My Postpartum Survival Kit: How to Add Some Self-Care Into a New Life

Welcoming a baby during a pandemic while simultaneously running a company is no easy feat, but thankfully, with the help of friends and my community, I was able to find great products to make my day-to-day routine a lot easier. 

My son Joaquim was born in February 2021 and he just turned 11 weeks! He is such a little angel and is a very easy going baby. They say that a happy mom equals a happy baby, so taking care of yourself is important to prioritize!

Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite products that have been helping me navigate postpartum life. 

Maternity Tank Bra

My breasts grew a lot during pregnancy and continue to grow during postpartum with the breastfeeding. I went on to find this affordable and convenient model on amazon. These have made it a lot easier to have some support, and breastfeed at the same time.

Washable Nurse Pad

To support my efforts in being more conscious of the products I use, I invested in some washable nurse pads. They’re incredibly convenient and efficient, especially at the beginning of breastfeeding when you experience heavier leaking. They can be washed easily, can be reused, and they even come with a laundry bag. The only downside to these is that they are quite cushion-y, sometimes making the shape visible through your top.

Parachute Cotton Wardrobe

Pampering yourself after delivery or welcoming a new child is essential. Labor was very intense and I was incredibly exhausted when I came home. Having a nice wardrobe to come home to where you can instantly feel comfortable and relaxed is key. This amazing wardrobe is what I gifted myself with. I love the material because it is soft and gentle (just like our skincare! ;) ) and not too restricting or warm. The pastel tones are also so beautiful!

Brest Friend Nursing Pillow

Thanks to the generosity of other moms, I collected a free Brest Friend Pillow on my local Buy Nothing facebook group. I brought it with me to the hospital and it was really helpful as they showed me how to use it. After I gave birth, I started experiencing back pain (I still do!) and wrist pain as well. I’ve learned that it is very important to invest in some support if you plan to breastfeed as poor positioning can cause discomfort. 

Make up

I don’t know if it is the hormones, but after totally cutting off on make up during pregnancy and using our Start Over & Bio Restore Serum to combat my dry and reactive skin, I truly felt a need to pamper myself and look great for all the upcoming baby pics when the delivery was approaching! After doing a live with the amazing makeup artist Katey Denno, I invested in a Kjaer Weis concealer, Ilia highlighter, and Vapour Beauty lipstick. I also got a beautiful make up vanity from Rothys (yes, the shoe brand!). It felt great to take care of myself after an intense pregnancy. You can read more about my journey, here). 

Everlane Jeans

The reality after giving birth is that you don’t always go back to your pre-pregnancy weight so soon. At 12-weeks postpartum I still have 15 lbs. to lose and I can't fit into any of my pre-pregnancy jeans. As it was depressing for me to use my pregnancy outfit, I decided at 4-weeks postpartum to invest in a couple of my favorite brands of jeans, Everlane. The only model that is now fitting me is the Original Cheeky Jean (I usually wear high rise skinny). I missed high rise jeans so much during pregnancy that being able to wear clothes of the same style I’ve always loved (white tee + high rise jeans) makes me feel myself again.

Navigating new parenthood is a journey that is both exciting and comes with its challenges, but having products that you can rely on can help make that journey so much easier! The products above have quickly become necessities that I’m very grateful to have and I hope that they can serve as ideas for new mothers out there, too.