Postpartum recovery must-have items?

ecloho · July 2015

decided to make this it's own discussion… Ladies what are your suggestions for postpartum recovery must-have items?

jtenkorang · July 2015

Pads. Big ones. Loose pants. Breastfeeding shirts or baggy shirts. And help at home. You'll need someone to walk with the baby so you can sleep.

ChristyM87 · July 2015

I am still waiting on baby but I made some frozen pads the other day. Just put some aloe and witch hazel on pads and wrap them up and freeze. It sounds comforting but we will see

I also got a ton of nursing tanks to wear during recovery around the house

ecloho · July 2015

@ChristyM87 like aloe gel?

Knottie99627423 · July 2015

I'm about a week out and here's what I'd suggest: large pads but also regular pads and panty liners (once your bleeding slows the giant pads are a little much), Depends!! (Don't be embarrassed to buy these...they were a godsend the first day and a couple of subsequent nights), a Peri bottle so you can spray your vagina with warm water and then pat yourself dry with tp (less blood soaked pubes to combat), really delicious organic juice for immediately after post partum (I was dehydrated and the juice was awesome! Labor is work!), some hearty snacks, lots of fresh veggies and fruits (eat them! They will help you have a healthy poop a couple days after birth and you don't want to have to push out constipated poop), mothers milk tea (if you could get a blend from an herbalist the herbs will be fresher), Lanolin (for tender nipples - I used this every time I nursed until my milk came in. 8 days out I'm a milk machine and nipples arent sore.now I just spray a little milk out and let my nipples air dry), a couple of good sized water bottles to have around the house (you need lots of water to make milk and water will help you have a healthy bowel movement also). I can't think of any other things at the moment. I assume you're nursing so disregard those suggestions if they don't pertain. I also thought a boppy was overkill, not the case at all! Really like mine. Oh! One last thing, a light for middle of the night feedings. I've been using a headlamp and just turn it on and it casts just enough light. Good luck!!

Knottie99627423 · July 2015

Holy crap! That's a long post. Ha. And maybe a little more graphic than you were looking for but shit gets real post baby. Lol. Yes, totally on the nursing tanks!! Also, I made a ton of padsicles but only used two. I only had minor tearing. If you do make them, make sure you freeze them not folded. I made that mistake on half. Oh! And let then thaw a bit before using. Ice on your vagina.. Kinda not awesome.

AziaNick · July 2015

Case of water by the bed, ice pack (I had a cesarean), snacks by your bed, extra pillows, loose and comfortable clothing (I loved my nightgowns and sleep shirts)

ecloho · July 2015

Thanks @Knottie99627423 ! I heard you have to wipe lanolin off before you feed… What do you wipe it with? I do have some lanolin that I bought. Also yes I heard that the Boppys are a must have… Even from a GUY that my husband works with LOL! I actually ended up with two boppys from my baby shower &decided to keep both. Someone even said to take the Boppy to the hospital

oneblessedmess · July 2015

ecloho said:
@ChristyM87 like aloe gel?

You can use the gel or the juice, either one works. Google "padsicles" if you want some step by step instructions!

Knottie99627423 · July 2015

I am not sure why people wipe off lanolin. Its a natural product. I never wiped it off. Maybe because of it not being organic?

ecloho · July 2015

@Knottie99627423 yeah I thought it was natural to from sheep

puccagirl77 · July 2015

I went to Target this week to stock up on:

epsom salt (for sitz bath- they should provide you with a little tub at hospital)
Dermaplast spray
tucks pads (I got the generic- line pads with these for relief)
glycerin suppositories (had to send husband on emergency run for these with first, so wanted to have some on hand)
disposable gloves (uhhh, some things just get really messy, I'll leave it at that)
disposable ice packs
nursing pads
maxi pads

ecloho · July 2015

@puccagirl77 what is dermaplast spray?

ChristyM87 · July 2015

ecloho said:
@ChristyM87 like aloe gel?

Yep. There are recipes on pinterest

ecloho · July 2015

Thanks for all the input ladies

corndogrobot · July 2015

Dermaplast is a numbing spray. Get the blue can. Not the red. The red is antibacterial. You don't want to kill the good bacteria down there.
After my first birth...
Love me some dermaplast.

Mjstine · July 2015

I had a c section. Previous posts really cover it. For me, having water by the bed is a must. Also a notebook or app to record feedings. My little man and I are still working out a good routine. He is latching well but it helps to know how long it has been since last feeding. I also record poops and pees. Just for a little while in the beginning to make sure everything is working ok. And colace or some other stool softener. My first poop post surgery was brutal and I can't imagine how it would have been if I had not been taking stool softeners religiously, sorry tmi.

ecloho · July 2015

@Mjstine good idea to mention the app… It was mentioned somewhere in another discussion. I ended up downloading the baby tracker, which wasn't free but seems to cover everything

mnj05 · July 2015

I've had both births and needed different things for each. For c/s: - boppy or pillow to put baby on/protect incision site while feeding - depends and something soft to cover incision site so it doesn't get irritated - colace - loose clothing For vaginal: - depends - tucks; I just hold these on the painful places for a bit after I pee but can line the depends/pad too - peri bottle

sutavim2 · July 2015

Earth mama butt balm and honest company nipple balm. The butt balm is amazing and helped with the swelling pre and post delivery. Nipple balm is made with food grade ingredients so no need to wipe off

ecloho · July 2015

@sutavim2 I like the earth mama brand! I have the belly butter and the natural stretch oil. When you say butt balm what exactly do you mean? LOL!

mrsrep123 · July 2015

sutavim2 said:
Earth mama butt balm and honest company nipple balm. The butt balm is amazing and helped with the swelling pre and post delivery. Nipple balm is made with food grade ingredients so no need to wipe off

@sutavim2 you used the butt balm pre delivery? Like as in weeks before labor or in active labor? I have some and was just thinking for afterwards...

2babes3angels · July 2015

I don't think I've seen that anyone has said this yet, but pre-made freezer friendly meals (this is our 2nd so we're not banking on anyone bringing us food after baby is born). Oh and also paper plates & plastic wear. This is more for emotional recovery than anything else because seriously, who wants to plan dinner, then make it, and then clean up afterwards??

AlexandraMarcotte · July 2015

I agree with some PP for vaginal delivery - you'll definitely want cold packs, and I loved having the witch hazel and dermaplast pain relieving spray. Maxi pads (I really like the big overnight size because then I never worry about leaking)

You'll definitely want some nipple cream, at least for the first few days

And I loved having the first few dinners taken care of! That was such a gift.

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Postpartum recovery must-have items?

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