What Do You Really Need for the Postpartum Period?

When you are expecting a baby, you are bombarded with lists and well-meaning suggestions for all the things you need for your new baby. Walk into any baby store and you will be overwhelmed with not just all the different things you need, but how many different types of just one thing there are out there. Dozens of pacifier options, car seats, strollers, blankets…and don’t even get me started on bottles!

It’s a little much, right?

And while it is true that you do need quite a bit for your new roommate, there are some essentials that you will want to zero in on and the rest you can decide if you need when the baby is here.

Yes, it’s true! There are a lot of things you don’t actually need yet because your baby may not like them or you won’t end up using. And if you do need something and don’t have it yet? You can order pretty much anything and get it delivered quickly right to your doorstep.

The Absolute Essentials for the Postpartum Period

3 Important Names and Numbers:

• A lactation consultant (if you plan to breastfeed).
• A therapist (preferably someone who specializes in working with new parents).
• A postpartum doula you connect with.

Why? These are three key people who can support you if you run into any of the most common problems new parents face as they settle into life with their baby.

You may not need any of them. But if you do, you’re going to want to be able to call them right away. You won’t want to spend time on Google trying to find a therapist who has availability or a lactation consultant who takes your insurance. You want to have done that research while you are still pregnant and be able to call them right away.

If you don’t know of any local therapists who work with postpartum parents, check out perinatalsupport.org that has an easy to use list of providers (you can filter by accepting new patients, location, accepts your insurance and other important details). 

*Do note that some therapists may want to see you before you have your baby (and that is a great idea just to talk through any feelings or concerns you have!) so you are an established patient. And a lot of postpartum doulas book months in advance so consider if this may be someone you want ready to help you when your baby gets here and talk to some ahead of time!

A Way to Get Your Baby Home

Ok, this is just a way of saying: you need a car seat. Which one do you need? Well, that’s up to you. What’s your budget? How big is your car? Any carseat approved for use in the US is going to be safe so don’t feel pressured to break the bank here. I always refer families to Lucie’s List as a website that has great reviews on all sorts of baby gear.

What does safe mean to you? For a lot of parents, it means a bassinet or crib in their room. Nearby but in baby’s own sleeping space. For other parents, it may mean bed-sharing. If you are considering bed sharing, please visit the La Leche’s League or Dr. Sears’ websites that outline things to consider and do to make bed-sharing as safe as possible.

Swaddles, Spit Cloths, a Change of Clothes

These are things a lot of people are probably giving to you as gifts or passing along. You will want more than a few of each of these because babies often spit up or poop out of their diaper so having a few outfits handy along with a couple swaddle blankets and burp cloths is a good idea.

Things to Make Your Recovery Easier

What do people need who just gave birth to a baby? Healthy nourishing foods. Lots of water to hydrate. A comfortable place to sit and feed the baby. But other things to consider having can really aid your recovery like a sitz bath, padsicles (these are menstrual pads that have aloe vera and witch hazel that are placed in the freezer and are ideal for the first couple days after a vaginal birth) and a great peri bottle (the hospital or birth center will give you one but I like the one made by Frida Baby. It’s really nicely designed). 

A List of People Who Are Helpers vs. Guests

I covered this in a previous blog post, but sit with your partner and think: of all the people who want to visit the baby, who is a helper and who is a guest? A guest is someone who expects to be treated like, well, a guest. They aren’t badly intentioned, they just aren’t very tuned in to what you need as someone who just gave birth. Usually they want something to eat or drink, they expect you to sit and chat with them (even if you feel like you are barely upright) and they may expect to hold the baby (even if that is all you want and need to do). 

A helper, on the other hand, is there to help. They want to do your dishes, bring you food, make sure you are resting and don’t mind if all you want to do is sit quietly and hold the baby. They are tuned in to how you are doing and after they visit, you feel more relaxed and encouraged. 

Be sure to invite those helpers to be with you as soon as you feel ready. The guests can come later but you may want to wait until you have more energy and have had a chance to recover from childbirth.