Mom Approved Postpartum Recovery Hacks

Pregnancy and childbirth is an intense experience—labor and delivery can feel like running a marathon, and you’ll experience new physical and emotional challenges postpartum. Your body did something amazing, and it takes time to heal, but these mom approved postpartum recovery hacks can help make the journey just a little bit easier.

Make a Recovery Supply Caddy

There are a handful of essentials you’ll need whether you’ve delivered vaginally or via c-section (we’ll dive into those, below), and having them collected, organized, and portable—especially for trips to the bathroom—will make your life easier. Consider packing your postpartum supplies and your hospital bag at the same time for less stress (and the satisfaction of marking off two tasks from your pre-due date checklist).

Stool Softeners Are Your Friends

One of the most common new mom anxieties (outside of the whole parenting gig) is the first bowel movement after labor and delivery: you’re physically exhausted, you’re dealing with repeated overnight wakings, you’re learning to breastfeed, and you may have stitches. A member of your postpartum team may suggest taking a stool softener, like Colace, and if they don’t, it’s worth asking them yourself. A stool softener can make your first bowel movement easier and more comfortable to pass.

Diapers: Not Just for Babies

If you’ve delivered vaginally or by c-section, you’ll be managing postpartum bleeding for a few weeks after childbirth. The bleeding is heaviest those first two weeks, and wearing an adult diaper—some of which look and feel like underwear—during that phase may be more comfortable and convenient than wearing undies and a giant pad. We’re also big proponents of leaving the hospital with as many pairs of postpartum underwear as your nurse will allow (and they’re usually pretty generous!).

Buy Witch Hazel in Bulk

Witch hazel is a botanical astringent that reduces pain and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and can be purchased over-the-counter at most drug stores (just be sure that it’s alcohol-free). It works wonders on stitches, whether they’re in your abdomen or perineum—just soak cotton balls or a package of wet wipes with witch hazel, and dab gently for immediate relief. If you’re less of a DIY type, Tucks pads will do the trick, and if you have hemorrhoids, consider witch hazel your new BFF.,

Do Nothing When Possible

Your newborn will sleep frequently those first weeks home, typically 14-17 hours a day—resist the urge to “get things done” during those moments. If you have friends and family visiting, offload chores and meal planning if you can, and take the time your baby is sleeping to sneak in some extra shut-eye yourself or indulge in a Netflix binge—whatever floats your boat.

Postpartum Hacks for a Vaginal Delivery

We’ve rounded up the best postpartum recovery hacks for vaginal deliveries from our Albee moms, and keep in mind, if you pushed any amount of time before receiving a c-section, these tips are useful for your recovery, too.

Use a Peri Bottle and Dermaplast for Trips to the Bathroom

If you’ve delivered vaginally, your perineal area will be sore—if you’ve torn and required stitches, or are stitch-free (the stretching required for delivery is enough to make the area sore and tender). And when you pee, it will burn.

A peri bottle (a squirt bottle that the hospital will give you, though we are major fans of the Upside Down Peri Bottle from FridaBaby) is a simple tool for soothing the sting while you’re urinating. Just fill it with warm water, and squirt it on your perineal area as you pee. Finish up bathroom trips with a spray of Dermaplast for quick pain relief.

Make Padsicles

A “padsicle” is a cute name for a postpartum cold pack made with an extra-large sanitary pad. They’re super easy to make using a few common household ingredients, too:

Use the biggest pad you can find (the ones from the hospital are a great choice, or look for the heavy flow overnight options).
Unfold your pad and saturate it with 3-4 tablespoons of witch hazel.
Add a dollop of aloe vera gel and spread over the pad with the back of a spoon.
Refold your pad, drop it into a storage bag, and pop it into the freezer.
Use in your underwear like a normal pad for cooling relief to your perineal area.

Don’t forget: you’ll need to thaw your padsicle for a bit before wearing it (the pad shouldn’t be totally frozen still because it will be directly against your skin).

Take a Sitz Bath

Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom Salt or a herbal sitz bath blend (like this one from Earth Mama) can really help reduce irritation or itching due to stitches, and will help with general soreness, regardless. Friendly reminder: if you’ve had a c-section, baths should be avoided until your incision has healed.

Use a Postpartum Donut Cushion

If you’re especially sore down there, even sitting can feel uncomfortable—a postpartum donut cushion can help. The open space in the cushion (the donut “hole”) will relieve pressure and reduce perineal pain and swelling.

Postpartum Hacks for a C-Section Delivery

Delivery via C-section is incredibly common in the US (32% of live births are Cesarean deliveries), so it’s easy to forget that it’s a major surgery. These recovery tips and tricks can help get you through.

Avoid Bending Over or Reaching High

Bending over or stretching to grab something out of reach can be painful while recovering from a c-section (and are risks for tearing your stitching). Anything you can do on a countertop or kitchen table is your best bet, so create a diaper changing station somewhere waist-level, and keep dinnerware, drinkware, and utensils out on the counter.

Take Care of Your Incision

For the first two weeks postpartum, you’ll want to keep your incision clean and dry (run water over it in the shower, then try blasting your hair dryer on cool to dry your scar). At your two week post op visit, your doctor will probably recommend using an ointment and massage to reduce the appearance of your scar (we love Earth Mama’s Organic Skin & Scar Balm).

Incorporate Gentle Walks

Women who’ve delivered via C-section are at an increased risk for blood clots. Short, gentle walks around the house or neighborhood will improve your mood and can help prevent blood clots. Remember, this isn’t vigorous, just an effort to move your legs (if you haven’t had any complications, your doctor will probably give the okay for resuming normal exercise 6-8 weeks postpartum).

Fourth Trimester Breastfeeding Hacks

Yes, breastfeeding is natural—but it’s also a new skill that requires patience, and can be physically uncomfortable. These hacks can help.

Use Cabbage Leaves

Who would’ve guessed that cabbage leaves are a breastfeeding mom’s MVP: they can relieve pain associated with mastitis and engorgement, and make weaning more comfortable. Why? Cabbage leaves contain anti-inflammatory compounds that have a pain-relieving effect when applied directly to skin. To use cabbage leaves:

Wash and dry cabbage leaves, then place them in the fridge to cool (using damp paper towels between leaves can prevent them from drying out and wilting).
Place the leaves directly against your skin, covering your whole breast (slip them inside your bra for hands-free convenience).
After twenty minutes (or if the leaves have become warm), remove the leaves.

If you’re using cabbage leaves to treat mastitis or engorgement, you can wear them up to three times a day, for twenty minutes each session. Using them more frequently can reduce milk production, which you’ll want to avoid, especially when establishing your supply.

Apply Nipple Cream

Breastfeeding—especially in the beginning—can be uncomfortable, and will likely irritate your nipples. Using a nipple cream or balm can help you avoid dry, itchy, or cracked nipples, and applying it to the flanges of your breast pump will make pumping sessions more comfortable.

Postpartum recovery can be a challenging time for new mothers as they adjust to the physical changes (and demands) after childbirth. While every woman’s birth story and experience is different, these hacks can help promote your postpartum recovery and make you feel human again.