A guide to more sustainable postpartum with product tips
Preparing for postpartum as a first time mum can be overwhelming. Especially, if you want to have the environment in mind. These sustainable postpartum products tested and used by me should help you decide what is right for you.
I remember how happy I was when I finally gathered everything for the baby and felt confident that I’m ready for her to arrive. And then I started thinking about the six weeks post-birth and realised I don’t have anything for myself! When I did my research on the things I will need, but most recommendations were for disposable products. When I did the math I didn’t like the amount of products I would throwing away for six weeks. So I tried to find more sustainable postpartum way.
I won’t lie, I didn’t do everything perfectly. I used disposable products full of plastic. But sustainability is not about perfection. It’s about the everyday things and even a little helps. If you’re pregnant and looking for more eco-friendly way to deal with postpartum, this post is for you. Also checkout my blogpost about 5 things I wish I knew before I got pregnant and let me know if your experience is similar as mine.
Here are the sustainable postpartum products I found, tried and loved.
Pads
One of the big unknowns for every first-time mum is how much bleeding will happen after the birth. Every body is different and it’s hard to predict how many pads you will need and what will work the best for you. Here are some suggestions from my own experience, where I bled heavy for a few days and then it looked like first days of period for a couple of weeks until the bleeding disappeared completely.
Disposable pads
There is a wide range of disposable maternity pads out there but which ones are better for the planet? Pads in general contain plastic in the product itself, let alone all the packaging they come with. The thought of filling the landfill with up to 6 weeks worth of product was scary. On the other hand using only reusable products was impossible too as I was staying in the hospital for a few days and then had to return from the mainland to our little island. Also considering that I was not going to do washing in the first week made the disposable items a little more appealing.
I have found and tried two brands of sustainable disposable pads. I bought four packs of Boots Organic Cotton Maternity Towels (£2.15) which come in a cardboard box and are not single packaged. They are not completely plastic free but they use less plastic than other brands. As suggested the top layer is organic cotton and the absorbent layer is made or cellulose pulp. Unfortunately, the backsheet is plastic.
The sustainable disposable pad race winner are Natracare Maternity Pads (£3.15) which are completely plastic free, chemicals free, plant-based and compostable, needless to say they come in cardboard box. Unlike the Boots pads they use plant starch and glue instead of plastic. I had a pack of these from a friend which totals to 50 pads for two weeks.
Both products are very soft and cushioned. Neither pads have wings which I personally didn’t mind as I was putting them in adult nappies :D. From ethical point of view Natracare is a better choice, although Boots is widely available and better price.
Reusable pads
Reusable maternity pads are the obvious sustainable postpartum choice but they do come with some disadvantages. If you’re staying in the hospital for some time you have nowhere to wash them. The first couple of weeks can be a whirlwind so perhaps you’re not very keen on laundry and your partner is squeamish about bloody pads. You’re also going through a lot of sanitary towels a day and buying lots of reusable pads can be pricey.
They do have a lot of advantages that make them a great products to have around. It’s a one time investment that you will use during periods and in case of planning to have more children. They don’t create any extra waste and last for a lifetime if cared for properly. Many women find them gentler and softer to the skin and causing less irritation (remember you’ll be wearing pads 24/7 for weeks). Lastly, you can find small businesses creating unique maternity towels with cute patterns and using scraps of fabric.
I had browsed Etsy and found these reusable maternity pads – extra heavy flow, 14 inch (£5.50). I bought 6 for when I’m at home and don’t need a pack of pads a day. They were great for nights as they were very absorbent. These reusable pads with wings are handmade by Laura in the UK from cotton, cotton flannelette and cotton towelling which made them very soft and comfortable. You can find a lot more options on Etsy or try your local eco-friendly store.
After the first two weeks I started using regular period products. As I had to ditch my menstrual cup I bought this Cheeky Wipes bundle (bought on sale, reg. price £39.99) which came with 3 pairs of period pants – great for nights, and two kinds of pads + accessories. I also have more reusable pads and panty liners in my pre-pregnancy stash, all from Etsy.
Underwear
Firstly, keep your pregnancy underwear – you’ll fit into it for a bit longer. With all the other new underwear reusable or not, size up! I’m usually size 10-12, after the baby I went for 14 which fit for a the first month, then I could use my old pants. Using old underwear that you don’t mind throwing away later is the best choice in terms of sustainability but it isn’t always possible.
Just like with the pads, the question here is what is realistic for you which doesn’t always line up with what is the best for the environment. For me it meant using disposable incontinence pants AKA adult diapers for a few days. They gave me sense of security from leaks while traveling, plus they were surprisingly comfy!
Once I got home I felt confident enough to use normal underwear. I chose to buy size 14 multipack of cotton high waited pants. I wanted them to be breathable and comfortable around my waist. The ultimate sustainable postpartum underwear would be ethically made. But with my realistic hat on I knew that I will need bigger pants for only a few weeks before returning to my regular stash. For me the investment into something I might not be wearing afterwards wasn’t worth it.
Breast pads
Breast pads are something you might need if you’re breastfeeding and they are great to keep that leaking milk in check. I know women who were leaking so much milk they had to change them several times a day. I on the other hand, used them at beginning when I was putting a nipple cream on so it wouldn’t stain my bra and later when my milk was coming in and occasionally I leaked. Now, I’m nearly two months postpartum and I don’t need breast pads anymore.
There is loads of disposable breast pads available. I haven’t found nay brand that would do a more ethical version of disposables. I have tried a store brand disposables but we didn’t get along too well. They have a sticky strip to keep them in your bra but they just wouldn’t stick and kept moving. Perhaps a different brand would be better.
Reusable breast pads
Luckily, there are reusable breast pads like these from Green Babies UK (£12) which worked great for me. They are usually made form bamboo or cotton and are super soft on your sore nipples. Etsy has so many options that everyone can find something they like, plus that way we can support small businesses. Reusable breast pads are one of my favourite sustainable postpartum products as they are very absorbent, easy to wash and come in many fun colours and patters.
Nipple cream
Breastfeeding is brutal! Yes, it sounds like the most natural and instinctive thing in the world but it is a skill that needs to be learned and honed. You’ll pay the painful price. Even if you master it right away, chances are your nipples will need some getting used to being tugged and chewed every couple hours. Just heads up, you will cry and curse and hate it at the beginning but it does get better, soon.
That said, a good nipple cream can be a life saver. Many nipple creams are made with chemicals which might speed up the process of healing but it might not be the best for your new baby whose probably eating quite a lot of it. I loved this Nipple Balm (£7.50/40ml) which you can use for lots of other things if you don’t end up using it all. This sustainable postpartum gem is all natural, vegan and comes in a tin.
Another great product is Weleda Nipple Balm (£8.30/25ml) which is a bit pricier but also all natural, fragrance free, made in the UK and award winning. In general Weleda is known for quality natural products so if you want tried and tested nipple cream this might an option for you.
Bed pads
Depending on where you’re spending the days after your birth and how much you’re bleeding you might want to consider bed pads. If you’re in the hospital they come provided. If you’re home, protecting your bed might not be a bad idea, especially as you might spend a lot of time there.
There are the obvious blue disposable ones which they use in the hospital. Just like with all the other un-sustainable postpartum products they are easy and mess free. But they don’t stay in one place so you have to keep checking you’re sitting on them and they can make a little bit of noise. Instead, you might want to get washable ones like these from Amazon (£11.99) which are not completely plastic-free but have top layer of organic cotton and are toxic free. Later on you can use them during your period, when potty training or for house training your pets.
Other useful things
Flannels
Showering might not be on the priority list after having a baby. If you have stitches, keeping them clean is very important. Therefore, put a couple of flannels in your hospital bag and keep a couple at home when a shower is not on the cards you can just have a quick wipe. Importantly, use the flannel only on the stitched area to avoid contaminating the wound. I loved these from Cheeky Wipes bundle because they are very soft and dry pretty quickly. Now I use them to top and tail my baby.
Peri bottle
Those first days weeing will not be your friend, especially if you have stitches. It will stink like hell so drink plenty of water (to avoid concentrated urine) and invest into a Peri Bottle. It is a bottle with a long wand that aims at the right spot. Use warm water to make it even better and don’t forget to take to the hospital with you, trust me. It is made from a BPA-free plastic but I’d say it’s worth it.
Cooling spray and/or pads
You’ve probably heard of those disposable cooling pads with witch hazel that are all the rage. I haven’t tried them so I can’t comment but I have tried the Spritz for Bits (£19.55) from My Expert Midwife which was absolutely brilliant. Either spray right on the skin or on a pad. Alternatively, you can get reusable hot and cold pads like these from First Days Maternity (£12.99). You can pop the gel pads in the freezer/microwave and then use them with the handy sleeves. It’s a two pack so one can always be cooling/heating. You can use them on your wound after a caesarean or while breastfeeding.
Arnica
I don’t know much about homeopathy but I truly believe that Arnica helped me with postpartum recovery. It definitely can’t hurt and one of the midwifes in the hospital even recommended taking it. You can find tablets (like these in a glass bottle), as a cream or mixed into other products.
I hope these sustainable postpartum products helped you figure out your personal needs. Remember that doing as much as you can is enough. Don’t feel pressured into making this time more difficult than it already is. Soak up your baby and congratulations xxx
