I’m nearing the end of my second pregnancy and have been finalizing all the details before I come home with two tiny babies—yes, twins! We already have their bassinets set up and I have my hospital bag packed so we can run out of the house with everything we need when the time comes.

But mamas can often forget about *their* recovery—you know, how you’re going to heal postpartum. Being a second-time mom means that I have a better sense of what postpartum items I will need after birth. My first experience was a C-section and this one will likely go the same route, however I’m making sure to have some postpartum items to help if I do have a vaginal delivery since you never know how and when babies are going to arrive.

Here’s are the postpartum items I have for recovery:

tucks medicated cooling pads Motherly

$6.99

Medicated cooling wipes

When you’re recovering from pregnancy and birth, proper pelvic cleaning and care are important. Our midwife recommends Tucks pads to help relieve perineal discomfort and to aid in healing—just line them on your pad and you’re good to go. They offer immediate relief from the burning and itching while soothing and protecting inflamed areas. The witch hazel formula is gentle and can be used for cleansing outer rectal and vaginal areas. Tucks Pads also offer relief from hemorrhoids which can occur during the 3rd trimester or after giving birth.

lake pima robe Motherly

$126

Super soft robe

When I was at home the first few days after having my first child, all I wanted to do was walk around with as minimum clothing as possible. This time around, I’m treating myself to a robe so I can be comfortable all day but still feel covered up in case guests drop by.

organic nipple butter breastfeeding cream Motherly

$10.39

Nipple butter

Whether you are breastfeeding or pumping, your nipples will forever thank you when you put on some of this butter on them. Trust me when I say this: It makes everything easier and better.

belly bandit postpartum compression wrap Motherly

$50

Compression garment

This is one of the items I skipped after my first birth and still regret it. I didn’t like the compression band I got from my hospital so instead of looking for alternatives, I just didn’t wear one and it made healing and recovery take so much longer.

sunday citizen cosset jogger Motherly

$65

Comfy lounge pants

You won’t want to wear your regular clothes (plus, your body needs time to adjust) for a while so invest in a pair of comfortable pants you can wear around the house and maybe even venture to the supermarket in. No judgements from us, mama.

kindred bravely high waist postpartum underwear Motherly

$27.99

High-waisted underwear

These undies are not only super soft and elegant, they are also high-waisted—an ideal cut regardless of how you gave birth since it keeps incisions covered and your softened tummy supported.

underwear for women disposable Motherly

$40.87

Absorbent underwear

If you deliver at a hospital you will probably be sent home with mesh undies and pads, which are fine for the first day or so. However, for me, disposable underwear really made a difference because it stays in place and you don’t have to worry about leaks.

lansinoh washable reusable nursing pads Motherly

$15.99

Washable nursing pads

When my milk came in, it did so at full force and I was soaking through bras and shirts constantly. These nursing pads catch the extra milk so you don’t have to worry about giant stains on your top.

boppy pillow with animals print

$54

A nursing pillow

If you decide to breastfeed, a nursing pillow is key to help you (and baby) stay comfortable and in the right position. It will help your posture now and then you can use it to do some tummy time with your baby later on.

leakproof nursing bra Motherly

$55

Leak proof nursing bra

You can also get a leakproof bra from Knix instead of the pads above. It comes with nursing clips, making your breasts accessible for baby at all times—and yes, it really does work.

maternity top nursing top Motherly

$109

Nursing hoodie

One of the softest items I own, but most importantly, it gives you easy access to your breast for you to feed or pump easily if you choose to breastfeed.

advanced scar gel medical grade silicone Motherly

$ 29.99

Silicone scar gel

If you have a C-section, I recommend using a silicone gel once your scar is fully healed (no stitches and after your postpartum visit) to keep the area moisturized and to help the scar fade away.

colace clear stool softener Motherly

$9.99

Colace stool softener

File under: Items I didn’t know I needed, but really needed. I’m not going to beat around the bush—pooping after childbirth can be… a lot. Have these handy to help you out when needed.

retro personal mini fridge Motherly

$ 45.99

A mini fridge

This mini fridge is perfect to keep in your room so you have beverages around the clock while you rest. A bonus use for it is storing breastmilk you pump overnight so you don’t have to get out of bed and walk all the way to the fridge, maximizing snooze time.

next nine months peri bottle Motherly

$14

Peri bottle

This upside down peri bottle helps mamas recovering from any type of birth. It makes cleaning down there easier without having to bend over or get in uncomfortable positions.

output Motherly

$ 14.99

Nettle leaf infusions

Nettle infusions are great if you have low iron, are tired or need some extra hydration. I drink them throughout my pregnancy and postpartum recovery. As with many herbs, we don’t have many studies to confirm their safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it’s always a good idea to check with your provider before starting a new herb.

water beef bone broth natural flavor yeast extract sea salt Motherly

$6.95

Bone broth

Bone broth is incredibly nourishing and ideal for your postpartum recovery. I love that it helps me stay hydrated when I’m tired of drinking plain water.6.95

ello devon glass tumbler with silicone sleeve Motherly

$12.99

Water bottle with a straw

It’s so important to stay hydrated after birth so I carry around a water bottle with me at all times. I like this one because it’s glass, which makes cleaning way easier.

echo plus 2nd gen premium sound with built in smart home hub Motherly

$149.99

A smart speaker

I know this might seem extra right now, but when you are stuck under a napping baby and cannot reach the remote control and your phone is out of battery, you’ll wish you’d have this at home. I used one to listen to the news, music, podcasts, anything to keep me entertained.

netflix streaming Motherly

$8.99

A subscription service

You’ll be spending a lot more time at home and on the couch so what better time than now to catch up on all the shows you’ve been meaning to watch?

support healing in the days and weeks after a cesarean birth Motherly

$90

Bodily recovery kit

If you find that getting all these items separately is a bit overwhelming, you can get one of the many recovery kits Bodily offers to make sure you have the basics covered for when you come home.