Key takeaways
- Upgrade postpartum hygiene: Bidets offer hands-free, warm-water comfort and long-term use beyond peri bottles.
- Prioritize comfort and recovery: Invest in breathable loungewear and noise-canceling headphones to support rest and reduce noise fatigue.
- Improve home health: Use a true HEPA air purifier and a WQA-tested water filtration system to reduce indoor pollutants and contaminants.
- Simplify meals: Rely on grocery delivery, meal kits, and meal support services to ease postpartum stress.
- Build your village: Find secondhand baby gear online and connect with local or virtual mom groups for community and support.
If you've got a baby on the way, there’s no doubt that you’ve been doing your research week by week. You've read up on everything, from managing morning sickness to eating right for baby’s nutrition. You’ve also probably filled your baby registry with diapers, cribs, strollers, and other obvious must-haves.
But now that your baby’s almost here, it’s time to start thinking about life after pregnancy. From creating a healthier, more comfortable space to finding new communities, here are some ideas on how to thrive during postpartum.
Peri bottles are great, but bidets are even better.
Experts recommend peri bottles for postpartum healing, and it’s easy to see why. These bottles are designed to help you wash with water on your bathroom visits, making them gentler than toilet paper on areas of the body that are healing. But if you’re looking for all-around comfort through postpartum and beyond, it might be worth it to step up to a bidet.
Bidets don’t run out of water or need to be refilled like a peri bottle does, so your wash is smoother and more consistent. And when you’re recovering and bending or reaching feels like a lot, it’s good to know that you can just sit down and let the bidet do the work.
The big advantage bidets have over peri bottles is comfort. Most models include pressure control and warm water, which is great for sensitive areas, while more advanced bidets come with heated seats, deodorizers, and other luxury features that allow you to pamper yourself a bit. And while a peri bottle is great for short-term recovery, a bidet can stay useful as a bathroom staple long after your postpartum healing.
Good loungewear and noise-cancelling headphones are lifesavers.
You've probably bought enough onesies and jumpsuits to last your baby a lifetime, but don't forget about you! Try to have enough sets of comfortable pajamas or loungewear so you don’t have to worry about doing laundry too often. Durable, breathable fabrics like bamboo or cotton are great options to keep you dry, comfortable, and cool. It’s also smart to consider V-neck tops, robes, or nursing nightgowns if you plan to breastfeed, since these provide easy access for the baby.
You may also want to invest in a good set of noise-filtering headphones. Having these on hand can help reduce outside noise during daytime naps. They're also great for catching up on podcasts and favorite shows without the risk of waking baby.
Get an air purifier and a water filtration system.
When your baby gets here, you’ll want to make sure that they have the best environment possible to grow and develop. But while you’re in your nesting phase, consider adding an air purifier and water filtration system along with the bassinet and blackout curtains on your registry list.
Poor air quality isn't good for you or your baby, which is why having an air purifier at home is so important. We recommend finding one that uses HEPA filters, which help trap 99.7% of particulates larger than 0.3 microns. Common indoor air contaminants like dust, pollen, and smoke particles during wildfire season fall within or above that size range.
Similarly, your tap water may contain contaminants like forever chemicals, lead, chlorine, and more. A good water filtration system ensures that your water—and the baby's, if you’re using formula—contains as few contaminants as possible.
Whether you go with undercounter system, countertop system, or even just a filtered water pitcher, make sure it’s tested to meet the standards set by the Water Quality Association (WQA) for the best possible results.
Let the food come to you.
The rumors are true. You’re going to be very busy after your baby is born, making grocery runs and cooking a tall order. You won’t be able to do it all, and you don’t need to. Now is the time to take advantage of all the apps and technology out there for food and grocery delivery, meal box subscriptions, and personal meal support services like MealTrain.
Look for hand-me-down baby stuff online.
You know this already, but it’s worth repeating: a baby needs stuff. And a lot of it! Cribs, toys, strollers, and onesies will take over your space. You’ll also find that your little one will outgrow their things quickly.
Local mom groups or websites like Buy Nothing and Facebook Marketplace are a great source of low-cost or free gear. Yes, you’ll save a little money—but more importantly, you’ll get to connect with a community of other moms and parents on the same journey as you. Don’t forget to pay it forward by listing your own stuff when you’re done with it.
Find your mom group.
You’ll be spending a lot of time at home, but it’s important to take a little time to go outside and connect with moms who have gone through it or are going through it with you.
In addition to the ideas we mentioned above, get together with current friends who have been on the mom journey. You can also join a mom group online or IRL to get valuable advice, tips, and perhaps some new friends along the way.
You’re exactly the mom your baby needs.
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful. But we’ve saved the best for last: just be yourself.
As you start the journey into parenthood, you’ll naturally discover the things that work best for you and your baby. By prioritizing your health and self-care, you’ll have the physical and mental energy you need to be present for those moments—and to be the best mom you can be.
