postpartum Prep: Stock your essentials
Stocking your home & hygiene essentials while pregnant will free up more mental space to care for and bond with your baby!
Here’s an underrated postpartum prep tip: bulk stock your hygiene and household essentials in your last trimester of pregnancy. Many times we’re so busy gathering baby supplies and postpartum specific items like mesh undies and pads that we forget about all the other essentials that keep our homes running.
Things like dish-soap, shampoo and contact solution tend to take a ridiculous amount of mental energy if you wait to replenish them until you’re down to the last drop. And here’s the thing: your mental energy will be a hot commodity in postpartum. It will likely be in short supply for the first 6-12 months. Give your brain a break (and leave more time for baby cuddles!) by dealing with these logistics now!
Even better, plan a nesting party! have your guests bring these things as gifts and help you organize them into their storage spaces.
You could instead ensure that things are set up on subscription, but if you have the space and the means it’s even nicer to have everything stocked and ready to go. This way you don’t need to worry about timing at all and you won’t need to manage unwrapping things or putting them away when they arrive.
If you’re tight on space or finances, pick a few big top offenders that always seem to catch you off guard when they run out. For me that’s things like shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, paper towels and aluminum foil.
Below is a list to get you thinking about what would be helpful to stock ahead of time. Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need all of these since every family has different needs and preferences! Aim to stock up on what you think a 6-12 month supply would be of your preferred items. It likely will be a little less than you think - usually only 3-4 of each thing should be enough!
You can also download a simple printable for free, no email required, just click the button below!
HYGIENE
shampoo
conditioner
body wash or soap
hair styling cream
dry shampoo
deodorant
contact solution
toothpaste
floss
KITCHEN
dishsoap
dishwasher pods
sponges
aluminum foil
parchment paper
clear wrap
freezer ziplocs & sandwich bags
paper towels
multipurpose cleaning spray
disinfectant wipes
BATHROOM
toilet paper
toilet cleaner tablets/solution
disinfectant wipes
multipurpose cleaning spray
Mr. Clean erasers
LAUNDRY
detergent for you (& for baby if it’s different)
dryer sheets or wool dryer balls
stain remover spray and/or oxiclean
washing machine cleaning tablets
PETS
dry food
wet food
cat litter
doggy poop bags
SUPPLEMENTS
prenatal vitamins
adaptogens (learn more here)
Vit D/K gummies
beef liver capsules
Floradix or Megafood Blood Builder
Here’s to a prepared and nurtured postpartum!
