Postpartum Essentials

dobiemom11

Hey everyone!  I was wondering what supplies Momma is going to need.  I though a separate thread might help for quick reference closer to the due date.  (So far I have come up with sushi and caffeine!)

willashbaby

OMG this! Peri bottle (they will probably give you one at the hospital, if not, ask), sitz bath (same), TUCKS, always infinity, COLACE, iron pills, biofreeze spray, giant comfy underwear, mattress pad things to cover your chairs (I would randomly bleed a good bit for a few days and would have ruined my living room chair if I didn't have one under me!), ice packs (for padsicles), witch hazel, any pain meds they'll give you, lol! BIRTH CONTROL (seriously, be careful, I have friends with Irish twins!). 

karmba

Lanolin nipple cream and nursing pads.

luckypenny11

essentials:
-I made baskets for each bathroom containing: Peri bottle, maternity pads/heavy flow pads, Tucks, dermoplast spray, and perineal ice packs (like these: https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Deluxe-Perineal-Adhesive-postpartum/dp/B00BLE60T4). I'm considering going the disposable underwear route this time instead of pads.
-Colace - start early & often!
-nipple soothing products - my hospital had them available in a vending machine, but doesn't hurt to pack some options in your delivery bag:
     -gel soothies: https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Soothies-Breastfeeding-Soothing-Cracked/dp/B002KGHUL4/
     -hydrogel patches: https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Soothing-Breastfeeding-Hydrogel-Advanced/dp/B0011ECPA2/
     -nipple cream (FYI, some of these - like coconut oil - may stain your clothes): https://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Certified-Organic-Cracked-Nursing/dp/B0007CQ726/
-mattress pad or dark sheets for postpartum bleeding leaks 
-waterproof cover for furniture for postpartum bleeding leaks (I ended up using IKEA portable changing pads, and then could still use it for a downstairs diaper changing station: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/len-changing-pad-dotted-gray-60453913/)
-filling, nutritious snacks, especially ones that you can eat with one hand - fresh fruit cups, instant oatmeal, make-ahead protein balls, frozen breakfast sandwiches, granola bars, greek yogurt, etc

less essential but nice to have:
-extra sheets and pajamas - the postpartum night sweats can be *intense* and it helps cut down on laundry frequency
-compression socks - I had crazy postpartum swelling, despite not really having any pre-partum
-belly bandit or other compression gear
-if you have a tall bed, a small stool to get into/out of bed 
-donut cushion 

thankfullyamama

What’s pads/ disposable underwear do you BTDT mommas recommend? I’m thinking of going pads during the day and the disposable underwear during the night! I never thought to have a protector under me on the couch too that’s such a good idea! I have one in my bed already in case of leaks/water breaking lol 

mom_of_the_vogels

Lanolin is essential for breastfeeding, but will definitely stain your clothes. Pick a sacrifical bra or pads. Also, a comfy sports style nursing bra for lounging at home. Traditional bras can be too much, especially all day every day.

I did not have a Boppy for #1 and realized with #2 it was amazing for nursing and/or just cuddling when baby wants to be held but your arms need a break. Hubs even used it sometimes.

Frozen meals or gift cards for ordering out. I was really bad about cooking dinner so easy stuff was a lifesaver and gift cards for food were the only "new baby" gifts I asked for with #2.

I carried a reusable water bottle for ice water constantly for weeks after. Between nursing and sweating I couldn't drink enough water.

It's not a tangible thing, but a sleep plan. The first couple months when babe isn't on a normal schedule and wakes frequently are rough. With #1 we had a routine where when baby woke Dad changed diaper while I ran to the bathroom then settled in for nursing. In the morning baby and I stayed in bed until I accumulated "enough" sleep to function. I.e.- if it took 10 hours in bed to get a total of 6 or 7 hours of sleep then we stayed in bed that long. With #2 (and probably this time) we had "family bedtime" at 8pm. Everyone went to bed so toddler got his usual amount of sleep and I could get "enough" to function semi-normally by the time he got up for the day.

willashbaby

@tryingktogku always infinity. They absorb A LOT without the bulk. Overnight wasn't an issue, I bled more during the day walking around. 

feather_heather

@luckypenny11 - thank you! This list is so helpful for us first timers that have no idea what we need! 

dobiemom11

I read that you shouldn't use lanolin if you have a wool allergy (which I have) and it was recommended to use Earth Mama Nipple Butter instead.  Just FYI.  

charmedlifex3

@dobiemom11 I loved that one as we got further into nursing but get some coconut oil for at first too- I found that one stung a little when I first started

luckypenny11

I forgot to mention - make sure to add the things you'll need for YOU to your registry list  so you can use your registry discount - every little bit helps!  💰

shelmcclel

On a related but different note - when is everyone packing their hospital bag and what are you planning to bring?

thankfullyamama

@shelmcclel maybe we should make a Hospital Bag thread!?

karmba

@shelmcclel I'm packing at 35 weeks this time.  Last time I wasn't packed at 37 weeks when I ended up being induced and my DH was pissed because he had to scramble to get things together before coming to the hospital haha.  This time I want to be slightly more prepared.

bearmomma1

Agree to all the things stated above, but one thing for sure are easy to grab/make snacks/meals! Especially if you plan on breastfeeding. There will be times where you will become ravenous and you need to eat ASAP, at all times of the day/night. Oatmeal, cereal, trail mix, muffins, freezer microwavable snacks, granola bars, etc. Anything you can either eat one handed or make and consume in 5 mins or less

I'll probably pack around 35 weeks as well! Doesn't hurt to have a bag ready. I think a hospital bag post is a good idea!

gingkomama

@luckypenny11 Yes, this! I have registries this time just for the discount! It's our second so I doubt anyone else will buy from them except maybe our moms. 

@shelmcclel I will pack mine and install the car seat by 35 weeks. My first was born at 36 weeks and I had not packed anything. I had nothing at all while in the hospital, but I did gain an appreciation that you need almost nothing while there. I don't plan to pack a lot. 

jchpg

@dobiemom11 I have a pretty severe wool allergy, and the lanolin was totally OK for me. I think it’s bc it’s so pure. It did obviously hurt if my skin was already cracked. But I used it regularly. 

A really awesome thing that worked for me was silverettes. They look crazy and I thought my midwife was a little crazy when she suggested them, but they were AMAZING. You place the silver cups over your nipples and let a little milk pool in them. It was the fastest way for me to heal my sore and cracked nipples. I borrowed them for DD, but have found a source here and will buy a pair for this little. Seriously totally worth the investment! 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4MWKNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_t1_fhoyFbREWKHA7

babymakes9

Depends! Really.  I didn't find out about this trick until baby #6 and it is a game changer.  Those mesh undies and huge pads bunch up and leak,  and normal pads just aren't enough for at least the 1st few days. 

 TUCKS pads and dermoplast spray (.the hospital usually supplies these), it may seem weird,  but use them .

Precooked/frozen meals /take out menu budget - everyone always says they will bring food,  help with cooking (dh) but generally their are gaps or people don't follow through. So be prepared with something quick and easy that is filling ( I'm always starving the1st few weeks as breast milk is establishing and your body is recovering from birth)

Nursing bra,  and something comfortable to wear.

readermom1

@babymakes9 I tried Depends the last time, but I have a latex sensitivity and apparently to some other plastics as well, because after using them for about 2 days at home, I developed hives all over my nether regions! Obviously this will not be the case for most people, but if anybody has a problem with latex it might be worth paying attention to. That was an issue and a doctor visit I did not expect to have!

The freezer meals is definitely one of the most useful things I did to prepare. I made a ton of homemade spaghetti sauce with meatballs (my kids favorite meal) and froze it in 1 dinner size containers. I used the same sauce to throw together a couple of lasagnas and froze them in disposable pans as well. Any dinner that could easily be frozen ahead I prepped and threw in our deep freezer. 

As far as what to take to the hospital, outside of what has already been mentioned, I would bring some gel nipple soothies (I swear by the Ameda brand!) to the hospital with me and an abdominal binder like what they give people who have a c-section even though I am unlikely to have a c-section. Both things made me feel a lot more comfortable. You can get soothies samples from the lactation consultant at the hospital but who knows when you’ll actually get to see them, and you can also get a binder if you ask the maternity nurses, but as I mentioned I made sure to get one that didn’t have any latex type grips that might touch my skin. The binder helped me to feel like my insides weren’t just falling out of my belly, which is a feeling that has gotten more prominent with each child. I feel like it also helps my uterus shrink back faster too!

readermom1

These are the same soothies the lactation consultant at the hospital gave me, and they are far and away the best ones I have tried! An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure!

Ameda ComfortGel Soothing Breastfeeding Pads Nipple Therapy, Reusable Cooling Reli... https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003IP2L38/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_f1HyFb995GZ2P

karmba

Does anyone have any good recommendations for reusable nursing pads?  I'd like to go that route if possible this time.

mom_of_the_vogels

@karmba I love Bamboobies. They are thin and absorbent and don't bunch. They also wash well and don't get scratchy. In general you can find the "standard" absorbancy in stores but if you need something to accomodate heavier flow/leak you may have to order them online.

karmba

@mom_of_the_vogels awesome, thanks!  Last time I went through so many pads and by the time it dawned on me to get some reusable ones, I wasn’t leaking anymore.

gingkomama

@karma I second Bamboobies! I actually wore them for the first year because I wanted the extra protection when I went back to work to avoid leaks. I also used them to wipe up a drop or two when pumping. They were perfect!


Something I am planning to pack for postpartum is a hot water bottle. I remember how painful the postpartum contractions were (in some ways worse than my labor!) and I don't look forward to that! I'm hoping a hot water bottle with ease it some. 

hadassah2020

I always pack too much but loved having a couple books/crochet to work on to help prevent boredom. Ended up with c section both times so slightly longer stay then planned.

babymakes9

@readermom1 I had no idea there was latex in depends! I wonder if its in the elastic bits? I remember my grandma used to wear ones that buttoned on instead?

readermom1

@babymakes9 It was around the leg holes and waist to keep it in place. 

jchpg

@readermom1 thanks for the info about latex in depends! I didn’t know but had thought about trying then, I’ll stay away now. I have an allergy I developed from too much latex glove use. All my medical records say no latter everywhere. It’s particularly important for me with bandages and medical tape. I start itching like crazy.