Postpartum Recovery: My Top 3 Essentials You’ll Be Glad You Knew About

Let’s be honest—most people are underprepared for what recovery looks and feels like after giving birth. Everyone focuses on the baby (understandably), but your body has just been through something major, and it deserves real care—not just well wishes and a freezer meal.

Here are my top 3 essentials for postpartum recovery—things I wish someone had told me sooner:

1. Spritz for Bits (and Other Sore-Spot Support)

This is a popular one for a reason. Spritz for Bits is a simple, affordable spray (you’ll find it in Boots) that helps soothe sore perineums, stitches, and general post-birth discomfort. It’s cooling, easy to use, and doesn’t sting.

Other helpful options:

• Haemorrhoid cream is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding—use it if you need it.

• Witch hazel on cotton wool is a great alternative if your skin doesn’t tolerate creams well.

  
  

2. A Visit to a Cranial Osteopath

This might sound like a luxury—but once you’ve experienced it, you’ll realise it’s anything but.

Cranial osteopaths treat both you and your baby, often in the same session. Here’s why it matters:

• For babies:

  • Assess palate shape, tongue tie, and feeding mechanics

  • Release tension from birth (especially after assisted or fast deliveries)

  • Improve symptoms like colic, reflux, unsettled behaviour, and poor sleep

• For parents:

  • Help realign your spine and pelvis after pregnancy

  • Reduce aches, improve posture, and support your overall health

  • Aid sleep quality, digestion, and energy levels

After seeing the impact with my own babies, I now recommend this to every family I work with—ideally in the first week or two of life.

3. A Feeding Cushion (Not Just for Breastfeeders)

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, expressing, or combo feeding—how you hold your baby during feeds really matters.

A good feeding cushion helps:

• Support your posture

• Prevent shoulder hunching and back strain

• Reduce tension in your neck, jaw, spine, and digestive system

• Promote closeness, comfort, and bonding (cue: oxytocin and endorphins)

That closeness isn’t just sweet—it’s chemical. These feel-good hormones support milk production and your mental health, helping reduce the risk of postnatal depression.

Feeding positions are about more than getting milk in—they affect your baby’s digestion and your recovery. A cushion might seem like a “nice extra,” but it can be the difference between pain and ease, stress and connection.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need every gadget under the sun. But you do need a few things that actually help you heal and adjust. These three essentials are simple, accessible, and make a real difference to how you feel in the early weeks.

Got questions or want personalised support?

• 📥 Download my free guide: How to Get the Birth You Want

• 🧠 Take the Birth Support Quiz

• 📞 Book a Discovery Call

• ☕ Or come say hi at the café Friday–Sunday—cake, chats, and connection always welcome.