What postpartum products do I need after the birth of my baby? It’s something a lot of our Mum Central readers ask. So we wanted to share our top picks for postpartum products for all expecting and new mums out there.
Belly bands, disposable undies, compression leggings, heat packs, nipple cream, and even hair loss serum. Designed to provide comfort, pain relief and support during the fourth trimester – we’ve got it all plus some!
Discover our top picks for postpartum products in 2022 and grab a discount on some of the best Aussie brands in maternity care.
A peaceful postpartum recovery
Recovering from birth is a pretty big process. It’s going to take time and during this time, not only are you going to be swollen and sore, but you’re also going to be learning how to be a mum to your new bundle of joy. Whether you’ve done it before or not, it’s still a very challenging time and it’s important to be kind to yourself.
The pain points
- YOUR LADYBITS & BREASTS: No beating around the bush, ladies. Your nether regions are going to need some serious TLC after giving birth.Your breasts will also be incredibly sore and swollen thanks to breastfeeding and engorgement. There are plenty of products that focus on these areas including ice and heat packs, postpartum undies, peri bottles, nipple cream, lactation cookies and more.
- YOUR BODY: In addition to your breasts, the rest of your body may be incredibly sore too, including your back and your abdomen. Heck, even your skin and hair will change! Postpartum recovery products like compression leggings, belly bands, hair loss serum and skin cream/oils can provide you with some love for these areas.
- YOUR MOOD & ENERGY: Blame the hormones for your incredibly up-and-down mood. Blame the baby for your lack of energy. There are vitamins and smoothie mixes that can help boost your energy and give you the nutrients you need to deal with the sleepless nights, poonamis and witching hours.
- YOUR MIND: Your ability to function is going to suffer. Blame baby brain, hormones, lack of sleep or the infant in your arms that now takes up 21-24 hours of your time a day. It may feel like you’re losing the plot, that you can’t keep on top of anything and that you’re doing everything wrong. You’re not.Your mind just needs a bit of love too. So take a breather, rest your eyes when the baby sleeps, even if you can’t sleep, order takeaway, turn on mindless TV and watch it, and ignore the little voice in your head telling you that you have to fold the washing. It’s a liar. Let yourself heal and rest. Focus on yourself, and your baby. The rest can wait.
Best postpartum products 2022
POSTPARTUM UNDIES: Bubba Bump Postpartum Disposable Underwear
Price: $15.99 for a pack of 8
Where to buy: Bubba Bump
Designed for mamas and endorsed by midwives, Bubba Bump’s postpartum disposable underwear is a must for the fourth trimester! Wear them instead of a bulky awkward pad and feel confident and comfortable while recovering from birth.
They absorb blood, lochia, urine and can even be worn when your waters break. With 3 x more absorption than regular maxi pads, this product is ideal for both c-section and vaginal birth and will leave you leak-free. They are also high-waisted so won’t irritate c-section wounds and you simply chuck them out after wear. So easy – just what new mums need.
Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives and a Finalist for the Bounty Awards, these postpartum undies are a postpartum essential. Chuck a pack (8 pairs) in your maternity bag and enjoy a more comfortable way to recover from birth.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 15% OFF CODE: MUMCENTRAL
PERI BOTTLE: Ninja Mama Postpartum Peri Bottle
Price: $23.99
Where to buy: Ninja Mama
Give your ladybits a much-needed spritz with this clever post-partum product. It’s a portable peri bottle that sprays your ladybits with warm water (and witch hazel if you’d like to add some) … the perfect combination after a birth! We won’t get into the nitty-gritty but wiping after birth isn’t the most pleasant of things (hello stitches!), which is why Ninja Mama designed their clever peri bottle!
It comes with a perfectly angled spout so you can point and squeeze without needing to bend. With a large 360ml capacity and a pretty waterproof bag, you can use it over and over and even when out and about. Another essential for your maternity bag, the Peri Bottle removes the fear in keeping clean after recovery. Such a good concept and designed by experienced Aussie mums too!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 15% OFF DISCOUNT FOR: ALL PRODUCTS CODE: MUMCENTRAL2022 OFFER ENDS: 31 August 2022
RECOVERY LEGGINGS: EMAMACO Pregnancy Recovery Leggings
Price: RRP $139.99 (but check out their current sale)
Where to buy: EMAMACO
Comfortable and supportive, EMAMACO’s recovery leggings are the perfect companion for recovery. They are made by a Melbourne designer who created the postpartum product during her own pregnancy.
Not only are they stylish, but these physio-approved pregnancy recovery leggings feature extra internal mesh to support your stomach and back, 4-panel stitching for ultimate comfort and no front seams. Plus they’re pet-hair resistant too!Â
Recommended for pregnancy recovery by specialist pre and postnatal physiotherapists, they promote the healing process by keeping everything in place. They come in heaps of different sizes : full length, 7/8, 3/4, shorts and a wide variety of colours. EMAMACO has a beautiful range of pregnancy leggings too, plus other maternity products such as nursing sports bras, nursing crop tops and other nursing tops.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 10% OFF DISCOUNT FOR: ALL PRODUCTS INC SALE CODE: mumcentral
NIPPLE CREAM: Purelan™ Lanolin CreamÂ
Price: From $10.49
Where to buy: Medela
A must for your sore nipples, Purelan™ Lanolin Cream can give you fast relief. Most women will experience sore nipples and dry skin*, especially at the start of breastfeeding, so having nipple cream on hand and in your maternity bag is a nipple saviour!
It is 100% natural and safe for your baby so you do not need to remove it before breastfeeding and provides a protective layer on the skin’s surface. There are no additives or preservatives and with no fragrance added, it’s ultra-pure medical grade.
It also comes with the highest safety standards**, plus is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin. Simply rub a small amount on your nipples, day or night, and get the hydration and relief you need to take on the next round of feeding your little one.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 20% OFF DISCOUNT FOR: ALL PRODUCTS CODE: MCPURELAN EXPIRES: 31 DECEMBER 2022
* References: 1Clark EW, Steel I. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 1993; 44:181–195., 2Barba Albanell C et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2018; 31:198-205, 3Abou-Dakn M et al. Skin Pharmacol. Physiol. 2011; 24(1):27–35., 4Brent N et al. Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 1998; 152(11):1077–1082.
** Reference: The European Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopoeia standards
BELLY BAND: Belly Bandit Luxe Belly Wrap
Price: $179.95
Where to buy: Belly Bandit
The Luxe Belly Wrap is a postpartum product that was 10 years in the making and so worth the wait. It combines the best features of belly wraps and corsets to create an incredible, form-fitting wrap that provides the ultimate in targeted postpartum compression and support.
Ultra-thin, breathable, discreet under clothes and designed with their Stayput™ technology and SecureStretch™ fabric, this wrap has it all! It’s ideal for postpartum recovery, to strengthen core muscles, help with abdominal separation (diastasis recti), ease back pain and provide comfort after a C-Section.
The Luxe Belly Wrap can also encourage better posture, especially important during breastfeeding. Easy to use, comfortable to wear and best of all, supportive in your recovery, the Belly Wrap comes with rave reviews from new mums too!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 10% OFF DISCOUNT FOR: ALL PRODUCTS CODE: July10 OFFER ENDS: 31 July 2022
POSTNATAL SUPPLEMENTS: Optivance Mummy Smoothie for BreastfeedingÂ
Price: $49.00
Where to buy: Optivance or check stocklists hereÂ
For a boost of energy and goodness, you can’t go past the Optivance Mummy Smoothie for Breastfeeding. Our mum reviewers recently RAVED about this product (nearly perfect score) and it’s easy to see why.
The Mummy Smoothie is packed with all the nutrients you need for your breastfeeding and postpartum care including 21 vitamins and minerals (including 100% of your daily vitamin B, D and iron requirements), a good source of protein including a 4g boost of collagen, 5 billion probiotics, 200mg of DHA and galactagogues (i.e. fennel and fenugreek).
Our reviewers noticed the Breastfeeding Smoothie also helped boost energy levels, increase milk supply and even helped with postpartum hair loss. Read the full review here.
Each package comes with 14 individual smoothie sachets so you simply have to open the pack, add your favourite ingredients, blend and enjoy! Say goodbye to daily capsules and the risk of nausea, you’ve got everything you need in one easy and delicious smoothie!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 20% OFF DISCOUNT FOR: ALL BOXES IN FIRST ORDER CODE: MUMCENTRAL
HOT & COLD PACKS:Â BodyICE Woman Maternity Care Pack
Price: $69.95
Where to buy: BodyICE
Your ladybits and milk machines will thank you immensely for investing in BodyICE Woman Maternity Care Pack, featuring both ice and heat packs for breastfeeding and perineal recovery. BodyICE is a 100% Aussie-owned, proud member of 1% for the planet and their products are designed by a mum for all mums. Not only are they loved by mums but they are also endorsed by midwives and obstetricians.
The BodyICE Maternity Care pack comes with 2 x breast gel-bead pads with 2 x washable sleeves and 1 x perineum gel-bead strip with 5 x washable sleeves.
The breast gel-bead pads are designed to provide warming or cooling relief from soreness associated with breastfeeding, blocked milk ducts, engorgement and the dreaded mastitis. Their perineal packs will help with the throbbing pain down below after vaginal birth and, bonus, they work for haemorrhoids too. Their Maternity Pack makes a unique gift idea and is another staple to pop in the maternity bag.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 30% OFF CODE: MUMCENTRAL OFFER ENDS: 31 December 2022 FREE SHIPPING: All orders over $100 (Australia-wide)
LACTATION COOKIES: Franjo’s Kitchen Tanker Topper Bikkies
Price: $20.95
Where to buy: Franjo’s Kitchen
Another great postpartum product to add to your list is a package (or two) of lactation cookies. Franjo’s Kitchen makes a mean tanker topper – plus they’re vegan, 100% natural and free from refined sugar, additives and preservatives.
Their lactation cookies will load you up with essential vitamins, minerals and good fats giving you the energy you need to deal with sleep deprivation, poonamis and the dreaded witching hour. They’re also packed with galactagogues – ingredients that have been used for centuries to support a healthy milk supply.
Designed to fill you with plenty of superfood goodness, like oats, chia seeds, coconut oil, buckwheat flour and flaxseeds, they provide a tasty snack for busy mums. One that you can easily eat one-handed too (bonus).
Another great thing about these lactation cookies is that Franjo’s Kitchen donates a portion of every sale to PANDA to help families affected by perinatal anxiety and depression.
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 15% OFF CODE: Franjoskitchen15 OFFER ENDS: 12 August 2022
POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS: Dushi’s Rapid Hair Growth Serum
Price: $36.95
Where to buy: Dushi
For postpartum hair loss, you really can’t go past Dushi! They are the experts in postpartum hair loss with their Rapid Hair Growth Serum new mums rave about. It’s made in Australia, clinically proven to grow follicles and is safe for coloured and chemically-treated hair.
Dushi’s Rapid Hair Growth Serum is also vegan friendly, not tested on animals and free from nasties such as mineral oils, parabens, SLES, SLS and artificial colours.
How it works is simple too. Leave it in and watch your hair transform! Not only will it improve scalp circulation and hair thickness, but it’s also designed to control oil on the scalp and repair thinning hair breakage and split ends. If you’re worried about your postpartum hair loss, then this serum will be your hair saviour!
MUM CENTRAL READER OFFER: OFFER: SAVE 10% OFF CODE: MUMCENTRAL
What to Read Next:
The fourth trimester is filled with so many roller coaster moments. Have a look at some of our favourite stories about new mummy hood:
- 18 Messed Up Things No One Seems To Mention About New Mummyhood
- 12 Hilariously Accurate Truths About Postpartum Recovery
- 21 Unexpected Things You’ll Discover in Your Postpartum Weeks
- Navigating Motherhood: Advice For New Mums
- The Fourth Trimester Video We All Need to Watch
- Real, Raw, Exhausting: 24 Hours in the Life of a New Mum
- To All Mums With Newborns, This is How Your Baby Really Feels
