Taylor’s Sustainable Pregnancy Postpartum Guide

My Experience –

I was lucky enough to have a beautiful, very positive, and seamless homebirth in March of 2022. I suffered a very minor tear that was able to heal naturally but I was a bit more careful because of that. I spent the first 42 days mostly in bed or on the couch, soaking in time with my newborn and allowing myself to truly recover from the marathon that my labour and birth were. I was so lucky to have support from my midwife, doula, husband, and parents who made sure I had everything I needed and more. It was truly a rollercoaster of emotions – highs and lows. It differed every single day. From the physical side to the mental side, there were a few things I did and used that made a difference. Below you’ll find my guide to the postpartum period – 

Milky Oat Meal Delivery –

Whether you’re getting ready for a baby or looking for gifts for a new mom, start with Milky Oat, a postpartum meal delivery service that provides amazing and organic postpartum nourishment. I didn’t have something like Milky Oat for my postpartum period and my husband made all our meals, but I wish I could have had a service like this so both my partner and I could just focus on recovery and bonding with our Ayla. Milky Oat currently services the San Francisco Bay area and will be launching in Los Angeles this year, so if you’re in these areas you are in luck! They provide many different options, but I can’t recommend their six-week plan enough because those first 42 days post birth are so key to rest and nourish yourself. Food and nutrition play such a huge role in both recovery and sustaining yourself while you breastfeed. I truly have never been so hungry as when I’m breastfeeding! Luckily, Milky Oat provides not just delicious meals but wonderful snacks and drinks that can even help with lactation.

Customize Your Postpartum Meal Plan

Haakaa Breast Pump + Milk Catcher –

In the first few weeks of breastfeeding, the milk supply can vary a lot as the body figures out how much milk to make for your individual baby (or babies!). I can an oversupply, which is a blessing and a curse. I was able to donate 1,000’s of ounces of milk to different mothers and babies in need, but I also battled mastitis and clogged ducts. When babe feeds from one side, often the other side just starts producing as well, so it is so handy to have a milk catcher to catch that milk so you can add it to your freezer reserves or to pop in your baby’s bath. I basically always had the Haakaa LadyBug Milk Collector or the Manual Breat Pump on me for those first few months! 

Milky Oat x Farmacopia Tinctures –

Having remedies and tinctures on hand in those first months to support early motherhood is essential. Milky Oat has teamed up with Farmacopia to create four tinctures to support lactation, energy, the immune system, and to assist with relaxation when you can’t switch off. I can’t recommend the full set enough because over a year into my motherhood journey these tinctures still offer me assistance. The “Immune Active” offers fast acting herbs for healthy defenses, “Lactate” gently helps to increase milk production and support the nervous system, “Relax” provides rapid relief for everyday stress and irritability, and “Daily Energy” boosts vitality and helps to balance adrenals.

Frozen Pads –

Silverette Nipple Shields –

The start of breastfeeding can be tricky for lots of reasons. One thing I struggled with was cracked nipples and the pain that came with that. Breastfeeding is my favourite thing today but in the early days it was so painful. Using Silverette’s after each feed provides relief to sore and inflamed nipples. Silverette’s are antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial so it can really help heal cracked or blistered nipples. Such an amazing tool to have on your bedside for those early days! 

Supportive Nursing Bra –

The Jorgen House nursing bras are my absolute favourite – I live in them. The Sleep Bra is my go-to because it is so comfortable, soft, and easy to breastfeed from. It does not have clip, but it is so stretchy that you can seamlessly take your breast out to feed. It is also supportive enough to pop a milk catcher or portable pump in.