Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories

postpartum recovery checklist

Edited by Zach · updated Nov 1, 2026 · How I pick

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Best overall kit Frida Mom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit Best for getting everything, including a gown you'll keep wearing$100-150Shop at Target Store link, not an affiliate link.
Cheap and complete Purcomfy Postpartum Essentials Recovery Kit Best for covering the early days on a budget$25-50Shop on Amazon
Softest underwear Bodily The All-In Panty Best for comfort that lasts past the first few weeks$50-100Shop on Amazon

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Everyone plans for the baby, and way fewer people plan for the weeks after, when you're sore, tired and still bleeding.

This list is the stuff worth having at home before you need it. A recovery kit is the easy one-stop buy, but The Bump's reviews say most still leave you shopping for pads, so read the card. New moms wore these products for The Bump's reviews, and the ob-gyns and midwives it interviewed explain why each one helps, so the health advice here is credited to them. Your hospital may send you home with mesh underwear, a peri bottle and ice pads, so ask before you double up. Nothing here replaces your own care team, and it's worth checking with them about anything medicated. Each card shows the drawback the reviewers called out, so you can skip what you won't use.

Who this is not for. Skip this if you're still packing for the birth itself; the Hospital Bag list covers delivery day first.

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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.

The must-haves

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01 All in one box

the first pick is the one I would start with

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Frida Mom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit	splurge	$100-150	getting everything, including a gown you'll keep wearing	1 outlet
Purcomfy Postpartum Essentials Recovery Kit	budget	$25-50	covering the early days on a budget	1 outlet
Momcozy Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit	mid	$25-50	reusing cold pads instead of cracking disposables	1 outlet

Best postpartum kit

splurge pick · 8 items

Frida Mom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit

Best for getting everything, including a gown you'll keep wearing

The Bump's overall best postpartum kit: more must-have items than other kits, from layered cooling products to a super comfortable delivery and nursing gown.

Heads up. Ice packs are bulky, and you need to buy absorbent pads separately

1 outlet. The Bump overall best postpartum kit.

$100-150

Shop at Target

Store link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.

budget pick · 6 items

Purcomfy Postpartum Essentials Recovery Kit

Best for covering the early days on a budget

The Bump's best basic postpartum kit: a well-rounded set of what you'll need right after birth, and easily the least expensive kit on its list.

Heads up. You'll need to buy more pads, and the ice pads and pads are large if you wear the whole stack

1 outlet. The Bump best basic postpartum kit.

$25-50

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mid pick · 6 items

Momcozy Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit

Best for reusing cold pads instead of cracking disposables

The Bump's best postpartum kit for reusable cold pads: two slim gel packs that go in the freezer, plus the disposable nipple pads most kits lack.

Heads up. No disposable pads, so buy those separately, and the disposable underwear is bulkier than other kits

1 outlet. The Bump best postpartum kit for reusable cold pads.

$25-50

Shop on Amazon

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02 After a C-section

Best c-section recovery

splurge pick · 7 items

Frida Mom C-Section Recovery Kit

Best for recovering from a C-section

The Bump's best postpartum kit for C-section recovery: its C-section reviewer called the abdominal binder the star and used every item daily during early recovery.

Heads up. Some items are provided for free at hospitals

1 outlet. The Bump best postpartum kit for C-section recovery.

$100-150

Shop on Amazon

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03 Underwear

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Bodily The All-In Panty	splurge	$50-100	comfort that lasts past the first few weeks	1 outlet
Motherhood Maternity Women's Postpartum Shaper Panty	budget	$25-50	plus-size bodies that want light compression	1 outlet
Depend Silhouette Underwear for Women	mid	$50-100	skipping laundry in the first weeks	1 outlet

Best postpartum underwear

splurge pick · S to XL, 5-pack

Bodily The All-In Panty

Best for comfort that lasts past the first few weeks

The Bump's overall best postpartum underwear, a Best of The Bump winner three years running: incredibly soft, with a wide gusset that keeps maxi pads and ice packs in place.

Heads up. No compression, and limited plus-size options

1 outlet. The Bump overall best postpartum underwear.

$50-100

Shop on Amazon

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budget pick · Up to 3X

Motherhood Maternity Women's Postpartum Shaper Panty

Best for plus-size bodies that want light compression

The Bump's best plus-size postpartum underwear: a soft high-waisted cotton blend with sizes up to 3X, and a Best of The Bump winner two years in a row.

Heads up. Hand wash only

1 outlet. The Bump best plus-size postpartum underwear.

$25-50

Shop on Amazon

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mid pick · 56 count

Depend Silhouette Underwear for Women

Best for skipping laundry in the first weeks

The Bump's best disposable postpartum underwear: highly absorbent, soft and discreet, and it saved its reviewer extra laundry and bulky pad changes in the early weeks.

Heads up. Sizing runs large

1 outlet. The Bump best disposable postpartum underwear.

$50-100

Shop on Amazon

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04 Bathroom

Compare these 4

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle	budget	$15-25	upgrading the hospital's peri bottle	Limited evidence
Tucks Medicated Hemorrhoidal Pads	budget	under $15	lining a pad for cooling relief	Limited evidence
Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads	mid	$15-25	cold relief in the first days after a vaginal birth	Limited evidence
Carex Sitz Bath for Over-the-Toilet	budget	$15-25	warm soaks without running a full bath	Limited evidence

Top pick

budget pick · Bottle

Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle

Best for upgrading the hospital's peri bottle

On Babylist's hospital bag checklist: you'll get a peri bottle at the hospital, but the editor says this one is so much better.

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$15-25

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budget pick · 100 count

Tucks Medicated Hemorrhoidal Pads

Best for lining a pad for cooling relief

On The Bump's postpartum essentials checklist: midwife Michaela Ward tells The Bump witch hazel pads are great for hemorrhoids and for lining your pad or ice pack.

Heads up. The small pads can move around and bunch up, and the deep container makes the last ones hard to reach

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

under $15

Shop on Amazon

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mid pick · 8 count

Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads

Best for cold relief in the first days after a vaginal birth

On The Bump's postpartum essentials checklist: a 2-in-1 absorbent maxi pad and ice pack you crack to activate, with no wait for the freezer.

Heads up. Most hospitals provide instant ice maxi pads, so you may be able to skip buying these

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$15-25

Shop on Amazon

Affiliate link.

budget pick · Fits over the toilet

Carex Sitz Bath for Over-the-Toilet

Best for warm soaks without running a full bath

On The Bump's postpartum essentials checklist: it sits over the toilet with the seat up and has a hangable water bag and tube to keep the bath warmer longer.

Heads up. Some hospitals provide a sitz bath, so ask your care team before buying

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$15-25

Shop on Amazon

Affiliate link.

05 Nursing

Best nipple cream

budget pick · Tube

Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream

Best for a classic, cheap tube for the bag

Babylist's best lanolin-based nipple cream: 100% natural lanolin at a friendly price.

Heads up. Lanolin is a potential allergen, it can feel sticky, and it can stain clothing

1 outlet. Babylist best Lanolin-Based Nipple Cream.

under $15

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mid pick · 2 fl oz

Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter

Best for skipping lanolin

Babylist's best overall nipple cream, and its gear editor's favorite on the hospital bag checklist: organic and lanolin-free.

Heads up. Grainy texture (applies better slightly warmed), a light smell, and it may stain clothing

1 outlet. Babylist best overall nipple cream.

under $15

Shop on Amazon

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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me

Questions people ask

What does the hospital give you, and what should I buy?

The Bump says you'll likely get stretchy mesh underwear and a peri bottle, most hospitals provide instant ice maxi pads, and some provide a sitz bath. Its reviewer found the upgrades more comfortable, but ask your care team what you'll get before you buy.

Why can't I use tampons after birth?

Ob-gyn G. Thomas Ruiz tells The Bump that the bleeding and discharge after birth contains bacteria, and blocking it with a tampon or menstrual cup could push bacteria back up into your uterus and cause an infection. The Bump says to stick to pads, whether you delivered vaginally or by C-section.

How do you use a sitz bath?

It's a basin that sits over the toilet. The Bump cites the Mayo Clinic's advice to sit in warm water for 5 to 15 minutes, or cool water if that's more comfortable. Check with your medical team before adding salts, since The Bump says they may irritate tears or stitches.

postpartum recovery checklist

plan my budget pick an amount ↓

The must-haves

01 All in one box

Frida Mom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit

Purcomfy Postpartum Essentials Recovery Kit

Momcozy Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit