a North Dakotan girl through and through, wife, mother and die hard Catholic.

A Gentle Guide to the Tender Season After Birth

There is a hush that follows childbirth—a soft, sacred quiet. The world seems to pause, and life becomes beautifully small: baby snuggles, warm meals, hushed lullabies in the moonlight. Postpartum is a season of surrender, of healing, of learning to mother a new soul while still mothering yourself.

No matter how many times I walk through this season, it always humbles me. Each postpartum experience is its own tender story, but over time I’ve gathered a few essentials that have made these early days a little softer, a little more supported, and a lot more grace-filled.

Here are a few things I’ve come to have on hand most in those precious weeks after birth:

1. A Nest of Nourishment

When you’re holding a baby around the clock, meals can be tricky. I’ve learned to prepare a small station—by my nursing chair or bedside—with easy snacks: granola bars, dried fruit, trail mix, and protein bites. A big water bottle with a straw is non-negotiable. I also keep herbal teas nearby—especially blends with red raspberry leaf to support healing.

Tip: If loved ones ask how to help, a meal train or a freezer meal drop-off is a priceless gift. Nourishment is care.

2. Clothing That Feels Like a Hug

Postpartum bodies are miraculous and tender. I keep a few sets of soft, loose-fitting lounge clothes (preferably button-down for easy nursing access). High-waisted cotton underwear and a loose bra, cozy socks (if your a socks gals, I am not), and a favorite robe make me feel a bit more human—even when sleep-deprived. Don’t forget having those hair ties and claw clips near by too!

I also adore pretty postpartum pieces that are still practical—modest nursing dresses, gentle fabrics, and warm cardigans. There’s something important about honoring your body even as it heals.

3. Healing Helpers

A few essentials have become tried-and-true companions:

• Peri bottle – Trust me, you’ll want one in every bathroom. I don’t spend the extra money to get the angled one, the simple one you get is just fine for me!
• Sitz bath salts – Herbal blends help soothe and restore.
• Nipple balm – For those early nursing days.
• Adult diapers – More comfy than you’d think, and so practical and I am not a fan of the mesh underwear with padding, not that comfy and unpractical in my opinion.
• Magnesium lotion or spray – Helpful for postpartum cramping or muscle recovery.
• Cooling pads, Perineal spray + Ice packs – great to soothing “down there” as you heal.
• Nursing pads – to help with leaking wetting your bra!
• a milk catcher – a way to save those drop of milk during a let down without pumping!

You can also add these to a easy moveable basket or cart to place near the places you’ll spend time like your bed, the couch, or some of these items in the bathroom!

Don’t forget the power of rest. A heating pad, and a calm environment can go a long way in helping your body reset.

4. Spiritual Anchors

Those early weeks can feel isolating. I keep a small prayer book or Rosary near my nursing station, even if I can only manage a whispered Hail Mary in the middle of the night as I fall asleep nursing my child. I’ve also found comfort in journaling small blessings—first smiles, answered prayers, tiny mercies in the midst of the mess.

The postpartum season invites us to rely not just on our strength, but on God’s gentle mercy and lean into the guidance of our most radiate Blessed Mother!

5. Permission to Be Held, Too

I’ve learned not to try and “bounce back.” It looks different for every mother, every family and their circumstances or lifestyle! You’re not meant to do it all alone. Ask for help. Let a family member fold laundry. Let a friend make you/bring you a meal. Let your husband bring you water at 3am. You were never meant to carry motherhood solo. As hard as it can be share with your husband or close trusted friends the ways you need support, the emotions you are experiencing and trying to navigate. I remember with my first a lot was happening externally (a world pandemic that really no one knew what was even happening or anyhthing truly about it that point and we gearing up for a 1,500 mile move away from family to name a few) and my body was experiencing postpartum for the very first time while also experiencing parenthood for the first time too so and it was so difficult for me to voice how I felt or what I needed.

6. Basket of Goodies

An additional tip is to have a basket at your bedside and in each bathroom you’ll you of essentials

What I include (this will vary depending if its by your bedside or in the bathroom)

My Elvie Curve or Ladybug to catch any milk from my let down with milk storage bags or jars.

Snacks

Electrolyte packets

Water bottle

Prenatal/Postnatal vitamin

Burp cloths

Nursing pads (I’m personally not a silverette nipple covers but you could add this if you’d like)

Afterease (helps soothe nursing cramps)

Cycle soothing spray (can help with nursing cramps)

Nipple Butter

Book for reading

Chargers for any devices

Prayer materials (rosary, prayer books, etc)

Chapstick

Wipes and Diapers for baby (changing mat to protect your bed. If you have boys you get it)!

Pain reliever (if its not in a child safe bottle make sure its out of little ones reach)

Bathroom baskets

Postpartum diapers (or if you prefer pads and mesh underwear)

Wipes (reminder wipes even ones that say you can flush should not be put in the toilet but the trash instead) or medical cloth you can wet

Peri bottle

Perineal spray and/or balm

Nursing pads

Hand Sanitizer

More than anything, postpartum is a time for softness, for slow days, for sacred stillness. To find your balance. Give yourself permission to receive care, not just give it.

You are healing. You are mothering. You are doing holy work. Soak in this sweet time whether your a fan of the newborn phase or not, document it often whether that is taking a pen to paper or snapping a photograph.

If you’re in the tender days of postpartum, I’m sending you so much love and a big ole hug . May your days be wrapped in warmth, and may you feel supported in all ways.

Thank you for showing up for the sacred work of motherhood—one sleepy, beautiful moment at a time. Thank you to those who are mothers!