Is there anything like the bliss of cuddling a brand-new baby? It almost makes you forget about the 36 hours of labor and tender lady parts. Almost. Even with the smoothest of deliveries, there’s a whole slew of physical and emotional changes that occur in the first few days and weeks post-delivery. Enter adult diapers, leaky boobs, nipple cream, and “padsicles,” just to name a few.
New-baby bliss is a given. When it comes to tackling the less-glamourous moments of postpartum, we’ve enlisted the help of five fearless mamas who have been there before.
“When I was pregnant with my first child everyone always warned me what to expect while pregnant; but never about postpartum.”
“Postpartum is pure bliss, but it’s also painful and hard.” @Champagne.Kezzy gets real about lady parts and “padsicles”
When I was pregnant with my first child everyone always warned me what to expect while pregnant; but never about postpartum. I remember making “padsicles” thinking I was good to go for recovery. I was wrong. Postpartum is more than padsicles, it’s wearing diapers for days, even weeks. Along with having to rinse your lady parts after you use the washroom. And all while you’re dealing with that, you have leaking boobs as you try to figure out nursing your fresh new babe. Postpartum is pure bliss when you look at your new fresh beautiful baby but it’s also so hard and painful.
“Postpartum is more than padsicles, it’s wearing diapers for days, even weeks.”
Endeavoring to “give herself grace,” @ahmmmac enlisted TUCKS cooling pads, discreet lady diapers, and the comfiest of clothes to do her bod a solid post-delivery.
My postpartum regimen was the same with both girls. Once I ran out of the GIGANTIC pads from the hospital, I switched to always discreet lady diapers! They come in cute colors and have little flower designs on them… which made me feel more human somehow. I also used TUCKS cooling pads which were so soothing, and just made me feel like I was doing my poor body a solid. I made sure to always wear the comfiest clothes, and to really take it easy and give myself grace. Even if you have a smooth and easy delivery, your body still experienced trauma and needs to heal. ♥ Oh, and one of the best purchases I made this time around was the upside-down peri bottle with the angled neck… way more ergonomic and effective than the upright ones! Total game changer!
“We’re often prepared for the physical changes brought by pregnancy and the intensity of labor, but rarely do people mention what happens after that.”
Registered nurse and mama of four, @marinaaafranco take a deep dive into the must-have post-delivery items that got her through the first few difficult days of postpartum.
“We’re often prepared for the physical changes brought by pregnancy and the intensity of labor, but rarely do people mention what happens after that. As a mom of four and a registered nurse working in postpartum, I’ve learned how unprepared most first-time moms are for the physical and mental changes that take place after having a baby. Having done this a few times, I soon learned what things were most valuable to get me through those tough first few days of postpartum. Here’s a small list of things that made a big difference for me:
1. Always adult diapers, they offer more support and less mess.
2. The Frida mom perineal spray bottle.
3. Witch hazel pads, perineal ice packs, dermoblast- whether you tear or not, you’ll feel much better down there with these things!
4. Nipple cream, although your own colostrum works just as great too!
5. Comfortable and supportive clothing- my go to BLANQI pieces for postpartum include the postpartum girl shorts, the pull-down nursing tank, and the cooling nursing bra.
6. Finally, a little grace! The fourth trimester is hard on you physically, mentally, and sometimes even emotionally. Take the help, and a nap when you can! And most importantly, snuggle that baby because they grow way too fast!
“Most importantly, having a friend or family member that you can ask questions, talk to, vent to, cry to, will make all the difference in your recovery.”
“Ask questions, talk, vent, cry.” @_ambercoates stresses the importance of having a friend or family member to lean on during recovery.
My husband and I were the last of our friend group to have kids, so luckily for me I had a lot of moms close to me that I could turn to for questions and advice.
For postpartum care, there were a few things I used that made recovery a bit easier.
I opted to use adult diapers, instead of the large pads the hospital provided, they were more absorbing and comfortable. The Frida Perry Bottle was a game changer! The curved neck was much easier for use. I found some ice pack pads on Amazon and placed them inside the adult diapers, which helped with the swelling. Most importantly, having a friend or family member that you can ask questions, talk to, vent to, cry to, will make all the difference in your recovery. You got this mama!
“I planned and prepped above and beyond for the arrival of my precious daughter. But I honestly did not think about myself or what my needs would be after she arrived.”
The first to admit she was unprepared, first-time mama @ericashelton__ shares the importance of investing both mentally and physically in your own recovery.
I will be the first to admit that I was very unprepared for my postpartum journey. As a first-time mom, I planned and prepped above and beyond for the arrival of my precious daughter. But I honestly did not think about myself or what my needs would be after she arrived. I also had an unrealistic expectation that I would effortlessly bounce back and thought I simply needed to keep an eye out for the “baby blues” during postpartum. That’s it. That’s all I knew because that’s all that was modeled. So, when I welcomed my beautiful 10-pound baby girl, I was shocked. Shocked to leave the hospital still looking 6 months pregnant. Shocked that I didn’t magically fit into any of my old clothes. And shocked how triggered my anxiety was by all the hormones surging through my stretch mark covered body (also known as postpartum anxiety). If I could go back, I would definitely tell my struggling mama self to invest in the postpartum underwear, comfy nursing friendly clothes in a size or two up, the Blanqi postpartum shape wear and of course pads. Trust me, you’ll want lots of pads. Preparing for your new babe is so incredibly exciting and full of long-awaited anticipation. But my best advice would be to equally prepare for yourself, mentally and physically. So, to help you get started, don’t forget a few of the absolute essentials; like ice packs, a peri bottle, witch hazel pads, numbing spray and anything else that helps you feel human. You’re worth it mama!
Resoundingly, every new mama has stressed the importance of ditching unrealistic expectations and giving yourself a little grace. That includes being gentle on your body. No one is going to magically fit into their pre-baby jeans. Do yourself a favor and enlist buttery soft postpartum basics deliberately designed to be extra gentle on your changing shape.
