15 Amazing First-Time Mom Essentials for an Easier Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

Now you can start stocking up on all your first-time mom essentials, but what do you need for yourself? Check out my complete guide to all your first-time mom essentials, helping you feel more confident and prepared for every step of your new adventure.

Having a baby is so exciting, and trust me, Mamas – you got this! Pregnancy, motherhood, and postpartum are all transformations, ultimately affirming your strength and resilience. You will boldly go where you have not gone before (if this is your first baby), and you will need to be well stocked and ready not only for the changes that await during pregnancy, but also for your postpartum recovery so that you can rest easy. I know it took that pressure off me immediately when I knew I had everything ready for myself, too. So when you’re arranging your first time mom essentials, check out this detailed list so you’ll have all your essentials ready, making your coming adventure as easy as pie!

Postpartum recovery is super crucial for you, Mama, and this list of first-time mom must-haves will help you set up everything for your convenience, from padsicles, your postpartum cart, perineal bottle, all the necessary clothing, and more.

As a Mama myself, I can accurately say we naturally tend to others first, and we often bench our own needs for last. This is not one of those times. This list is here to help you organize for the upcoming season and feel confident that, in the beautiful storm of taking care of your newborn, you can also prioritize your own needs, with grace and very little effort.

This post is all about the first-time mom essentials every Mama should have for her pregnancy and postpartum adventure.

First-Time Mom Essentials

1. Movement & Comfort

I rolled and bounced on my yoga ball every evening, and that movement really helped my body adjust to the changes through the weeks of my pregnancy.

YOGA BALL

My first trimester was really hard, and I just couldn’t get comfortable. Between the joint pain and nausea, I was not sleeping. My body pillow was a complete game-changer. So comfy!

BODY PILLOW

When preparing for your postpartum recovery (spoiler alert, Mama), it will hurt to sit. The donut pillow was amazing, and I used it all the time. This definitely made my list of must-haves for new moms after delivery.

DONUT PILLOW

2. The Postpartum Cart

Postpartum recovery with a newborn can feel overwhelming and hectic at times. This is why organizing for your recovery is so crucial.

STORAGE CART ON WHEELS

STORAGE CUPS

My postpartum cart was amazing and allowed me to have everything in one place. Don’t forget to add this to your baby registry list on Amazon!

3. Lotions & Butters

I loved all three of these and included them in my postpartum beauty products, and I kept these in my postpartum cart for convenience. The Palmer’s Lotion and Belly Butter were amazing and left my skin feeling super moisturized and healthy.

PALMER’S LOTION FOR STRETCH MARKS

MOTHERLOVE BELLY SALVE

When arranging my first time mom breastfeeding essentials, I found this Nipple Butter and loved how it helped those areas feel less painful and worn.

EARTH MAMA NIPPLE BUTTER

4. Personal Grooming

The electric razor makes the whole “landscaping” task a bit easier, as your belly grows, it gets harder to see and bend at different angles. I love this one because it is easy to use and affordable.

WAHL ELECTRIC TRIMMER

5. Postpartum Bowel Movement

The first poop after pregnancy can be difficult to pass. In my experience, the Colace was nice to have on hand because it helps keep the bowel movement softer, easier to pass, and therefore easier to clean with your perineal bottle.

CLEAR COLACE STOOL SOFTENER

[Related Post: 97 Newborn Baby Essentials Every First-Time Parent Should Have]

6. Pads & Incontinence Disposable Underwear

I used these pads for my postpartum recovery padsicles that I made and froze. These were great, and I was super happy that I prepped them ahead of time.

ALWAYS EXTRA HEAVY OVERNIGHT PADS

These incontinence diapers were great to have on hand, at least for a while. I found they were easier to change instead of the pads and underwear, and then after a bit, I was able to manage the bleeding with just my pad and postpartum underwear.

ALWAYS INCONTINENCE UNDERWEAR

7. Medicated Pads & Sprays

These were one of my favorite items and absolutely one of the things new moms need for themselves.

These Tucks Pads are absolute genius, very comforting and cooling. I would often layer these on a fresh, clean pad (about 4 or 5 each time), apply the Dermoplast, then pull everything up and go.

TUCKS PADS

Dermoplast is amazing for helping with the initial burning and pain that may occur afterward. I had a 3rd degree tear, and this stuff helped so much! It numbs you a little bit and helps to calm everything down.

DERMOPLAST SPRAY

8. Postpartum Packs: Hot & Cold Therapy

These ice packs were great, and I enjoyed having them ready to go in my freezer.

POSTPARTUM ICE PACKS

After I got the whole bathroom routine down with the pads and the spray, etc., I grabbed an ice pack, got comfy, and stuck it between my legs. This helped so much with any swelling and pain.

9. The Perineal Bottle

I cannot say enough things about this perineal bottle, my favorite item hands down. No wiping Mama, do your business, have the bottle ready with some warm water, spray clean, and then DAB dry with toilet paper. Repeat DAB.

FRIDA MOM PERINEAL BOTTLE

This bottle is an absolute MUST, and make sure you add it to your list of things every mom needs.

10. The Sitz Bath & Salts

I enjoyed the sitz bath soaks with Epsom salt and was able to take advantage of them when my son napped. The warm water was comforting and helped with the pain. It was easy for me to clean afterwards, and it collapses for storage.

SITZ BATH

EPSOM SALTS WITH WITCH HAZEL & ALOE VERA

The Sitz Bath Spray was nice to have and reminded me a lot of the Dermoplast spray, and I kept both on hand.

MOTHERLOVE SITZ BATH SPRAY

11. Padsicles: Make ahead & freeze

These Padsicles were amazing, so convenient and comforting, not to mention ready to go when I needed them. All you need are the pads I listed above and the remaining items below.

It takes a little time to put these together, and there you have it – DONE!! Easy Peasy!

PLANT THERAPY LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

CLEAR ALOE VERA GEL

ALCOHOL FREE WITCH HAZEL

[Related Post: 27 Must-Have Hospital Bag Essentials for Birth Every Mom Should Pack]

12. Mother’s Milk Lactation Tea

This tea is amazing and can help you increase your breastmilk production, and it tastes great! I had a hard time producing enough breastmilk, and this tea helped me a lot; it is amazing!

MOTHER’S MILK LACTATION TEA

13. Maternity Belly Support Band

Calling all pregnant women out there, you must get a support band; it needs to be one of the first things to buy when you’re pregnant.

This support band is designed to alleviate the weight and pressure from your belly and help disperse it evenly across, rather than allowing the weight to pull on your back.

BELLY SUPPORT BAND

I wore mine EVERY SINGLE DAY and wore it gladly.

14. Maternity & Postpartum Clothing

Wondering what to buy a new mom for herself? Great question! Mama, you will need clothes because soon you won’t be able to fit into that favorite pair of jeans. Embrace this and have fun!

There are numerous different cuts and styles available, which can be overwhelming. I tried hard to keep comfort and functionality in mind, and wanted my clothing to be as easy as possible to manage, wear, and keep clean.

I enjoyed these items below, with the tank tops, jean shorts, and nursing bras being my favorites.

NURSING BRAS