12 Best C-Section Recovery Items You'll Want On Hand

Trust us, you’ll want to make sure you have pain relief like ibuprofen — which is considered safe if you’re breastfeeding — on hand following a C-section delivery, and not just for your incision site. Even if you deliver by C-section, your uterus will continue to cramp until it shrinks back down to its pre-pregnancy size. 

If your doctor says ibuprofen is okay for you to take, consider Advil Liqui-Gels, which many parents swear by as their pain reliever of choice. The coated liquid capsules are easy to swallow and work quickly to reduce pain for four to six hours. Just remember to take any medication (even OTC painkillers like these) on schedule as prescribed by your doctor. It’s better to treat your pain ahead of time than to let it get so bad that you end up stuck in bed and can’t care for your baby. And always take ibuprofen with food to reduce the risk of stomach upset or ulcers. 

Community Reviews

“I was prescribed ibuprofen with both of my sections.”
—J-ME-ME-J

“I would rotate Tylenol and ibuprofen every 4-6 hours! Pain can have an impact on all kinds of things while we recover!”
—Confrey

That first postpartum bowel movement is no joke, even more so if you’ve just undergone major abdominal surgery like a C-section. Check with your practitioner about taking a stool softener like Colace for the first few days after your C-section. This tried-and-true product — recommended by many WTE moms during and after pregnancy! — works by adding water to your stool to soften it and make it easier to pass. This can help make going to the bathroom a bit more tolerable and prevent straining that could irritate your incision. This is even more important if you’ve been prescribed opioid painkillers since they can cause constipation. As one WTE mom put it: “Colace is the hero of the postpartum bathroom story!” 

Dosage: 50 mg

Size: 28 tablets

Community Reviews

“I started taking colace as soon as i got home from the hospital and had no problems!” –cara8498

“I dealt with constipation during pregnancy so I was taking miralax and colace daily prior to my c section. After my c section, they gave me colace in the hospital and I continued taking miralax daily as well. I had my first bowel movement on day 3 after my c section and it came out easily without difficulty.”
–Klyn35

A breastfeeding pillow is good for helping you get baby into just the right position for feeding while keeping pressure and weight off of your tender tummy. The Boppy is a fan-favorite with new parents for its comfortable feel and removable cover that’s easy to clean in the washing machine. “I would have been lost without the Boppy,” one mom says.

The C-shape of the nursing support helps it sit high around your waist so baby can safely have a place to rest while she feeds, and the strapless design makes it easy to take on and off. The pillow’s seam-free panel also ensures that nothing uncomfortable will rub on your incision site.

Wrap it around your belly when you need to sneeze or cough for extra support as well. Worth noting: You can use it for tummy time and sitting support when baby gets older. Just never have baby sit on it unsupervised, and she should never sleep in it. 

Materials: 65 percent polyester, 35 percent cotton (slipcover), 80 percent polyester, 20 percent cotton (pillow cover), 100 percent polyester fiber (pillow filling)

Weight: Not listed

Dimension: Not listed

Community Reviews

“I had a C-section and the Boppy saved me. I tried using stacked pillows but I could never get them right”
—Michie87

“I used my boppy pillow as well after c section. It was definitely much needed. You will be very very sore afterwards and pillows sometimes don't wrap around you well enough. Breastfeeding is very difficult as a first time mom. Definitely not what I expected. So I'm glad I had it with me. I will definitely be taking it with me next time as well when the time comes.”
–danielleg15

The majority of C-sections performed nowadays are low-transverse — or “bikini” — incisions, meaning you can easily hide your scar behind the fabric of a bikini. However, if you’d like to prevent a noticeable scar, there are scar sheets and creams that can help to lessen their appearance and improve healing.

This kit from mom-favorite brand Frida comes with six 8-inch long reusable silicone scar patches, along with a special case to keep them clean. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), silicone sheets like these ones can help reduce the size, redness and hardness of a raised scar. They’re meant to be worn all day for best results, and each patch can be reused for up to seven days. They’re also waterproof, so you can wear them in the shower. Just talk to your doctor before using this product to make sure the wound has properly closed up. 

Dimensions: 8 inches

Community Review 

“I started using the frida moms c section strips. I was having some redness and inflammation and pain and as soon as I put the strip on I felt immediate relief. Reading it will keep it hydrated and allow it to heal nicely. Wish I got them sooner.” –mommaNaya11

A belly binder (or compression belt) provides support to your stomach and incision site, which research has shown can decrease pain and discomfort post-C-section. The added stability can also help you feel more comfortable as you move around after delivery. (But take other claims about belly binders’ benefits — like help with postpartum weight loss — with a grain of salt, as those aren’t proven.) 

While some moms use the one provided by the hospital, other WTE moms love this option from Belly Bandit, which is made out of super soft bamboo to reduce the risk of any fabric irritating your sensitive incision site. It provides lots of compression and can adjust up to 9 inches for continued support as your postpartum body changes. Plus, it’s easy to take on and off thanks to a simple Velcro closure — no tricky straps to fiddle with while you’re holding baby. 

Size: XXS-XL

Community Reviews

“I used one after my c section 3 years ago and will absolutely use it again this go around!! it's definitely worth the money! i bought a belly bandit and love it!!”
–jdobrodziej

You probably won’t feel like slipping into a low-cut bikini brief or thong after a C-section, since the elastic band sits right about dead-on your incision site. Enter this high-waist panty specially made for C-section moms. It features a medical-grade silicone panel that fits over your incision area to support healing and reduce itching as you recover. “No stitches or scabs getting caught on the fabric!” raves one WTE mom. “My surgeon recommended it!” says another mom. Moms add that they’re snug and supportive — just what you need in those first few days at home from the hospital. Choose from beige and black shades.

Size: S/M, L/XL, 1X/2X 

Community Review: 

“This is my first baby and I also had a c section. I bought this recovery item from amazon and it’s helped me soooo much. It’s a little pricey but it’s worth it.”
–lc215

“I have the C panty and I love it! I didn't start wearing it until 3 weeks pp, just because I was in pain and nervous. It provides support without making me feel too compressed. The silicone patch in the front is very comfortable on my last dissolvable stitch that's still hanging out.”
–rachelameza

Lululemon’s famed Align leggings are a big hit with moms who have been through a C-section. The leggings boast buttery soft fabric and a high waistband that helps support your midsection without irritating your scar. “I loved them post C-section because they were super comfortable with regards to compression (rather than super tight) and I felt they helped hold things in around my tummy area,” says Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor at What to Expect. 

An invisible pocket in the waistband holds your phone or credit card when you venture out, and they work nicely as workout leggings or just for lounging with your newborn. All of these features make them “amazing” for postpartum needs, raves one WTE mom. 

While these leggings are admittedly an investment, one pair can last you for years — making them “100 percent worth it!” according to another WTE mom. And with many sizes and three different inseams available, it’s easy to find your perfect fit. “I sized up during pregnancy, but found that after birth, I was able to wear both sizes which I loved since I truly got the most use out of everything I purchased,” adds DeLong. 

Sizes: 0-20

Community Reviews: 

“Lululemon pants are extremely versatile and can grow with with you. They’ll also keep their shape once you no longer have a belly. I have been wearing the align pants almost everyday now (considering these are the only things that’s fitting me these days ??).” –AllyGarofalo

“I wore my regular size aligns (4) throughout my whole pregnancy and postpartum. They’re amazing.”
–Katelenanne

Comfort is key at this point, and that goes double when it’s time for bed. This loose-fitting nightshirt from mom-approved brand Kindred Bravely won’t put pressure on your scar, allowing you to feel cozy at night or in between feedings. It also unbuttons quickly for easy nursing access if you’re breastfeeding. Hidden pockets at the sides are the right size for holding your phone, binkies and other essentials when your hands are otherwise occupied. It’s so cozy that one mom says it’s one of the few things she brought with her to the hospital when she delivered. 

“I loved this shirt because it was sooo soft and cozy — and honestly, I felt somewhat put together when I wore it (a hard feeling to come by as a new mom recovering),” says Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor at What to Expect. “I was in the hospital for a few weeks prior to giving birth and I purchased this while there and wore it pre and post birth,” she adds, making it “just an all around great product to carry you through pregnancy and postpartum.” 

Sizes: Small-XXL/1X

Material: 95 percent bamboo viscose, 5 percent Spandex

Community Review 

“I wore this after my delivery and it was much more comfortable than the scratchy hospital gown.”
–breezyanne1127

Per the ACOG, using a heating pad may be helpful for incision scar pain relief after a C-section. This heating pad from Pure Enrichment is oversized to cover your entire pelvis, bringing soothing heat to all your sore areas. (WTE moms report using heating pads on their incision scars, lower back and shoulders.) 

This heating pad also warms up fast, with six different settings to allow you to get the right temperature for your needs. The soft microplush fabric cover won’t irritate your skin and it can be tossed in the wash when you’re done. A nine-foot cord gives you a little room so you’re not stuck right next to an outlet. It also shuts off automatically after two hours for extra peace of mind.

Size: 12 by 24 inches

Community Reviews 

“I used a heating pad in the hospital it felt amazing and really helped with the pain. I stopped taking the Percocet after 24ish hours and just used the Motrin and used the heating pad. I also got up and walked a lot.”
–nkarlson88

Between having major surgery and caring for a newborn, you may not feel like showering on some days — and that’s okay. “It felt like too much effort,” recalls one WTE mom. These body wipes will help you to get clean without actually having to go through the hassle of getting undressed, stepping in the shower and doing your whole routine. The wipes have aloe vera and vitamin E to moisturize and protect your skin. Each wipe is a generous 9 by 9 inches. Just pull one out, wipe yourself off and go about your day.

Size: 12 packs of 10 wipes

Community Review

“Mouthwash and face/body wipes were great for the first couple days to help reduce trips to the bathroom. Walking to the bathroom felt like a whole journey!” –adventuresofK

Staying hydrated is important, both for your recovery from surgery and breastfeeding. This Nalgene water bottle holds up to 32 ounces and has a wide mouth for easy drinking. The bottle is BPA-free and has a screw cap that connects to the bottle with a loop you can hook around your diaper bag strap for quick access. Clear metrics on the side help you keep track of how much water you’ve had. 

Other perks of the classic water bottle, according to a WTE mom superfan: "They are cheap, absurdly sturdy (like, you buy one and it'll hold you for your entire natural life) and come in an absolute plethora of colors and lots of different themes.” The only downside is that they don’t come with a straw and might be too wide to fit in some cupholders.

Volume: 32 ounces

Community Reviews: 

“You need a ton of water to produce milk. The best way I found for myself to make sure I drink enough is to keep one of those 32 oz Nalgene bottles next to me. You should drink four a day, and the fact that it's 32 oz makes it super easy to keep track!”

–northelizabeth

Even if you didn’t have a vaginal delivery, a peri bottle — which sprays clean water over your nether regions to cleanse and make peeing less painful — can be incredibly useful when recovering from a C-section. “I was so sore I couldn’t bend to wipe so the bottle helped me,” says one WTE mom who had a C-section. 

While hospitals often give new moms a peri bottle to use, What to Expect community moms swear by the more upscale Frida Mom version. A few tweaks on the classic design, like an upside down nozzle for easier handling and a large canister to hold 10 ounces of water, make it much more user-friendly than your typical peri bottle. It also comes with a carrying case to bring with you to the hospital or on the go. 

Volume: 10 ounces

Community Reviews

“Fourth time mom here... buy the [Frida] one. It sprays gentler and through a bunch of holes versus a squirt bottles one hole. It sounds excessive but you’re sore and it does make a difference.”
– katya1986

“Definitely recommend the frida moms peri bottle. It was so hard to use the peri bottle provided by the hospital bc it only squirts up so you have to maneuver your body to use it which is not easy with a c section. The frida moms peri bottle is angled and easy to use fully seated on the toilet.”
– lapotra718