The Postpartum MVPs No One Talks About (But Absolutely Should)
The Postpartum MVPs No One Talks About (But Absolutely Should)
Everyone talks about what to pack in your hospital bag.
The Frida Mom kit. Nursing bras. Going-home outfits for baby. Snacks. Chargers that are a mile long. The list goes on.
And while all of those things are important, I've found that some of the best postpartum purchases are the unexpected ones.
Now that we're a few weeks into life with our sweet Cecilia, I've realized that the “must haves” are really nice to have BUT it’s also nice to throw in a thoughtful touch that makes you feel like YOU again.
Here are a few postpartum MVPs I don't hear people talk about enough.
1. A Eucalyptus Shower Spray
Can we all agree that the first shower at home deserves its own holiday?
Not the quick hospital shower.
The real one.
Your own bathroom. Your favorite shampoo. Your fluffy towel. Maybe (if you're feeling ambitious) even shaving your legs for the first time in what feels like a month. 😂
I honestly forgot how restorative that shower would feel. After days of living in a hospital room, stepping into my own shower felt like exhaling.
I've been using a eucalyptus shower spray, and it turns those few quiet minutes into a little spa moment. It's amazing what five uninterrupted minutes and a familiar scent can do for your mood.
2. Soft, Cozy Pajamas
You're going to spend a lot of time in pajamas.
Treat yourself to a pair you actually love. I actually didn’t do this with Addy and swore to myself that baby #2 deserved a lovely pair of pajamas.
Whether you're nursing, bottle feeding, contact napping, or surviving on two-hour stretches of sleep, having pajamas that feel soft, comfortable, and make you feel a little put together is such an underrated luxury. I love THESE and they also come in a mommy & me option!
Because even if no one else sees them...you do.
3. Hallway Night Lights
This might be my most practical recommendation on the list.
Those middle-of-the-night wake-ups happen a lot. And flipping on bright overhead lights every two or three hours is less than ideal.
A few soft night lights in the hallway and nursery make those sleepy walks with the baby so much easier. You can see where you're going without completely waking yourself up.
4. A Lip Mask That Lives on Your Nightstand
I don't know if it's the lack of sleep, the air conditioning, or simply forgetting to drink enough water, but postpartum lips are somehow always dry.
Keeping a lip mask on my nightstand has become part of my nighttime routine. Because when my toddler asks why my lips are chapped - it’s bad.
5. Pretty Burp Cloths
My best friend gave me a set of monogrammed burp cloths after Cecilia was born, and they've become one of my favorite gifts. Because catching spit up could actually use a little bit of a glow up moment.
And when you're holding a tiny baby at 2 a.m., those little beautiful details somehow matter more than you'd expect.
5. baby night gowns
While we're on the topic of nighttime, can we give a round of applause for baby gowns? I knew people loved them, but I didn't fully appreciate why until we were changing diapers at 2 a.m. No wrestling tiny legs back into footie pajamas, no lining up a million snaps while you're half asleep. Just a quick diaper change and back to bed. Absolute genius.
Pair those with a cozy set of pajamas, a lip mask on the nightstand, and a soft glow from the hallway, and the newborn night shift suddenly feels a whole lot less daunting.
Little Luxuries Matter
None of these things are essential.
Your baby won't sleep longer because you bought fancy pajamas.
Your postpartum recovery doesn't depend on eucalyptus spray.
But motherhood is made up of ordinary moments. Thousands of them.
And if a cozy pair of pajamas, a calming shower, or a beautiful burp cloth can make one of those moments feel just a little lighter... I think that's worth celebrating.
If you're putting together a baby registry, creating a postpartum basket for yourself, or shopping for an expecting friend, don't forget about the little comforts.
Sometimes they're the things you'll remember most.