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DIY Your Postpartum Care Kit for Vaginal Birth: A Practical Guide for Moms-to-Be (in Singapore)

  • Writer: Huey Shy Chau
    Huey Shy Chau
  • Jan 31
  • 11 min read

Updated: Mar 1

A checklist to dyi your own postpartum care kit.

Recovering from a vaginal birth is a unique personal experience, but it often comes with common challenges that can take you by surprise. From physical discomfort to emotional adjustments, preparing a postpartum care kit can help ease the transition and make recovery more manageable. This guide combines practical advice with firsthand insights to help you feel ready and supported during this important time.

What to Expect While Recovering from a Vaginal Birth

The postpartum period, also known as the "fourth trimester," is a time of healing and adjustment. While every recovery is different, there are a few common experiences many new moms face:

Perineal Soreness: Whether you have stitches, a tear, or simply the strain of delivery, soreness and swelling are common in the first few weeks. This can make sitting or moving around uncomfortable. Sitting comfortably felt impossible for me in the early days, especially when breastfeeding for hours at a time.

Postpartum Bleeding (Lochia): Heavy bleeding is normal initially and can last several weeks as your body sheds the uterine lining.

Gas and Bloating: Hormonal changes and slowed digestion can cause painful trapped gas, a surprisingly common issue. For me, it wasn’t so much moving around that hurt, but having to sit for extended periods while nursing. The lack of movement made it harder to release the gas, adding to the discomfort and making those long nursing sessions even more challenging.

Tailbone Pain: Pressure from the baby passing through the birth canal can sometimes bruise or shift your tailbone, making sitting for long periods—especially for breastfeeding—difficult. 

Hemorrhoids: Up to 25-35% of women develop hemorrhoids during or after pregnancy due to the strain of labor or pregnancy itself. These swollen veins can cause itching, pain, and swelling but often improve with proper care.

Challenges with Passing Stool: Fear of pain from stitches or hemorrhoids can make the first few bowel movements feel daunting. Constipation often adds to the discomfort, making it even more important to have stool softeners on hand. They can significantly ease the process, reduce strain, and help you feel more comfortable during recovery.

Breast Engorgement: As your milk supply regulates, your breasts may become swollen and tender, even if you’re not breastfeeding. This discomfort usually lasts a few days but can feel intense.

Fatigue: The physical toll of childbirth combined with the sleep deprivation of caring for a newborn can leave you feeling completely drained. Rest is crucial, but it’s often easier said than done.

Cramping: Uterine contractions, also known as afterpains, help your uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size. These can feel like menstrual cramps and may intensify during breastfeeding.

Emotional Shifts: Hormonal changes can lead to mood swings or the "baby blues," leaving you feeling weepy or overwhelmed. This is normal, but if these feelings persist or deepen, it’s important to reach out for support.

The combination of physical recovery, exhaustion, and emotional shifts can make the postpartum period feel overwhelming. While every mom’s experience is unique, having a well-stocked care kit tailored to your needs can provide practical relief and help you navigate this transition with a little more ease.

What to Include in Your Postpartum Care Kit

Building your kit is about having what you need, when you need it, without having to think too much in the moment. To make this process easier, I’ve created a shopping list and a downloadable postpartum care kit checklist, which you can find at the end of this article. Use it as a guide to ensure you have all the essentials on hand. Here’s what worked for me:

Perineal Care Essentials

Peri Bottle: This little tool was a game-changer. Not only is a peri bottle essential for gentle cleaning after using the toilet, but I found that using it while peeing made the process much less painful. It’s especially helpful if you’re dealing with stitches. The hospital also provided cotton pads and a disinfection solution for me to take home, with instructions to clean the vaginal area daily to prevent infections—something I hadn’t anticipated but appreciated having ready.

Padsicles and Pain Relief: These are chilled pads designed to soothe perineal pain and reduce swelling after birth. They provide a cooling effect that can be comforting, especially in the first few days postpartum and for relieving hemorrhoids. You can make your own by soaking regular sanitary pads in witch hazel, then wrapping them in plastic wrap and freezing them. The gel that worked wonders for me was Preparation H Clear Gel with witch hazel. I would have loved to try the Dermoplast Postpartum Spray, unfortunately it is not available in Singapore. For my second birth, I also tried the Motherlove Sitz Bath Spray and Tucks medicated pads, which are pre-soaked in witch hazel. But to be honest, I didn’t notice much of a difference. That might have been because my spinal headache from a post-dural puncture during my epidural overshadowed my perineal discomfort, making it less noticeable. You can read more about my experience with a postpartum headache after an epidural here.

Postpartum Bleeding Management

Postpartum Underwear: Instead of traditional pads, I found the wearable overnight panties by Kotex much more comfortable. They fit securely and were a lifesaver during the heavier days of bleeding.

Pain Relief and Comfort

Sitz Bath Soak: After my first birth, I didn’t have a sitz bath and regretted it—so much so that I got this sitzbath with a flusher ready for my second birth. Ironically, I never used it because I had a debilitating epidural headache, and compared to that, my postpartum pains felt insignificant. Sitting was almost impossible, so the sitz bath was left untouched, but I still recommend it for those who are able to use one.

Donut Cushion: Out of everything, this was the single most important item for me. I had terrible tailbone aches after both births, and the donut cushion was the only thing that made sitting bearable, especially for breastfeeding sessions. I can’t recommend it enough. I brought it everywhere, even when I went out for coffee weeks after birth. 

Maternity/Nursing Pajama or Daywear: Comfortable and functional clothing is an essential part of the postpartum period. I absolutely love this one-size nursing pajama dress that doubles as daywear —it’s so versatile that I could wear  it out. I brought it to the hospital for my second birth, and up to this day, two years postpartum, it remains my favorite pajama. I love how soft and light the fabric is, making it perfect for Singapore’s hot weather.

Managing Gas and Stool

Stool Softener: Don’t underestimate the importance of stool softeners. Fear of pain from stitches or hemorrhoids made passing stool intimidating, but stool softeners eased the process significantly. The hospital gave me a bottle to take home, and when I went back for my check-up, I asked for more, as one bottle was not enough. 

Gas Relief Remedies: The painful trapped gas was one of the biggest surprises for me postpartum. It wasn’t moving that hurt—it was having to sit for long periods while nursing and not getting enough movement to release the gas. Gentle movement, like short walks, helps with releasing it. I also drank a lot of Organic Mother's Milk tea, which contains fennel and fenugreek. It works wonders for easing bloating and supporting digestion, with the added benefit of promoting breastmilk production for nursing mothers.

Breastfeeding Support (if applicable)

Nipple Cream, Nipple Cups, Nipple Shields: In the early days of breastfeeding, nipple cream was essential for soothing and healing soreness as I adjusted to nursing. The hospital provided me with a small tube to take home, so I recommend trying that first before purchasing more. I bought the Medela Purelan nipple cream, and actually never finished the tube, because a little goes a long way. With my firstborn, I also ended up needing nipple shields. On the same day after coming home from the hospital, I had Jeff run out to buy them because I was in so much pain that I couldn't nurse at all. As a first-time nursing mom, my nipples were incredibly painful, and every nursing session felt unbearable. The nipple shields allowed me to keep nursing through the pain. I have had both the Medela as well as the Lansinoh nipple shields, and the Lansinoh ones worked much better for me. Once my nipples healed and I got more accustomed to nursing, I didn’t need the shields anymore, but those first few weeks would have been much harder without them. If you are nursing for the first time and experiencing sore or cracked nipples, you can also consider using nursing cups, such as the Milk for Bubs nursing cups. They can help your nipples heal faster by protecting them from direct contact.

Nursing Bras: Nursing bras are essential for easy access during breastfeeding. I recommend getting at least two or three comfortable nursing bras. One important thing I learned was that the size I bought during pregnancy didn’t fit anymore after giving birth, and I had to buy one size bigger to accommodate postpartum changes. Additionally, I quickly found that I couldn’t go braless anymore because of the letdown reflex. Letdown is a reflex where your body releases milk in response to your baby nursing (or even just hearing your baby cry), and it can lead to milk leaking unexpectedly. Nursing bras became crucial to hold nursing pads in place, which absorb the leakage. Look for bras with soft fabric, good stretch, and clips or snaps that allow for one-handed opening. You’ll likely wear them both day and night, so comfort is key.

Nursing Pads: I tried both reusable nursing pads and single-use options. While I did have a lot of reusable ones, I found they often couldn’t hold enough and got too soaked during letdowns, making laundry a hassle. I always preferred the Pigeon single-use pads because of their amazing absorbency and convenience. They were a much better fit for my needs, especially in the early weeks when letdowns were frequent and heavy.

Nursing Pillow: I started with a cheaper, no-name pillow, which did the job at first, but the lack of proper support made a noticeable difference. Once I switched to the My Brest Friend nursing pillow, everything changed. Its supportive design kept my baby in the perfect position and reduced strain on my arms and back during long nursing sessions. It’s definitely worth investing in a quality nursing pillow for the comfort it provides.

Self-Care Items

Nutritious Snacks and Meals: Finding time to eat can be surprisingly difficult in the early postpartum days, especially if you don’t have much support. Preparing meals and snacks that you can eat with one hand and grab quickly, without needing to be heated or cooked, is a game-changer. Stock up on nutritious snacks like nuts, cereal or protein bars, and bananas. These are easy to eat while nursing or caring for your baby. For my first birth, I was on my own all day after Jeff had to return to work just two weeks postpartum, and it stayed that way for the first few months. Believe me when I say that having a stash of easy, healthy snacks saved me during those moments when I could barely manage to make a meal.

Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is just as important as eating well. Keeping a water bottle within arm’s reach helped me stay on top of my hydration, especially during breastfeeding, which made me incredibly thirsty. Invest in a large, reusable water bottle so you’re not constantly refilling it throughout the day.  I absolutely love the spill-proof Munchkin 360 bottle, which allows for drinking even while lying down and is perfect for keeping next to the bed. I also adore a good big straw cup for staying hydrated throughout the day. 

Final Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Pace Yourself: Recovery takes time, and in the early weeks, rest and healing should be your top priorities. Household tasks and other responsibilities can wait. If you have limited support, it’s perfectly fine to let non-essential tasks slide. Focus on what’s most important—your health and your baby’s well-being—and give yourself permission to take things one step at a time.

Ask for Help: If support is available, don’t hesitate to reach out to a partner, family members, friends, or even neighbors. Assistance with meals, cleaning, or simply holding the baby while you rest can make a significant difference. If help isn’t readily accessible, remember that doing the bare essentials is enough. Taking care of yourself and your baby is your top priority during this time.

Listen to Your Body: Every recovery journey is unique. Pay attention to your body’s signals and rest when you need to. Avoid pushing through pain or exhaustion, and adjust your care routine to fit your individual needs. Recovery is not always linear—it’s normal to have both good and challenging days.

Be Kind to Yourself: It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough, but simply caring for your baby and prioritizing your recovery is an achievement. Celebrate small milestones, like taking a shower, eating a nutritious meal, or managing a few hours of rest. Give yourself grace, and remember that recovery takes time.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Postpartum recovery can be challenging, especially if you’re managing it with limited support or resources. However, having a few essentials, like a well-prepared postpartum care kit, can help ease some of the difficulties. Remember, your healing and bonding with your baby are the most important priorities during this time.

If you have tips, insights, or recommendations that helped you during your postpartum recovery, feel free to share them in the comments. Your experience could make a difference for someone else.

Shopping List for Your Postpartum Care Kit

I’ve included links to items available on Shopee or Amazon for convenience. If you are planning to gift a postpartum care kit, this is the ultimate list:

This list includes only items I’ve personally used during my postpartum recovery, so there are no recommendations here that haven’t been tried (except for the Sitz bath and sitzbath soak).  For a printable version, download the Postpartum Care Kit Checklist (PDF), with links included:


I hope this helps you feel confident and prepared. 💛 Share your experience and let me know which items you found helpful in the comments!


Please note that this article is based on my personal experiences and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, as I am not a healthcare professional. Additionally, this article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

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