Earlier this month, I came to you with my top 10 favorite baby products. Now, I wanted to share with you my favorite products for the most difficult time of all: Postpartum. I think one of the things that scared me about preparing for postpartum was not really knowing what to expect. I wasn't sure if I would have a vaginal birth, or an unplanned C-section. I was on the fence about breastfeeding. I didn't know what to expect pain-wise (because no one talks about it!). Here are the products that got me through such a weird, painful, and difficult time. Again, these products aren't sponsored - I just love them and hope you do, too!

1. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter

Learning to breastfeed is so hard. In my case, I was lukewarm about breastfeeding my entire pregnancy. I always thought, "Meh, I'll give it a shot, but I probably won't actually breastfeed for any significant length of time." Here we are four months later, exclusively breastfeeding, and I am so glad I had the forethought to purchase this amazing nipple butter. My poor gals were dry and cracked and bleeding by the time I got home from the hospital. The Earth Mama Nipple Butter saved me in those early days of breastfeeding. Bonus, you don't have to remove it before feeding baby. (It may be worth mentioning, I also have the Lansinoh nipple cream and really don't like it.)

2. Lansinoh TheraPearl Breast Therapy Packs

These breast therapy packs were an "oh crap" buy my first day home from the hospital. You can heat them in the microwave to stimulate milk production or relieve clogged ducts, or you can use them cold to help with the pain of engorgement. Personally, I like to warm them up and slip them in my bra for a few minutes before pumping. They are another tiny secret I like to have on hand that I never thought I would need.

3. Spectra S2 Breast Pump

I really love this breast pump. It is simple, no-frills, and does the job. Since I wasn't sure if I would breastfeed or not, I didn't want to drop any cash on a pump, so I went with what was 100% covered by my insurance. While I do not love the act of pumping, I do really like my Spectra and I recommend it at the very least as a starter pump. My son ended up preferring the bottles that comes with it, also, so that makes things even easier!

4. Frida Mom EVERYTHING!

I'm pretty sure the people behind the Frida Mom & Baby products are geniuses. They have thought of everything! I personally used and loved their upside down peri bottle, their disposable postpartum undies, and their instant ice maxi pads. I felt much cleaner with the upside down peri bottle versus the one you get at the hospital. And while I loved the hospital undies, I ran out quickly and was happy to have more of my own (I wore disposable undies for like, a month!). The instant ice maxi pads activate by cracking them like a glowstick and it is equal parts satisfying and soothing. You need everything by this brand. It's absolutely worth the price tag. Next time around, I am purchasing their entire postpartum essentials recovery kit. 

5. These maternity yoga pants

This one is a little off the beaten path of postpartum products but hear me out! I bought these yoga pants at the very end of my pregnancy because I wanted some super comfy pants to wear home from the hospital. I just snagged a pair off Amazon for a good price, not expecting much at all. I have to tell you: I love these dang pants! They are unbelievably soft and comfortable. I wore them at 35+ weeks pregnant, home from the hospital, and I am still unashamedly rocking them over four months postpartum. You can pry them off my cold, dead body because I ain't taking them off! 

Your number one priority postpartum, aside from caring for your precious new bundle, is to care for yourself! I hope these great products help you to do just that! After all, a happy mama is essential for a happy baby. Best of luck to you in your postpartum journey!