The Small Changes That Made a Big Impact on My Postpartum Recovery
I didn’t realize how much I’d crave comfort after birth—real comfort. Postpartum recovery is not just about an extra pillow or another box of mesh undies, but a space where I could breathe, rest, and feel even a tiny bit like myself again.
After my second baby, I found myself mentally preparing for the sleepless nights and physical recovery… but emotionally? I was a mess. The living room was chaos, the bedroom was a nursing cave, and the bathroom felt like a triage center. I knew something had to change—so I created a little corner of calm. A postpartum recovery space that felt more like a spa than a hospital wing.
And it honestly changed everything.
Here’s how I set it up—and the small upgrades that made a huge difference in how I healed.
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A Cozy Nesting Zone (That Didn’t Feel Clinical)
I started with my side of the bed. It was the one spot I could control. I swapped out my scratchy throw for a breathable cotton muslin blanket that felt gentle on my skin, even when I was sweaty and sore. I added a dimmable bedside lamp so I didn’t feel like I was under an interrogation light during night feeds.
Shop my exact throw blanket
The soft-glow lamp I loved
This was the first moment I felt like, “Okay… maybe I can do this.”
Rolling Cart = Sanity Saver
My greatest postpartum hack? A 3-tier rolling cart stocked with everything I needed—no midnight bathroom runs, no frantic yelling for my partner to find the peri bottle. I could roll this into the bathroom if needed, or just keep it by the bedside for quick snacks and baby needs.
Top shelf: Frida Mom peri bottle, ice packs, healing foam, cooling pad liners, and disposable underwear
Middle shelf: Snacks, pain relievers
Bottom shelf: extra diapers, a burp cloth or five
Here’s the cart I used
Frida Mom Recovery Kit
My favorite milk-boosting snack
Burp cloths
It wasn’t fancy, but it made me feel prepared. In control. And when you’re postpartum? That’s priceless.
Spa Vibes, Even in the Bathroom
I know, it sounds ridiculous—but turning the bathroom into a spa helped me feel more human. I added a small essential oil diffuser with lavender and used it during sitz baths or just while washing my face. It helped me pause. Even if just for two minutes.
You deserve luxury, even in the bathroom.
Hydration, But Make It Cute
Drinking water felt like a full-time job while breastfeeding. I kept a giant tumbler filled with coconut water or a quick homemade electrolyte mix right next to me. I even froze little mint + lemon cubes to throw in when I needed a refresh (and a reason to feel bougie).
This 40oz tumbler was my lifeline
Unsweetened coconut water I liked
I didn’t have time for “self-care,” but sipping spa water between cluster feeds? That I could do.
A Little Basket of Me-Time
There were so many moments where I felt like just a milk machine. So I created a tiny “me basket” on my nightstand—just a few things that made me feel pampered and, well, seen.
Inside:
Cooling face mist
Postpartum tea bags
Organic nipple balm
Lip balm
A robe I never wanted to take off
Postpartum tea I used daily
Cooling face mist for hot flashes
My favorite soft robe
Organic nipple balm
My favorite lip balm
It didn’t make the exhaustion disappear, but it made me feel more like me—and that meant everything.
Something to Do While Stuck Under a Baby
When the baby finally fell asleep on my chest, I couldn’t exactly get up and stretch or clean or… exist. So I kept my Kindle nearby with low-effort reads that helped me escape a little. Rom-coms, essays, anything that didn’t mention parenting.
Lightweight Kindle
Extra-long charging cord
This was less about distraction and more about survival.
The Quiet MVP of My Recovery Space
And a portable white noise machine? Total game-changer. It helped both me and the baby get a little more rest—and masked the chaos happening in the next room.
White noise machine I kept by my bed
Absolutely get this one!
Other Items I loved for Postpartum
Nutrafol – for that scary postpartum hair loss
My favorite perineal spray
Postnatal – to help with recovery
Firming Body Lotion
Breast Therapy Packs – pads to keep the girls happy
My favorite breast pump
Earbuds – for those times you just need to escape
Belly Wrap – to speed up healing
Nursing PJ’s – so convenient for nursing
FAQ – Postpartum Recovery Essentials
Q: What should I keep in my postpartum recovery cart?
A: Anything that helps you feel comforted, clean, and prepared: peri bottle, witch hazel pads, mesh undies, snacks, nipple balm, and whatever you need at 3AM when no one else is awake.
Q: How can I make postpartum recovery feel less overwhelming?
A: Create small routines that feel healing—diffusing essential oils, sipping herbal tea, wearing a robe you actually like. Recovery doesn’t need to be fancy, just intentional.
Q: What are some postpartum essentials worth buying on Amazon?
A: I swear by the Frida Mom recovery kit, a soft throw blanket, an essential oil diffuser, a white noise machine, and a 40oz tumbler. Small things, big comfort.
Final Thoughts
This little space I made for myself—my postpartum spa corner—wasn’t about being “extra.” It was about honoring everything my body just went through. It gave me comfort when I felt frayed. It gave me a little me in the middle of it all.
And if you’re in that stage right now, you deserve that too.