4 Must-Have Products for Post-Partum Moms

First-time moms have to deal with a pretty steep learning curve. As the saying goes, babies don’t come with a manual, and you’ll have a lot to learn about your new little addition. And while it will almost never be easy, having the right tools on hand can make those early days with your baby go much more smoothly. Here are 4 products that we think every new mom should have.

Breast Pump

If you’re planning on breastfeeding your baby, a breast pump is absolutely essential. You might be thinking, “If my baby is going to nurse, then why do I need to pump?” Obviously, if your baby is actively nursing, you won’t have much use for pumped breastmilk. However, there are numerous circumstances under which you’ll find that stored milk useful:

1. Going Out – As a new mom, it’s important that you remember to take breaks every now and then. They’re essential to maintaining your sanity, and will make you a better mom to your baby. But if you’re going to be out for more than a couple of hours, your baby will need to eat. Rather than needing to mix up a bottle of formula, your sitter or partner can just warm up some frozen breastmilk. That way, your baby will still be getting all the benefits of breastmilk, even when you’re not there.
2. Pump and Dump – There will be times when you don’t want your baby consuming your breastmilk. For example, certain medications can go into your milk supply, as can alcohol. So, if you have to take medications that are unsafe while breastfeeding, or you plan to go out drinking with some friends, you’ll want to pump your breastmilk for a while and dump it out to ensure your baby doesn’t consume anything unsafe. And again, if you’ve been pumping and storing your milk, your baby will be able to continue drinking breastmilk from a bottle during this time.

Additionally, pumping regularly can help to increase your supply of breastmilk. If you find your supply is running low, pumping after your baby is finished nursing can help to increase your milk supply so you don’t have to worry about supplementing with formula.

Seat Cushion

If you’re having a vaginal birth, you’ll be grateful for a seat cushion after you’ve had your baby. Many women find sitting on hard surfaces to be extremely uncomfortable for several weeks after delivering their child. Having a portable seat cushion that you can use at home, as well as when you’re out and about, can be a great relief. It’s not a product that many women think of purchasing for post-partum recovery, but it’s one that you won’t regret having.

Back Brace/Abdominal Support

During your pregnancy, your body changed significantly—and that includes your spine. With the shift in your center of gravity, brought on by your growing child, you likely found yourself leaning back more, walking with your belly pushed forward. It’s important that you now try to get your vertebrate back in alignment, and retrain those muscles to maintain proper posture. A back brace can help significantly with this.

Many women will search for back braces that also apply support and compression to their abdomen. Some research suggests that such methods can help the abdominal muscles to recover more quickly, and further encourage good posture.

Gel Packs

Gel packs that can be stored in the refrigerator can also offer a lot of relief to women who are breastfeeding, or who had a vaginal delivery. As mentioned earlier, you may experience pelvic discomfort for several weeks after a vaginal birth. Women who experience this often find relief from sitting on cold gel packs. Some even invest in gel seat cushions that can be refrigerated for optimum comfort and relief.

Additionally, smaller gel packs can be cooled and inserted into your bra to provide relief from breast pain. In the early weeks of breastfeeding, many women experience pain and discomfort. Cool gel packs can help provide relief until these symptoms subside, and both you and your baby are more experienced with breastfeeding.

If you’re expecting a baby soon, don’t get so caught up in buying baby products that you forget to purchase the things that you’ll need. From breast pumps to gel packs, and even adult diapers, we carry many of the products you need for a more comfortable post-partum recovery. Check out the online inventory for the store nearest you, or stop by and speak to one of our team members.