Postpartum necessities , stock up or wait?

MD12314 · November 2014

Hi I've been reading all of the various lists of recommended postpartum items (ex. Tucks pads, perineal bottles, colace, ice packs, etc). Can't decide if I should stock up now, or wait since type of delivery may dictate some of what I need? Plus some things I may be able to get from the hospital? What are others planning to do?

kboyet · November 2014

I think you get a lot from the hospital. I made some padsicles and got some nipple cream but that's about it.

nbateman5 · November 2014

I've bought and prepped my stuff already. I could end up with a CS, but I can't imagine being miserable if I don't so better to be safe than sorry, right? I've made some padcicles, stool softener and bought some peri spray

emsrdh03 · November 2014

I will buy a pack of heavy duty overnight pads but that's it. Last time the hospital provided everything else.

marriedinaugust · November 2014

I bought nothing last time. I had a rough vaginal delivery and was sent home from the hospital with a peri bottle, some big ole pads, a few tucks pads and some dermaplast. I had to go get colace, pads, tucks pads, dermaplast, and witch hazel. This time I will be much more prepared but am opting for more natural products. I'm going with the postpartum (and baby) products from Earth Mama Angel Baby and some reusable pads.

Kmm1023 · November 2014

I am having a c section. Going to have stool softeners on hand for sure!

MaineMama · November 2014

I don't bring anything super special to the hospital other than some GasX (I have csections) BUT I did just spend a boatload of money to have approximately 4months worth of toiletries delivered to my house. Its Maine, and I'm lazy. I don't want to have to leave my house for much of anything.

RayRay007 · November 2014

I had a c section last time but only took colace at the hospital. Didn't need it when I got home, so I was glad I didn't buy any ahead of time. On the other hand, I needed iron when I got home but we just stopped at the pharmacy on the way. Nbd. I say, get some heavy duty pads, but not too many. You don't know how long you'll need the heavy ones for. Buy some lighter ones too. If you need more of either, then get them. You can bring home a peri bottle from the hospital. Maybe buy some witch hazel that you can add to your peri bottle or wipes. Some nipple cream if you plan to breast feed. The rest you can wait and see what you need and send DH out to get it if you're not able to.

AllTheTeaInChina · November 2014

Only things I bought ahead were pads (Always Infinty) and stool softener. Everything else I got from the hospital.

Eta- also bought lansinoh lanolin for breast feeding. I packed in my hospital bag

bumpuser10617306 · November 2014

I bought pads, tucks pads, extra dermaplast, stool softener before hand. You can always keep the receipt incase you don't need it, but id hate to need it and not have it, ya know. (Also dependant on how far you are from the store)

I also tried to be stocked up on TP, paper towels and diapers for my older kid(s) so that we wouldn't NEED to go to the store right away.

jlmynes · November 2014

DH will only be home for a few days after I deliver so I have completely stocked up for both vaginal and csection birth outcomes. Might have over done it but I'm not going to have anyone to go running out to the store to get it for me so I need to be prepared. I already have hemmys so I bought more tucks, dermaplast, lots of pads, sitz bath, Epsom salt, hemorrhoid cream, witch hazel and there might be more but I can't think of all I've purchase

I was also told by the hospital that they don't send you home with much so every hospital is different fyi

Eora3 · November 2014

I am doing some stocking up for my personal care post c-section and I end up using a lot of the same items as ladies with vaginal births.

I always end up with some swelling and irritation (in the lady parts) so I get tucks pads to line my sanitary pads with. I also think the spray bottle with witch hazel is nice even without having stitches or a vaginal birth. The amount of blood and clots and yuck that go through the area is really gross so it is nice to have a convenient way to get really clean. I prefer the heavy overnight old school sanitary pads like the Kotex Natural Balance. I am also ordering some Depends to try out this time.

As far as breastfeeding/care goes: I have some Angel Mama left over from my last pregnancy (going in the hospital bag). I also picked up some Lanisoh gel ice/heat pads and some gel soothies. I have a few reusable breast pads but I am not a big fan so I am going to get a few of a different brand. Most importantly, I have my "shower hug" wrap ready to go (a protective supportive bamboo stretchy wrap for the shower so your boobs don't hurt so much).

Stuff I will get at the hospital: more nipple cream, nipple shields, mesh panties, tucks pads, a few epic sanitary pads.

marriedinaugust · November 2014

stephaniefine said:

marriedinaugust said:
I bought nothing last time. I had a rough vaginal delivery and was sent home from the hospital with a peri bottle, some big ole pads, a few tucks pads and some dermaplast. I had to go get colace, pads, tucks pads, dermaplast, and witch hazel. This time I will be much more prepared but am opting for more natural products. I'm going with the postpartum (and baby) products from Earth Mama Angel Baby and some reusable pads.
I'm sorry, reuseable pads?

Mama cloth, think cloth diapers but for me. I'm a cloth diaperer but have never ventured into cloth for me, I figured there is no time like the present.

Cheekers2010 · November 2014

The hospital gave me everything I needed.

RaeChay · November 2014

I've always wondered- what the heck are nipple shields for?!

marriedinaugust · November 2014

misskilljoy said:

marriedinaugust said:

stephaniefine said:

marriedinaugust said:
I bought nothing last time. I had a rough vaginal delivery and was sent home from the hospital with a peri bottle, some big ole pads, a few tucks pads and some dermaplast. I had to go get colace, pads, tucks pads, dermaplast, and witch hazel. This time I will be much more prepared but am opting for more natural products. I'm going with the postpartum (and baby) products from Earth Mama Angel Baby and some reusable pads.
I'm sorry, reuseable pads?

Mama cloth, think cloth diapers but for me. I'm a cloth diaperer but have never ventured into cloth for me, I figured there is no time like the present.
From what I've read and heard from others, immediately post-partum would be a VERY BAD time to start trying mama cloth. You may want to hold off until your periods come back before trying this.

I have some of the big ole hospital size pads for immediate use. I plan to do reusable once it lessens a little, I bled for 6ish weeks last time so I figure I could try and if it ends up being a fail I switch back.

RayRay007 · November 2014

RaeChay said:
I've always wondered- what the heck are nipple shields for?!

There are two different types that often get confused. There is one kind that you wear inside your bra to keep your bra off your sore nipples. Nipple shields are little plasticky (silicone?) nipple shaped things that go over your nipple when you're BFing to help draw out your nipple and help baby latch if you have flat or inverted nipples or other latching problems. It is usually recommended by LCs to use these as a last resort and only as much as necessary because they become a terrible crutch. I wouldn't have them on hand because they're too easy to reach for when you have a problem. Only get them if you need them after consulting with a LC. Fwiw I had flat nipples and latching problems with dd in the first few days and never used a shield.

designchica · November 2014

Wow, this thread has thoroughly scared the shit out of me. This is the first I've heard of needing any of this stuff and I am freaking out over here. I don't even know what half this stuff is!!!!!

mlee116 · November 2014

RCS mama here: I'm going to pick up some overnight pads, stool softener, nipple cream, nursing pads, Tucks pads. I'll also make sure we have plenty of toiletries like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, soap, etc. on hand. If I need anything else, I can send DH to the store. He'll probably like getting out of the house even just to run errands!

kc295905 said:

Speaking of postpartum necessities...does anyone have any good suggestions for postpartum loungewear? share your links please I'm looking for cheap and comfortable!

I got cheap gowns from Walmart, but I mostly wore Old Navy yoga pants, hoodies, t-shirts, etc. Gap usually has cute comfortable tops on their clearance rack and I liked those because they look a little better than an old t-shirt if you have visitors or have to go a doctor's appt.

soulcupcake · November 2014

My birth kit comes with a peri bottle and butt spray. I have what I need to make padsicles, and I'll have to pick up nipple cream soon.

hellopartyof5 · November 2014

Oh here's a PSA, if you have certain American Express credit cards, you can sign up for shoprunner for free. That's a free 2 day shipping service for a bunch of different websites including drugstore.com. It also works for BRU

mrsshawnavanb · November 2014

emsrdh03 said:

I will buy a pack of heavy duty overnight pads but that's it. Last time the hospital provided everything else.

This exactly

LovesBooks · November 2014

designchica said:

Wow, this thread has thoroughly scared the shit out of me. This is the first I've heard of needing any of this stuff and I am freaking out over here. I don't even know what half this stuff is!!!!!

After reading about this kind of stuff, I went on Lucie's List. She gave a great list with reasons and explanations (which as a FTM, I needed).

ssm1218 · November 2014

@metaphysique‌ ftm question obviously - what is the butt spray for? As in- why do you need it?

[Deleted User] · November 2014

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soulcupcake · November 2014

@ssm1218

It's postpartum spray for the perineum and other sensitive areas.

https://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/new-mama-bottom-spray

designchica · November 2014

LovesBooks said:

designchica said:

Wow, this thread has thoroughly scared the shit out of me. This is the first I've heard of needing any of this stuff and I am freaking out over here. I don't even know what half this stuff is!!!!!

After reading about this kind of stuff, I went on Lucie's List. She gave a great list with reasons and explanations (which as a FTM, I needed).

Thank you a bunch!! This is very helpful!

ssm1218 · November 2014

@metaphysique‌ & @Slaps‌ thanks and something to look forward to!

kz's_girlygirl · November 2014

It really really depends on your hospital as far as what they provide for you- When I had my son the hospital gave me nothing. At all. No pads, no peri bottle, nothing. I hadn't expected to deliver so early (He was still born in the 2nd tri) so I had nothing with me or at home. They literally sent me home with a few chucks pads- think puppy training pads- that DH lovingly trifolded for me until we could get some pads. And I had to ask for those even. Thank god we are not going to that hospital this time.

This time I have a few packs of pads (poise for the very beginning, and always) and plan to switch to my cloth pads once the super heavy bleeding passes/I run out of disposables, reusable breast pads. (I use cloth wipes instead of paper TP so I always have a spray bottle of distilled water+witch hazel+a few drops of baby wash in the bathroom)

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