Let’s take a moment to talk about something all expecting moms should think about before beginning the fourth trimester: the postpartum nightstand!
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Not the styled version featuring flowers, books, and candles. Nope. I’m talking about the real postpartum nightstand, which includes items catering to a bleeding, leaking, starving, and nursing new mom.
Because let’s be super honest- when you’re in your new mom chapter, your nightstand will hold all the holy grail products you need within arm’s reach.
The early days of postpartum recovery are a super foggy time. All thanks to the nursing marathons, sleep deprivation, and the daily struggle to take care of your basic needs.
Basically, your nightstand becomes command central. I quickly realized how important this tiny surface was.
Here is a peek at what I kept on my nightstand during those crazy first few weeks.
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1. Giant Water Bottle
While recovering, staying hydrated is key. And if you’re a breastfeeding mama, hydration is crucial. Your dry mouth will remind you just how important water is! I could never get enough water during those first few weeks. Especially on days my newborn was cluster feeding!
I kept a very large water bottle with a straw on my nightstand at all times. The straw makes hydrating easier since you’ll feel like you’re constantly feeding your new baby.
2. Snacks That Aren’t Messy
I am not usually someone who eats in bed, but I make an exception during postpartum.
I thought I was a ravenous pregnant woman, but postpartum hunger was wild. I underestimated how hungry I’d be during the night.
After my c-section, getting in and out of bed was a tremendous challenge. So keep snacks nearby. Snacks that aren’t super messy, so you don’t have to worry about getting crumbs in your bed.
3. My Pump
I like to fill my freezer with milk. Having milk ready to go is nice so my husband can feed my baby and give me a break sometimes. After all, breastfeeding is a full-time job.
So it was helpful to keep my pump on my nightstand. After having both babies I produced a lot of milk. I was so engorged and needed to pump often just to get some relief.
This pump made me feel like I was winning the postpartum recovery game.
4. Burp Cloth
My little gassy baby spit up just as much as he pooped, so I kept a burp cloth in every room. I suggest keeping more than one within reach, since babies spit up a lot.
I couldn’t keep the same one too long because it got wet fast and smelled like sour milk.
5. Nipple Cream
Breastfeeding was less challenging the second time around, but it was so rough after my first. My nipples looked like the tops of lipsticks due to my daughter’s tongue and lip tie. Oh, and they were cracked, too. So you can imagine how sore they felt.
This nipple butter became my best friend!
6. Extra Long Phone Charger
You’ll use your phone for white noise, lots of Googling, and sending adorable snaps of your new baby to your favorite people. Having an extra-long phone charger is a must!
7. Baby Nail File
It is wild how sharp baby nails can get. Those little claws can do some damage. My son’s claws scratched my face more times than I’d like to admit. This nail trimmer lived on my nightstand for months.
Babies love to flail their little arms and legs. So the best time to take care of my kids’ nails was always while breastfeeding or during sleepy cuddles.
8. Baby Gas Drops
Gas seemed to always interrupt my son’s sleep, and it was awful.
These gas drops helped combat gas and even helped my son sleep longer stretches. There was nothing more frustrating than putting my baby to sleep and him waking up 2 minutes later because of gas.
I think these will become your secret weapon during baby meltdowns.
9. Vitamin D Drops
I found that if I did not give my babies Vitamin D at the same time each day, I would question whether or not I did it that day.
Administering Vitamin D drops became a part of our bedtime routine, making my nightstand the perfect home since he shared our bedroom for the first 4 months.
10. Small Pill Organizer
Since we are on the topic of mom brain, a small pill organizer came in handy! Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a c-section, you’re going to be prescribed medicine. Plus, you’ll need to continue taking your prenatals.
A pill organizer serves as a great reminder of what medicine you need to take, AND you can easily check to see if you have forgotten. Who wants to fumble with several bottles? Simplicity is key during the fourth trimester, mama!
10. Mini Postpartum Refresh Kit
Getting a shower isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do during those first few weeks.
For this reason, I like to keep a small basket of refresh goodies like dry shampoo, facial mist, chapstick, lotion, and a hair tie (or a few since I always seem to lose those).
Fill your refresh kit with products that will make you feel semi-human.
11. Words of Encouragement
I swear by affirmations. I kept little handwritten notes inside my refresh kit.
Here was my favorite reminder to read: “Even on your worst day, you are your baby’s favorite person.” Writing yourself small reminder cards that will encourage you and give you strength has proven to be incredibly helpful.
Whenever I am struggling, I reach for it, read it, and instantly feel better.
Always remember that your needs matter too! All new moms need to be reminded to take care of themselves. Hydration, snacks, a quiet moment to relax- it all helps. You are doing a fantastic job. I’m rooting for you from my very own messy postpartum nightstand!
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