My Tried & True Favourites After Four Babies
Hey friends!
It's been a while. Almost a year since I've sat down to write a blog post, actually!
Life has been full, to say the least. With the arrival of our fourth baby, our sweet Elektra, I've been soaking up all the newborn snuggles and settling into life as a family of six.
And as you can imagine, with four little ones, something has to give. For this season of life, my family has been receiving the lion's share of my time, energy, and devotion. And while I wouldn't trade it for anything, I've also really been missing this part of myself. The creativity, the connection, and the love I pour into Wild Alchemy.
So here I am, dipping my toes back in!
With a handful of dear friends and family members preparing to welcome babies of their own, and me still very much in the depths of postpartum and baby land, I've been feeling inspired to share some of the things I've learned along the way.
The Fourth Trimester: A Season of Rest, Recovery & Connection
Before getting into my postpartum favourites, I want to talk a little about the postpartum period itself, because I truly believe it's one of the most important and often overlooked chapters of motherhood.
The first three months after birth are commonly referred to as the fourth trimester. It's a time of tremendous transition, not only for the mother, who is recovering from pregnancy and birth, but also for this brand-new little human who has just entered the world.
I've always loved the idea that newborn babies are still so connected to the spirit world. They've only just arrived earthside, and they're slowly adjusting to life outside the womb. After spending nine months nestled inside their mama, surrounded by warmth, familiar sounds, and constant connection, it's no wonder so many babies want nothing more than to be held.
And sometimes, they only want mama!
Elektra was exactly this way. For the first six weeks, she was practically glued to me. She barely wanted to go to Dad, let alone anyone else. And while I absolutely cherished those newborn snuggles, it was also challenging at times, especially with three other little ones needing my love and attention.
Something my amazing midwife and best friend shared with me really stuck: the more babies you have, the more important it becomes to intentionally prepare for your postpartum recovery.
Not because your body is necessarily less capable of recovering, but because with each subsequent baby, there are more little people depending on you. The luxury of resting whenever the baby rests isn't always a reality when you have older children running around!
She encouraged me to start thinking about postpartum well before the baby arrived, ideally during the third trimester.
I actually began preparing toward the end of my second trimester. I wanted to be intentional about nourishing my body, slowing down where I could, and setting myself up for a gentler recovery.
One of the things I brought back into my daily routine was my Wild Alchemy In Bloom Nutritive Tea.
By that point in pregnancy, I'd already been drinking my fair share of herbal tea and, quite frankly, was getting a little tired of it! But since it was summertime, I started preparing it as an iced tea instead, and it was such a refreshing change.
In Bloom contains nourishing herbs like nettle, which has a long history of use as a nutritive herb. Nettle leaves naturally contain minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and iron, along with other plant nutrients. It's one of those beautiful herbs I've always appreciated incorporating into my wellness rituals.
I actually shared my favourite way to prepare In Bloom as a refreshing summer iced tea in my last Wild Notes post!
[Read the recipe: My Favourite In Bloom Iced Tea — ADD LINK TO PREVIOUS BLOG POST]
Of course, herbal teas aren't a replacement for a balanced diet or prenatal supplements, and it's always worth checking the ingredients with your midwife or healthcare provider during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
My favourites:
Looking back, I'm so grateful I began preparing early. Because once baby arrives, life has a beautiful way of becoming entirely about them.
And that's really what inspired me to put this guide together.
After three pregnancies, four babies, and four breastfeeding journeys, I've gathered quite the collection of postpartum favourites. Some are herbal remedies, some are practical everyday essentials, and others are those little gems you don't even know you need until you discover them.
So consider this my personal postpartum survival guide. The things I genuinely love, use, and recommend to the mamas in my life.
Let's get into it!
Herbal Postpartum Care
Naturally, we're starting with herbs!
One of my absolute favourite postpartum rituals is a good herbal sitz bath. And while you can certainly enjoy the traditional experience of soaking in a shallow bath, my favourite way to use these herbs is actually much simpler.
I take a large 2-litre mason jar, add my Wild Alchemy Healing Herbal Sitz Bath, and fill it with hot water. I let the herbs steep, then place the jar in the fridge overnight with the herbs still in it.
The next morning, I strain the infusion and pour some into a clean peri bottle. I love having these bottles handy in the bathrooms, so they're always within reach when I need them.
After using the washroom, a gentle rinse with the herbal infusion feels absolutely lovely, especially during those first tender weeks after birth.
It's such a simple ritual, but one that makes me feel cared for during a time when so much of my attention is going toward caring for someone else.
My favourites:
Little tip: Hospitals and midwives will often send you home with a peri bottle, so you may not even need to purchase one! Keep your prepared herbal infusion refrigerated, pour out only what you need, and discard any leftovers within 24 hours. Check with your care provider before using herbal preparations on healing tissues, particularly if you have stitches.
Soothing & Cooling Perineal Care
Okay, these products deserve a standing ovation.
I've loved Earth Mama's perineal products throughout my postpartum journeys, but the balm in particular is something special.
Their Herbal Perineal Spray is a lovely, refreshing witch hazel-based spray that feels wonderful on tender postpartum tissues.
And then there's the Organic Perineal Balm.
This stuff is epic.
It has this beautiful cooling sensation from the peppermint that leaves your lady parts feeling so refreshed. If you've given birth vaginally, you know just how welcome that feeling can be!
I love having both products within reach in those early postpartum days.
And while we're talking about Earth Mama, I also wanted to include their Organic Nipple Butter. It's a lovely, lanolin-free balm made with organic oils and butters to moisturize and soothe dry nipples during breastfeeding. Another great little product to have tucked into your postpartum care basket.
As with any topical product, especially on healing tissues, check with your care provider and discontinue use if you experience irritation.
My favourites:
Postpartum Bleeding Essentials
Not the most glamorous postpartum essential, but definitely one of the most important!
I personally prefer organic cotton maternity pads, especially during those early weeks when your body is healing and everything feels a little more sensitive.
For reference, I went through approximately five packages after Elektra's birth. Of course, everyone's postpartum bleeding is different, but I always appreciate knowing roughly how much to have on hand.
My advice? Stock up before baby arrives. The last thing you want to worry about in those first few days is running out of pads.
My favourites:
Comfortable Postpartum Underwear
Let's talk postpartum underwear, because comfort is EVERYTHING in those first few weeks.
I've tried a few different options over my pregnancies, and honestly, my favourites are the simple mesh underwear that the hospital or midwives send you home with.
They're stretchy, forgiving, breathable, and have plenty of room for those enormous postpartum pads. And the best part? I've actually been able to gently wash and reuse mine a few times, which is a bonus!
I've also tried the Frida Mom disposable postpartum underwear, and while I know lots of mamas love them, they just weren't for me. I found them quite tight and restrictive, and I didn't feel like things could breathe down there. And honestly, after giving birth, the last thing I want is anything squeezing or constricting me!
My other recommendation? Just buy yourself some really big cotton underwear. Seriously. A few pairs of soft, breathable, generously sized cotton undies are an excellent alternative, especially once the initial postpartum bleeding starts to settle.
The goal here is comfort, breathability, and absolutely zero pressure to squeeze back into your regular underwear.
My favourites:
Soft, stretchy postpartum mesh underwear from your midwife or hospital
Oversized, breathable cotton underwear
Little tip: If you're reusing hospital mesh underwear, check whether they're designed to be washable and follow the care instructions. Some are intended for single use.
Easy & Comfortable Nursing Clothes
I cannot say enough good things about these tank tops.
I'm a big undershirt wearer. Always have been. And one of my biggest annoyances with nursing clothing is having to layer a nursing bra, an undershirt, and then whatever I'm wearing on top.
Enter the H&M nursing tank.
These are essentially a nursing bra and tank top in one, which means one less layer to deal with and easy access for breastfeeding.
They're comfortable, practical, and honestly one of my most-worn pieces of clothing during postpartum.
They can sell out, but I'm including the link anyway because they're worth keeping an eye on!
My favourites:
Cozy Postpartum Comforts
This one might seem obvious, but trust me, having a few really comfortable outfits ready for postpartum makes such a difference.
I'm talking oversized sweatpants, soft long-sleeved shirts, and anything that feels cozy without being restrictive. Honestly, most of your maternity clothes will probably be perfect for this stage, too. There's absolutely no rush to pack them away!
I personally love having a few cozy long sleeves on rotation, especially for those early days when you're spending so much time nursing, snuggling, and resting with your baby.
And here's a little something I've learned after breastfeeding four babies: breast milk is basically bionic! 😂
Seriously, that stuff is magnificent. But a word of caution: I've noticed that when breast milk sits on clothing for too long, the fabric sometimes seems to deteriorate or develop little holes. I can't say for certain that the milk itself is responsible, but it's happened enough times that I've learned to be mindful of it!
So my advice? Keep a few comfortable, easy-to-wash shirts on rotation, and try not to let those milky clothes sit in the laundry basket for too long.
Save your favourite pieces for another season. Right now, comfort, practicality, and easy washing are where it's at.
My favourites:
Oversized, soft sweatpants
Cozy, washable long-sleeved shirts
Your favourite maternity clothes (don't put them away just yet!)
A few extra tops for those inevitable milk spills and leaks
A Little Laundry Tip from a Mama of Four
Okay, even the crunchiest of mamas have their exceptions, and after four kids, I'm not ashamed to admit that I always have a bottle of blue Dawn dish soap in my laundry room!
I've tried just about every natural stain remover known to man, and honestly? Nothing has worked quite as well as good old blue Dawn. I only wish I'd discovered this trick when my twins were babies!
Baby poop, spit-up, vomit, food stains, greasy little fingerprints... you name it. That blue soap has saved more tiny outfits than I can count.
I mean, if it's used to help clean oil-covered wildlife, it's no wonder it tackles greasy baby stains! 😂
My trick is to apply a small amount directly to the stain, gently work it into the fabric, and then rinse before washing as usual.
And here's another little gem: hydrogen peroxide for blood stains! It's been an absolute lifesaver for those inevitable little accidents. I apply a little 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain, let it fizz for a moment, rinse with cold water, and wash. Just be sure to spot-test first, as it can lighten some fabrics.
One more thing: I'm planning a future Wild Notes post on laundry stripping. We used cloth diapers in the early days with our twins, and I learned a thing or two about tackling stubborn buildup and lingering smells. It's a topic all on its own, but the techniques can also be useful for towels and those perpetually stinky clothes!
Stay tuned for that one. Because apparently, four kids later, I've become something of a laundry enthusiast. Who knew?!
Little laundry note: Use only a small amount of dish soap, rinse it thoroughly before machine washing, and never mix hydrogen peroxide with other cleaning products.
Breastfeeding Comfort & Leak Protection
If you're planning to breastfeed, do yourself a favour and get some good reusable nursing pads.
For me, these have been absolutely essential during the first three months, especially when my milk supply is regulating and leaking can happen at the most inconvenient times.
I keep extras in my diaper bag, in the car, and pretty much anywhere I might find myself nursing.
I prefer organic cotton because it's soft, breathable, washable, and comfortable against sensitive skin.
I found mine on Amazon, and they've been such a worthwhile purchase.
My favourites:
Nipple Care & Breastfeeding Support
If there's one breastfeeding product I recommend to every expecting mother, it's Silverettes.
Seriously. These little silver cups are incredible.
I've exclusively breastfed all four of my babies, including my twins, and I've never experienced cracked or bleeding nipples.
And while every breastfeeding experience is different, I personally give a lot of credit to Silverettes.
The biggest thing for me is that I use them preventatively, rather than waiting until my nipples are already sore or damaged.
I start wearing them right from the beginning of breastfeeding, when baby and I are still figuring each other out.
And here's something I don't think gets talked about enough: just because you've breastfed before doesn't mean you'll automatically know what you're doing with your next baby!
Each of my breastfeeding journeys has been completely different.
Breastfeeding twins was an adventure all on its own. And with each subsequent baby, I've found myself having to relearn the process.
After all, the last little person I nursed was a toddler, and nursing a toddler versus a newborn is a completely different experience.
With Elektra, we actually had some particular challenges getting breastfeeding established, which reminded me once again just how much patience and learning can be involved, even the fourth time around.
Silverettes have been one of those little tools that help make the early days more comfortable while we're finding our rhythm.
They're definitely an investment, but in my experience, worth every penny.
My favourites:
One important note: Silverettes can help protect sensitive nipples from friction, but they're not a substitute for addressing latch issues or getting breastfeeding support if you're experiencing persistent pain.
Nourishing Postpartum Snacks
Okay, I have to mention these cookies because they've become an absolute staple in our house!
I'm four months postpartum with Elektra, and I think I've made about eight batches already. No exaggeration!
What started as lactation cookies has quickly become one of our family's favourite grab-and-go snacks. They're packed with oats, seeds, nuts, and other hearty ingredients, making them a delicious little energy boost for everyone, not just breastfeeding mamas.
I almost always make a double or triple batch because they freeze beautifully. They're perfect for those moments when you're nursing a baby and suddenly realize you're absolutely starving, or when the kids need a quick snack on the go.
I've adapted the original recipe over time, adding my own favourite ingredients and little tweaks, and I'm so excited to finally share it with you!
These cookies have become a staple in our home, and they're so much more than just lactation cookies. They're nourishing, delicious, and loved by the whole family.
You can find the full recipe here: Nutrient-Dense Lactation Cookies: A Nourishing Postpartum Favourite
A Little Love for the Postpartum Mama
If there's one thing that having four babies has taught me, it's that postpartum deserves so much more care, attention, and tenderness than we often give it.
We're so busy preparing for the arrival of our babies that sometimes we forget to prepare for the arrival of ourselves as mothers, too. A new version of ourselves with each baby, no matter how many times we've done it before.
And while the baby needs so much of us, we need nurturing, too.
Perhaps one of the biggest lessons motherhood continues to teach me is the importance of giving myself grace. And goodness, it's a lesson that keeps showing up, no matter how many times I think I've learned it!
Stepping into motherhood, whether for the first time or the fourth, is a tremendous transition. There are beautiful moments, overwhelming moments, and plenty of days when things look nothing like we imagined they would.
So give yourself space. Space to heal, to rest, to feel all the feelings, to find your rhythm, and to simply be.
We offer our babies so much patience, gentleness, and unconditional love as they learn to navigate this new world. What if we offered ourselves that same grace as we learn to navigate this new version of ourselves?
You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to do it all. And you certainly don't have to do it perfectly.
I hope this little collection of favourites helps make your postpartum experience just a bit softer, more comfortable, and more supported.
Whether you're preparing to welcome your first baby or your fourth, I'm sending you so much love as you step into this beautiful new chapter.
A Little Note About My Recommendations
Everything I've shared here comes from my own personal experience through three pregnancies and four babies. These are simply my tried-and-true favourites, the products and little tricks that have made my postpartum journeys a little easier.
I'm not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned, and I don't receive any commissions or compensation for sharing these links (aside from recommending my own Wild Alchemy products, of course!).
I simply wanted to share the things I've genuinely loved in the hopes that they might be helpful to another mama navigating this beautiful, tender, and sometimes wonderfully messy season of life.
A note on postpartum care: These are my personal experiences and favourite products, not medical recommendations. Always follow your midwife or healthcare provider's guidance, especially when using herbal preparations or topical products on healing tissues. Use freshly prepared, cooled infusions with clean equipment, and check with your care provider before applying herbal products to stitches or wounds.
