After Baby Care

BabyMC517

Hey ladies! @nda_roxybabe's baskets inspired me, but I have no idea what all needs to go in the baskets! I know we talked about it before on one of our threads, but I can't seem to find it, so I figured a thread dedicated to it wouldn't hurt  

So, what do you put in your After Baby Care baskets??? 

I remember: padcicles (or something similar), aloe, depends, tucks pads...some sort of bottle that is given to you at the hospital haha yeah see I can't remember everything! 

nda_roxybabe

FTM so I kind of took a stab at it based off pinterest and what I remembered from here, but here's what I have so far.

Bathroom baskets (1 in our bathroom, 1 downstairs):
-Pads
-Padsicles (in the freezer)
-Extra pair of underwear
-Peri bottle (asking for 2 at the hospital)
-Tucks pads
-Nursing pads (in case I have people over and need to change those out while I'm in there)

Diaper baskets (1 in the living room, 1 in the bedroom, nursery is already set):
-Diapers
-Diaper cream samples (since I have so many)
-Pack of wipes
-Changing pad liner
-Lotion sample

Breastfeeding basket (1 in the living room, 1 in the loft/rocking chair area, 1 in our room) :
-2 burp cloths (Gerber cloth diapers)
-Extra swaddle blanket
-Nursing pads
-Lara bars and fig bars
-Chapstick
-Hair clip
-Pacifier
Also in my BF-ing stations I'll have a phone/ipad charger that stays there as well as a large water cup (Yeti and hospital mug) that H is responsible for fetching for me.

WombThereItIs

As someone that ended up with a surprise cesarean last time all my tucks and whatnot ended up staying unused under my bathroom sink.

My post partum go to stash:
Motrin and colace
Always overnight extra long pads

Just prep for a monster period and you should more or less be okay. 

sweaterboots

@nda_roxybabe @BabyMC517 I love the idea of having multiple baskets around...Right now I have my postpartum care items just stashed loose in the hall closet.  I'll work on this, thanks!

Side note: If you are making your own padsicles, I've heard you have to make sure you get Witch Hazel that is ALCOHOL FREE.  This rose petal witch hazel seems to be the best one just from researching, and is the one I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00016XJ4M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, after the CVS Aloe Scandal (where whistle-blowers found virtually no aloe in the product), I wanted an all-natural trustworthy aloe too.  This is the one I went with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GION5I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ChristinaWild

Bathroom baskets (I did multiple with DS, and decided to only do one in our master bath this time):
-Pads, pads and more pads
-Mesh undies (I bought a 3 pack in anticipation of wanting more!)
-A few pair of granny panties
-Witch hazel pads
-Dermoplast (I'm going to take what I can from the hospital, but I definitely wanted more last time)
-Nupercainal ointment (I had stitches from tearing last time, and this is what the hospital gave me. Again, I wanted more so I just stocked it preemptively)

Diaper basket (Basket in the living room, then a "station" in the master bedroom)
-Diapers
-Changing pads
-Wipes
-Burp cloths (I have these basically stashed around the entire house!)
-Diaper cream 
-Lotion
-Antibacterial 
-Extra onesie (or two!) for when blowouts happen
**Advice: if you're having a little boy who will be circumcised, we found it beneficial to toss some Vaseline into each changing station. 

Breastfeeding basket (1 in the living room, 1 in master bedroom) :
-Burp clothes
-Nursing pads
-Lanolin
-Chapstick
-Hair ties and barrettes
-Bottles of water
-Lotion (for me!)
-Snacks (trail mix, fig bars, packs of Skinny Popcorn, and some fun sized candy bars because I appreciated a little bit of sweet last time. I'll add some fruit when I'm actually using the baskets. Middle of the night hunger is no joke)

Next to each BF basket, I've got a busy box for DS, in case he's wanting to snuggle and I can't. I know this isn't traditional after baby care, but it I included it anyway:
-Sticker/color books
-Lacing toys
-Giant nuts and bolts for him to screw/unscrew
-Pom pom sorting
-Animal matching game
-Magnet set
-Small puzzles

WombThereItIs

sweaterboots said:

Side note: If you are making your own padsicles, I've heard you have to make sure you get Witch Hazel that is ALCOHOL FREE.  This rose petal witch hazel seems to be the best one just from researching, and is the one I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00016XJ4M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is what I use daily as a facial toner, it is great. 

hp_momma

It was easier for me to keep everything in one bathroom (our master bathroom). Besides having a ton of supplies, you are also going to have a lot of trash. I didn't want to worry about having to make sure the guest bathroom trash was empty when guests came over especially because of all the bodily fluids. And TMI, but if you have a dog, he is going to be very interested in your bathroom trash... 

My supplies include-
Tucks Pads
Peri Bottle
Dermoplast Spray (hospital has given me this) 
Always Overnight Pads 

BabyMC517

You ladies are awesome! I've got to go through our stuff and see what samples we have. Making a list of what I need to purchase still and hopefully I'll feel a little better, especially when I actually purchase everything! 

onebadmotha

@nda_roxybabe - Your lists are seriously awesome. I am impressed. 

@ChristinaWild - I love the idea of having a busy box handy to entertain big siblings- genius. 

BeachMommy2B

I love the basket idea, but i'll be the party pooper and throw out my 2 cents. As far as Diaper baskets in multiple locations. I personally never changed DD anywhere but her nursery (we are all on 1 floor so this might be different if I had a multi level) However, by making it a habit to always go back to the nursery it kept the mess contained.

Louise_Belcher

@WombThereItIs Your situation makes me think I will have a list of needed supplies and some cash waiting for my mom to have everything ready for my arrival home depending on the delivery I have. What kind of supplies are needed for c-section care?

WombThereItIs

@Louise_Belcher you don't really do much care for a cesarean. Early on I think I remember just leaving it alone in the shower and gently patting dry until the steri strips fell off. It isn't like you have dressings or anything to mess with. The skin heals remarkably fast compared to how long it takes your muscles and ute inside to feel more like normal. 

I do advocate keeping up with a bowel regimen like Colace because you don't want to strain with sore abs. If you take any opiate pain meds after DEFINTELY take the Colace, those meds can stop you up. 

Louise_Belcher

@WombThereItIs Thanks! That is a simple list to make!

BabyMC517

BeachMommy2B said:

I love the basket idea, but i'll be the party pooper and throw out my 2 cents. As far as Diaper baskets in multiple locations. I personally never changed DD anywhere but her nursery (we are all on 1 floor so this might be different if I had a multi level) However, by making it a habit to always go back to the nursery it kept the mess contained.

STIB

We are in an apartment with one floor and the nursery not far from any of the rooms. I imagine we will do the same with regard to changing diapers. I couldn't remember what was needed for our care after baby! We have 2 bathrooms so I'm thinking I might put supplies for me under each sink just in case I use the other one for some reason. 

slowmo

@Louise_Belcher - I second all of @WombThereItIs's advice. I'm going to ask about taking Colace a few days before my scheduled c/s because that first poop was a bitch. I'd also recommend having a mirror handy to check on your incision every day. 

hp_momma

BeachMommy2B said:

I love the basket idea, but i'll be the party pooper and throw out my 2 cents. As far as Diaper baskets in multiple locations. I personally never changed DD anywhere but her nursery (we are all on 1 floor so this might be different if I had a multi level) However, by making it a habit to always go back to the nursery it kept the mess contained.

We are in a multi level and I plan on only using the nursery for changes. I already have a million little kid toys and baskets going on downstairs that I just can't fathom having anything else. Plus I just don't want to deal with constantly stocking multiple baskets. Checking the diaper bag for supplies every time we go out is enoigh work for me! 

BeachMommy2B

@hp_momma ugh I agree! I'm not looking forward to having to remember all the crap (err stuff) in the diaper bag again. its so easy just to jump in the car and go with DD being over 3...

luckywife10

This all is super helpful! I'm making my "after baby care" shopping list right now. 

mspacman34

Thank you all for sharing your lists! This is so helpful! Regarding dogs, I have found that if I put the bathroom trash can on the back of the toilet they can't get into it. Maybe not the best advice, but our trash gets emptied regularly and there hasn't ever been a problem with this setup so far.

momma2char

Regarding pad use after delivery.. a heads up for anyone who is allergic to latex- the "always" brand contains latex! My post-delivery care after DD1 was terrible (and extremely painful) as I had tears and stitches, and chemical burns all over from the latex in the pads and had to go back to the hospital to be treated for them. U by Kotex was the only brand I could find that didn't contain latex in the pads. I'm hoping nobody else has to experience that since I had no idea pads could even contain latex.

livin541

This is all great stuff! I stocked up on tucks, dermoplast,
etc. last time and got super lucky that I didn't really need most of it. I had forgotten what all is nice to have on hand, so these lists are super helpful!

I know it's been mentioned before, but my top nursing items were probably the extra long phone charger (that sucker was always dying when I was stuck under a baby!) and the hospital cup full of water. While nursing you will feel like you are stuck in a desert and dying of thirst! 

nda_roxybabe

Extra onesies, I need to throw one of those in my diaper kits. We will see, but I think I'll like having the various stations as I plan to hang out downstairs during the day and wont want to trek upstairs for every change.

starphish18

nda_roxybabe said:

...We will see, but I think I'll like having the various stations as I plan to hang out downstairs during the day and wont want to trek upstairs for every change.

This was my thinking, as well, with setting up two stations. We have one upstairs in the nursery and one downstairs in the bathroom/laundry room. I like things to be organized, so I don't see myself wanting to do changes in other random spots (like our bedroom or living room floor, etc). I'd rather have designated spots to take care of that, but like you said, I don't want to trek up and down stairs every time.

saric83

@nda_roxybabe & @starphish18 - We have a four-level split, and we set up a changing area in the nursery upstairs and in the living room.  DS is 23 months old, and we still use both of them every day.  Especially now that there are baby gates on every damn level in the way, we really appreciate having multiple spots that are always stocked with diapers, wipes, butt-cream, and extra outfits.  I'm lazy, and it's awesome.  

ShadeofGreen816

Another thing to consider is that for anyone that ends up with a c-section, often doctors will want you to limit stairs to 1x/day or so for the first 1-2 weeks. So you may not need an elaborate "station" on each level, but would definitely want to make sure you have SOMEWHERE you can change baby on each level to avoid all those stairs.

psherman42wwsa

I used tucks last time and they felt nice on the lady bits but the soothing feeling doesn't last very long. Did anyone use anything that lasted longer than 5 or 10 minutes ? Padsickles are nice but not convenient for more than a few days.

Hansolosparka

@lrwardrop dermoplast was pretty good last time!  This time I got some Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom spray to try. It's supposed to have herbs that soothe and help you heal faster. 

sweaterboots

@WombThereItIs that witch hazel smells so good. I get dry & tight in the face really easily, do you find it dries you out at all? 

@Hansolosparkai got Earth Mama Bottom Spray too, a friend suggested it so enthusiastically! I sprayed a bit to test the scent and it smells soooo soothing. Like cucumber and fresh rain! Lol. Anyone else using nipple balm on their lips? I've found it's like the only thing that works lately.

WombThereItIs

@sweaterboots That is why I like it, it isn't harsh and drying like salicylic acid toners and astringents. I wipe some on in the AM after washing my face and before moisturizer and in the evening after taking makeup off. I do tend more towards combination skin but my dryer areas do great with it. 

chailife34

Has anyone had to do supplementation feedings with the baby after birth with either donor milk or formula? Because my LO will be late pre-term, the nurses are talking to me about supplementation before my milk comes in, and I'm curious if anyone else has dealt with this first hand?

psherman42wwsa

chailife34 said:

Has anyone had to do supplementation feedings with the baby after birth with either donor milk or formula? Because my LO will be late pre-term, the nurses are talking to me about supplementation before my milk comes in, and I'm curious if anyone else has dealt with this first hand?

I supplemented with formula the first couple days with my DS. My milk didn't come in until day 5 or 6 I believe. Once it came in he exclusively had breast milk for 13 months.

chailife34

@lrwardrop if you don't mind my asking, did the baby take a bottle or did you do the syringe or something different? 

nda_roxybabe

My rosewater witch hazel just came in last night! I've heard such mixed things on needing a "bottom spray", but both my Targets have all of their pregnancy stuff like that on clearance (not sure why...)

BeachMommy2B

@chailife34 not knowing enough about supplementation was one of the downfalls I had last time with DD. My milk didn't come in until day 5 or 6 so we were having to supplement with formula and I was pumping while DD was taking a bottle. Which then she never latched and my supply just wouldn't get up and running like it shoudl have. I wish I would have knowing about Medela "Supplemental Nursing System". Basically a tiny tube that you run down your body to your breasts for baby to continue to latch while getting the formula or donor milk. I checked this time before hand and my hospital has them available if necessary to supplement. This is just me, but I would push for syringe feeds if baby can't latch, if baby will be able to latch I would push for the Supplemental Nursing System.

Obviously baby being fed and getting nutrients is most important, not the way they are fed, but if the option is available its good to ask and try to advocate for it. I didn't know enough to try to advocate for it last time. GOOD LUCK!
 

Hansolosparka

@chailife34 I supplemented with my son as well until he was gaining enough weight around 1 mo and then after I went back to work around 4 months. I'm definitely going to have some formula on hand this time in case we need to. In our case it was because he wouldn't latch- but he did take a bottle just fine and sucked down 2 oz at a few days old!

bubsalicious

Ok, second time I've seen that momma stuff is on clearance at Target. What department is their momma stuff in? I looked all over baby and attempted to look in "pharmacy".

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

@absbubbs
Ours is in the pharmacy by the condoms and other fun stuff.  And the feminine products.

fbmandy55

I have overnight pads, witch hazel, witch hazel wipes, colace and about 15 padsicles I made in the freezer. 

bubsalicious

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot said:

@absbubbs
Ours is in the pharmacy by the condoms and other fun stuff.  And the feminine products.

Of course, the one isle I was like "nahhh they wouldn't put that stuff down here, that would be silly!" Plus side? Another Target trip!

hp_momma

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot said:

@absbubbs
Ours is in the pharmacy by the condoms and other fun stuff.  And the feminine products.

Some of our stuff is here and some of it was near the stool softners/digestive products. Can't they just have a "new mom" section?! Lol 

psherman42wwsa

chailife34 said:

@lrwardrop if you don't mind my asking, did the baby take a bottle or did you do the syringe or something different? 

In the hospital they wanted me to "finger feed", you  use a syringe with a little tube on the end, and stick your pinky finger in babys mouth for them to suck. Basically your slowly putting in milk while they are sucking on your finger, supposed to help with nipple confusion. I did this while in the hospital and briefly at home but its sort of messy and tricky to do by yourself. I ended up giving him a bottle. He went back and forth between bottle and breast the whole 13 months. I know this is not the case for many babies but it worked out for us.