I really thought I would blog much more throughout pregnancy (there’s this very first post!), but between pregnancy-exhaustion, working full time, and dealing with the emotional and mental fatigue of covid-19, my family’s health and distance from us, and beyond, writing blog posts was the last thing I wanted to do. Now that baby Ella is here, however, I’m going to try to get back in the blogging/recipe developing game. Thank you, thank you for sticking with me throughout these months!

While pregnant, I found the consumerism around what a baby needs as well as what I would actually need to purchase for myself and her really overwhelming, and just plain exhaustive. I found that reading other women’s blog posts surrounding what actually worked for them and their baby was really helpful, as well as talking to close friends who had recently given birth. Of course, this is my first baby and I’m certainly not an expert, but here’s my two cents for postpartum and newborn essentials.

Postpartum Essentials for Mamas

Whew – I knew that giving birth would be hard, but oh my god, it was the most intense, animalistic, and BIG- sensation-feeling thing I’ve ever done. I had an unmedicated, vaginal birth at a birth center and had an incredible labor and delivery experience (albeit a really FAST and furious one), but I was very unprepared for the sensations and feelings after delivering baby. Sitting comfortably, walking around and going up and down stairs, and (yep) going #2 are all a bit uncomfortable – the later is just plain scary the first few times.

Luckily, there are a multitude of magical products geared towards postpartum care and comfort. These are the ones that I found to truly work + provide relief and comfort.

The Honey Pot Clean Cotton Postpartum Pads – STOCK UP on these pads! They’re a nice large size (necessary), infused with mint, lavender, and aloe (so soothing and tingly!) and are made with clean cotton, free from chlorine, perfumes, dyes, or synthetic materials.

Frida Mom 2-in-1 Postpartum Absorbent Postpartum Perineal Ice Maxi Pads – speaking of soothing and tingly…these feel ah-mazing.

Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear – Yes, you should definitely get disposable underwear for postpartum! These ones are surprisingly comfy, high-waisted, and basically a win when laundry isn’t going to happen for weeks.

Thena Sitz Bath Soak – Oooh this feels really good in a bath or sitz bath. The ingredients are really incredible too: 100% pure natural epsom salt, 100% pure natural dead sea salt, organic coconut oil, organic sweet almond oil, organic sesame seed oil, organic aloe vera, organic oatmeal kernel meal, organic witch hazel leaf (non-alcohol), organic yarrow, organic white oak bark, organic comfrey root, organic calendula, glycerin, magnesium oil, organic plantain leaf, lavender essential oil, organic nettle leaf, grapefruit essential oil, organic rosemary leaf, vitamin e.

Kindred Bravely Sublime Adjustable Crossover Nursing Bra – I love this nursing bra! My milk came in quite quickly and I had some engorgement issues (a really amazing lactation consultant was super supportive here, and I recommend you research + talk to lactation consultants in your area before you give birth) and this bra has been both supportive and extremely comfy for wearing 24/7. I recommend sizing up!

Earth Mama Nipple Butter – this smells SO good, and it feels really luxurious and moisturizing on the girls!

Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump – This thing is amazing! I have an electric pump, but I love using the Haakaa while feeding baby for “catching” breast milk that leaks out of the other boob (it happens!). It’s been a really easy way to save and store breast milk – AND it’s easy to clean, unlike the bazillion parts of my breast pump.

Postpartum Essentials for Mama – Nourishment

Giving birth (for me) was like running a marathon and then plunging into sleepless nights and exhaustion, while trying to heal my body, dealing with hormones going absolutely insane, and learning how to take care of a new little being.

Which is why nourishment and feeding your body with real, whole foods is SO IMPORTANT, especially if you’re breastfeeding and/or pumping. Plan to stock your fridge and freezer with as many ready-made meals before baby comes, and rely on friends and family, meal trains, and meal delivery services to get you through the first weeks.

I highly, highly recommend the book The First Forty Days which is part-cookbook, part-cultural lens into birth across the world, and part- guidance on resting and recovery after having baby. It’s chalk-full of postpartum recipes (think: easy, nutrient-dense soups and bone broth, filling smoothies, and really delicious treats made with whole foods) that are great to prep before baby, or have a family member or friend make for you.

Here are a few more nourishing things I’ve been loving:

Ritual Postnatal multivitamin – When I learned that Ritual was making a postnatal vitamin, I swapped out my prenatal vitamin subscription ASAP. I love Ritual’s obsessively researched vitamin and mineral tracing and the fact that a new bottle comes to my door every single month, because vitamin automation makes my life so much easier. Ritual’s postnatal vitamin is formulated with USP-grade Iodine, and nature-identical Biotin and Choline to support women’s increased nutrient requirements during lactation, as well as vitamins A, C, D3, and Zinc help support normal immune function.

Belcampo Bone Broth – I’m a bit of a nut, in that I love bone broth and have tried every brand on the market. This is my holy grail bone broth, not only because it tastes super nourishing, but because Belcampo practices regenerative-agriculture, which means their Northern California farms are climate-positive and carbon-negative. This bone broth is made with organic chicken bones and grass-fed and finished beef bones, and is a wonderful source of collagen (supportive for healing connective tissues), minerals and vitamins. Stash a few packages in the freezer and enjoy warmed in a mug or use in soups and curries! Psst: you can use the code ‘vegukate’ to get 25% off your entire Belcampo order! It’s my one-stop shop for sustainably raised meat and poultry.

A giant Hydroflask with a straw lid – breastfeeding makes me incredibly thirsty 24/7, so having this giant bottle with a straw lid (essential for one-handed maneuvering) has been key.

Ground Up PDX nut butter – I now keep a jar of nut butter by my bedside for the middle of the night snacking, as again, breastfeeding makes me really thirsty AND hungry. Stock up on a few jars (may I recommend the seasonal holiday flavors like Salted Eggnog – so good) for quick nourishment filled with healthy fats and vitamins. Use the code VEGUKATE for 15% off your order!

Majka Lactation Cookie Bites – super yum bites that are filled with ingredients to support breastmilk production including oats (a known galactagogue), fenugreek, cloves, fennel, sesame, turmeric, and caraway. The chocolate flavor is my favorite!

Recipes and snacks to stock in your pantry and freezer:
Cashew Butter Freezer Fudge – filled with healthy fats and plant-protein. Another super delicious nursing snack!
GF Chunky Monkey Banana Bread – make this, slice it, freeze, and enjoy pieces of goodness whenever your craving for banana bread strikes (me, all the time)
Mushroom Risotto – mmmmm, so cozy and comforting.
Lemony Lentil Soup with Crispy Kale – packed with fiber-rich lentils, vitamin-C rich lemons, and hearty carrots, this simple soup freezes really well; make a double batch!
Almond butter cookie bars – again, the perfect breastfeeding snack. Gluten-free and vegan, too!
Sweet potato and double bean chili – made with sweet potatoes, beans, and organic grass-fed beef which provides ample protein, omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid that we must obtain from food that’s been shown to prevent certain types of cancers and diabetes), and even precursors to vitamins A and E. It’s super nourishing!

Newborn Essentials:

When I was compiling a baby registry and shopping for Ella, I was SO overwhelmed by the vast amount of baby products, clothes, toys, bouncers, swings, and stuff. I’m such a minimalist when it comes to products and I didn’t want my home to turn into a baby explosion. So, I’ve kept baby things really simple and paired down, and it really works for us (so far!). Here’s the ones that we’ve all LOVED these past few weeks.

Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller – ok, I’ve been obsessed with this stroller for years, and I’m so glad we invested in it for our babe. I love that the stroller can grow with our family, includes a bassinet and a toddler seat, folds up and is very portable, and is made without any flame retardants, BPA, Phthalates, Lead, Latex, Teflon, or ScotchGuard. We have the Nuna Pipa carseat that also seamlessly snaps into the base of this stroller, too, AND is super lightweight.

Muslin burp clothes – we have these in every room in the house and use them for everything – because, babies have lots of fluids. Get a double order!

Ergobaby 360 carrier – we’ve been using this daily on long walks. Ella snuggles in and falls asleep instantly! It’s a bit more supportive then the Solly wraps (below) so I prefer it for outdoors and long strolls!

Solly Baby Infant Wrap – ah! Baby wearing is so much fun, and it helps to calm and put Ella right to sleep too. It’s also really handy for getting things done around the house, cooking, and generally just having the use of two hands while holding baby.

Goumi Smart Baby Gowns – Once my husband and I realized how squirmy and wiggly little Ella is (especially during middle of the night diaper changing parties), we quickly removed any fussy snaps and button onesies and outfits from her dresser. These gowns from Goumi are our JAM. They’re made with organic cotton, have scratch-prevention mitts, an extra-large neck opening (key!), and can convert to a sleeper gown effortlessly – hello easy diaper changing. Plus they’re super soft and come in tons of fun colors! Goumi also has the cutest footies (with zippers!) that we’re also very into.

Honest Company diapers and wipes – These cute diapers have been great for our wiggly baby! I love that they’re super soft and hypoallergenic, and made without: Latex, chlorine processing, fragrances or lotions.

Infant Snuggle Me Organic Lounger – we lovingly refer to this as Ella’s little blue pod. As the name suggests, it’s a simple cuddly pillow lounger (it actually looks like a dog bed, TBH) that’s a snug little hangout for babe to relax and chill in. We pop her in this when we’re cooking dinner or watching Netflix at night. The cover (they have lots of fun colors and designs) is also washable – very important! I also like that these are made in the USA with GOTS certified organic, non-toxic, breathable, and hypoallergenic fabric.

The Lovery Play Gym – THIS is the best thing. We were gifted it for E and are as obsessed as she is! The play gym has “five development zones that reveal or conceal to prevent overstimulation and promote learning: Learning to focus; Making sounds; How things feel; Hiding and finding; Exploring colors.” It’s made with all organic and non-toxic materials – even the black and white cards that promote cognition and focus are printed with soy-based inks – which is great, because baby is spending a lot of time on this thing. It’s one of our go-to spots for tummy time and play time.

BABYBJÖRN Bouncer – Another favorite place for baby to hang out, this bouncer is the best! It also folds up flat (yay!) to stash in a closet when you’re not using it.

Keekaroo Peanut Changing Pad – We purchased a regular dresser for our nursery and popped this comfy changing pad on top. The best part: messes (and poo blowouts!) wipe clean!

SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet from Happiest Baby – I’m pretty obsessed with this bassinet, mostly for the safety factor. The SNOO has a built in swaddle system (that takes all of 5 seconds thanks to the power of velcro) that keeps Ella sleeping on her back (thus preventing her rolling over) safe and supported all night long. The SNOO automatically responds to babe’s needs when it detects fussing or crying, and soothes her by responding with increasing motion + sound. The SNOO can be rented (via their website) or purchased, and you can often find them for half price on Craigslist or Ebay.

Zutano booties – Baby socks and shoes are just silly. These cozy ones from Zutano actually stay on (with snaps) and are really adorable!

And that’s it! I hope this list provides some insight into baby things and gets you ready for postpartum care and newborn care for you and your family!