5 Favourites for a Sustainable (and Comfortable!) Birth Recovery

If you’ve had a baby, you’ll know how rough the recovery can be. In some ways, post-partum recovery can be harder than the birth itself - you’re sore, you still look 5 months pregnant and you’re having something like the heaviest and longest period of your life. And on top of that, your hormones are all over the show and you’re caring for a tiny baby (and possibly other children too!), making the whole thing pretty tough to deal with!

This is a time to do anything you can to make yourself more comfortable. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop caring about living sustainably. After my first baby, I didn’t think much about my plastic or carbon usage, and that was totally fine - I had enough on my hands already! But this time round, I’ve had more energy and time to give, and I’ve been surprised to find that choosing some more sustainable post-partum products has actually made my recovery more comfortable.

Before we dive in, if you don’t want to hear about bleeding and breast milk then this post might not be for you. But for all you ladies who are comfortable with the reality of birth - I hope this is helpful!

Here are some of my favourites:

1. Reusable maternity pads

After giving birth, it’s normal to bleed for several weeks, so you’ll get through a lot of maternity pads. The disposable ones are often thick and plastic-y and can feel like you’re wearing a nappy - the last thing you want when you’re already feeling sore and wobbly. On the other hand, reusable pads are usually made of cotton or fleece, and feel soft and gentle. I was also surprised by how thin they are, even when they’re designed for heavy bleeding. 

My favourite pads for the early days were the Bare & Boho ultra heavy pad and the Honour Your Flow Slim Mega Pad. I also had one of the Honour Your Flow Mega pads, which was amazing for the first night after the birth. If you find your bleeding is particularly heavy, this super large pad will be excellent for you. After the first week or so, I was able to switch to medium and then light pads, and my favourites have been those made by Bare & Boho and Fern, both of which are incredibly slim and soft. 

Given you need to be changing your pads fairly regularly to prevent infection, you’ll need a few more than you might have for a normal period. I get through 6 a day, so have around 14 in total with a mix of different absorbencies for different times of day. 

You may be worried about the extra washing that comes with reusable products. I haven’t found that using cloth products has added too much to the washing. As they’re small, they can just be added to your usual wash without noticeably increasing how much you have to do. You’ll already be washing quite a lot with a new baby! Make sure you rinse your pads in cold water as soon as you remove them, store them in a wet bag, and then pop into your next wash.

2. Reusable breast pads

If you choose to breastfeed, breast pads are another thing you’ll likely use a lot of, and using disposables can create quite a bit of waste. Reusable breast pads are comfortable, easy to wash and I’ve found them more effective at absorbing leaks than the disposable versions. The downside is that some brands are quite thick and can show through your clothes. For this reason I love Close pads, which are super slim but still very absorbent. I’ve found that a pack of 3 sets is enough for me, but if you are more prone to leaks you may need to have more on hand.

your hormones are all over the show and you’re caring for a tiny baby

3. Organic cotton nursing bras

Before I started breastfeeding my first baby, I bought a couple of nice underwired nursing bras in my usual bra size. It was such a mistake! By the time the baby arrived my boobs were 3 cup sizes bigger, and when my milk fully came in, they only got larger. When you’re breastfeeding, your breasts will change size quite a bit, to accommodate a changing milk supply and a growing baby, so you need bras that will fit comfortably in spite of these changes. 

My favourite bras to wear are soft, non-underwired bras made of organic cotton, such as these by H&M. Organic cotton is one of the more sustainable fabrics out there, and will help keep you feeling dry and comfortable. I find that soft bras are the best for getting quick and easy access when you need to feed. The last thing you need when you have a starving baby is a confusing and stiff bra to be fiddling with. And another important point - soft bras can be worn at night as well as during the daytime, which helps to keep breast pads in place and means you won’t wake up soaked in milk! 

Oh, and you could also consider cotton and other natural fibres for your post-partum wardrobe. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, they tend to be cool, soft on skin and breathable, helping keep you comfortable while holding a warm little bub!

4. Castile soap

Castile soap is fast becoming a staple in our household. We’ve used it to wash Clem’s hair and body for a while, and during the post-birth period it’s been wonderful for me too. It’s super gentle but still effective thanks to being made from just a few natural ingredients. You can buy it in bar form, usually wrapped in paper, like Dr Bronner’s, or you can buy it liquid form in which case it’s worth buying in bulk. Castile soap can also be used as handwash and even as a household cleaning product, so there are plenty of uses if you decide to buy a large amount.

5. Sunlight 

One of the hardest things about having a baby is the rollercoaster of emotions you feel in the days and weeks after they’re born. You can be overjoyed one moment and then sobbing into your pillow the next, and the pressure of caring for a tiny newborn around the clock can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. One of the most effective antidotes to low mood, and even depression, is sunlight. Getting outside into sunshine helps lift the cobwebs and can help you feel so much more positive about life. Aiming to get out of the house once a day can be an excellent goal in the early days, even if all you manage is a walk around the block. 

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