Postpartum Care Cart

As a soon to be second time mama, I feel like I have a leg up with how to prepare for baby number two. While I am no expert, I wanted to share how I’ve been getting ready for her arrival. Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting thing but postpartum recovery… not so exciting! I find a lot of mums spend their time getting ready for their labour, delivery, and bringing the baby home…but they completely forget to prepare for the postpartum stage! I’ll be the first to say that I was not very prepared for the postpartum stage with my first born, I had no clue what to expect for postpartum recovery and truly, I was learning as I went along. No one informed me of how extensive postpartum recovery is. While I was prepared in the sense of having maternity pads and such, I wasn’t organised at all. This time around as a second-time mum, I am all about being as organised and I am prepared with supplies! No matter how you deliver, you’ll need postpartum supplies to get you through the recovery period better. If not for you, these would make for an amazing gift for any first time mum that you may know. 

 

Today, I’m giving you a peek into my postpartum recovery cart. This cart is in my bathroom right next to the toilet for easy access to everything I need in the weeks following giving birth. However, it's great that the cart has wheels on the bottom meaning it can also be moved around the house if needed. After giving birth, you’ll experience lots of symptoms like cramping, bleeding, breast pains, and much more. I won’t lie and say postpartum is a breeze, because it certainly isn’t, but it’s all about being prepared. While I'm using a cart from Kmart, to easily bring from one room to the next, you could also use a basket or container as well. My one major tip is to have your postpartum kit all set up before the baby arrives. Keep in mind that you will be sleepy, hungry, full of emotions, and in pain, so prepare before you go into labour. This way, you’re all prepared and don’t have to scramble to try and find what you need while you’re on new born duty and have everything you need at easy reach!

Now let’s break down my postpartum recovery cart by tier – top to bottom!

Top Tier - The top tier is very straightforward since it holds two special items: 

Maternity pads and disposable underwear - Both of which you will need plenty of!  After giving birth you will bleed a lot!  It’s like all those missed periods that you didn't have for nine months all coming out at once and may last for up to about six weeks! 

Middle Tier - These items are all to help with the postpartum healing journey:

Bella Mama Peri wash bottle - Everything is very fragile down there and the last thing you will be wanting to use will be toilet paper, especially if you have stitches!  It also stings when you first go pee so it's best to use a Peri wash bottle which helps to dilute your urine and prevent stinging and infection. 

Viva La Vulva Healing Spray - I call this the everything spray because it doesn't matter what kind of delivery you have, this one covers all the bases.  It helps ease the discomfort of postpartum vaginal swelling, aids rapid healing of sensitive skin tissues, relieves sharp pain, it’s a natural antiseptic and prevents infection, soothes tears, stitches c-section incisions and even helps with those pesky haemorrhoids!  Other moms that I know swear it’s the best stuff and you need to include it in your kit.

Viva La Vulva Postpartum Ice Packs - These are specifically designed and contoured to fit down there in a natural way to soothe pain and reduce swelling from postpartum tearing, haemorrhoids and wounds.  You can also use them on your c-section incision to help soothe swelling and itching sensations.

Viva La Vulva Healing Bath Soak - One thing that I found really helped me was taking baths in my last postpartum recovery. So I knew I had to get this bath soak as a little treat for me to take some time to relax while also aiding the healing process. This bath soak has both Hypercal Healing Tincture and The Good Witch Hazel which helps heals and soothes. Not just for your body but your soul too!

Viva La Vulva Breasties - Breastfeeding can be really tough. I remember trying so damn hard and if you experience engorgement or mastitis then you'll know what I mean when I say OUCH! These sit comfortably in your bra, and even fit around your breast pump. Cold therapy is a safe and natural way to help relieve engorgement, soothe pain and reduce swelling. Heat therapy can help relieve mastitis, help unblock ducts, encourage milk flow and let down.

Zoono Hand Sanititser - Hands down the best hand sanitiser to use as its alcohol free and water based so perfect for sensitive skin and to use around newborns all while keeping germs at bay.

Bio Oil - I’ve been using Bio Oil on my skin ever since my second trimester started. I found it helps with the stretching of my skin and helps keep stretch marks at bay. I got stretch marks when I went through puberty however thanks to using Bio Oil I didn't get any more during my pregnancy and I'm hoping the same will be for this pregnancy too. It’s safe for use during breastfeeding and postpartum and can be used on your c-section wound to reduce tension across the skin, increasing new cell growth and healing.

Bottom Tier - Breastfeeding items

Hydrogel Breast Disc - I actually still have these from my first pregnancy as I was highly recommended them from other mums.  However, Arlo and I didn't end up having a very successful breastfeeding journey - not for the lack of trying.  Hoping this time around we have a better chance and I can test these out as they are designed to cool and soothe cracked and sore nipples. 

Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collector - Something I did manage to do last time around was collect colostrum otherwise known as liquid gold.  Colostrum, the first milk you produce when starting breastfeeding, is the ideal nourishment for a new born.  Perhaps even more importantly, it plays a crucial role in building babys immune system.  I just used a basic syringe last time however, this time around I’m planning on using these reusable Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collectors which can be safely stored in the fridge or freeze and great for both before and after birth.

Haakaa Ladybug Breast Milk Collector - The perfect breast pad alternative for mums who want to save every drop of leakage and let-down instead of soaking it up.  The one-piece design attaches to your breast with suction and sits securely and discreetly in your bra.  This suction is light and gentle to hold the product in place and can be used instead of breast pads and once you have finished collecting your let-down, open the plug on the top and safely pour out your milk into a container or bottle.

Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump - So many mamas that I know highly recommend this product as the perfect little essential to incorporate into your nursing journey.  Just place over your breast and let the pump do the work for you as it draws your milk using suction. 

Nursing Pads - Also called breast pads, are a very useful breastfeeding accessory.  Placed into a regular or a nursing bra, they can absorb breast milk from leaking breasts to help prevent embarrassment and protect your clothing from stains

Lanolin Cream - I was also recommended this product by other mums.  It is the go to cream to treat sore, cracked nipples during breastfeeding and another must have for your postpartum care cart.

Whether you’re a first-time mama-to-be or a mama of multiples, I hope it was helpful seeing what’s inside my postpartum care cart!  Am I missing anything?  Please let me know what I should add!

I hope you have a smooth postpartum recovery, mama!

 

This is my own creativity, content and images however some of these brands were gifted.  As always, all views and opinions are my own.