My cousin had a really long and difficult labor so I decided to put together a little postpartum care package for her to make the transition home a little easier, because let’s be honest, having a newborn is amazing but it can also be pretty challenging.

Here’s what I sent her:

Galactagogue Milk Production Cookies:  My midwives gave me this recipe after I had Asher.  These cookies aren’t the tastiest things mainly because they’re pretty dry, but they do help support your milk supply, so you can’t argue with that.  I listed the recipe at the end of this post.

Always Radiant Incredibly Thin Liners (unscented):  Once the heavy postpartum bleeding (lochia) subsides, these liners were incredibly useful in dealing with the lighter stuff.  They are SUPER comfortable.  Seriously, I didn’t even notice they were there.  They also can come in handy if you have a difficult time holding your urine postpartum.  CLICK.

Arnicare Arnica Gel:  This stuff is amazing! Use it on your nether regions to sooth and promote healing.  Seriously, AMAZING.  CLICK. You should also be able to find it at Whole Foods.

Hand Lotion:  If you’re like me, when you have a newborn you kind of become obsessed with washing your hands, so a good hand cream can prevent dry, cracked skin, especially since dehydration is par for the course when it comes to the postpartum time.  All that water you’re guzzling is going straight to your milk supply. Which brings me to…

Dried Fruit:  Allow me to introduce you to dehydration’s nasty little friend, constipation.  Generally the hospital will recommend that you take Colace and I TOTALLY agree, but it doesn’t hurt to stack the deck with some good old fashioned fiber.  Bran muffins are also a good call.  I opted to send the dried mango that you can find in the bulk food bins at most Whole Foods, because it’s SO good.

Witch Hazel/Tucks Pads:  Helps to reduce swelling and sooth your sore nether regions.  Also useful if you got hemorrhoids.

Bath Salts: Every woman deserves some ‘me’ time during the postpartum period that doesn’t just involve sleeping, although that is important too.  Nurse your little one and then hand the baby over to dad or any other willing volunteer that you trust and give yourself a nice steamy soak.  The hot water will help get the blood flowing, which in turn speeds up healing and a fragrant bath is just far more relaxing and luxurious than your run of the mill sitz bath.

Breastfeeding Bracelet:  It’s not always easy to remember what side you need to breastfeed on next, so having a bracelet that you can easily move from side to side is super handy.  I opted for chewbeads, because they can double as teethers later on.  CLICK.  You should always start on the side your baby fed on last, that way you ensure that your baby will drain your breast completely (which can help prevent mastitis) and gets the higher calorie hind milk.

Lullaby CD:  To help sooth the little one.  We made this CD part of Asher’s nightly routine and whenever he hears it, he knows it’s time to wind down and go to bed.

A Daddy Gift: Don’t leave Dad out.  He deserves a little something nice too.  I included Peanut Butter cookies, because this Dad LOVES them and dark chocolate covered espresso beans because he’s really into coffee and the caffeine doesn’t hurt either when you have a newborn.

I also sent some coupons that I didn’t need and thought she may be able to use.  Babies are pricey y’all!

Here are some more ideas of things that you could include in a postpartum care package:

Nursing pads

A nice bedside carafe or water bottle

Sitz bath salts or herbs

Fenugreek capsules

Mother’s milk tea

Breast heating/cooling pads

C-Panty Incision Care Panty -For moms who have had a c-section

Nursing tank tops

———————————————————————————-