7 Quickfire Ways to Make Your Postpartum Easier

This is your postpartum. It’s a magical, messy, beautiful, and exhausting season all rolled into one. Between navigating your new normal, figuring out this tiny human, and recovering from birth, it’s a lot. But here’s the good news: there are ways to make this time gentler on yourself. It’s all about preparation, support, and giving yourself permission to prioritise YOU.

Here are seven ways to make the journey a bit easier for you!

1. Create Your Postpartum Sanctuary

Likely, this is your home - Think of your postpartum space as your recovery retreat. Stock it with essentials like snacks, water bottles, cosy blankets, and those must-have postpartum supplies. Create stations around your house with all the different things you might need, so you don’t have to be looking for things in the dark at 2am. Check out our Postpartum Stations Guide here

💡 Viva La Vulva tip: Set up a Postpartum Bathroom basket with goodies like our Fan(ny) Faves - Perineal Healing Spray, Padsicle gel, Peri Wash Bottle, and The Good Witch Hazel to soothe and heal those sensitive areas. You’ll thank yourself later!

2. Embrace Nourishing Foods

Your body has just done an incredible thing—not only getting through labour but also the 10 months of pregnancy. Your body now needs time to heal and food is medicine! Focus on warm, nutrient-rich meals to help your recovery and keep energy levels stable. Prepping freezer meals during pregnancy can be a lifesaver, and don’t be afraid to ask for a bit of a food train - people want to help!

💡 Quick idea: Check out slow cooker freezer bag recipes that let you "cook" without lifting a finger.

3. Prioritise Rest (No, Really)

Easier said than done, right? But hear me out: postpartum rest is non-negotiable. Your body needs time to recover, and sleep is part of that healing. However, when sleep is hard to come by - know that there are 7 different types of rest - check them out here.  Lean on your village—whether it’s family, friends, or hired help—to handle household tasks so you can rest and bond with your baby.

4. Carve Out Moments for Self-Care (Your Version of It)

Self-care doesn’t have to be bubble baths and face masks (though if that’s your vibe, go for it!). It’s about carving out little moments in your day just for you. That might mean five quiet minutes with a cup of tea, listening to your favourite podcast while feeding, or having a shower that lasts longer than 30 seconds. Self-care looks different for everyone, but it’s always essential.

💡 Here are some ideas: Stepping outside for 5 minutes of fresh air, a small walk, calling a friend, reading, journaling, listening to a podcast, binging a series, whatever you love doing!

5. Support Down There

Let’s get real—postpartum recovery involves some level of discomfort. Whether it’s perineal tears, swelling, or belly birth incision, finding the right care products makes all the difference. That’s where we come in!

💡 Game-changer: Stock up on our range of recovery products that are suitable for whatever way you birth! Check them out here

6. Build Your Emotional Support Team/Your Village

Postpartum isn’t just about physical recovery—it’s emotional too. Make sure you have people in your corner who can check in on you and truly listen. Whether it’s a partner, a friend, or a postpartum professional, having someone who understands can lighten the load. Make a game plan ahead of your birth, with ways your support person or partner can help you. Make dates ahead of time when you have regular check-ins to see how you’re both feeling and what support might look like to you! 

💡 Hot tip? Create a list of signs to look out for when you might not be coping so well, when you are deep in the trenches it can be hard to notice these yourself and makes it a lot easier when someone you trust can pick up on these cues!

7. Normalise Asking for Help

You are not meant to do this alone. Repeat that as many times as you need. Whether it’s asking a friend to bring over a meal, hiring a postpartum doula, or tag teaming night duty, delegating is a form of self-care. Teamwork makes dream work.

💡 Pro tip: Viva La Vulva’s postpartum care kits make thoughtful gifts for new mums. Share the link with your loved ones as a hint for the ultimate “helping hand” gift!

Remember, postpartum is not about “bouncing back.” It’s about healing, adjusting, and soaking in those sweet moments (yes, even the sleep-deprived ones). You’ve got this, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

What’s one thing you wish you’d known before postpartum? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!