DH got me a Kindle shortly after DS1 was born and it was a lifesaver with a kid who wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me. One can only watch so much tv. Then I discovered how much Finn loved the swing and that was our #1 newborn must have for the next several months.
A husband willing to deal with the umbilical cord stump and diapers while on paternity leave is another of my must haves. Other than that it's all just trial and error to see what helps give you 2 seconds of peace.
It sounds insane, but seriously, it was the best thing I had for myself when I got home. The mesh undies kept trying to sag in the back. Depends are great!!!!
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what are mesh undies good for? I don't know if I like the sound of that.
Things are a bit messy after delivery.
The undies they give you in the hospital are mesh. I bought Depends for at home.
As a FTM I was shocked at the first bathroom visit after birth. First, there was a nurse 'assisting'. I had no clue there was so much STUFF you needed to do.
Squirt bottle to rinse everything with warm water. Then there's hemorrhoid ointment if needed. There's another tube of Rx stuff for if you've torn or were cut or there's also Epi Foam to spray on your bits. Then you get the awesome ice pack pad. It's gigantic. Regular undies aren't going to hold that thing in place. It's heavy and awkward.
@JoShan1719 The Depends were great because when you get home you don't have to deal with a pad at all. It's much more comfortable. I did make thin maxi padsicles for as needed.
Yep, the hospital should supply you with all those wonderful things. Mesh undies, witch hazel pads, diapers, wipes.....I was about to leave all of it and the nurse insisted we take it. I am so glad I did, I love my peri bottle.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what are mesh undies good for? I don't know if I like the sound of that.
The undies are awesome. They are magical disposable one size fits all fantasticness that work if you've had a csection or vaginal birth (I've done both). You just throw them away and in my past experiences were more comfortable than any of my panties the first few days. I know some people hate them but I know some love them. I embrace the hell out of them lmao.
Soon to be mommy of 3! DS Grayson (3yrs) (Emergency Csec) DS Camden (1yr) (All natural Vbac) DD Isabella due 8/2/2014
I too loved the mesh undies, but I'm intrigued by the idea of Depends. Anything to make my life easier those first few weeks.
I loved lansinoh lanolin for my nipples, but only needed a small amount of it. The soft cotton breastpads were a lifesaver since I found them much more comfortable than the disposable ones. DH got me a kindle fire sort of as a "push present" which was great for helping me stay occupied and encouraging me to sit still and let my body heal.
I kind of blocked out the mesh undies and gigantic ice pack. Good times.
Once I got home (after 2 days), I always just wore regular undies and pads, but I may be a lighter bleeder?
One thing I made for myself to have on hand after delivery are witch hazel soaked pads. You take a regular maxi pad, drizzle some witch hazel on it, and freeze it. Then you have a witch hazel ice pack.
I'm going to have to start keeping a baby notebook and write all this stuff down... I'm going to forget it instantly... Lol... I'm still working on the car seat and stroller delima as well... Thanks for the help everyone....
I plan to take some more of those hospital blankets for baby. They were the best for swaddling. We also had the rockabye baby cd's. DD still listens to them to go to sleep. Also wubanubs helped keep that binky in place pretty good.
Earth mama angel baby nipple butter. I put it on every night after I showered while I was pregnant and used it after I fed my daughter. I swear its why I never had any pain breast feeding. I highly recommend it.
Personally, I never packed anything but a "going home" outfit for DS. This time I will actually bring some clothes. I hated how harsh the bleached blankets were. His skin was so sensitive and chafed red. I just want to dress this next kid up so he/she is comfy from the start. I had a cesarean, so I lived in my maternity yoga pants for a few weeks after. And a constant water bottle if you BF. But for sure I highly encourage to take with you whatever supplies you have leftover when you leave from the hospital. And I will pack myself extra underwear because my hospital had a "only two pairs of underwear a day" rule. Yuck.
Padsicles are just pads almost soaked in witch hazel and put in the freezer.
The depends didn't bunch too bad at all. I didn't wear them for too long. It's just those first couple of days that you're home and everything is hectic.
Yea for FTM the baby bed cart thing was full of all sorts of stuff ,diapers, formula depending on the hospital you get a free diaper bag with stuff or at the last hospital they gave me a foot care basket. anyways take everything and like PP said ask for extra!!
I wonder if the military hospital will do this...I'll have to ask on my tour!
I had DS2 in a military hospital and we didn't get a foot care basket but we got to clear the baby cart and get lots of extras.
Soon to be mommy of 3! DS Grayson (3yrs) (Emergency Csec) DS Camden (1yr) (All natural Vbac) DD Isabella due 8/2/2014
Some sort of swaddle apparatus (Halo, Summer, Woombie, blanket...) even though my son only wanted his lower half swaddled, it was still key. He also wouldn't accept a paci unless orthodontic shape (we used Nuk). Still didn't love them but it bought me a few minutes' peace to tend to myself in the bathroom...
speaking of- YES to tucks, and mesh undies. And the gigantic maxi-ice-paks. Nothing prepared me for how awesome they were. Especially in a hot summer, without central air. Oh yes. I also made my own pads by drenching in witch hazel and storing in the freezer until my next pad change. Along with Dermaplast spray and a Peri bottle- heaven. Need ALL the perineum things.
Witch hazel is sold at CVS. Lots of healing properties! & works as an all natural deodorant too! Thanks for all the advice ladies, this FTM would've overlooked stocking up on those things!
Re: Newborn Must Haves
A husband willing to deal with the umbilical cord stump and diapers while on paternity leave is another of my must haves. Other than that it's all just trial and error to see what helps give you 2 seconds of peace.
Your OB will give you a Rx. Best. Stuff. Ever.
There's really nothing 'special' you need. Diapers, wipes, onsies, burp clothes, drawer for baby to sleep in.
It sounds insane, but seriously, it was the best thing I had for myself when I got home. The mesh undies kept trying to sag in the back. Depends are great!!!!
The undies they give you in the hospital are mesh. I bought Depends for at home.
As a FTM I was shocked at the first bathroom visit after birth. First, there was a nurse 'assisting'. I had no clue there was so much STUFF you needed to do.
Squirt bottle to rinse everything with warm water. Then there's hemorrhoid ointment if needed. There's another tube of Rx stuff for if you've torn or were cut or there's also Epi Foam to spray on your bits. Then you get the awesome ice pack pad. It's gigantic. Regular undies aren't going to hold that thing in place. It's heavy and awkward.
The Depends were great because when you get home you don't have to deal with a pad at all. It's much more comfortable. I did make thin maxi padsicles for as needed.
Baby Boy due October 2017
DS Grayson (3yrs) (Emergency Csec)
DS Camden (1yr) (All natural Vbac)
DD Isabella due 8/2/2014
I loved lansinoh lanolin for my nipples, but only needed a small amount of it. The soft cotton breastpads were a lifesaver since I found them much more comfortable than the disposable ones. DH got me a kindle fire sort of as a "push present" which was great for helping me stay occupied and encouraging me to sit still and let my body heal.
I kind of blocked out the mesh undies and gigantic ice pack. Good times.
Once I got home (after 2 days), I always just wore regular undies and pads, but I may be a lighter bleeder?
One thing I made for myself to have on hand after delivery are witch hazel soaked pads. You take a regular maxi pad, drizzle some witch hazel on it, and freeze it. Then you have a witch hazel ice pack.
son#1 born 6/2010
son#2 born 4/2012
son#3 born 7/2014
I'm going to have to start keeping a baby notebook and write all this stuff down... I'm going to forget it instantly... Lol... I'm still working on the car seat and stroller delima as well... Thanks for the help everyone....
>>>---FSU--->
The depends didn't bunch too bad at all. I didn't wear them for too long. It's just those first couple of days that you're home and everything is hectic.
I had DS2 in a military hospital and we didn't get a foot care basket but we got to clear the baby cart and get lots of extras.
DS Grayson (3yrs) (Emergency Csec)
DS Camden (1yr) (All natural Vbac)
DD Isabella due 8/2/2014
speaking of- YES to tucks, and mesh undies. And the gigantic maxi-ice-paks. Nothing prepared me for how awesome they were. Especially in a hot summer, without central air. Oh yes. I also made my own pads by drenching in witch hazel and storing in the freezer until my next pad change. Along with Dermaplast spray and a Peri bottle- heaven. Need ALL the perineum things.