My Non-Toxic Essentials for a Postpartum Recovery Kit

The postpartum season is hard.

After giving birth to my daughter in late 2025, I can say this with full confidence. Your tiny human is incredible and delightful and wonderful. But that tiny human can also be confusing and fussy and colicky. Your body is bleeding and hurting. Your hormones are throwing a 24/7 rager. You may be experiencing depression or anxiety. Postpartum is a strange mix of bliss and uncertainty, and taking care of yourself feels secondary as you’re taking care of a newborn.

But! So much of motherhood is martyrdom, and it doesn’t have to be. Pretend I (an internet stranger, but a fellow mother) am putting my hand on your shoulder and firmly telling you: you better take care of yourself. You will be a better parent for it.

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A bathtub tray holds a mug, skincare products, an open notebook with a pen, and a vase with two flowers. The background shows a filled bathtub.

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Being prepared helps, so before your baby arrives, gather some postnatal care products or put together a postpartum kit. From postpartum pads to cozy teas, here’s a list of non-toxic postpartum care essentials to help with the transition to parenthood.

Loungewear and pajamas

A man and woman smile at the camera while holding a newborn. All three wear matching red and white holiday pajamas with reindeer and snowflake patterns. A green heart emoji covers the babys face. — A Christmas birth means matching family pajamas — these were from Hanna Andersson.

Postpartum care is all about comfort. Jeans? Real bras? We don’t know them. You’ll want to snuggle up in comfortable clothes, like relaxed, flowy pants with a stretchy waistband. MATE has a lot of options for bottoms, most of which include pockets. I have found that parenthood mandates pockets.

If you’re nursing, you may want to include button-down tops in your postpartum kit. I didn’t have nearly enough, so I raided my husband’s closet for wintertime flannels. Coyuchi has beautiful organic cotton pajama sets with button-down shirts, both for winter and summer. Tentree carries flannels made out of organic cotton, although men’s flannels are abundant in many second-hand stores too! Check out these additional recommendations for organic pajamas.

✨ Bonus tip: Put any pre-pregnancy clothes that could trigger feelings of insecurity in a closet corner where you won’t see them. Maybe not until next year. Maybe not ever. The world puts way too much emphasis on ‘bouncing back,’ and we don’t need that energy in this season.

Postpartum underwear

A person wearing a gray shirt and white adult incontinence underwear sits on a blue cushioned surface, with their hand resting on their lower abdomen.

A person is shown from the waist down wearing black fitted shorts and a black top, standing sideways against a plain light-colored wall.

When it comes to postpartum care, there’s no such thing as TMI. So let me be honest: I did not want to wear my pre-pregnancy under-things. Whether you deliver vaginally or through a C-section, you will be packing in padding down there (more on that in a bit), all of which is best contained in some larger underwear.

Period underwear is a good option, and one that you can re-use in the future. I personally had good luck with a set of men’s boxers, specifically this set of knit boxers from Pact, which fit perfectly underneath the comfy pants we discussed earlier.

You might feel more comfortable with disposable postpartum underwear. LOLA has organic postpartum diapers, or Rael offers disposable period underwear that could function the same way. Both have a 100% organic cotton topsheet — much softer than the ones you can swipe from the hospital (though I still swiped a bunch from the hospital anyway).

Postpartum pads

A box of Natracare maternity pads with organic cotton cover is on a pink surface, surrounded by cotton branches and individual maternity pads. The box is blue and yellow with an image of two birds.

A person wearing a beige sweater holds a blue package labeled LOLA postpartum. The focus is on the hand and package, with the persons torso visible in the background.

If you don’t opt for disposable postpartum underwear, postpartum pads are a must. Natracare has a line of maternity products, including postpartum pads and nursing pads. Natracare’s certified organic cotton maternity products are free from chlorine, fragrances, and dyes. LOLA also carries a postpartum pad, similarly free of chlorine, fragrances, and dyes. Check out a thorough breakdown of both brands here.

✨Bonus tip: If you purchase postpartum pads, you can make padsicles. Just like it sounds, it’s a pad popsicle, and they were incredibly soothing for my vaginal delivery recovery. You can customize the ‘recipe’ but I went with a simple 1:1 ratio of organic aloe vera gel and witch hazel. Open your pad, spread on a light layer, and package them back up before storing them in the freezer. Was this the most fun third trimester activity? No. Did I thank myself after delivery? Absolutely.

Belly band

A person with curly hair wearing a white crop top and green underwear wraps a black cloth around their waist. They are standing indoors near a window with buildings visible outside.

A person wears a blue floral dress and has a long white cloth wrapped and knotted multiple times around their waist, creating a structured, corset-like effect. Only the torso and hands are visible.

I delivered vaginally, so I asked my friends who delivered via C-section what they would include on this list. All of them said a belly band was a must. There aren’t a lot of non-toxic options out there. A few smaller brands like Aisle and SageAbay offer organic cotton blend wraps, though the binding process is significantly more complicated than widely-available belly bands. This may be one item worth the compromise for comfort and support.

Lotion for massaging

Three Honest beauty skincare products are arranged on a beige button-up garment. The products include a face balm, a face cream, and a small jar, each featuring white packaging with black text. — My sweet sister-in-law got me this gift set from Honest.

Stretch marks are a common concern in pregnancy, so if you picked up some stretch mark cream, you can still use it during postpartum recovery. My C-section friends said once their doctor said it was okay, they used pregnancy lotions to massage their scar tissue. Honest or Rowe Casa Organics have thicker creams that make for good massages. (THEFILTERY20 will get you a discount on the Rowe Casa one.)

Breastfeeding care

A round mirror on a bedside table holds two metal facial massage tools on a cloth. The table is beside a bed with a white comforter and green pillow. A pink Himalayan salt lamp is also on the table.

A white tube labeled Honest Calm Your Nip Balm for nursing nipples, unscented, 1.75 oz. The design features script text at the top that says mama love. The tube stands upright on a plain white background.

If you breastfeed, your nipples will go through a big adjustment, so soothing solutions are a must. Silver nursing cups are a popular plastic-free option, which help with nipple discomfort and cracking, and are widely available at stores like Target.

Ice can also help with inflammation, though there are not a lot of plastic free ice packs out there. Out of my own concern about mastitis (an inflammation of the breast tissue often caused by clogged milk ducts), I personally compromised here. Frida Mom and Lansinoh both sell hot and cold packs, which I found to be convenient and comfortable after breastfeeding (though they’re made of plastic).

Another postpartum essential is nipple balm. Nipple balms with fragrances, petrolatum, or synthetic preservatives are not safe for babies to ingest, so it’s worth being picky here. I personally liked the Calm Your Nip Balm from Honest. It’s easy to stash in my breastfeeding spots and it can double as chapstick (it’s a little oily so a small amount goes a long way).

Nursing bras

A person wearing a light purple nursing bra is shown from the shoulders to the upper torso. The bra has clips on the straps and subtle lace trim along the top edge.

A woman with long brown hair stands against a plain background, wearing a black two-piece swimsuit. She is smiling, with one hand on her hip and her body slightly angled to the side.

If you’re lost on nursing bras, start with this detailed article dedicated to organic nursing bras (and maternity underwear). Your style is totally up to your preference, but I liked bras with a snap at the shoulder, which I found to be the easiest style to get on and off with one hand.

Net Positive and Cache Cœur have nursing bras that match this description, though I would also recommend searching for nursing bras secondhand. The newborn trenches feel never-ending, but ultimately it’s a shorter chapter in life. With a little patience, I had luck finding name-brand, secondhand maternity and postpartum items on Poshmark.

Postnatal vitamins

A clear bottle labeled Ritual Essential for Women multivitamin sits on a yellow surface with capsules inside and two loose capsules beside it. The background and lighting are bright yellow.

A box of healthynest 4th Trimester supplement sits on a white surface with subtle botanical illustrations. Two icons at the bottom read Third Party Tested and Optimal Bioavailable Ingredients..

Nutrition is absolutely crucial for postpartum care. If you are breastfeeding, most healthcare professionals will recommend continuing to take your prenatal vitamin. I opted to take Ritual’s Postnatal Multivitamin, which is formulated to support immune function, brain health, and lactation nutrient needs. Ritual’s formulas have never irritated my stomach. The minty taste was surprising at first, but now I barely notice it.

Healthybaby also has a postnatal option that is meant to help with energy levels, lactation, hormones, and sleep quality.

Water bottles (EVERYWHERE)

A woman with long red hair sits on a gray couch, holding a swaddled baby. A black cat rests on her lap. There are pillows, a blanket, and a green water bottle nearby. Natural light comes through a window in the background. — Me, my cat, my baby, and my ‘Emotional Support Water Bottle.”

Think you have enough water bottles? You might want a few more. There’s nothing worse than getting nap-trapped by a snuggly newborn and realizing your water bottle is downstairs. Or even just across the couch. I had one next to my bed, hidden in the couch cushions, and stashed in the car. There are a lot of great non-toxic water bottle options to choose from. Something with a straw like Swell or Lifefactory (with their attachments) is ideal for the hospital and postpartum, when you might be leaning back in bed a lot. And to reduce plastic even more, Koala Straw carries stainless steel straw replacements for several brands, including Owala, HydroFlask and Stanely.

✨ Bonus tip: If you have a go-to nap trapped spot (like a bed or couch), make a small basket of postpartum essentials: a water bottle, a few snacks, a book, a blanket, the remote for the television. Because when your baby falls asleep, you are not going to want to risk waking them!

Tea

A mug with a tea bag sits on an outdoor table next to a box of chamomile tea, a green tea can, a small dish of loose tea, and a double-sided wooden spoon. Brick wall in the background.

On the topic of hydration, you may want to stock some tea in your postpartum kit, even if you’re a coffee addict. Coffee might eventually carry you through sleepless nights, but in the first few weeks, you’ll want to be gentle on your body, including your nervous and digestive systems. With a colicky baby, I didn’t often get to drink tea piping hot, but it was a calming ritual in the spare moments I could find.

The Filtery has an extensive guide to plastic-free tea brands, but here are some of my personal favorites for the postpartum season:

Tea bags:

Traditional Medicinals has a collection of pre- and post-natal teas. Disclaimer: I’ve tried a few and have personally found their raspberry leaf blends to be too earthy. But they are widely available in grocery stores for an accessible option! (Find on Amazon, Target, Walmart, or Thrive Market)
Yogi Comforting Chamomile is a velvety smooth chamomile, perfect with a swirl of raw local honey for a little added sweetness. (Shop at Amazon, Target, or Walmart)
The Republic of Tea Get It Going is nutty and earthy without any bitterness. This blend — or any blend that helps with digestion and constipation — is worth having on hand postpartum. Those first few bowel movements after childbirth are frankly terrifying. (Buy on Amazon)

Loose leaf:

Arbor Teas Organic Golden Ginger Turmeric has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, with ginger and turmeric, and is lovely on its own or with milk added. It’s naturally caffeine-free, so it makes a great afternoon pick-me-up.
Full Leaf Tea Co offers both an Organic Pregnancy Support tea and a Lactation Boost tea. I find the ingredients in higher quality loose leaf teas to be much smoother than their bagged counterparts; the ginger, fennel, nettle, and other punchy ingredients are really well balanced in both of these. (Add to Amazon cart.)
Club Magic Hour’s Queen of Wellness blend is my all-time favorite raspberry leaf tea. With notes of pineapple and butterfly pea flower, it tastes more like a fruit punch and is excellent iced. Some Club Magic Hour products include ‘natural flavors,’ but this tea does not.

Nourishing meals

A white plate with two pieces of naan bread next to a square bowl containing chickpea curry garnished with chopped onions and cilantro, placed on a wooden table. — Homemade chana masala and naan from a dear friend — my favorite postpartum meal!

Taking advice from other seasoned parents, we stocked our freezer with hearty meals to heat up once Baby arrived. Nutrient-dense comfort food like beef chili, chicken pot pie, and oatmeal is ideal for postpartum care. We were also so fortunate to have friends and family feed us through Meal Train. Pssst… if you are reading this and have a new parent in your life, this is your sign to bring them food.

Self care tools

Despite everything our bodies go through in childbirth, postpartum doesn’t feel like the time for self care. I was lucky if I washed my hair; the thought of a luxurious bath or a massage was hilarious. Parenthood demands that you re-define self care.

What do you have time for in a day? Maybe that’s just a quick shower or a cup of tea. Do you have space for a ritual once a week? Maybe that’s a bath, a session with your therapist, or a phone call with a friend.

I decided my goals were to go to pelvic floor physical therapy and journal once a week. Eight months later, those investments I made in myself were priceless.

A woman sits on a gray couch breastfeeding a baby. A black cat rests on her lap, and a patterned blanket covers her legs. The background shows a bookshelf and large windows with sunlight coming in. — Cats were essential to postpartum recovery, too.

My last thoughts on postpartum care

I will tell you what I wish I could tell myself eight months ago: be gentle on yourself. You birthed a human. Your body and life will never be the same. They will grow and stretch in beautiful ways you can’t imagine. The newborn trenches will end, but until then, take care of yourself. You are worth all the small moments when you remember to take your vitamins or to ice your boobs. If we are entrusted with nurturing our little ones, we owe it to them to care for ourselves with just as much love.