People seem to fawn over you and the growing baby during your pregnancy. People will (hopefully) carry things for you and tell you to put your feet up. Significant others, family, and friends might even take turns running out to bring you your food cravings. Even your doctor will give you lots of care and attention. They ask you to come in with increasing frequency as the months march on. Longevity Live Paid Content.
4 Beauty Products for Postpartum Moms
As the birth draws near, baby showers begin to bless your little family. All the items you never knew you needed started to flood in from other mothers in your life. And, if you’re lucky, you might get some gifts that are to care for YOU, too. Face masks, comfy pants and pajamas are always welcome. But, when the baby arrives, all attention turns to the newest little human.
Doctor’s appointments stop for Mom rather abruptly and are all for the baby. People care all about seeing the baby. Mom is left with a sore, healing body that just performed a miracle and is still working hard caring for the baby. While it’s a wonderful time, it’s also often challenging. You want to feel like yourself again while also growing into your new season of life.
The postpartum season can be hard while your body adjusts back and heals. The good news is there are beauty products to make that postpartum experience easier and more comfortable. Keep reading for a list of postpartum-friendly beauty products that cater to your needs during this time.
1. Creams for Facial Spots
During your pregnancy, you might have developed some dark spots on your face or neck. This is called melasma, and it is fairly common in pregnant women. One of the main causes is a shift in hormones. The heightened levels of progesterone and estrogen contribute to it. Women are also more sun-sensitive when expecting, and added exposure can darken the spots.
Luckily, many women also experience a lightening or disappearance of the spots post-birth. If your melasma doesn’t go away postpartum, you can try hydroquinone cream. It is a prescription and topical cream you apply directly to the spots that work to reduce the hyperpigmentation you’re experiencing. As a busy new mom, you can even obtain this through an online consultation and home delivery method.
2. Tucks Pads and Ice Packs
Is there anything more glorious than a Tucks Medicated Cooling Pad for a mother who just gave vaginal birth? If you’ve used them, the answer is no. Nothing is more wonderful. They include witch hazel as an active ingredient. For sore or torn areas, this brings relief and takes the sting out. They can also be helpful for hemorrhoids, which are often a side effect of the birthing process.
There are also cooling sprays on the market that contain similar active ingredients that soothe this area. For added comfort, look for ice pack pads, which are a godsend for inflamed tissue. You will likely receive some at the hospital. Ask for as much as possible to take home or order some online. In fact, register for some ice pack pads and tucks – it’s worth it! The ultimate combo of self-care and a reprieve from pain is putting Tucks pads right on the ice pack pad and putting that in your postpartum panties.
3. Nipple and Stretch Mark Creams and Compression
Every mother’s journey with feeding their baby is different, and you should be proud no matter what you choose. Breastfeeding, formula, or a combination of both works for your baby. As the new mantra goes, “fed is best.” If you are a breastfeeding momma, you might be experiencing painful or bleeding nipples. You could try Lansinoh Lanolin or Motherlove Nipple Cream to relieve sore and cracked nipples from breastfeeding.
The key is finding a safe solution for the baby that heals and moisturizes you. If you’re not breastfeeding, your nipples can still experience pain from the milk-coming-in engorgement. Your breasts can feel heavy, painful, and like they could burst. Relief can come in the form of compression while you prepare to feed. You can do this through maternity bras or a good old-fashioned compression wrap.
Stretch marks likely don’t cause you pain, but you might find discomfort in the way they look. They can also be itchy. Find moisturizing creams that keep the skin healthy. Look for creams that work to tighten and lighten the appearance of stretch marks. Ingredients like vitamin E, along with cocoa, shea, and/or jojoba butter, can provide the relief you need.
4. Treating Showers Like a Spa
After you have a baby, you are likely excited about a long bath. You might have missed a shower before going into labor, or maybe your labor continued for days. One unfortunate part of the process is you’ll need to wait a few days post-birth to take a bath. This is especially true if you’ve had a C-section or if you had a vaginal delivery and needed stitches. Don’t get discouraged, though. You can still take a shower.
It can be hard to carve out alone time at this stage, so care for yourself and enjoy your showers. Take that time for yourself and light candles, put on a podcast or music, and use calming lavender body wash. Look for hydrating body washes as well to nourish your skin. Make sure not to turn the water too hot just yet, as that can be hard on stitches. Now is also a great time to use your peri bottle to cleanse yourself gently.
Don’t forget that hair treatment as well. Creating life takes a lot from your body, including nutrients and vitamins. Your hair might be luscious during pregnancy with all your prenatal vitamins. Postpartum hair can sometimes become dry and brittle. Look for shampoos that hydrate and bring life back to your hair. A Moroccan oil treatment can nourish and add a shine back.
Your body just created and delivered a miracle. Through nine months of change and growth for you and the baby, your body was a vessel of strength. And you were, too! It took nine months to get here – give yourself grace and time healing postpartum. Take time to self-care, so you can care for your baby, ask for help, and for time so that you can enjoy caring for yourself alongside your quickly growing newborn.
Who is the author?
Awais Ahmed
Awais Ahmed is a dedicated wellness enthusiast and a trusted voice in the world of holistic health with a profound passion for nurturing the mind, body, and soul.
