Wild guess: you're pregnant, have a rough idea of what to expect during the birth (and have attended courses or read books), but are still confused about the postpartum period? No problem! You've come to the right place to get to grips with the postpartum period and check what you should expect during this time and which products can help you get through it well. Our promise: we won't tell you any nonsense here, but only list what you really need. A quick summary of all the purchases recommended below is also here:
- Postpartum pads in large and small
- Perineal wash bottle
- Comfortable underwear, preferably made of cotton
- Washcloth
- Perineal wound spray
- Nursing pads
- Wound ointment for sensitive nipples
- Breastfeeding-friendly clothing
- Sufficient change of clothes
- Breastfeeding-friendly painkillers
- A few little extras
You like to tick your items on a list?
You can do this in the postpartum app by the weeks. There you will find this postpartum checklist to tick off, you can add your own ToDo's and delete the ones you don't need. And you will also get a whole lot of other information on preparing for the first time after the birth. And the best thing is: everything is completely free!
So why should you still read this article? Because we're going to explain in great detail why you really need special products so urgently. OK? OK! Let's get started, but from the beginning.
What exactly is the postpartum period? To be honest, we only heard about it when we were pregnant. At first, it was a word that didn't trigger many more associations for us than: happy parents - beaming baby - cozy bed - flawless appearance - pure love.
But when we were in the postpartum period for the first time, we thought about a hundred times a day: "What the actual fluff is this?!" Nobody had really prepared us for the postpartum bleeding and we had no idea that the normal plastic pads from the drugstore were an absolute disaster. We wondered why nobody had told us how painful birth injuries and Caesarean section scars really are, especially when you have to go to the toilet. And breastfeeding? Well, that wasn't as easy as we thought. Sore nipples, a baby that didn't want to drink right away - these are things that we hadn't read about in any of the thousands of brochures.
This is exactly why we founded the weeks and put together this postpartum checklist for you - packed with all of our experiences, tips and lots of love. So that your postpartum period is a little less chaotic than ours.
1. Postpartum pads
Breathable postpartum pads made of organic cotton are really important after giving birth. Why? Because the postpartum dicharge is much heavier than your period and you shouldn't insert any hygiene products into your vagina during the postpartum period. Special postpartum pads support the healing process and protect against irritation. Conventional pads made of cotton and with plastic coatings are often not breathable and can irritate your birth injuries.
2. Perineal wash bottle for gentle cleansing
If urine comes into contact with fresh birth injuries, it can burn unpleasantly. An intimate douche is great for caring for the perineum after birth and can relieve unpleasant burning when urinating. Simply rinse water over the vulva while urinating to dilute the urine and prevent the burning. It works great, I promise!
3. Cotton briefs for optimal comfort
Comfortable, breathable cotton briefs are ideal for the postpartum period and will keep your postpartum pads securely in place. In the hospital, there are often mesh panties, which are practical but not particularly comfortable to wear, especially for bodies that are beyond the standard size. Many people react with irritation to the synthetic material.
4. Soft washcloths for daily hygiene
Soft washcloths are pretty much indispensable for gentle cleaning in the postpartum period, because even the softest toilet paper can be too rough after giving birth. Proper wiping is difficult after a natural birth anyway, but a gentle dab after rinsing with the peri bottle is certainly possible.
5. Wound spray for wound healing
Birth injuries and caesarean section scars need rest and care above all. Because applying cream to the perineum and vulva is often neither pleasant nor works very well, there are so-called recovery sprays that cool the wound and supply it with important essences
6. Nursing pads for dry clothes
Sometimes your milk flows like crazy during the postpartum period. This is where nursing pads protect you. Choose between cotton and wool-silk blends for optimal comfort when breastfeeding. Cotton nursing pads protect your clothes from milk and are particularly absorbent. The wool-silk version helps soothe your sore nipples, especially in the first few days after birth.
7. Ointment for sensitive nipples
A gentle ointment is a basic part of your breastfeeding needs and cares for stressed nipples. We are fans of vegan (i.e. without lanolin, which means you don't have to wipe it off with a damp cloth before breastfeeding) and light, so that you don't have to rub hard grease onto your irritated nipples.
8. Breastfeeding-friendly nightgowns and pajamas
Clothes with buttons make breastfeeding a lot easier (if you're not chilling topless in bed the whole time anyway) and are a real must-have for your breastfeeding needs.
9. Sufficient change of clothes
In the first few days after giving birth, you may sweat like crazy. Like really crazy. And sometimes your own body odor bothers you a lot. In this case, it can be a good idea to have enough clothes to change into to make you feel comfortable during the postpartum period.
10. Painkillers for acute complaints
Birth injuries, cesarean section scars and nipples can hurt after birth. Talk to your midwife or OB/Gyn about suitable painkillers for aftercare after birth. They are definitely available and can make the first few days a lot easier for you.
11. Extras for your postpartum period
Ice bandages : Homemade cooling pads made from postpartum pads relieve swelling.
Medicinal wool : Medicinal wool in the postpartum period can support wound healing.
Postpartum tea : Special teas promote recovery after birth and support milk production.
