Welcoming a new baby is such a beautiful, overwhelming, and physically intense experience. In those early postpartum days when you’re recovering from birth, you’ll want to move as little as possible. That’s where these postpartum bedside cart essentials become your best friend.
As a new mom just a few months out from the newborn haze, I wanted to share what I kept within reach on my postpartum cart (I like this metal three-tier cart – much more sturdy than a plastic one). Whether you’re recovering from a vaginal birth or C-section, or just want to stay cozy with your baby, here’s a list of my postpartum bedside cart essentials that helped me stay prepared, sane, and supported.
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1. Diapering Without Leaving the Bed
When my husband wasn’t home or I was too sore to get out of bed, these essentials made it possible to do a full diaper change without walking to the changing table. In those first few days, conserving every bit of energy counts!
- Travel changing pad – we’ve been loving this changing pad on our outings.
- Diapers and wipes – three months in and we love these low-toxic brands of diapers and wipes the best.
- Extra change of baby pajamas for blow outs (I mention in this newborn registry must-haves post how much we love these organic cotton two-way zipper pajamas. Oliver lived in zipper pajamas only for about a month.)
2. Personal Hygiene and Care
Your body goes through so many changes postpartum. One thing I was NOT prepared for was how much I would sweat and smell. I’m talking smelling like I haven’t showered in three days within 15 minutes of exiting the shower. Some believe this happens so your baby can recognize you by smell. My skin is also drier and itchier somehow despite all the sweat? These are definitely postpartum bedside cart essentials that help you feel decent during those first few weeks.
- Deodorant – a quick freshen-up without needing a shower. (I would also use diaper wipes to clean my armpits in between uses)
- Lotion – we haven’t used lotion on Oliver yet, but we’ll also use this lotion that I’ve been using for years on him when we start.
- Chapstick – how my lips feel dry while I’m guzzling water because of breastfeeding I’ll never know.
- Dental picks – to freshen up teeth in between all the snacks you will definitely be eating.
- Back scratcher – the last thing you want to do is have an itchy back while holding a sleeping newborn. It took me about two weeks before I ordered this back scratcher pack and I don’t know why I waited – they’re amazing and even my husband uses them.
3. Let Down and Nipple Care
Early breastfeeding can be rough, really rough. I still struggle with getting a good latch at three months postpartum. All these items helped me manage let down (WOW was I leaking 24/7) and healing as best I could between feeds.
- Nipple butter – I love this nipple butter, it’s so moisturizing and healing. I still use it when pumping (though you can use coconut oil instead when pumping to get more bang for your buck).
- Silverettes – these also helped with healing so much in those early days. And the cooling sensation of the cold silver was welcome too.
- Nursing pads – if you’re wearing a bra, these will save it from the early days of major leaking.
- Haakaa Ladybugs – these were a lifesaver for catching letdown with no effort. I also preferred these over the original Haakaa because of their low profile – Oliver couldn’t kick these off as easily.
- Breast pump wipes – You can use these to quickly clean the Haakaa in between catches. They’re also great on-the-go for cleaning pump parts and bottles.
- Breast milk cooler bottle – so you don’t have to keep going to the fridge to store your let down. Honestly, the one I have sucks (I went cheaper and got what I paid for). So I haven’t tried this linked cooler, but it is bigger and has great reviews.
4. Snacks & Hydration
I was ravenous around the clock those first few weeks (and still am some days). I had so many snacks in my cart at all times as they are 100% postpartum bedside cart essentials! Below are my favorites. And staying hydrated is key in producing breastmilk – make sure to get those electrolytes in!
- Water bottle – you’ll be incredibly thirsty no matter how much you drink. I love this Stanley bottle.
- Redmond Re-Lyte Electrolytes – We love Redmond salt in this home! I preferred the unflavored since there’s no stevia, but they have tons of flavors. My husband likes mixed berry.
- Rise protein bars – I swear I was craving the honey cinnamon bar all the time! I was so sad when we figured out Oliver can’t have dairy, I had to give these up since they have whey in them. The vegan ones aren’t as good in my opinion. But if dairy isn’t an issue for you or baby, get the honey cinnamon!
- Aloha protein bars – I switched to these non-dairy protein bars and they are delicious! The peanut butter cup tastes like Reeses, and the peanut butter chocolate chip and chocolate chip cookie dough are sooo good.
- Mamma Chia seed packets – an easy and delicious way to get fiber in and help those early bowel movements.
- Prunes – another great way to help those bowel movements. And a great sweet snack too!
- Archer Meat sticks – when you need something savory and want more protein. I like their turkey stick, they have beef too!
- Wonderful Pistachios – I absolutely love pistachios (these have no weird oils too). If they aren’t your fav, try a different nut instead for some protein and healthy fats.
- Lara bars – simple bars that are higher carb and fat to help with breastmilk production. Tons of flavors!
- Gimme Seaweed – this may be a weird one, but I love these as a salty snack (and a great source of iodine). If you don’t like seaweed, I get it.
- Hu Chocolate – yep, just straight chocolate. Immediate mood booster (it encourages the release of endorphins and oxytocin!). I love their dark chocolate baking gems, but they have flavored chocolate bars too.
5. Comfort & Healing
Your body just went through a traumatic event (even if it was a magical and peaceful birth). There’s so much healing and not to mention organs finding their positions again – the female body is so amazing! Make sure to nurture and comfort your body as best you can in those early days. These items helped me feel comforted.
- Heating pad – to help ease uterine cramps and back pain and honestly just feel like you’re wrapped in a warm hug.
- Mom Cozy Belly Wrap – offers gentle support as your uterus shrinks and your abdomen heals. This one is also split into three sections for more support customization which I loved. If I wanted it looser towards my pubic bone but tighter towards my ribs, I could adjust the straps as needed.
- Pain management – if approved by your provider, have your pain management medications or supplements handy to stay on top of afterbirth pains. If you like more natural pain management like me, I like this tincture or arnica. I also used the tincture for when I got my first period postpartum (it came out of nowhere and was much more intense than pre-pregnancy).
- Prenatal vitamins: also if approved by your provider, continue your prenatals! Growing a human (and now feeding one with breastmilk) is so nutritionally depending and can deplete your body’s reserves like crazy. I’ve used and love the Needed brand from preconception to postpartum.
- Puppy pads: okay not necessarily on the cart, but I had a box by the bed. Since you’ll be bleeding for a couple weeks after birth, place these on your bed to save any from getting on your sheets. We used them in the car too when coming home from the birthing center or driving to those early appointments. We also still use them on the changing table to save it from accidents and blowouts. Much easier to just throw away a pad instead of use wipes or launder a changing table cover to clean up messes.
6. Baby Soothing & Extras
I relied a lot on nursing to calm Oliver down (and it worked pretty well). If you’re experiencing a fussy period, some of the below items can help. There are also some miscellaneous items that you’ll probably need for baby.
- Sound machine – I recommend only using this if needed. We’re just now having to rely on sounds (like a youtube video of vacuum noises) to get Oliver to fall asleep. Save as many tools as you can for the moments when none of the usually tricks are working.
- Muslin blanket – for swaddling baby or as a makeshift bolster to place under their head for feeding (that was a tip from a lactation consultant that I still do at the 3 month mark).
- Burp cloths – so many great uses. For cleaning up spit up, wiping off sweat, etc.
- Thermometer – my midwife said to check mine and baby’s temperature twice a day during those first couple weeks. It was a way to keep on top of any postpartum issues that can possibly arise while healing for me and to make sure baby’s temperature was regulating to me well.
7. Mom Must-Haves
Here are those little extras that just make quality of life better.
- Magnetic phone charger clip – to mount on the side of your metal cart. So you can take all the baby pics without a dead battery.
- Tissue box – for those unexpected hormone-fueled crying moments (they will happen, trust me).
- Hair ties/hair clip – to keep hair out of your face during feeds or middle-of-the-night wakeups.
- And if you ever have two hands free, a good book so you aren’t always scrolling social media or googling every small thing about your baby.
8. For those that are pumping…
I’m grateful I was able to breastfeed in those early days (I didn’t start pumping until a couple days before we introduced bottles at 4 weeks). You mamas who start pumping early on are superheroes. I can’t imagine washing pump parts too freshly postpartum! If you’re pumping, you can absolutely add these items to your cart.
- Electric Pump – I use this Spectra S1 electric pump and love that it has a battery life as well as a plug in. I highly recommend getting extra sets of pump parts so you don’t need to do dishes after every pump session.
- Manual Pump – if you don’t have the means for a full pump session setup, I like this Medela manual pump. I also use it in the car on the way to appointments (when my husband is driving).
- Pumping bra – this Kindred pumping and breastfeeding bra has been great for hands free pumping.
- Glass baby bottles – so you can dump what you pump right into a bottle without having to get out of bed. I also much prefer glass to plastic, especially when heating up the bottles. You should also get these “flow 1” nipples incase the “flow 2” nipples the bottle pack comes with have too strong a milk stream for your baby.
- Pump wipes – I know this is listed above but you DEFINITELY want them to avoid needed to wash pump parts and bottles multiple times a day.
- Nipple butter/coconut oil – use the nipple butter or coconut oil as a lubricant when pumping. It’s much more comfortable!
Final Thoughts
Your postpartum bedside cart doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect, just practical and stocked with what helps YOU feel most supported (which might not be everything above and that’s okay!). Every mom’s experience is different, but I hope this list of essentials helps you prepare for those tender, beautiful early days. You deserve all the rest you can get!
