STM+ Posrpartum Lifesavers

mello13 · April 2016

I thought since we are busy traumatizing people with the things we did not expect during L&D, we could have a thread that offers hope and a little relief (and possibly learn some new things to help ourselves)!

So, what are some things/habits/tips etc that you used after L&D that made a difference or were a huge relief?

mello13 · April 2016

Some of these have been mentioned in various threads, but here is my immediate list:

Stool softener, and on a related note, a spare boppy or donut pillow to sit on for a while. Dermaplast (BLUE CAN ONLY!) and Tucks pads. Also, flushable wipes because pooping will be delicate enough as it is.

We formula fed, so not only did we take samples from the hospital, but we used the "ready to feed" tiny bottles in the beginning, and just kept them room temp in our room to avoid going up and down the stairs a hundred times a night while barely conscious. We also had little diaper stations on both floors.

Food! Accept all offers for people to bring you food. If someone asks you to let them know how they can help/when to visit, give them a carry out order to pick up! Also, pack snacks in your hospital bag, because waiting on the cafeteria or drive through will feel like a lifetime.

For those trying to breastfeed, my doctor advised me that antihistamines can dry up supply. Talk it over with your doc if you're concerned.

The husband. Give this man stuff to do! Even if it's not your way of doing it, who cares. Especially if you're breastfeeding and essentially need to be with baby all. The. Time. For us, we took shifts after the first few days, where if I was up at midnight he took the 2am, then I was up at 4, etc. A 4 hour block of sleep was phenomenal! Initially, I was unable to move out of bed quickly (like 3rd tri, but worse and with pain) so he would get up, change the diaper, then bring me the baby. But once I was pseudo-functional we did shift work!

Dark sheets a puppy pads, for the blood previously discussed.

Coffee and wine. Because you flipping earned it!!!

Sharra13 · April 2016

Following!

DanandVan · April 2016

Yes to all pp mentioned! (Especially having DH change baby and bring to you to nurse at night the first week or so).
Also adding get a crockpot if you don't already have one! And accept help wherever you can get it.
And this is random but life-changing: you know the little hair towels called Turbie Twist? Walmart and Walgreens carry them. Get a couple. They are fantastic to have when you get out of the shower but can't do your hair right away because baby (of course) needs you.
Last tip I can think of is that coconut oil (which btw is good for everything) is better for sore nipples than the lanolin cream they give you at the hospital. Coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties and is better and easier for baby to ingest. I read the lanolin can seal in germs causing mastitis and thrush.

AdorkablePixie · April 2016

Following!

kbrands7 · April 2016

- Yes to coconut oil, crockpot, and colace for sure!
- I got a lot of use out of gatorade and my magic bullet for making smoothies post partum also.
- If you have a csection, splint your incision with a small pillow for movements/coughs/sneezes/laughing and take advantage of your arm and back strength because your abs will be at zero. Also, don't try to out-pace the pain meds. I only took Advil, but if I didn't take it every 6 hours, I paid for it.
- For pp bleeding, I really like using Always Infinity Overnights, and at first, I layered them in depends or with another pad to prevent bleeding through underwear or pants/skirts. I also put puppy pads on upholstered furniture under me just in case during the heavy bleeding phase.
- Don't forget to take pictures!
- Have a plan when baby is sleeping-- you can figure it out during the day, but knowing one step ahead will help immensely. It's so easy to get behind on sleep, eating, showering, etc. at first. Some babies sleep in very short spurts and you need to take advantage of that time for you/your family. Ex: first nap, you eat breakfast and shower, second nap you sleep (or ST+M take some 1 on 1 play time with your older child/children), etc.

emma+karen · April 2016

I second (and third and fourth) the diaper station on the first floor if you have a two-story house. With DS we were in a small ranch style and didn't need it, but now I KNOW we will likely do more changing downstairs than upstairs during the day. I'm getting a little portable caddy to fill with changing supplies, and will probably also stash some diapers and wipes in our storage ottoman in the living room.

And yes, take pictures! And ask people (DH, whoever) to take pictures of you with the baby. I have very few pics of myself and DS when he was tiny, because I didn't ask anyone to take them. Tons of pics of everyone else holding him, but very few of me. It makes me sad. I plan to be selfish with this one (my last) and hold him all the time and blatantly tell my wife, parents, ILs, whoever to take pictures!

LondonToSavannah · April 2016

Tucks pads and frozen diapers for post-vag delivery. My nurses hooked me up.

The combo of the two is heaven!

finnybooboo · April 2016

Yay to the 2nd diaper changing station on the main floor! One of the first things we did was send my DH out to Walmart as soon as we got home to get a 2nd changing pad. The only time we really used the one upstairs was at night. It was definitely a necessity that we didn't even think about until we got home and realized, "what do we do now?"

Also recommend getting some lanolin/coconut oil if you plan to breastfeed, and breast pads for when you start to leak!

onislandtime · April 2016

I also agree with tucks pads, and colace (stool softener).

Make sure to stock up on snacks (especially if you plan on BFing) and bottled water or something that will encourage you to stay hydrated.

This sounds super random, but was literally the best of thing ever - one of my nurses froze orange pekoe tea bags to put on my nipples when they were super sore from BFing. They were ah-mazing.

if you have a c section ask for an abdominal binder! I didn't last time, and I think it would have made a world of difference. I am definitely asking this time around.

Don't feel guilty saying no to visitors. I wish I had said no more the last time around because it was exhausting having people come and go all the time. Or tell people a time frame when you'd like them to come, and anything outside of that time frame - just say no.

slfezz · April 2016

One of the things I haven't seen mentioned yet is have some granny panties you don't mind getting ruined on standby for at home when the bleeding is still heavy (use the mesh underwear in the hospital). It took me a few weeks for my normal underwear to fit correctly again with out rolling down as my stomach shrunk and would cause leaks.

doozer1345 · April 2016

Freezer Meals
Button up shirts (flannels)
Nursing tanks
Loose shorts/pj pants
Huge panties (I bought mine 2 sizes too big in boy shorts) aka parachutes
Boppy
Swing (omg she slept in it, played in it, etc)
Lots of pillows (for support)
Always Overnight pads
Sleep nursing bras
Disposable nipple pads
Lanisoh
Chapstick/Aquaphor
Easy access set up on my night stand (diapers, wipes, nipple cream, nipple pads, chapstick, burp towels, manual pump)

mommar13 · April 2016

Food was the biggest thing for me with DS. DH was working 80+ hours a week at the time and didn't get any leave, so it was just me and a newborn. If someone didn't essentially tell me to eat, I honestly forgot to in the newborn/postpartum/don't let the tiny human die stupor. Stock up on things that don't have to be cooked and that you can eat either quickly, or in spurts as you tend to the baby. The prepared salad boxes from WalMart became my bff. They have everything in them ready to mix and eat. Baby's crying? Shove it in the fridge and try again in a minute. Delivery food is always a good option too those first few months.

camillaandcarson · April 2016

Meals. Freezer meals. Quick snacks, stock up on lots of quick snacks like granola bars. Bottled water.

Keep bottled water and easy yet nutritious snacks by your nursing "station" or main baby feeding area, because once you sit down it is sometimes impossible to get back up for long periods of time without making a baby very cranky.

Don't forget about yourself in those early months, it is very easy to do. I never had cavities until I had a newborn. After that experience I kept my own toothbrushes, toothpastes, and floss in every area that has a faucet and also sugar free gum stashed all over and became an expert at holding a baby and brushing my teeth.

If you are not all that comfortable with someone and don't know them well or have the best relationship with them, letting them "stay as a guest in your home to help with your brand new baby" for open ended visits or days in a row is NOT a good idea after the baby is born. The reason is their "help" isn't helpful and can actually be harmful to your milk supply and have a negative impact on what is in the best interest for your baby, etc. My doctor gave me this advice and the first time around I ignored it because I hoped for the best with DH's reassurances. I should have listened to my wise doctor. I will never get that time back and regret it years later. If you already don't feel comfortable with guests staying in your home it would be good to address it now.

Kurrant · April 2016

Soneone linked a site a while back called "Lucies List" that I found helpful and in there she talked about adult diapers for the first week after birth because 1) weakened pelvic floor muscles and 2) they offer better blood leakage control for the first really yucky bit. Has anyone actually used these and found them to be better than pads at first? I really don't want to buy them...I feel like DH will make fun of me but if they are really that much better I might just suck it up and deal with it....

sparkledonuts · April 2016

perineal ice packs you buy a 24 pack of them on Amazon and you just snap and shake them

mello13 · April 2016

@Kurrant I haven't used them, I just used the super big pads supplied by the hospital and the giant ones you can buy in store. That being said, my sister did use them for all 3 of her pregnancies. She loved them. I will say, if you to the brand websites (Depends, Poise, Tena, etc) a lot of them will send free samples! I did this several weeks ago so now I have a bunch of free ones sitting in my closet! And if I find them uncomfortable it's no real loss, because they were just samples.

Also, if your DH makes fun of you for ANYTHING, especially after building and birthing a human, you have everyone's full support in giving him a swift kick! Seriously.

Kearney1022 · April 2016

Food for sure - quick bite-sized food! With DS, I remember asking DH to take me back to the hospital because I felt faint and nauseated and like I could just die (sounds dramatic but I honestly felt terrible). Decided to grab a slice of pizza because it was the fastest thing I could get my hands on and chugged water and I felt better almost instantly. Try not to go without something to eat and drink for too long. I've got some meals lined up with family members, but I'm also stocking up my own snacks (like meatballs and granola bars that I can shove in my mouth quickly)!
The multiple diaper stations is a great idea - we are keeping the pack n play downstairs - it was so helpful to have two locations for sleeping and diaper changing.
The baby swing/rocker was a saving grace for us!!! I hope this baby loves it too!
For BFing moms, I highly recommend the Medela SoftShells - they were also a saving grace! My OB recommended them when I had trouble with BFing my son; they just provided some relief from clothes rubbing against your already sore nipples and as a bonus, the cup shape caught leaking milk, so I would dump it into the bottles! I bought two sets so I could wash/sterilize one and be using one. I wore them under all my tank tops and to my knowledge they weren't super noticeable (I didn't look like old school Madonna or anything)
Keep light coming into the house during the day; it's amazing how just some sunshine can make you feel better.
Try to get outside for a few minutes for fresh air (without baby - put baby in a safe place and walk outside for some quiet alone time, just don't lock yourself out! haha)
DVDs of your fav shows/movies (or DVR some episodes). I remember watching a LOT of FRIENDS the first week or so. I've got HIMYM, FRIENDS, & Grey's saved up on the DVR right now - it's a comfort thing when you're awake at 3am and no one else is.
Don't be afraid to accept help, ask for help, etc - everyone loves helping new parents! And try to stay in touch with other new moms (and experienced moms) to help you get through the first few weeks.

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