Creating Your Postpartum Sanctuary: Making Space for Rest and Recovery

Creating Your Postpartum Sanctuary: Making Space for Rest and Recovery

If you’re gearing up for your postpartum, you’ve probably heard all about setting up the nursery, arranging outfits, and stocking up on all things for the baby. But here’s the thing: your postpartum experience isn’t about how Pinterest-worthy your nursery/baby’s room is. It’s about creating a sanctuary in your home—a place where you can truly rest, recover, and bond with your baby. Take it from second-time mamas, the baby’s room often becomes a storage space and often wonder why they prioritised investing so much time and energy into it, over their recovery. We know the nursery set up is fun - and you're making a physical space for your new baby so by all means, set it up! Just don't forget to create a space for you too!

Why Create a Postpartum Sanctuary?
The postpartum period is a time of healing and big adjustments. You’re navigating new routines, changing rhythms, and a recovery journey that deserves as much care as you give your baby. Setting up a sanctuary for yourself means having spaces around your home where you feel nurtured, comfortable, and ready to rest whenever you can. It’s about making things easy to reach, easy to use, and easy on your mind so you can focus on what really matters.

Your Bedroom: More than Just a Place to Sleep (or not sleep)
Let’s start with your bedroom—likely where you’ll spend most of your early postpartum days and nights. It’s your safe space, your comfort zone, and ideally, your go-to place for rest and recovery. Here’s how to make it as supportive as possible:

• Comfy Bedding: If you can, treat yourself to soft sheets, if not - choose your faves and lots of pillows, and maybe even a cosy blanket or two. If you plan on breastfeeding or bottle-feeding at night, have a couple of extra pillows to put behind you for support.
  
  

• Night Feeding Station: Keep a small station by your bed with everything you might need during night feedings. A little soft dimmed night light is perfect for next to the bed. Water for you, a little snacky-snack station, burp cloths, extra nappies, change of clothes for baby, and a few of your favourite essentials to stay comfortable. An eye mask for you for getting some extra zzz’s during the daylight hours. Maybe even a book/kindle. This small setup will save you from trips back and forth during those half-asleep hours. This can also be a job for your partner or support person to help keep refreshed!
  
  

• Optional - A Comfortable Chair Nearby: If you’re someone who might prefer to get up and feed or pump in a chair instead of in bed, having a comfortable chair (or even a supportive armchair) nearby is a lifesaver. Choose something you can easily sink into but that also provides enough support to help you sit up straight while feeding or rocking.

• Make a drawer for your comfy postpartum clothes
  This is a great little hack, when you’re sleep-deprived, not feeling your best - having a drawer with only comfy postpartum clothes and outfits you can throw on is key. Saves you faffing around, trying to find outfits to wear. You could even go so far as to organise them to around the house/comfy pjs/active wear, to outfits you can throw on for school pick ups or coffee dates when you’re up to leaving the house!
  
  

Surround yourself with things that make you happy
You could put some positive affirmations on your wall near your bed, or by your mirror - to remind you what a badass mama you are. Photos of your favourite people or places, plants, whatever floats your boat - decorate your bedroom so its your own personal haven.

Recovery/Breastfeeding Trolley: Your Mobile Life Saver
A recovery/breastfeeding trolley is an awesome way to make sure your essentials are always within arm’s reach, or at least all in one place, whether you’re in the bedroom, the living room, or another cosy spot in the house. Load it up with anything you’ll want nearby throughout the day, here are some ideas (You can grab our breastfeeding/recovery trolley checklist here):

• VLV Breasties - hot + cold therapy packs, VLV Boob Balm Nipple shields/silverette cups, Nursing pads (reusable would be best) Electric breast pump and/or hand pump (if pumping), Milk storage bags, Hand sanitiser and handcream for dry hands, A good water bottle - with a straw, Burp cloths, Book, Headphones, Lip balm, TV remote, Phone charger, Easy to eat snacks.

Your Living Room or Daytime Cosy Spot
You’ll likely find yourself camping out in one spot for some hours during the day (hello cluster feeding), so setting up a comfortable area in your living room or another space is key. Think about how to make this space a daytime sanctuary where you can rest, snack, and tend to your little one without needing to get up constantly. This is also where your recovery trolley comes in handy! Wheel it to wherever you are during the day!

• Throw Blankets and Pillows: Layer up your space with a few extra blankets and pillows. Cosy, easy-to-wash fabrics are great choices since they’ll get plenty of use!

• Nappy Caddy: Keep a basket nearby filled with baby essentials like nappies, wipes, burp cloths, and maybe a small toy or book for a little distraction. Having these essentials right next to you makes it easy to handle everything from nappy changes to spit-up situations without having to trek around the house.

Postpartum Bathroom Station
Its really hard to make this sound glamorous, but setting up a dedicated postpartum bathroom station will be something you’ll thank yourself for. Keeping everything you need for those first trips to the bathroom close by can make the experience as smooth as possible.

• Essentials Basket: Stock up on your postpartum pads, VLV Peri Wash Bottle, VLV Witch Hazel, VLV Healing Spray, VLV Padsicle Gel (You can get these in our Fan-ny Faves Bundle here. and anything else you might be using. If you have room, consider adding a small basket on the back of the toilet or nearby counter, so you don’t have to reach far for anything.

• Postpartum Bath Soak or Sitz Bath: If you’re able to, creating a little setup for soaking or rinsing can be incredibly soothing and help with recovery. Even if you only use it every few days, having it set up and ready to go when you get a window is a small comfort that goes a long way. 

A Special Outdoor Space: Fresh Air for Healing
Your postpartum sanctuary doesn’t have to stop inside! Creating a small space outside to spend a few moments each day can bring some calming, restorative energy to your routine. A small chair on your deck, a cosy corner in the backyard, or even a spot by a sunny window can work wonders.

• Sunlight and Fresh Air: Just a few minutes outside each day, soaking up some sun and breathing fresh air, can help lift your spirits and boost your mood. Letting natural light hit your skin and getting out of the house can be grounding, helping you feel more connected to the world outside. 
  
  

• Nature’s Healing Properties: If possible, step outside and place your bare feet on the grass, or just feel the earth beneath you. Even small acts like these can help reduce stress, promote calm, and give you a sense of presence. These mindful moments with nature are small but mighty additions to your mental well-being.

Adding Support Reminders for Your Partner: Visual Cues for Postpartum Support
A crucial part of creating your postpartum sanctuary is setting up ways for your partner or support person to stay involved in helping you recover. Even if you’ve already discussed what you’ll need, having a visible list somewhere like the fridge or your nightstand can keep those helpful tasks top of mind. These visual reminders take some of the guesswork out of what might help the most day-to-day, especially during those sleep-deprived days when it’s easy to forget the small things that make a big difference.

Here’s how to set up a supportive reminder list that’s easy for them to follow:

1. Essentials Restocking:

• Night Station Check: Encourage your partner to look over your night feeding station, seeing if snacks, water, or baby supplies need restocking.

• Bathroom and Recovery Station: Regularly replenishing things like postpartum pads, sprays, or peri bottles helps ensure you always have what you need at hand.

2. Snack and Hydration Reminders:

• Snack Preferences: Create a quick list of your favourite snacks that your partner can grab and place in your recovery stations or night area.

• Daily Water Fill-Up: Hydration can be easy to overlook, so a reminder to keep a fresh water bottle by your side can help you stay on top of this essential part of recovery.

3. Mental Health Check-Ins:

• Signs to Look For: Encourage your partner to look out for signs of stress, like prolonged sadness, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed, which might signal the need for extra support.

• Words of Affirmation: Reminders like “You’re doing great” or “We’re in this together” might seem simple, but these small affirmations can make a big impact, especially when you’re adjusting to new routines.

4. Feedback and Flexibility: Add a gentle reminder that postpartum needs may change and that it’s okay to adjust the list as needed. Encourage regular check-ins to keep communication open about what’s working or what might need tweaking.

By setting up your home as your postpartum sanctuary with these thoughtful spaces and essentials, you’re giving yourself permission to rest, heal, and enjoy those early weeks. This setup isn’t just about convenience; it’s about prioritising your own needs as you care for your baby. You deserve a place where you can truly relax, recover, and adjust to this beautiful, challenging, and rewarding new chapter - soak it all in mama!

Hope this helped!

You can check out our FREE downloadable checklists here: Resources for mama

Love VLV xx