My first C-section was a surprise. We went in for a regular check-up, I saw faces go from excited to see the baby to “hmmm” to then have my care team step outside of the room to decide on how to proceed. Hours later I was sitting in the recovery area with a newborn in my arms with a lot of “what just happened?” feelings. Back at home, I had zero home remedies for C-section recovery products.

If this doesn’t paint the picture clearly, I was very, very, underprepared for a C-section, let alone the process of recovering from one. I remember when the nurse told me it was time to stand up and walk because that would help me heal, the absolute pain I was in was debilitating and I thought for a second she was pranking me because, really, I was supposed to walk 24 hours after major abdominal surgery?

Introduction to Cesarean births class

I learned a lot from my first unexpected C-section and when I had my second C-section (which was planned due to breach twins) I was way more prepared than before. Not only for the actual surgery but for the recovery after. I really focused on what would make my life easier, especially now that I would have three under 3 at home.

Recovering from a C-section is no joke. A lot of the recovery process is asking for help, whether it’s from family members or a team you hire (doulas, night nurses, nannies, etc). For example, my husband took 100% care of our toddler’s needs the first couple of weeks after surgery. He did all the cleaning of pump parts, laundry and housekeeping. I mostly sat, drank water, breastfed, pumped, played games on the couch with our son and snuggled with our newborns.

But, also? There are a lot of C-section recovery products that make life a bit easier for moms. Here are my favorites along with some others recommended by Team Motherly:

Our top 17 C-section recovery products

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Doona

1. Car Seat + Stroller

$550

One of the first recommendations given to moms post-surgery is: Do not lift anything heavier than your baby. Do you know what’s heavier than your baby? Car seat and baby. The innovative Doona Car Seat and Stroller is a car seat that turns into a stroller within seconds, preventing you from ever having to lug a seat around. It’s suitable from birth to 35 pounds.

 

puj tub

Puj

2. Soft Infant Bath Tub

$44.99

You know what’s really hard to do after surgery? Bend over. This is why this Puj tub is perfect while you recover from your cesarean– you can bathe your baby in any sink of your house without adding extra pressure or discomfort to your incision. Honestly, I kept using mine until my babies didn’t fit anymore because I’m not a fan of tiny slippery infants in big bathtubs.  I like them more contained.

Breast Friend Nursing Pillow Motherly

My Brest Friend

3. My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow

$52.99

With my first, I attempted to breastfeed him while plopped over a regular cushion or pillow. It didn’t go super well for us, so the second time around I added one of these nursing pillows to my registry. It was a game-changer. I could comfortably breastfeed without worrying about baby rubbing against my incision, or contorting my body to keep them latched. This deluxe version has a higher backrest for more comfort and a perfect pocket for a water bottle (you must hydrate!), cellphone or remote.

HALO® BassiNest® Swivel Sleeper 3.0

Halo

4. BassiNest® Swivel Sleeper 3.0

$219.99

This 2-in-1 bassinet makes it super easy to nurse and nap thanks to the 360 swivel and lowering bedside wall, which makes it easier to pick up baby when they need some snuggles or to be fed. Once you make it out of your bedroom, it easily converts into a lounger to give your little one a safe place to snooze and hang.

Sleepea Swaddle

Happiest Baby

5. Sleepea Swaddle

$32.95

You know what sucks when you are in pain? Trying to swaddle a baby who is angry because they are outside of the warm and comforting womb. Enter the Sleepea baby swaddle which I swear has any baby calm and ready to snooze in no time. No more bending over the bed with limbs all over the place trying to tightly wrap your newborn for a nap. With this swaddle everyone will be ready for bed in seconds.

Earth Mama Skin Scar Balm Motherly

Earth Mama

6. Earth Mama Organics Skin & Scar Balm

$24.99

Once I got the OK from my doctor to start massaging my scar to soften the scar tissue below it, I also started applying this Earth Mama Organics balm to help the scar look less red and angry. I usually don’t heal super well (I can have a scab from a bug bite for months) but this balm helped my C-section scar look super good in no time. Plus it’s just a nice time for you to give your body a little love and a gentle massage.

Stanley The Quencher Flowstate Tumbler

Stanley

7. The Quencher Flowstate Tumbler

$30

Saying hydrated postpartum is key for many reasons. If you are breastfeeding you are going to be parched, so make sure you are drinking enough water during the day to feel good. Also, if you had a C-section you may end up constipated (thanks to the anesthesia and pain meds) so drinking a lot of water will help things keep moving. Move movement means less straining, which means less pain in your incision area. Trust me on this one.

There are a bazillion water bottles out there but we love the Stanley tumblers not just for their trendy vibes, but the straw is clutch when you need to drink while reclined.

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Lunya

8. Washable Silk Eye Mask

$50

Sleeping helps the body heal and recover faster, but who really sleeps when you have a newborn? This mask helped me be able to take naps during the day while my husband took care of the babies. Even though I was exhausted, trying to nap without something over my eyes made the whole thing futile because I kept checking my phone, or the monitor or just getting distracted. I still use this mask at almost a year postpartum on nights when I need a little extra help dozing off.

products that helped recover from c section 9 Motherly

BOOB

9. BOOB Maternity & Nursing Nightshirt

$69

I’m obsessed with this nightgown, so much so that I still wear it regularly even though I’m not pregnant, recovering from a C-section (anymore) nor breastfeeding. It’s so soft and comfortable it’s the perfect garment to get as soon as you get pregnant and enjoy for the rest of your journey as a mom. The nightgown won’t rub against your incision and it has easy access to your boobs for night feedings.

Beautifully Soft Fleece Lounge Jogger Pants - Stars Above

Stars Above

10. Beautifully Soft Fleece Lounge Jogger Pants

$19.99

I lived in sweatpants and leggings for a while after my C-section. The key is comfort. Everything else hurts and bothers and your body is going through so many changes that when it came to clothes I didn’t care much if they matched, were stylish, were anywhere near IG-perfect, all I wanted was comfort. So invest in a pair of sweats and live the best life. Make sure the waistband sits away from your incision to help healing and enjoy. This best-selling pair from one of our go-to Target brands is a favorite for their softness and $20 price tag.

products that helped recover from c section 11 Motherly

Crocs

11. Fuzzy Lined Crocs

$59.99

My feet were SO swollen after both my C-sections that wearing “real” shoes was out of the question. Enter my love for Crocs. These bad boys might not be the most stylish, but they are by far the most comfortable and easy to wear. Especially during the last trimester of your pregnancy. Even more so after a C-section because you don’t have to bend over to put them on or take them off and they are wide enough to be forgiving to your post-surgery feet.

bodily belly band

Bodily

Belly Band

$50

You need support in all the ways right now, mama. The double-layer belly wraps from Bodily provide targeted compression to help support your belly and lower back as you heal and regain strength postpartum. With velcro to customize the fit and a soft but structured design, it keeps you stabilized without feeling too constricted.

pads

Rael

Organic Cotton Pads

$12.99

Plan on wearing pads for weeks after you give birth. It’s a smart idea to stock up on different sizes so that you are prepared as your bleeding tapers off. Since you’ll be wearing them for a while, you may want to consider investing in organic pads that feel extra gentle. You’ll feel more relaxed knowing you’re protected from any messes and it keeps laundry to a minimum. (Lord knows there’s enough of that these days!)

disposable underwear

FridaMom

Disposable underwear

$15.99

Speaking of less laundry…Sometimes a pad can bunch up and be uncomfortable, but these disposable undies don’t! Frida Mom totally gets it and made the perfect stretchy boy shorts that you can use with confidence—and then throw away.

underwear

Kindred Bravely

High Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties

$34.99

Comfortable underwear is key for the long haul. It can be hard to find underwear that doesn’t rub your incision. Thankfully, these lovely undies exist and are a favorite of C-section Motherly mamas! They are high-wasted so nothing rubs your incision.

tucks pads

Tucks

Witch hazel pads

$7.68

Short of like, holding our hand on the toilet, the kindest thing a friend did for us postpartum was stick a box of these in our fridge. If you’ve got pregnancy and birth induced hemorrhoids, Tucks pads are the MVP. Fold a pad in half and tuck it in between your butt cheeks for instant relief.

A version of this article was originally published on February 9th, 2021. It has been updated.