Real Mom Prep - Things That Actually Make a Difference
Real Mom Prep - Things That Actually Make a Difference
When I was pregnant, I spent hours reading checklists, taking courses, and watching every recommended video I could find. I had a Pinterest board full of color-coded ideas and a fully packed (actually overly stuffed!) hospital bag by 35 weeks. But despite all that prep… I still wasn’t prepared for real mom life after birth.
The truth is, most prep lists focus on the baby. But what about you?
Here’s what I actually wish I had done before my baby came—and what I’ll absolutely be doing next time to make postpartum easier, less overwhelming, and way more comfortable.
🛁 1. Prep Your Bathroom Like a Recovery Room
No one told me how much I’d rely on my bathroom in the first six weeks. Between bleeding (lochia), swelling, and the general discomfort of healing, your bathroom becomes your second home—especially in the middle of the night.
Let’s start with cleanliness:
Peri bottles are helpful, but I strongly recommend investing in a handheld sprayer. A peri bottle only holds a small amount of water. Trust me, the last thing you want is to be halfway through rinsing—wet, sore, and hunched over—only to realize you need to refill the bottle. The handheld sprayer made it quick, comfortable, and way more effective.
As a C-section mama, I didn’t experience vaginal tearing or stitches, but I wanted to be honest and thorough in this post. The basket of witch hazel pads, cooling sprays, and ice packs was based on the recommendations of a close friend who had a vaginal delivery. While I didn’t end up using the ice pads myself, I know from her experience how important they are during the first few days.
That said—both C-sections and vaginal births require serious recovery. They’re just very different. A vaginal delivery often comes with tearing, swelling, and stinging, while C-section recovery hits your core and mobility hard. You’re not just sore—you’re adjusting to walking, standing, sitting, and coughing with an abdominal incision.
My belly binder was LIFE. It helped with the pain and made it possible for me to stand up, sit down and carry my baby. Don’t underestimate how helpful one small support item can be.
And the unexpected game-changer?
A mini fridge in my bathroom. I used it to:
Store cold drinks and snacks
Keep pumped breastmilk close by
Chill postpartum sprays, foot cream, or gel packs
Store pumping parts between sessions so you don’t have to wash
If you don’t have space in your bathroom, a small fridge in your bedroom works just as well. You’ll thank yourself at 3 AM.
🧺 2. Baby Clothes Shrink—Here’s How I Handle It
Not only do baby clothes shrink, they also don’t follow any kind of standard sizing. A “3–6 month” onesie might fit like a newborn in one brand and like a 9-month in another.
After a few dryer sessions, I learned my lesson:
🧼 Air dry everything you care about.
Now I use a collapsible drying rack for almost all of Emma’s clothes.
🧴 Let’s Talk About Detergent
I started with Dreft, but it turns out it’s not as “clean” as the marketing makes it seem. I switched to non-toxic, fragrance-free detergents, and Emma’s skin was much happier.
Here are a few I love:
They’re gentle, effective, and give me peace of mind.
Fun Fact About Baby Laundry and Stains
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, those yellow poop stains can seem impossible—but sunlight is your secret weapon. After washing, lay the stained clothes in direct sun for a few hours, and the stains will magically fade away. I don’t understand the chemistry, but I swear it works like magic!
📦 How I Handle Outgrown Clothes (Without Buying Fancy Bins)
One day I was changing Emma’s onesie and realized that she had already outgrown a few. I grabbed an empty diaper box, tossed in the outgrown onesies, labeled it “0–3 months” with a Sharpie, and slid it into the garage. That was the start of my baby clothes sorting system—and honestly? It’s still what I do.
That became my running system:
Toss in outgrown clothes on the spot
Label the box
Decide later if I’ll save, donate, or resell
No fancy bins, no pressure, no mental load —just one less thing to think about. You’ll go through so many Amazon, diaper and baby wipe boxes anyway—it’s easy, free, and sustainable.
Instead of scheduling a “clothes sorting” task (because who has time for that?), I made it one of my 'when I notice' type of tasks.
🛏️ 3. Create a Bedside “Mom Station” That Actually Works
This is my #1 recommendation for new moms.
I started with a Pinterest-worthy rolling cart, but it became cluttered and awkward fast.
What saved me? My nursing chair. This chair was my command center, and I’m still obsessed with how functional it is.
Here’s why I love it:
2 Cup holders — one for my giant water bottle and one for a baby bottle while burping
2 Front armrest pockets — perfect for my phone and a snack bar
2 Big side pockets — these held snacks, burp cloths, wipes, tissues, magazines/books, crochet projects, phone charger and power bank, and random things I’d grab during night feeds
I also kept a small garbage can next to me - somehow, you’ll accumulate a pile of wrappers, tissues, and wipes before you even notice!
This setup let me stay seated longer, which helped me rest, recover, and not lose my mind. No running around the room for things I should’ve prepped.
Mama, you won’t really know what works for you until you’re in the middle of it.
All the pinterest boards and lists you find will help but you have to do YOU. So don’t be afraid to scrap, rearrange, or redo things that just aren’t working. You’re allowed to pivot.
❄️ Side Note: Store Nipple Relief in the Fridge
I originally had nipple cream next to me but I moved it for practicality. Let’s move nipple cream to where it really belongs: your bathroom mini fridge.
I knew breastfeeding and pumping would make my nipples sore—but I was not ready for how raw they would feel at first. They even hurt when I would take a shower.
Pro tip: Avoid letting the shower stream hit your nipples directly when you shower!
I used to try timing my shower before pumping so they weren’t irritated and the heat would help with letdown.
If you’re struggling with this, the Lansinoh Soothies stored in the fridge were heavenly. That cooling relief is next level. Total lifesaver.
🍽️ 4. Organize Your Kitchen for Late Nights (or Just Survival)
Let me tell you: you will not want to cook.
Not at 3 AM. Not after your fifth diaper change. Even if you have help, you’ll just want food that’s fast, filling, and cleanup-free.
Also, lifting a heavy pan after a C-section? Not fun. And with all the bottle washing and pumping, the last thing I wanted was to scrub dishes.
Here’s how I prepped my kitchen to actually support postpartum life:
🍫 What I Stocked:
Protein bars (I looked for ones with clean ingredients and lasting energy)
Nut packs and trail mix — I loved munching on dates and cashews! Go for mixes high in healthy fats and nutrients.
Applesauce and fruit pouches (yes, the ones for toddlers—zero prep!)
➤ Bonus tip: Have a few prune purees on hand. You might have trouble going to the bathroom in those first few days, and this helps gently move things along.Lactation cookies + oatmeal bites (whether or not they boosted milk, I needed the carbs)
Peanut butter pretzels — my 2 AM lifesaver. Salty, satisfying, and no crumbs on the baby!
🥥 Hydration Station
Hydration impacts everything postpartum—healing, mood, milk supply, digestion, and energy.
I alternated between two giant water bottles:
One with ice water
One with my go-to juice mix: pineapple, mango, and coconut water
➤ Coconut water made a huge difference in my milk supply.
➤ You can mix and match with other nutrient-dense, low-sugar juices like pomegranate, tart cherry, or orange + aloe.
🍓 Build a Smoothie Bar or System
Want to really level up your kitchen prep? Create a postpartum smoothie station with ingredients that support milk supply, hormone balance, and healing:
Keep stocked:
Frozen fruit (mango, wild blueberries, banana, cherries)
Prenatal or postpartum protein powder
Colostrum powder (or bovine IGG)
Chia, flax, and hemp seeds
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Liquid vitamins or mineral drops
Optional: Brewer’s yeast or sunflower lecithin
💡 Easy Recipe:
Postpartum Glow Smoothie
½ frozen banana
½ cup frozen mango
1 scoop protein powder
1 tsp each: chia, flax, and hemp seeds
½ cup coconut water + ½ cup almond milk
Dash of cinnamon
Optional: 1 tsp cocoa powder + 1 tsp colostrum powder
→ Blend and go!
💬 Final Thoughts
I wish someone had told me that real postpartum prep isn’t about having the perfect nursery. It’s about making everyday life easier when your brain and body are running on fumes.
Start small. Focus on function. Take care of yourself while you prep for baby.
💕 You’ve got this, Mama
Thanks for letting me share a little piece of my journey with you.
~ Joanna + baby Emma
🧶 Emma’s Little Corner
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⚠️ Disclaimer
I’m a certified health coach and have been in the health and wellness industry for over 20 years. I’m also a mom sharing from real-life experience. However, I am not a doctor, nurse, or licensed medical provider. The information in this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and should never replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any medical or health-related decisions for yourself or your baby.
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