The Essentials List for After Birth Recovery

Postpartum recovery looks different for every mother, but the first few weeks after giving birth tend to follow the same themes: tenderness, swelling, bleeding, and a general feeling that your body is slowly reorganizing itself after doing the most physically demanding job it has ever done. A little preparation goes a long way, especially because most parents quickly realize hospitals provide only some basic items to go home with.

Surprisingly, many parents don’t know you can request several postpartum essentials directly from the hospital. This means items like mesh underwear, pads, numbing spray, witch hazel pads, and even a peri bottle are often available on request. Babylist outlines a helpful breakdown of what you can attempt to request for free from a hospital after giving birth:

• Mesh postpartum underwear

• Maternity pads

• Peri bottle

• Dermoplast or numbing spray (depending on availability)

• Witch hazel pads or Tucks pads

• Ice packs

• Disposable newborn diapers

• Swaddle blankets

• Bulb syringe

• Formula samples (if needed)

Some hospitals may also provide upon request:

• Lanolin for nipple care

• Sitz bath basin

• Belly binder (varies widely by hospital)

Even with these basics, there is still a noticeable gap in after-birth care for mothers. The following postpartum essentials help support mobility, hygiene, swelling reduction, and overall comfort during the most sensitive phase of early motherhood.

Upside-Down Peri Bottles

An upside-down peri bottle is one of the simplest yet most effective tools in early postpartum care. Often referred to as a postpartum wash bottle or perineal squirt bottle, it is used to cleanse the perineal area after birthgiving. Not to be confused with a bidet—though the theory is similar—the peri bottle delivers a gentler water flow appropriate for healing tissues.

A peri bottle is also portable, making it easier to use at the hospital, at home, or on the go. Once water pressure is no longer a pain concern, transitioning to a bidet is completely reasonable, but early on, a peri bottle is the safer option.

What Is the Perineal Area?

The perineal area includes the vulva, vaginal opening, and the space between the vagina and anus. After childbirth you can expect tearing, an episiotomy, stitches, swelling, or general irritation from pushing. Therefore, this area becomes extremely sensitive. Wiping with toilet paper can become painful or even impossible.

Why Peri Bottles Help

A peri bottle allows for gentle cleansing with warm water. This helps:

• Reduce stinging during urination

• Improve hygiene while bleeding is heaviest

• Prevent irritation from friction

• Support healing without pressure

Pain Relief

Many mothers use peri bottles for pain relief by filling them with warm water or alternating warm and cool rinses. Some providers also approve mild herbal infusions to support postpartum healing.

Recommended Options

Trusted peri bottles for postpartum recovery include:

• Bodily Peri Bottle — angled spout, controlled water flow, soft-touch design.

• Pure Mama Peri Wash — known for gentle functionality and easy squeeze.

• Frida Mom Upside-Down Peri Bottle — wide spout and ergonomic design that works even when hands are sore or weak.

Postpartum Rhoid Balm

Postpartum hemorrhoids are extremely common, especially after prolonged pushing. These hemorrhoids also known as “piles” are the swelling of veins that can cause bleeding, pain, and discomfort. A study reported by Kinfertility showed that up to 43% of women get hemmorrhoids postpartum.  A soothing hemorrhoid balm such as the popular formulation available on Mother Love’s postpartum balm. After birth balms can help reduce discomfort, itching, and swelling. These balms typically contain witch hazel, aloe, or cooling botanicals designed for sensitive postpartum skin.

Disposable Postpartum Underwear

Disposable postpartum underwear is designed to stretch comfortably over a tender abdomen and hold large maternity pads. Because postpartum bleeding (lochia) can last several weeks, these underwear help prevent stains and reduce laundry during the earliest recovery days.

Hospitals often distribute mesh underwear, but higher-quality disposable options tend to:

• Fit more securely

• Feel softer

• Stay in place during movement

• Offer more support during night sweats or nursing sessions

Perineal Cooling Pads or Bath Liners

Cooling pads and bath liners offer immediate relief from swelling and soreness. According to guidance from The Cool Couchie Club, cooling pads “help reduce pain and swelling by lowering inflammation and contracting blood vessels,” making them especially beneficial in the first few days postpartum (The Cool Couchie Club).

These can be alternated with sitz baths, depending on your provider’s instructions.

How to Use a Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is a shallow, warm bath that helps cleanse and soothe the perineal area after birth. It works by allowing you to relax the muscles and improving the blood circulation around your perineum. Healthline explains that the water should not be warm (not hot!) and filled to about three or four inches so you can sit comfortably for 15–20 minutes while the warmth promotes blood flow, reduces swelling, and eases irritation. According to Florida Cancer Specialists and Researchers, you can combine Epsom salt or baking soda to either your tub or a sitz bath basin. The recommended soaking time is 10-15 minutes.

A sitz bath can be done directly in the bathtub or with a toilet-top basin that lets you soak without fully bathing. Some parents add Epsom salt or provider-approved herbs, but plain warm water is often enough. After soaking, gently pat the area dry instead of wiping to avoid friction. Many mothers use a sitz bath several times a day during the earliest recovery period to support soothing and healing (Healthline).

Abdominal Support Binders

Abdominal support binders, or belly bands, provide gentle, structured support to the lower back, hips, pelvic floor, and abdomen. Pregnancy stretches ligaments and separates abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), leaving the core weak and unsteady.

Postpartum, a binder can:

• Reduce pressure on the lower back

• Support weakened abdominal muscles

• Improve posture during breastfeeding

• Offer mild compression to reduce soreness

They are not a treatment for diastasis recti, but they do make early movement more comfortable.

Postpartum Recovery Kits

If you’d prefer to skip the research and buy a ready-to-use kit, postpartum recovery kits pull all essentials together in one box.

Hello Postpartum

Hello Postpartum offers often underlooked after care products. You can expect to receive things like postpartum bath herbs, postpartum underwear, iron boosters, healing perineal solutions, mom approved healing balms, and more.

Nyssa Care

Nyssa Care has listed HSA eligible postpartum recovery products. Not only do you get the products, you can also get a carefully designed vegan leather diaper/mother/hospital bag with your recovery kit order. The bag is stocked with stocked with FourthWear postpartum recovery underwear and a matching FourthWear bralette—both made to accommodate ice or heat therapy discreetly. For physical relief, the kit provides two reusable ice/heat packs (one specifically shaped for the perineal area and one for uterine support), along with a box of uterine instant heat patches for ongoing cramping or afterpains. It also includes a peri bottle for gentle cleansing, a set of reusable breast/chest ice and heat packs for engorgement or let-down discomfort, and an eight-pack of organic cotton cover postpartum pads. For practicality and newborn care, the bag comes with a wet/dry bag, a changing pad, and stroller straps, allowing the entire setup to transition seamlessly from healing at home to life on the go.

Frida Mom

Frida Mom’s Postpartum Recovery Kit is widely available in major retail stores. Kits are listed to include:

• Disposable postpartum underwear

• Instant ice maxi pads

• Postpartum peri bottle

• Perineal cooling foam

• Witch hazel pad liners

Kin Fertility

Kin Fertility’s Postpartum Recovery Bundle offers a six-step care pack that helps heal and soothe after birth. It includes components such as a peri bottle, mesh panties, soothing padsicles, healing foam, nourishing cream and postnatal vitamins. The kit covers both vaginal and C-section recovery as noted on their site. (Kin Fertility Postpartum Recovery Kit)

For additional shopping guidance from prenatal, postpartum, and toddlerhood, the MissPoppins store offers a curated store of vetted essentials.

Hello Postpartum Vaginal Birth Box