
Buying Guide for Postpartum Care Kits

Why buy a postpartum care kit?
The first few days and weeks after giving birth, your body may experience the pain, discomfort, and leakage that go along with the major changes your body experiences after giving birth. Because you also have a precious newborn to attend to, you’ll need all the help you can get. Healing products like ice pads, witch hazel, thick and absorbent pads, sitz bath salts, lactation care products, peri bottles, and tummy wraps can give your body the support it needs.
What should you consider in a postpartum care kit?
- Cleansing Products: One of the most important components of any postpartum care kit is cleansing. It’s essential to keep your perineal area clean and sanitized while it heals after giving birth. A peri bottle is a great tool to have so that you can use gentle, clean water to spritz yourself after using the restroom rather than irritating the area by using toilet tissue. Another excellent cleansing product in any good postpartum care kit is witch hazel, which helps to reduce swelling and has a cooling effect on the skin.
- Healing Products: Witch hazel, as listed above, is a great cleansing and healing product for your perineal area after giving birth. Other great healing tools to have in your postpartum care kit include ice packs, nipple creams, and perineal healing foams, creams, or sprays.
- Breastfeeding Products: When it comes to postpartum care, don’t forget about your breasts. When your milk comes in, your breasts can get swollen and sore, especially around the areola. Healing and hydrating oils, nipple guards, and warming packs can help soothe your postpartum breast discomfort.
What is the number one thing you will need to stock up on for postpartum care?
The number one thing you’re going to need is a whole lot of pads. Do yourself a favor and avoid the ultra-slim kind because you’re actually going to want the extra comfort of thicker padding. You will go through countless pads because you want them to be super clean and sanitary; therefore, you’ll need to change them frequently.
Our Picks for the Best Postpartum Care Kits
Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit
This kit includes almost everything you need to ease external pain after leaving the hospital or birthing center.
Pros: Each item in this postpartum care kit delivers relief to your perineal area. The organized caddy keeps everything together, so you can have everything you need at your fingertips when you use the restroom. This kit has everything you need to cool the area, absorb any fluids, and relieve pain, including four pairs of disposable underwear (so important for those first few days), four instant ice maxi pads, 24 witch hazel-infused perineal cooling pad liners, healing foam, and the toilet top caddy.
Cons: Many buyers wished there were a few more of the pain-relieving pads included in this kit.
Bottom Line: Overall, this kit is a great starter pack for your postpartum care. It has a variety of products to help soothe your perineal area in the early days after giving birth. And it comes in bright, fun packaging.
Lansinoh Postpartum Essentials Recovery Bundle
This kit includes three essential birth recovery products to cleanse, soothe, and relieve pain after giving birth.
Pros: Aside from pads, these three essentials are must-haves after giving birth. First, the peri bottle helps to cleanse your area without wiping or irritating your sore perineal area. Second, the herbal mist helps to soothe burning or soreness after using the restroom or if your area is inflamed or feeling uncomfortable. The warm pack is great for soothing uterine cramps or lower back pain. And the ice packs are the perfect size to wear in your underwear.
Cons: The cooling spray can be difficult to dispense at the proper angle.
Bottom Line: For the first week postpartum, these products are so helpful. In particular, the hot and cold pads are essential to adding comfort to your healing. Overall, this is a nice kit to have, and it makes a great gift for expecting moms.
Frida Mom Breast Care Self Care Kit
Heal your sore and stiff postpartum breasts with this warming and massaging breast care kit.
Pros: When it comes to postpartum care, don’t forget about your breasts! This breast health postpartum kit includes a two-in-one lactation massager with optional heat and vibration settings, comforting breast warmers, two breast masks for lactation, and two hydrating breast masks. These products will help you get through the initial soreness of your milk coming in, which can be uncomfortable or downright painful for some women. It even helps promote healthy lactation.
Cons: The batteries don’t last long in the massager, and it can take a moment to heat up.
Bottom Line: This breast care kit helps to soothe sore breasts and promote healthy lactation. The massager and warmers can be worn while you pump and help you to fully empty your breasts. And there are adjustable settings for the heat and vibration, so you can find what works best for you.
Waterpulse Peri Bottle for Perineal Care
For gentle and natural cleansing, this water-dispensing bottle keeps you clean anywhere you use the restroom.
Pros: This unique peri bottle is better than your average sprayer. It’s specifically designed to work at just the right angle to clean you up “down there.” It comes with a discreet carrying bag, so you can take it anywhere you go. It’s easy and comfortable to grip, made so it won’t accidentally slip out of your hand. And it has a larger capacity than most peri bottles on the market. Plus, it has a click-on cap to keep the dispenser clean and sanitary.
Cons: If you have limited mobility in your hands or suffer from arthritis, this peri bottle may be a bit difficult to use.
Bottom Line: Overall, this peri bottle is an excellent choice for your postpartum essentials. You can fill it once and use it most of the day, if not all day. And it’s easy to clean.
Mama & Wish Postpartum Essentials Kit
This 12-piece postpartum care kit includes everything you need to feel fresh and soothe discomfort.
Pros: If you’re looking for a gift for an expecting mother or need an all-inclusive postpartum care kit, this one has a lot to offer. It has 12 pieces in a cute and convenient carrying bag. It includes a bottle of witch hazel healing foam, a collapsable peri bottle, a pair of non-slip socks perfect for the hospital, a four-pack of instant ice maxi pads, and a three-pack of cozy disposable underwear. Because it also includes a gown, this is a great pack for home births.
Cons: The gown and underwear do not come in multiple sizes.
Bottom Line: This would make a wonderful gift for a baby shower or for a person in your life who is expecting a baby. It’s packed nicely, so it can be transported with ease. And the packaging is attractive.
Final Thoughts
Postpartum care often gets overlooked when you’re looking forward to having your new bundle of joy. But it’s important to stock up on items that will help keep you clean and soothe any pain or irritation. These kits can help you be prepared to enjoy the fourth trimester.