Postpartum Recovery

theweevee

Apologies if this has already been covered.  But if not, has anyone found any postpartum recovery resources or books that they like?  Most of the things I've seen have glossed over recovery in favor of what the baby needs or breastfeeding.  Meanwhile, I'd like to read about caring for stitches, belly wraps, nutrition, exercises to start when, etc., as well.

Many thanks for any suggestions!

satsumasandlemons

Following and adding: a lot of this will be specific to your body and what your dr recommends, but I would love a resource to help with figuring out what foods will reduce swelling, help with milk, alleviate ppd, etc 

ladybray

Witch hazel pads are God's gift to Postpartum women. Also, showers with detachable heads.

supermom83

Following! 

I have a random question to add: Has anyone tried those period panties by Thinx?? I am intrigued by them and wondering if they'd be any good for postpartum bleeding instead of exclusively using pads. I'd love to hear thoughts and suggestions! 

Also, as a c-section mama, I highly recommend getting the Bellefit postpartum corset. It's medical grade and helps with the wound healing. 

dancegurl1118

Sitz baths are life. I asked for a new one before we left the hospital and literally used it twice a day for like 2 weeks. 

chiquita928

+1 for the witch hazel pads. I tried the wrap, but hated it...and it probably still shows. I remember reading about post part um care on lucieslist.com (I think?), and loved the resource.

virginiaunicorn11

I got zero medical help with post-partum last time, so this time will not be shy about demanding it. They wouldn't even let me take painkillers last time. F that. I was also told no baths for 6 weeks, but this time I will be doing a sitz bath. 

The best tips I got were from mama friends - cold compression on your boobs to stop milk flow, warm compression just before nursing to start the flow. Get some nipple gel pads and maybe keep them in the fridge for sore nips. If showering hurts your boobs too much, shower with a bikini top on. 

Malty drinks (milk stout beers) are good for lactation. 

I'm not a Stepford Pinterest Mom but I do find it has good charts. They are super easy to do a screenshot of, for grocery shopping if you're looking for foods to eat/avoid for lactation. Obviously beware the source but overall, I've had very good luck with it. (And it helped to give DH, our family chef, such clear guidelines.)

BabyBump2

Medi Honey. Medi Honey is life. 

Oh oh and the spray bottle thing. 

I EP'd for 6 months with my youngest and I found blue Gatorade to work the best. Or Not Your Fathers Rootbeer. 

Dont believe the saying the fenugreek will work for everyone. That's not the case, it can actually make your supply worse. 

BabyBump2

@supermom83 I've watched YouTube reviews on them and I think a lot of the people say it's good for light period days? So, maybe towards the end of the bleeding it'd be nice?

Poppyseed72017

What are these sitz baths you speak of @dancegurl1118?? 

chiquita928

Also, if you end up needing to nurse, but have been engorged or baby can't latch, try pumping a little bit out (just enough to soften yourself up a little), and that may help. Don't be afraid to listen to people of the older generarion...in my experience, they didn't have as much pressure to breastfeed, and so those that did had some great tricks and tips that were nearly always effective. 

ljd2010

@BabyBump2 Do you use medi honey in place of nipple cream? 

BabyBump2

@ljd2010 they gave it to me for my vagina? I had rug burn like sores after birth..I dunno, it was amazing for me. Apparently you can use it for nipple cream, I personally wouldn't use it for a baby younger than 12 months due to babies that young are not supposed to have honey.

ETA: I never used a nipple cream...the pump never ruined my nipples or anything and he wouldn't latch.

ljd2010

@BabyBump2 Thanks! I've heard great things about medi honey in passing but wasn't sure what it was for!

nktrodden826

Reading this is giving me horrible flashbacks. 

In my opinion, pp care was harder than my entire epidural free labor and delivery. I was miserable. Had to sit on a donut for over a week, thank goodness for pain killers because the second it had been 6 hrs I was in horrible pain. 

I amazoned the little squirt bottles, pads, which hazel pads, and the numbing spray so I have extras left over from 2 years ago. You will need them but I highly suggest taking every single thing from that hospital room- they will replenish and who knows you may have used 25 witch hazel pads every single time you went to the bathroom. 

Biggest breastfeeding advice I got was bring the baby to the breast not the breast to the baby. It will give you horrible horrible back pains. Find a spot when you're comfortable, this is why the boppy was crucial, and make sure they're high enough to nurse. Don't crouch over to bring the breast to the baby. Make sure you have nursing pads if you're like me and let down on both sides at the same time- nobody wants huge huge wet spots. And lanolin helped tremendously for nipple soreness. But I never needed ice packs or hot compresses. 

I highly suggest pumping after every feeding if youre heading back to work. The first few weeks are crucial for your milk supply so set it up early that you're nursing and pumping so your body knows how much to produce. It's extremely difficult to only nurse for 6 weeks (by that time your body is just making enough for the little one nursing) and trying to add pumping 25 oz a day is nearly impossible and guaranteed to really really stress you out. 

chiquita928

Agree with everything @nktrodden826 said.

dancegurl1118

@Poppyseed72017 it's this plastic tub that fits in the seat of your toilet. You fill it with warm water and just soak your vagina. And hemorrhoids. And anything else that is currently making you feel like there's a bowling ball of pressure in your pelvis. It also comes with this bag and tube that you fill with warm water and let some out into the little tub and it bubbles to help aid with circulation and healing. They also sell them at pharmacies I think. I literally did mine 2x a day for like 2 weeks, 15 min or so each. Felt so much better every time. 

AdaByron

nktrodden826 said:

I highly suggest pumping after every feeding if youre heading back to work. The first few weeks are crucial for your milk supply so set it up early that you're nursing and pumping so your body knows how much to produce. It's extremely difficult to only nurse for 6 weeks (by that time your body is just making enough for the little one nursing) and trying to add pumping 25 oz a day is nearly impossible and guaranteed to really really stress you out. 

I disagree with this part. I hated pumpting. And in the early weeks when the baby is eating so frequently, pumping after every feed would have been torture. It's not going to work the same for everyone, but I pumped about twice a day from week 3 until I went to work at week 10. That allowed me to build a little bit of a freezer stash before I went back to help fill in on the days I wasn't able to pump enough. But the most I ever had to send to daycare was 16-18 ounces, and I never had trouble getting that much in 2-3 pump sessions while I was at work. Ideally, you would pump at work at the same time of day that your baby would be eating, and be able to produce enough for the next day's bottles. I could only pump at specific times, but I was fortunate to produce a lot at each session. So I rarely needed my freezer stash. And since I am not able to take a pump break except at designated times, I had to be careful not to create an oversupply or I would have been uncomfortable and leaking at work.

AdaByron

dancegurl1118 said:

@Poppyseed72017 it's this plastic tub that fits in the seat of your toilet. You fill it with warm water and just soak your vagina. And hemorrhoids. And anything else that is currently making you feel like there's a bowling ball of pressure in your pelvis. It also comes with this bag and tube that you fill with warm water and let some out into the little tub and it bubbles to help aid with circulation and healing. They also sell them at pharmacies I think. I literally did mine 2x a day for like 2 weeks, 15 min or so each. Felt so much better every time. 

+1 for the sitz bath. I never used it at the hospital, but they sent me home with one. I ignored it for a few days, because it didn't even sound like it would feel good, and I had a hard time wanting to take time away from the baby to do it. But then I did it and it was AWESOME. 

Poppyseed72017

How have I had 3 vaginal deliveries and never been given one of these!?! It's on my postpartum list of things I need!! 

JmUDuuuukes 07

For me, the most memorable items I needed: (c-section after pushing for 3 hours with docs hand on baby's head all the way up there)
1) stool softener. Stool softener. Stool softener. I ended up needing an enema. I was eating plenty of greens, had the normal colace, but also should have been doing a miralax until the first poop. This time I'll be taking it proactively.
2) old lady underwear I didn't care about. I would wear the big huge pads with witch hazel, frozen. So much better to be able to really not care how they washed up because they only had to serve a short purpose. 
3) a catheter and a few syringes. I had issuses with bf at first (milk took a while to come in) but didn't want to switch right to bottle, so our LC sent us home with a catheter and syringe, and I was able to put her up to my nipple and had the catheter in there so she would suck and get milk, but didn't know that it wasn't from the nipple at that point. Less frustration all around.
4) I started pumping around 3 weeks after the morning feeds. It wasn't worth my time to pump in the afternoons/evenings because she would cluster feed and would empty me out and I would just get frustrated. 

plumpous

nktrodden826 said:

I highly suggest pumping after every feeding if youre heading back to work. The first few weeks are crucial for your milk supply so set it up early that you're nursing and pumping so your body knows how much to produce. It's extremely difficult to only nurse for 6 weeks (by that time your body is just making enough for the little one nursing) and trying to add pumping 25 oz a day is nearly impossible and guaranteed to really really stress you out. 

Pumping at work was horrendous. I felt like a huge failure, every day, every session, for over two months (and having a friend be very successful at it at the same time didn't help my self esteem lol). I quit mostly because of the supply issue. I will definitely try to establish it how you suggest.

However, humble brag warning, what do you do at night? I was lucky enough that DD1 would sleep for long bursts early on, but I'd wake up so engorged and leak a lot. Did you wake up to pump even if the baby was asleep?

nktrodden826

@plumpous I had an oversupply because I planned to go to work then didn't go back. But I set up a nursing and pumping schedule early so I was stuck being engorged a lot. I would always pump first because DS had a hard time latching if I was too full. But the lactation consultant I saw for a few weeks always said to pump first because your body doesn't respond to the pump like it does your baby. So if you pump first and get the majority out, say 5 oz both sides, then your body will naturally produce enough for the baby if you feed her 30 mins later. However if you give the baby the "easy milk" that's already in your breasts and then pump most often the body doesn't react to the pump and won't let down the hindmilk so you'll end up pumping 1.5 oz or something instead.. does that make sense? 

chiquita928

plumpous said:

nktrodden826 said:

I highly suggest pumping after every feeding if youre heading back to work. The first few weeks are crucial for your milk supply so set it up early that you're nursing and pumping so your body knows how much to produce. It's extremely difficult to only nurse for 6 weeks (by that time your body is just making enough for the little one nursing) and trying to add pumping 25 oz a day is nearly impossible and guaranteed to really really stress you out. 

Pumping at work was horrendous. I felt like a huge failure, every day, every session, for over two months (and having a friend be very successful at it at the same time didn't help my self esteem lol). I quit mostly because of the supply issue. I will definitely try to establish it how you suggest.

However, humble brag warning, what do you do at night? I was lucky enough that DD1 would sleep for long bursts early on, but I'd wake up so engorged and leak a lot. Did you wake up to pump even if the baby was asleep?

I pumped a lot at home to get the milk going, and then I started pumping only during the one time when I would pump at work.  I always left the pump going for a little bit, even after the milk stopped.  I pumped only at work, and nursed whenever I was with my son.  Having the extra made it easier to relax as my body learned to produce what I needed from it.  I would pump three bottles in my 42 minute lunch period, until I switched him to cow's milk.  My son woke up to eat forever, but when he finally did start sleeping, I would try to just ignore the milk, and it would either be what my son got in the morning, or it became part of what I pumped at lunch.  I basically just waited until it was the right time, every time, and my body learned to make milk for that time only.

satsumasandlemons

Yeah I agree with @virginiaunicorn11 again here - it caused major oversupply so I had to stop pumping and actually try and decrease my output so baby could handle the flow. 

I was a super pumper at work (not even being humble here) and I attribute it to four factors: 
1) drinking and eating a lot of milk friendly stuff (I didn't worry about weight at that point, and lots of kale and steel cut oatmeal in my diet!) 
2) my bmb moms that I'd chat with during pump sessions - I still talk to these two women pretty much everyday
3) tracking output on babyconnect so I could keep a close eye and be all methodically obsessed about what was working, what wasn't, etc 
4) pump porn: video clips and pictures of DD at work would help with output

nononorman

Did any of you use any sort of hands-free pumping accessory? I'm wondering if I should buy one of those ace bandage- looking bras. The goal is to be able to type and review documents at my desk while I'm pumping.

BusyZee

@Potterphile I'm trying to buy the willow pump I'm calling them today! I have a bunch of questions for them. I can let you know if you want. 

AdaByron

Potterphile said:

Did any of you use any sort of hands-free pumping accessory? I'm wondering if I should buy one of those ace bandage- looking bras. The goal is to be able to type and review documents at my desk while I'm pumping.

Yes. A hands free bra is 100% necessary IMO. I had to pump on my lunch break and only got 35 minutes. Plus you'll want to be able to look at your phone and stuff just to pass the time. The bra I got was only like maybe $15. It was the kind that tied in back and zipped in front so it was OSFA and really easy to adjust.

nononorman

@busyzee - I'm going to get the pump that comes free through my insurance (a medela pump) so I think I need like, the bra thing @AdaByron is talking about. I gotta add that to my registry on amazon so I can buy it in a couple weeks and get that completion discounttt

mamadcb

@BusyZee I want to know what you find out! I'm on their email list for updates but haven't heard anything. I do have my Medela from my first though so for me it's less urgent. 

plumpous

@nktrodden826 Yeah! Thanks! That does sound a lot like what happened to me. I pumped AFTER and got like 1.5oz. On a good day 2oz.

@chiquita928 Thanks for the tips!

plumpous

Potterphile said:

@busyzee - I'm going to get the pump that comes free through my insurance (a medela pump) so I think I need like, the bra thing @AdaByron is talking about. I gotta add that to my registry on amazon so I can buy it in a couple weeks and get that completion discounttt

That bra was crucial! I was unable to pump without it.

dancegurl1118

Same as PP, I was unable to pump without the bras. It put pressure on my breasts that led to more effective pumping. I once forgot my bra for a weekend away and freaked out... I bought a sports bra and cut holes. It was fine for a pinch. 

nktrodden826

Omg yes 100% hands free pumping bra. 

optbaby2017

Re: hands free pumping bra, someone recommended the Simple Wishes one to me. It's currently 20% off on Amazon ($28, normally $35). I'm sure there are cheaper ones, but it gets really good reviews for customizability and durability, provided you wash it nicely. Will try to remember to link later when I am on my computer.

ETA: Link -- https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S8MGGQ?colid=SE496LDAA7GU&coliid=I2OUZNATOG9IE&ref=br_ADD_TO_CART_title_link&th=1

JmUDuuuukes 07

Yep, I had the Medela hands free and that plus a nursing tank and shawl helped me to my 6 hour drive into the office twice a month. Plus I could close my office door and type away!

chiquita928

I never had a pumping bra.  I used this method for hands-free pumping, and my friend and sister did as well.  Worked just fine.

dancegurl1118

@chiquita928 never seen that before!

Cejiml

Yes to hands free pump bra! I EP for 8 mo and I got to where I could cook dinner, do squats, makeup etc .. total life saver! 

Also belly bandit for csection is amazing! Really helps to keep pressure on the incision. And ice packs. 

Coconut oil and water, oatmeal, or Gatorade were my go tos for helping my supply. The electrolytes and lauronic acid help your milk. And I agree lots of lactating foods on Pinterest. 

ljd2010

optbaby2017 said:

Re: hands free pumping bra, someone recommended the Simple Wishes one to me. It's currently 20% off on Amazon ($28, normally $35). I'm sure there are cheaper ones, but it gets really good reviews for customizability and durability, provided you wash it nicely. Will try to remember to link later when I am on my computer. 

This bra was amazing! I EPd for almost a year, and this bra was crucial to pumping at work. I bought an extra just to keep in my office because it made hands free pumping so much easier.  I'd sit at my computer and work, and the bra kept the pump pieces in place. I much preferred it to the medela hands free bra, which only works with certain pumps. The simple wishes works with anything and is worth every penny. 

nktrodden826

@chiquita928 I've never seen anything like that! Looks complicated, yet simple... did it ever pop off?