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Babies need a lot of things and it is helpful when friends and family help buy them. Women also need supplies to help them recover. We encourage family and friends to shower a new mother with the same love and support in helping her get ready for the 4th Trimester. Below are some supplies that can be helpful in the days and weeks after childbirth.
First take stock of what is already at home. Some supplies are also provided by hospitals. Then ask for help to make sure everything is ready and available.
Postpartum Recovery Supplies:
- Extra mesh panties (hospitals will provide some of these) or Depends adult underwear
- Healing/Witch Hazel Pads
- Nursing Pads
- Nipple Cream
- Cooling gel pods
- Sitz bath
- Heating pad
- Compression belly band (Sometimes hospitals will have these to provide. Some women may already have to help during pregnancy)
- Peri-bottles (often given by hospitals)
- Over-the-counter medication, like stool softener, ibuprofen, multivitamins, or essential oils
- Some companies are now making postpartum recovery kits that have common postpartum supplies
Nursing Products:
- Nursing Bra / tanks / dresses
- Nursing Pads
- Nursing Cream
- Nursing Pillow
- Breast Pump (electric and hand held)
- Nipple Guard
- Hot/Cold Compress
- Mother’s Milk tea
Household and other children:
- Another child at home? Don’t forget them! A small gift for the other children can bring a smile to the face of a child during a big transition.
- Need something restocked around the house? Don’t underestimate the help it can provide to proactively show up with a bag of coffee/tea, laundry detergent, garbage bags, toilet paper, or shampoo. Mom – don’t hesitate to let people know what is needed if you do indeed need something!
Personal Touches:
- “At Your Fingertips” basket: mom’s often get “trapped” when they sit to feed the baby. Create a basket filled with things that are nice to have within reach while baby eats. Include things like granola bars or snacks she likes, a magazine/book/journal, water bottle, lotion, chapstick, gum/mints, multivitamins, or headphones.
- Pretty journal and pen
- Inspirational quotes – bonus if you’ve personalized some quotes for her in the journal!
- Stainless steel water bottle or mug to keep drinks either hot or cold!
For Friends/Family – Practical Gifts:
- Food delivery: An Uber Eats or Doordash gift card does wonders for a tired, hungry family!
- Amazon Membership: Does this mama have an Amazon Prime account? If not, two-day shipping, straight to her door is a great gift. Consider gifting her a paid-annual membership. Gift cards go a long way!
- Movie Subscription/Passwords: If she enjoys catching up on shows, ask her what she is interested in binge-watching. Perhaps some friends can exchange Netflix, Hulu, HBO passwords with her!
- Wholesale Membership: Costco, BJ’s, Sam’s Club all offer discounted mass-quantities of important baby and postpartum supplies. If you aren’t able to gift her a membership, offer to pick up a giant pack next time you go.
BONUS: Never underestimate the gift of time. Offering to help in ways that save her time and energy can be so valuable!
What is missing on this list? Share using #4thTrimesterProject on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
