New Mama Essentials For Postpartum Healing
The last few months of pregnancy are usually spent feverishly running around making sure you have everything you need for your new baby to arrive, but don’t forget about yourself! Being prepared for your recovery after birth can help you heal faster, which will provide you with more strength and energy to care for your new bundle. With my ‘fourth trimester’ nearing an end, these are a few of the things that I’ve found essential for assisting my recovery during this postpartum period.
Herbal & epsom salt baths
Herbal and epsom salt baths can speed healing and reduce swelling by encouraging circulation. They can help you relax and sooth postpartum discomfort from stitches, perineal bruising, and hemorrhoids. Try adding epsom salt and herbs such as calendula, lavender, red raspberry leaf, yarrow, and/or comfrey in a concentrated sitz bath, or the bathtub for a bonding and soothing soak with your baby. You can also add oatmeal to ease any itching experienced when recovering with stitches.
Witch hazel
Witch Hazel is extremely soothing and can reduce inflammation with its astringent properties. It’s an antiseptic and helps fight bacteria to prevent infection. Witch hazel can also stop minor bleeding and help relieve hemorrhoids.
Soak circular cotton pads in witch hazel, or apply directly using a small spray bottle.
Soak a postpartum pad in witch hazel and freeze before applying.
Use a peri bottle filled with witch hazel & lukewarm water to cleanse and rinse wounds. A peri bottle can also be used to rinse after urinating if toilet paper causes discomfort due to inflammation and stitches.
Homeopathic arnica
Arnica promotes healing by reducing pain and bruising after trauma. This homeopathic remedy minimizes strain on soft tissues to assist the recovery of both vaginal and c-section births.
Nourishing food
Nourishing food is one of the most important parts of postpartum recovery. My friends organized meal trains for me after both of my babies were born. Friends and family sign up to bring you meals in the early weeks and it was such an incredibly appreciated gesture when shopping, cooking and cleanup might seem overwhelming.
I also stocked my fridge and freezer with breastfeeding-friendly snacks, because I’ve never experienced hunger quite like I did in those first few days after birth when my milk was coming in. Having healthy snacks to grab for myself and feed to my toddler was a lifesaver.
Turmeric Spice Fudge aids recovery after birth and helps balance postpartum hormones.
Coconut Macaroons contain ingredients that support breastfeeding.
Trail Mix is a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein to provide balanced energy.
Water & electrolytes
Those early postpartum days can be leaky with breast milk, night sweats, lochia, and a few hormonal tears. Staying hydrated is an important part of restoring balance and regaining energy. I drank electrolyte-rich labor-aid during my labor and continued drinking it in the early weeks after birth. Electrolytes can speed recovery because they are involved in rebuilding damaged tissue. This drink can also assist the uterus in contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size because electrolytes are required for muscle contractions.