for labour, what happens “down there” during the pushing process, and how to regain your quality of life post-baby.
40 Weeks to Forever- episode 01
In this episode, we chat with Rhiannon Langford about evidence-based birth, how to work through fear and anxiety, and we even dig in on the challenges of cesarian recovery and the 4th trimester.
In this episode, we chat with Angela Grant Buechner, President of the Canadian Lactation Consultant Association. We discuss cluster feeding, what to look for if things don’t feel right, and how to let go of the guilt when it is time to end your breastfeeding journey.
In this episode, we discuss how to prepare your body for labour, what happens “down there” during the pushing process, and how to regain your quality of life post-baby.
