There is nothing I could write here that will ever prepare you for the 4th trimester. Even if you read every article out there, buy every single thing on the market that's supposed to help make your transition into motherhood easier and have the best support system in the world around you, absolutely nothing can get you ready for having a baby. It's such an individual journey and one size definitely does not fit all.

Things I'm listing here are all items I used and truly believe helped make my life easier after bringing Nola home. But I had a really positive birth experience, I delivered vaginally and I breastfed. So things that worked for me, might not work for you because maybe you had a C-section or maybe you want to use formula. That being said, this list is a pretty good start in my humble opinion for things that I used regularly during my 4th trimester. I hope you find this helpful!

+ Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear 

After delivering Nola, my amazing care team cleaned me up and put me in a diaper. The best way to describe the diaper in the hospital is to think of a big gauzy pair of underwear. They serve their purpose, but I felt like at any moment my postpartum pad was going to fall right out of it. It’s way too flimsy in my opinion. Thankfully I stocked up on Frida Mom’s disposable postpartum underwear and I lived in them for about 2 weeks until I could transition to regular pads and undies. They felt so much more secure and I preferred the fit. 

+ Postpartum Bras and Underwear

I already wrote this post on my picks for nursing bras, tanks and postpartum underwear and yes, having these on hand is just necessary. 

Pro-tip: Wash your nursing tanks and bras in whatever detergent you’re washing baby’s stuff in to avoid any skin irritation for your little one. 

+ Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle for Postpartum Care 

The squirt bottle they give you in the hospital is shit. Don’t even think about bringing it home. Go ahead and add this upside down peri bottle from Frida Mom in your shopping cart and having it waiting for you when you get home. 

Pro-tip: When you go to use the bathroom, fill your bottle with lukewarm water, it makes all the difference. 

+ Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner

There isn’t anything for baby on this list because recovery truly is all about you. That being said, this pillow will just make your life a little easier. Holding a 7 pound baby for hours can really do a number on your back and arms. This pillow fits comfortably around your belly or your sides and helps alleviate some of the pressure and weight of both your healing body and your heavy baby. 

+ Soothic Sitz Bath

Listen, you won’t know until you know, but a sitz bath is life saving after giving birth. This is the one I used in the early days when I was trying to care for the stitches I got after delivery. I loved it because it fit in my toilet and when I was done, I could just flush the water down the drain. Easy clean up! Every night, I would hand Nola off to either my mom or Shep, pour some warm water and some of this soak in my sitz bath and just take a moment to myself. Can not recommend it enough.  

+ The Honey Pot Company Clean Cotton Postpartum Pads

Once you finally stop bleeding enough to be able to use regular pads, these herbal-infused pads might be worth your time. I loved them because they have a cooling sensation that felt really amazing on my still healing vagina. However, that sensation may be a bit too much for others. Really, any pads will do so if you have some at home you don’t need to purchase special postpartum ones, but I really liked Honey Pot’s product and I will definitely use them again for my next baby. 

+ Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter for Breastfeeding and Dry Skin

If you choose to breastfeed, you’re going to need some nipple butter to help alleviate the pain of cracked and/or bleeding nipples. There are lots of different brands out there, but I really loved this one by Earth Mama. It’s cocoa butter based, glides on like a dream and smells really yummy. It’s also nice and balmy and provided a nice barrier every time Nola latched. I also really love, and swear by, their perineal balm. 

+ MiraLAX Laxative Powder for Gentle Constipation Relief

That first postpartum shit is NO JOKE. A quick google search will produce hilarious and cringeworthy testimonies and memes about what it’s like to poop after having a baby. Surprisingly I had a really positive experience and I owe that to MiraLAX. Shep had me on a regiment throughout my pregnancy since I suffered from constant constipation so using the bathroom after giving birth to Nola wasn’t the nightmare it could have been. 

+ Elvie Double Electric Wearable Smart Breast Pump

Being able to multitask as a mama is imperative. To that end, Elvie’s hands-free breastpump truly helped me to both maintain my supply and get every last ounce of breastmilk so that I could feed Nola. Another great option that is way less money and is a cult favorite is the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump. Actually, you should have a Haakaa on hand no matter what. 

+ Elvie Catch Secure Milk Collection Cups 

Instead of getting a bunch of nursing pads, spring for these milk catchers by Elvie. They fit easily in your bra and help collect any extra milk that may drip out from your overly full bobbies. You can pour the collected milk into a bottle and give it to baby. I loved knowing that any milk that leaked out was still going into Nola’s belly and not getting soaked up by a nursing pad I was either going to throw away or wash. 

+ Homma Premium Thick High Waist Tummy Compression Slimming Leggings

I lived in these compression tights for months after having Nola. They helped my core feel supported and I truly think they sped up my recovery. I’ve tried more expensive options and these affordable ones from Amazon are just perfect.

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