Postpartum Kit for a C-section Mom

Undergoing major surgery such as a C-section poses recovery challenges for moms at home. Having a postpartum care kit in your fourth trimester can help you recover as a C-section Mom.

This article talks about postpartum challenges you may face as you heal and bond with your baby, along with the postpartum products to help you.

As a C-section Mama myself, assembling my recovery care kit helped me prepare ahead of time, helped me stay organized, and got me into a healing state mindset.

It’s great to have handy essential items for your optimum healing and recovery. 

Let’s tackle it from the ground up – the items that can help you heal from C-section.

**This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you click the product links and purchase from those links at no extra cost to you.

The information in this post is for general purpose use only. This information cannot be used as a substitute for medical or other healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your doctor regarding your health and recovery. See full disclosure.**

Postpartum Care Kit for a Mom with C-section Birth

Compression Socks

Compression socks help with swelling and blood flow on your legs and feet. But, how are they going to help you at home?

When you undergo surgery, you will have extra fluids in your body. Waking up in your hospital room feeling swollen and unable to walk because your feet are poofed up, these socks can help decrease the swelling and discomfort. 

These socks also help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. Remember those squishy pump devices (called SCDs – sequential compression devices) around your calves during your hospitalization? That was to help you decrease the risk of developing blood clots.

Walking is one of the most critical activities after surgery and even being home from the hospital.

Make sure you have the proper size fit compression socks. Your nurse may provide you a pair of those white knee-high surgical stockings. Wear them as recommended. 

Sanitary Pads

Moms can include this postpartum item in their care kit – being a C-section Mom; you’ll still have the expected postpartum discharge. 

You’ll also have some vaginal discharge from the lining of your uterus shedding. It has to come out somewhere. Hence, postpartum pads are a must.

C-section Undies  

Who would have thought to buy these beauties? I had never heard of these before when I had my son a decade ago. Maybe they were on the market already but weren’t on my mom radar.

These helped with my second C-section. Finding underwear that doesn’t irritate your C-section wound, especially the first two weeks, is necessary. Look for high-waisted coverage for maximum comfort like these.

Scar Balm (Use only when cleared by your doctor) 

Once your C-section wound has closed and healed, you can start using this specially formulated balm. As a reminder above, make sure that you already saw your doctor/surgeon and received clearance to use this balm on your healed wound. 

What this C-section balm does, helps reduce the appearance of scars. Although you may not need it as you recover for the first four weeks, it’s good to have it handy.

Hemorrhoid creams 

Indeed, you may not experience hemorrhoids during C-section. However, changes to your hormones can contribute to hemorrhoids forming during the third trimester. 

You may not be aware or not feel them at all. Yet, when constipation happens, that’s when moms first have discomfort or sharp pain around their bottom. 

Having them included in your recovery care kit can give you peace of mind that it’s available whenever you may need them.

Stool Softeners 

Speaking of moving your bowels, here come stool softeners.

The surgery itself can slow down your gut movement. In addition, anesthesia from your surgery can add to your risk of having constipation in the hospital or at home. 

Why do you think you’re going to be given a stool softener every night during your hospital stay? It’s to prevent constipation and help you poop.

So, be prepared at home with these capsules to help you with bowel movements. The key here is to take them as directed by your doctor. 

The first week you may be prescribed to take a dose at night until your regular pattern returns. Ask your doctor for a specific frequency of taking this medication, even if moms can buy it over-the-counter. 

Peri-Bottle Wash  

This wash bottle will come in handy when you need to use the restroom. If you have hemorrhoids, this can be an additional helpful item to ease discomfort. 

Unless you have a toilet bidet installed already, this peri-bottle is the next best thing. 

Abdominal Binder 

Recovering from C-section and moving about at home can be challenging. Grab this abdominal binder to help you get around at home. 

It helps keep everything supported when you get out of bed, sitting down, and walking. This postpartum item was a life-saver for me when I got myself around and drove back/forth to visit my daughter in the NICU.

You may already have received one from the hospital; continue to use it as directed. You can purchase this one for a backup in case you need to wash the soiled one.

Comfy Pants 

You may want to continue to wear comfy loungewear or pajamas when recovering from C-section. 

This postpartum loungewear is perfect for comfort and non-irritating to your C-section wound.

You can get this before having your C-section and can wear these pants wear around your third trimester.

Related Post: Your Postpartum Checkup After A C-section and What To Expect

For C-section Mamas who plan to breastfeed their babies:

Nursing Gowns and Tops

You may want to wear nursing gowns or nursing tops, whichever you prefer for ease of breastfeeding, comfortable wear, or worn for an outing with a baby.

There are many selections: nursing tops, sleeping wear, postpartum gowns, and nursing dress. 

Nursing Bras and Pumping Bras

Having a good nursing bra to support your breastfeeding journey is crucial to have. Pick the ones that you can wear comfortably during the day and even wear while sleeping.

If you plan to go to work and pump, a great pair of pumping bras are a must-have for working moms. Pumping flanges are easier to maneuver when I used pumping bras; I don’t have to hold the pumping parts, and I can eat my lunch or do something else during my break time.  

Choose the ones that can last long-term use, support you with ease, are non-irritating and tight.

Nursing Pads

Nursing pads will be worn inside your bras when you’re lactating or when you are going out. 

Moms can have breast milk leaking while going about their day. So it’s great to have nursing pads included in your postpartum care kit. 

You can pick two highly recommended disposable nursing pads: Medela nursing pads and Lansinoh nursing pads.

I’ve personally used these brands and have exceptionally delivered what they’re intended for. 

If you prefer washable nursing pads, check these out – Lansinoh Reusable Nursing Pads or Kindred Bravely Organic Nursing Pads. These are great to have on your diaper bag or purse. 

Therapy Packs for your Breasts

C-section moms can experience engorgements and other breast discomforts. Have these therapy breast packs available for you to use.

Nipple Butter

The best I’ve ever used is this nipple butter from Earth Mama Organics. This nipple butter will have your nipples protected from breastfeeding issues such as dryness, crackedness, and soreness.

It’s essential to clean your nipples before and after each breastfeeding session. Then, you can use it before each feeding, and it’s baby safe. 

Guess what? You can also apply the nipple butter around your pumping flanges to ease discomfort if present while pumping. 

Mom Tip: Ensure you have the correct flange size for your nipples for optimum comfort during your pumping sessions. 

If you prefer a vegan version – check this vegan nipple butter out. 

Lactation Teas and Treats

If you’re planning to breastfeed your baby, the best way to get your supply up is to nurse on demand. 

However, sometimes moms may need some boost in milk supply. If there are breastfeeding issues, you can also try out some lactation teas to help build up your supply.

Please know that these recommendations are based on what worked for me and my situation. Yours may be entirely different. Check with your lactation consultant or even your doctor about breastfeeding issues.

I pumped at work for my daughter’s milk stash at home. But, sometimes, it isn’t as easy as hooking it up and getting what you expected. 

Check out this lactation tea from Earth Mama or this other tea from Traditional Organic Mother’s Milk.

Also, try these lactation cookies and emergency brownies. **This isn’t a sponsored post, and I don’t have an affiliate connection with Milky Mama products – but these are the ones that got me through my rough breastfeeding/pumping days. I highly recommend their products created by Krystal (a mom, a nurse, and a board-certified lactation consultant).**

Nursing Pillow 

To help you position your baby for nursing, you can use this nursing pillow at home. If you are not breastfeeding, you can also use this during bottle-feeding your baby. I’ve used them both when I bottle-fed my son and breastfed my daughter.

Other Mom Basic Items for your Postpartum C-section Kit

Pain Relief

Whether you have a prescribed pain medication from your doctor or you bought some OTC pain relievers.

You can expect to grab onto them for the first few weeks of your recovery and healing. 

There will be pain around your C-section wound and the surgery. Take it easy on yourself. 

When pain intensifies, try to get as much rest as possible. If your pain becomes severe – call your doctor, and for an emergency, call 911.

Your uterus will also be healing and shrinking as the days progress. So the cramping can be expected, and having these pain relievers on hand will help you reduce the pain and discomforts of healing.

Before taking any medications, be sure to ask your doctor first or your baby’s doctor (if planning on breastfeeding). 

Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are the pain relievers most recommended from the OTC category. There are higher doses of Ibuprofen which you can receive a prescription for from your doctor. 

As any reminder to moms, please consult your doctor first before taking any medication.

Water Bottles

Hydration for any mom recovering from surgery is essential. You can also expect to drink more water if you are breastfeeding. 

Try to take sips throughout the day to replenish what you exert in recovery and breastfeeding.

Hydration helps with healing, so try to keep up with it.

Healthy Snacks and Meals

Grab a few of those oatmeal granola bars or fresh fruits to help you nourish yourself while recovering. 

You can freeze meals ahead of time if you have a scheduled C-section; that way, you don’t have to worry about dinners once you are all home with the baby.

Prenatal Vitamins

Your body is recovering after a C-section birth, and it needs the essential vitamins and minerals to promote healing. 

Moms are recommended to continue taking their prenatal vitamins even if they’re not breastfeeding. Take them for at least the first six weeks of your postpartum period. 

Postpartum iron deficiency can happen after delivering a baby. Eating iron-rich foods in your diet may replenish what you need. Iron supplements are one of the recommendations from doctors for postpartum moms to keep up with their iron levels. But, again, talk to your doctor about this.

Well-balanced nutrition for recovering moms are highly encouraged. 

Having a baby is the most exciting time for parents. However, new moms with C-section births face challenges during their recovery period. Being prepared and having these items in your postpartum care kit will make it smoother and more manageable to recover as a C-section mom.

For friends and families trying to buy a postpartum self-care kit, you can also add these essentials items to gift for the newest C-section mom in town. 

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