Growing a human is beautiful, magical, and… let’s be honest, kind of a mess. Between the aches, the leaks, and the hormones that could make you cry over the wrong brand of pickles, you deserve all the help you can get.
Here are our ride-or-die, must-have, never-gave-them-back products that got us through pregnancy and postpartum with (most of) our sanity intact.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to shop. Think of it as buying me a coffee — It helps keep Chapter One Motherhood running so we can keep sharing the real mom-life stuff with you!
Favourite Pregnancy Products
Because “glowing” is just sweat and tears, and we need more than vibes to survive.
Heating Pad
For when your back feels like it belongs to an 87-year-old man and your hips are plotting against you. Instant relief, no questions asked.
That One Magical Piece of Clothing
The stretchy dress or buttery-soft leggings that make you feel kind of hot, even when you’re waddling through a grocery store. Find your piece. Cherish it.
I lived in pregnancy shorts from CRZ Yoga and baggy t-shirts (some borrowed from my husband) and during the days I had to be in the office, some staple maternity dresses and outfits from H&M, Shein and Amazon.
Diclectin (Rx Nausea Meds)
Because “morning sickness” is a lie—it’s all day, every day. This stuff took the edge off and let us function like semi-humans again. Ask your OBGYN or family doctor for a prescription right away! (we aren’t medical professionals, but this got us through those rough days)
Full Giant Pregnancy Pillow
You know the one. U-shaped, bigger than your partner, and suddenly the only thing you want to cuddle. Supports everything—belly, knees, and emotional state.
Blessed Nest Pillow
Smaller than the giant one, but incredibly versatile. Under your bump, between your knees, and later as a nursing pillow. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of pillows.
Air Fryer & Crockpot
Because pregnancy hunger doesn’t wait, and neither do toddlers. Throw it in, walk away, and feel like a kitchen goddess with minimal effort.
Swimming Pool
If you’ve never floated your 30+ week pregnant body in a pool, you haven’t lived. Weightless bliss. Even just a kiddie pool on your deck counts.
Zofran (Rx Nausea Relief)
For when Diclectin doesn’t cut it and you’re really not okay. Talk to your doc—this was a lifesaver for many of us.
Tums
The unofficial snack of the third trimester. Carry them like mints, pop them like candy, and pray they work.
Wrist Brace
Carpal tunnel from pregnancy hormones is real—and it is rude. This helped us actually sleep without our hands going numb.
Here is a link for Right Hand S/M
Here is a link for Left Hand S/M
XL Water Bottle
Something about a fresh water bottle makes you want to drink more. Bonus points if it’s cute, leak-proof, and holds enough to drown a small animal. Hydrate, mama.
Magnesium Spray
magnesium spray to calm sore muscles = the only way I got any sleep.
Comfy Sandals, Baths & Raspberry Leaf Tea
Tiny rituals that made me feel human in the chaos. Walking around the house in cushy sandals, long baths, and sipping tea gave me small moments of calm in a season that felt never-ending.
MyOvry Test Strips
Canadian-made and available at Shoppers and Walmart. From ovulation to male fertility to pregnancy tests, they became my go-to toolkit during my second conception journey. Affordable, reliable, and local—yes please.
Everydae Prenatals & Supplements
Another Canadian women-owned brand I love. Their prenatal, mood, and postpartum supplements became staples for me (discount code linked!). Pro tip: start prenatals ~3 months before trying to conceive, but check with your doctor first.
Bird&Be Prenatals
Also Canadian! Some moms had great results, others noticed headaches—so it really depends on your body. Worth a try if you want options outside the standard pharmacy ones.
Favourite Postpartum Products
Because no one warns you that postpartum is like a second birth… with extra laundry.
Mom Frida Postpartum Underwear
So much better than the hospital mesh. Soft, stretchy, disposable, and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a diaper (even if you kind of are).
Newman’s All Purpose Nipple Ointment (Rx)
Breastfeeding? This. If your nips are cracked, bleeding, or just plain angry—ask your doctor for this magical prescription blend.
If you want something without the doctor prescription – this is another nipple cream I used that worked wonders! Lanolin Nipple Cream
Frida Mom Postpartum Kit
It’s got everything: peri bottle, cooling foam, witch hazel pads, mesh undies. If it goes on or near your stitches, this kit helps.
Owlet Monitor
Peace of mind in a sock. Whether you’re co-sleeping or just a little anxious (hi, all of us), this smart monitor helped us sleep knowing baby was okay.
Lululemon Align Leggings
Soft, high-rise, doesn’t press on sore bits, and helps you feel like a person again. Basically, postpartum pants of power.
CRZ Yoga Leggings
If you’re not quite ready to hand over your life savings for a pair of Lulus (we get it), CRZ Yoga leggings are chef’s kiss. They’re basically Align dupes at half the price, and spoiler alert: you won’t even notice the difference. Your bank account and your postpartum bod will thank you.
CRZ Yoga Maternity Clothes
Still rocking that bump and want to feel like a goddess in stretchy athleisure? Or maybe you’re back in action after your 6-week clearance and ready to pretend to work out again? CRZ Yoga’s maternity line is where it’s at. Supportive, comfy, and cute – they’ve got leggings, tanks, and even nursing-friendly sports bras. I may or may not have one in every colour… no regrets.
Lululemon Boxer Briefs & ALO Shorts
Who knew postpartum wardrobe staples would come from the workout drawer? Soft, stretchy, and forgiving in all the right places. Bonus: you still feel kind of put together when people drop by.
Kindle (+ Kindle Unlimited)
If you’re trapped under a contact napping baby—Kindle to the rescue. Lightweight, one-handed, and lets you escape into a spicy rom-com while your boob is held hostage.
Bottle Washer
Is it extra? Yes. Did it save us from washing 12 bottle parts by hand? Also yes. One button, zero regrets.
MomCozy has a great bottle washer, sanitizer and dryer, pretty expensive, but worth it for all those bottles! I bought one for my twins
Baby Brezza is also a bit expensive, but a perfect bottle washer and sterilizer
Adult Diapers
Let’s normalize this. Whether you had a c-section or vaginal delivery, diapers > pads. Trust us. Cozy, reliable, and no surprise leaks.
Adult Depends
Yes, they’re diapers. Yes, they’re amazing. Forget juggling pads and mesh undies—these are leak-proof, comfy, and 100% worth packing in your hospital bag. You’ll thank yourself at 2am.
Frida Mom Ice Packs
Pop them in your underwear and instantly upgrade your healing experience. Cooling, soothing, and hands-down one of the best things to keep in the freezer for those early weeks.
Tucks Pads
Cool, soothing, and a gift from the postpartum gods. Slide them in your underwear and suddenly stitches, swelling, and all the other fun surprises feel just a little less awful.
Large Water Bottle (Yes, Again)
Breastfeeding thirst hits different. You’ll guzzle litres like you’ve been stranded in the desert. Cold water. Big jug. Do it.
Homemade Blueberry Muffins
We’re serious. Make them before baby comes. Freeze a batch. Then cry tears of joy when you eat one one-handed at 4am.
Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
Everyone in my house loves this recipe! I have made them for all my friends – and included the recipe card with each batch. I have to make a batch just for my husband because of how addicting they are! Now not scientifically confirmed, they do have ingredients that promote breast milk production!
Coming Soon: a cookbook catered to pregnancy and postpartum!
Frozen Prepped Meals
Not glamorous, but lifesaving. Future-you will cry happy tears when all you have to do is toss a lasagna in the oven instead of figuring out dinner with a newborn attached to you.
Coming Soon: a cookbook just on our favourite recipes and pre-prepped meals to support you during pregnancy and after baby is born!
Beluga Baby Wrap Carrier
Perfect for contact naps, chores, or trips where the stroller feels like too much. Loved it so much my husband got one—just, uh, not in pink.
Amazon Muslin Burp Cloths
Soft. Absorbent. Stylish. We went through so many, we basically used them as everything: burp rags, towels, napkins, tissues, capes.
Baby Lounger Pillow
We know they’re controversial—but used safely and supervised, they gave us a two-minute break to pee, shower, or eat a muffin. Game. Changer.
Frida Peri Bottle
The hospital one? Trash. This one? Ergonomic, upside down, and actually works. Makes those first bathroom visits a little less scary.
Favourite Twin Items
Twin life has a few clear MVPs in this house. The Twin Z Pillow is used multiple times a day — for feeds, for propping, for those moments when I need them both safely in one place while I reset the room (or myself). I found it on amazon, but honestly, get on Marketplace, a second hand pillow is way better for your wallet. Our belan.j sleep sacks have been a constant at bedtime — simple, cozy, and consistent, which matters more than I realized. We also did more research on winter car seat covers than most of our baby gear, and I’m so glad we did. A proper winter cover in Canada isn’t optional — it has made every cold-weather outing manageable instead of stressful. Petit Coulou is the brand we went with, Canadian brand, and they are perfect for these extra cold winters! I believe the cover is universal, but works well with my Graco click and connect car seats.
I rotate between a few carriers, but the one I’m using most right now has been especially helpful when I’m coaching volleyball and one twin needs to be close — it keeps him settled while I still have hands free. I also have the Weego Twin Baby Carrier, which I’ll be using more now that they’re three months and sturdier (and yes, between that and being back at Pilates, they’re getting heavier by the day). Our battery-operated swing has been a lifesaver for settling one baby while tending to the other — and if you truly have the space, one for each twin would make life even smoother.
And then there’s logistics. We have a two-week diaper subscription because the volume is, frankly, impressive. We go through the 160-pack faster than I’d like to admit — I’ll let you do the math. My 40oz Owala FreeSip 40oz Water Bottle is always nearby because hydration needs to be easy and within reach. I swear, I’ve rewritten this paragraph more times than I can count because every time I sit down to type, someone needs me — which feels like the most accurate snapshot of this season.
The MVP Pregnancy & Postpartum List (All in One Place)
Pregnancy MVPs
- Heating pad
- Stretchy “feel good” outfit (CRZ Yoga, H&M maternity, Amazon staples)
- Diclectin (Rx nausea support)
- Zofran (Rx nausea relief if needed)
- Tums
- Full U-shaped pregnancy pillow
- Blessed Nest pillow
- Wrist brace (pregnancy carpal tunnel)
- XL water bottle
- Magnesium spray
- Comfy house sandals
- Baths + raspberry leaf tea
- Air fryer & crockpot
- Access to a pool (even inflatable counts)
- MyOvry test strips
- Everydae prenatals & supplements
- Bird&Be prenatals
Postpartum Recovery MVPs
- Frida Mom postpartum underwear
- Adult diapers (Depends > pads)
- Frida Mom postpartum kit
- Frida Mom peri bottle
- Frida Mom ice packs
- Tucks pads
- Newman’s All Purpose Nipple Ointment (Rx)
- Lanolin nipple cream
- Large water bottle (again — breastfeeding thirst is real)
- Lululemon Align leggings
- CRZ Yoga leggings
- CRZ Yoga maternity line
- Lululemon boxer briefs
- ALO shorts
Feeding & Bottle Support
- Bottle washer / sterilizer (MomCozy or Baby Brezza)
- Chocolate chip lactation cookies
- Frozen prepped meals
- Homemade freezer muffins
Baby Essentials
- Owlet monitor
- Beluga Baby wrap carrier
- Weego twin baby carrier
- Muslin burp cloths
- Baby lounger (used safely + supervised)
- Battery-operated swing
Twin-Specific MVPs
- Twin Z Pillow
- belan.j sleep sacks
- Petit Coulou winter car seat cover
- Graco Click Connect car seats
- Diaper subscription
- Owala FreeSip 40oz water bottle
Final Thoughts
There’s no magic wand for pregnancy or postpartum… but these products? They came pretty close.
Whether you’re growing your first babe or your fifth, you deserve comfort, ease, and a few moments of peace.And if that comes from a giant pillow or blueberry muffin—lean in, mama.
The products in this post are already linked for easy shopping. Want more? Check out our Our Favourites page for a roundup of the goodies we love and recommend. And because we’re keeping it as Canadian as possible, sign up for our newsletter to be the first in the know when we drop even more must-haves (poutine not included… for now )
Planning for delivery? Download my no-fluff Hospital Bag Checklist here.
Got a must-have we missed? Share your holy grail pregnancy or postpartum product in the comments or tag us on Instagram @chapteronemotherhood.
Disclosure: Some links on ChapterOne Motherhood are affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support this space and keep the content coming. Thank you for being here.