Elvie Wearable Breast Pump

All the TikToks and baby books in the galaxy couldn’t prepare me for breastfeeding once my daughter was here. It was, hands down, one of the most challenging parts of my postpartum experience. I breastfed my daughter for almost six months, and I wouldn’t have been able to make it that far without this wearable pump.

My incredible lactation nurse taught me how to use the Spectra S2 Plus Hospital Strength Double Electric Breast Pump, a common insurance-covered option many moms (like me) leave the hospital with. This one was great once I got the hang of it, but being hooked up to an outlet numerous times a day 1) Wasn’t conducive to my new life, and 2) Made me feel really stagnant, which in turn made me feel like a milk machine, which was, in turn, bad for my mental health.

I was gifted this set, which completely changed the game for me and allowed me to give my daughter breast milk even when she wouldn’t latch. It also made moving around and pumping so easy. These are made to fit snugly into a nursing bra (I used them with sports bras and even on my way to Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour); once you get the right fit and support, you can use an app that helps you control speed and pressure and monitor your milk production. These may look small and compact, but they’re quite powerful while still being quiet and discreet (which was also key in helping me feel more comfortable pumping on the go and in front of friends and family). While everyone’s needs and preferences are different, this pump helped me tremendously. I recommend that any mom on their breastfeeding journey at least check it out if they are in the market for a breast pump.

Monica and Andy Organic Lounge Robe

I practically lived in this robe my entire pregnancy and postpartum, and I still use it regularly. I love recommending this as a gift because the 100% cotton material is super soft, comfortable, and not too hot (which was ideal for my fluctuating hormones and night sweats). The belt is attached to the robe, so you don’t have to worry about losing it in the laundry or tripping over it as you flop around the house. It’s also designed to fit perfectly snug over a growing belly. If you want to add a special personalized touch to this one, you can add a custom monogram—mine says “mama,” and it’s one of my most cherished pieces of loungewear.

Quince Seamless Nursing Bra

I am not too proud to admit I still wear this nursing bra around the house. It’s super comfy and soft, provides great support, and has held up nicely through many washes (so basically meets the criteria of any good bra, nursing or not). This was great when I was breastfeeding and pumping, making it easy to unclip and secure my breast pumps or feed my baby. It’s a really practical gift.

RescueMD DNA Repair Complex

This serum was a critical part of my postpartum beauty routine for my face and body. The price tag is steep for a serum, but it’s super effective and worth the investment if you struggle with scarring or hyperpigmentation, IMO. I’ve always had hyperpigmentation on my face, but during pregnancy, I got a few scars and marks from belly tape and my body changing, and daily use helped fade my spots over time.

Its hero ingredient, lapachol, is a natural compound that helps the skin repair and regenerate. It’s also packed with peptides, antioxidants, and moisturizing ingredients including allantoin and glycerin. It’s very no-frills (no fancy smells or fragrance), absorbs quickly into the skin, and layers nicely with my other face and body products. On most days, I only had time to cleanse, apply this, and layer on a moisturizer, and even with that stripped-down routine, I still saw significant improvement in the dark spots on my face and stomach over a few months. My philosophy is to invest in one or two powerful multipurpose skincare products that work hard (like this one) to remove stressing over your routine and skin from your long to-do list.

Frida Disposable Postpartum Boyshort

Underwear is the last thing I expected to love in my postpartum period. In fact, I thought I’d want to set anything remotely related to “down there” on fire. However, I was wrong; It was love at first wear with these disposable underwear. FWIW, these don’t feel disposable at all. Instead, they have a snug, stretchy, ribbed texture that hugs you in all the right places and keeps everything (like pads or icepacks) in place.

I vividly remember feeling super sad when I made it to my last pair of these (admittedly, the raging hormones might have played a huge part), so I recommend anyone expecting, or gifting someone expecting, to pick up multiple packs of these so you have enough in that critical recovery phase. If you don’t want to commit to purchasing or trying a set of multiples, Frida also makes Postpartum Kits that include these undergarments and other essential items.

Nutrafol Postpartum Supplements

My hair was in the best shape of my life when I was pregnant. After giving birth, I thought I might be spared from postpartum shedding, but I wasn’t. Four months in, my hairline and edges became practically translucent. It was the first time in my life I’d ever experienced hair loss, and it was depressing. I used Nutrafol’s Postpartum vitamins to help combat shedding, and I will say: This isn’t a magic wand and won’t bring your hair back overnight. You have to commit. However, if you can pledge to taking four of these (sizable) pills daily for a few months, you’ll probably notice a difference.

After about four months, I felt like my shedding slowed down significantly, and around the six or seven-month mark, I found my baby hairs started to emerge as short spikes (which is better than no edges at all). What I’ve learned after going through a few bottles of these is that postpartum hair shedding is a normal, common process—that sucks, yes, but you also have to let it run its course. These supplements definitely helped me, but while you’re taking them (never on an empty stomach), try to avoid adding stress to your follicles with tight, tension-causing hairstyles like slick buns or tight braids.

Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Thinning Hair

On the topic of hair shedding, I incorporated this shampoo and conditioner set into my routine, which helped a lot. Both are formulated with peptides, caffeine, and biotin to help stimulate blood flow at the scalp and strengthen the follicles. They also include a keratin alternative, which helps keep the hair shiny and strong without feeling like there’s texture or fibers.

A little goes a long way, and a quarter-size drop created a nice foamy lather for my type three curls. I’d let the shampoo sit while I washed other parts of my body before rinsing it out. My hair always felt super clean after, but not stripped of existing moisture. The conditioner is the perfect follow-up, and it made my curls super easy to detangle thanks to its buttery slip. Though I was not happy to be losing hair, this duo helped the hair I still had look and feel its best and made my showers feel a little more special.

Eberjey Gisele Tencel Modal Long PJ Set

Before having a baby, if you told me I’d willingly spend over a hundred bucks on pajamas, I’d call you a liar flat out. Most nights, I’m sleeping in oversized t-shirts from high school with holes and bleach stains. While I still got a good night’s snooze in my old tees, this Eberjey pajama set completely upgraded how I looked and felt, even if I was just at home in the trenches. The material is the softest, coolest I’ve ever worn, which was a lifesaver as my body temperature fluctuated at night. The best part? They’ve survived leaky boobs, throw-up, and other bodily fluids we shall not name, and they still look as good as when I first got them. If you’re in the market for a gift (be it for a new mom or just a special person in your life), consider upgrading their sleep collection with this one.