Postpartum Supplies - Recommendations and Advice

KatieEl · August 2017

I mentioned this thread idea in the Baby Registry Advice thread and there seemed to be enough interest to warrant it.

Been there done that mamas: please share your must haves for the postpartum period below. It will probably be useful to note whether you had a vaginal birth (and any significant tearing), a C-section or any other complication that may change what you loved in the postpartum period.

KatieEl · August 2017

These are the things postpartum that I swore by and highly recommend to you! FWIW I had uncomplicated vaginal births.

Depends- just do it, trust me, a million times better than mesh undies (and you can stick a pad inside for extra protection); also don’t skimp, buy name brand!
Giant pads, your favorite brand
Motherlove nipple cream - tiny little jar lasts forever and I like it so much more than lanolin
Hospital should send you home with a sitz bath and peri bottle, take an extra bottle if you can, I like one in every bathroom
Chux pads - I put them under my fitted sheet on top of the mattress pad during the last few weeks in case my water breaks in bed, and then add some more higher up to catch overflow if/when my boobs leak in the immediate postpartum
Soothies gel pads
Earth Mama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray
Motrin or Advil
Colace
Earth Mama Angel Baby Bath Herbs - I put these in both my sitz baths and also took baths with them.
Disposable nursing pads
And I never really needed them, but lots of moms swear by padsicles (you'll get them at hospital and may be able to steal more) and tucks pads
Also soft underwire free nursing/sleeping bras to hold the nursing pads in so you don't flood the bed

Edited: Spelling

supercoolstephy · August 2017

I really don't remember much from having DS. I had a c-section though and here is what I should have prepped with:

Stomach Binder. Ask for one in the hospital. Apparently they will give you one, I didn't and didn't buy one until like 6-8 weeks after DS was born and it would have been nice to have that support while trying to bend over.

UpSpringBaby C-Panty High Waist C-Section Recovery & Slimming Panty - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LAIMNQA - I didn't have these, but my friend who just had her 2nd csection recommended them and they are on my list to get since I'm having a repeat c-section and they are great under the binder too.

I made Padscicles and didn't use them for my hooha, I did use them to put on my incision when they hurt.

I really loved the mesh undies they gave me at the hospital. They felt so nice. I have a big butt so wearing underwear can be snug. Those things were so amazing and didn't hug. I didn't buy depends so I don't know how they worked but I'd be willing to buy them for at home.

Freezer meals. I didn't make any last time. I should have. And this time I'm buying a freezer chest to store meals, and maybe breast milk if I can.

supercoolstephy · August 2017

Also, I didn't mention much of what @KatieEl said but those are all needs too. haha

Cricket99 · August 2017

@supercoolstephy I also made padsicles and I used one on my hooha, decided I didn't like how slimy it was and changed my methods. Really ladies, you're already leaking and the padsicles just adds more moisture, not pleasant.

-do yourself a favor and sacrifice 2-3 diapers, soak them and put them in the freezer. Use them against your hooha as needed, you will thank me for this.

-when your boobs are massive and engorged, hold an empty bottle up to catch the milk spray from your other boob. You will soak through a disposable nursing pad in no time flat.

-Dermoplast spray, the stuff in the blue can. Spray on hooha a couple times a day. Great relief.

-get some tight fitting spandex for after baby is born. The jelly tummy is real and weird as hell. The spandex will help hold it all in and get it back to where it should be. I used a few pairs of really tight leggings too.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

Vaginal birth here.

Epsom salt: sitz baths were a MUST for me for the first few weeks.

Huge pads: I only needed the huge ones for the first 3 or 4 weeks. I may get some Depends this time.

Pantiliners: I bled until maybe 8 weeks PP but after the initial period to end all periods, it was just spotting.

Ibuprofen: my hospital didn't tell me I'd need to take 3 of these to get the right side to manage the pain! I had to call the nurseline because I was taking it and it was doing nothing. I got a huge bottle of Ibuprofen and I have plenty for this time around too.

Sleeping nursing bras: comfy and wire free!

Nursing pads: I just got the Up&Up brand and they worked really well.

Medela nipple cream: cheaper and worked well for me.

Ice pack/heat pack: it was so painful when my milk came in and DD wouldn't nurse those first few days, so I got a couple clogged ducts. Both heat and ice worked really well.

Freezer meals!

This time, I may get something to sleep on. I have never sweat so much in my life than after I had a baby. I was sleeping on towels for a couple months and it was really uncomfortable so I may find something else this time.

supercoolstephy · August 2017

I've heard this is great to have on your alternate breast when breastfeeding:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/ey/okd2ae0mqq7j.png

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IADQTX0

Cricket99 · August 2017

@schaze I totally forgot about the sweats... I was changing the sheets every other day. I would have slept with the windows wide open in the dead of winter if we weren't room sharing.

I forgot to add to my list, for those of you smaller busted ladies, shelf bra camisoles are awesome! Just enough support and super easy to nurse in. Plus the disposable nursing pads stay put really nicely in them.

bainidhedub · August 2017

Agreed, plus...

+1 to the peri bottle. I had a C-section but was still really glad I took it. Much easier and gentler way to get clean with postpartum bleeding.

-Regular maxi pads also. There was a point where I still needed a real pad but the aircraft-carrier-size was annoying and overkill. Ultrathin with wings was where it's at then.

-Snacks. Preferably not too crumbly (you feel bad picking granola off the baby's head) and easy to open/eat with one hand. Breastfeeding is hungry work, keep them within reach of your rocking chair.

-A really big water bottle. The hospital sent me home with a Big Gulp size monstrosity and it was perfect. Again, breastfeeding makes you thirsty, and if your bottle is empty you will realize you are dying of thirst .03 seconds after the baby gets latched.

-Breast pads. I had about 10 pairs of reusable fabric (cotton? bamboo? idk) ones that I used 24/7 for several months. I kept a stack and swapped them out when they got too saturated, and washed them with the baby's laundry (which I made DH do like every other day). Did not have much luck the couple of times I tried free samples of stick-in disposables.

+1 to freezer meals. I made one pan of mac & cheese, should have done a lot more and a bunch of different things in smaller batches.

KatieEl · August 2017

@schaze good tip on the freezer meals; a must! ETA maybe when we get to third tri we can have a recipe/tip thread for freezer meals? I'm definitely looking to add some new ones this time.

@supercoolstephy I haven't tried that one, but I used milkies milk savers last time and they worked great!

bainidhedub · August 2017

Oh I forgot about the sweat too... only time in my life I've been too hot and DH was too cold.

And this is not a thing you can buy, just something to know... all the lovely shiny thick hair you're gonna be so happy with while pregnant... it falls out. constantly. all over the place.

burnsmommy27 · August 2017

Vaginal delivery with 2 stitches...

I second the Dermoplast spray. With the stitches I sprayed after everytime I went to the restroom for about a week.

I did use the ice pads from the hospital. I loaded up on those to go home. Only needed them for 4 days at home.

Earth Momma Angle nipple butter, lanolin wasn't enough when EPing

Not an item but just advice: if you get a milk blister on your nipple. A salt bath in a shot glass will heal it. I was pumping at too high of a speed and got them. Put salt and water in a shot glass then hold it over your nipple for a few minutes. Believe me if you get one, you'll thank me

Cricket99 · August 2017

@bainidhedub I would recommend having a pair or two of reusable nursing pads to try out and a box of disposables. I really wanted to use reusable, but I had a really crazy strong let down and would soak through a reusable and my shirt every single time I nursed. Not the most pleasant thing ever. Also recommending stashing a few extra disposables in your diaper bag because I definitely walked out of the house in my post baby daze a few times with zero pads in my short or on my person....

Shanski70 · August 2017

I had a rather complicated C-section (I ended up needing two blood transfusions). All told here are my post-partum recommendations.

Lily Padz. For real, These things are flipping amazing. I'm well endowed and when my milk came in, it was IN FORCE. Surprisingly these bad boys held the milk in when I was sleeping and breastfeeding/pumping (I'd keep it on the non "in use" side). Of course, I still needed to empty the other side, but these pads helped me from being a total mess in the process https://lilypadz.com/ (Side perk to these, they help hide the "headlights" when you're out and about and not necessarily breast feeding.)

Freezer meals and frozen food prepped (chopped veggies/frozen shredded cheese, etc) so that you could still cook "fresh" meals but save yourself a lot of the prep work and time.

Miralax. It's your friend. Start taking it when you get home and continue to take it until you are back to a schedule and routine (the hospital gave me Colace, it did nothing for me).

I second the recommendation for a large bottle of Ibuprofen/Advil to have on hand. Despite having a rough time in the hospital, I actually had a fairly smooth recovery, but the Advil helped me to stay ahead of my discomfort.

Super thick pads. No lie, I snagged extra from the hospital as well as extras of those super stretchy mesh undies. I lived in those underwear for a couple months (they washed just fine at home in normal laundry)-they aren't sexy, but man did they make a difference (they sit high enough over the C-section incision that they did not irritate that area at all).

Ice packs-for your incision. While mine healed I'd have to take some time and just let the ice pack sit on the incision to help cool/calm things down.

And like @schaze said, be ready for the sweats. Boy oh boy, the sweats...and swollen feet. After being hooked up to an IV for 3-4 days, your body has to get the extra fluids out somehow. All normal, but all gross.

PhillymommaX2 · August 2017

Everything I needed I took home from the hospital : Peri bottle, tucks pads, sitz bath. I got a script for 800 mg Motrin which I don't think I needed.
My nurses told me not to use ice after 48 hours ( I forget the reason why but you can ask your nurses)
I hated the big super long pads. They felt like diapers and they were unnecessary. I used an overnight pad at night but during the day a regular pad with wings worked just fine. And after a week I bled lightly for a few more weeks.
With DD1 I had one stitch and none with DD2 so for me this stuff was all I needed. It really depends what your delivery is like.

bainidhedub · August 2017

Yeah I think the reusables were part of a bunch of assorted things my mom got from somebody on a BST - some of it I used, like the pads, some I never did, like a nursing cover with the velcro or snap or something around your neck - I just used an A&A blanket if I felt the need to be covered.

crizz13 · August 2017

Vaginal birth - with stitches...

These things are already in my amazon cart...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/0y/w1emtp2nzv4w.png

cupcakebugx3 · August 2017

I agree with pretty much everything on here! I had a vaginal birth and quite a bit of tearing and I swore by:

- Dermaplast, I bought the extra strength red cans but I don't know that it made a difference.

- A waterproof liner for my bed so that if I bled through the sheets I could save the mattress

- Comfy granny panties!! I bought the breathable Hanes underwear that kinda look like mesh and they made me feel a little less wet all the time.

- Pads, pads, and more pads. I went through soooooo many of them! I hated feeling wet so I bought the ones for the heaviest flow. I tried the ultra thin ones and the big puffy ones and I think they worked about the same for me.

- HydroGel pads for your nipples. I bought the Medela brand ones and they lasted for like 3 months before they started to get less sticky. I rinsed them off when I was done using them and stuck them back in the fridge in a little baggie. I bought 2 pairs so that if they started to feel less cold and my nipples still hurt, I could switch out cold ones and feel ok again!

-Epsom salt! I took a little bath with them every evening for about 20-30 minutes and it really helped my stitches heal. The hospital didn't send me home with anything for a sitz bath so this was what I did to help myself heal. I loved Dr. Teal's brand.

-An extra perinatal bottle. The hospital sent me home with one but I bought a second one for my diaper bag because I seriously needed it when we were at the pediatricians office (or any other reason you need to leave the house within the few weeks you might need it) and it helped me to just have one ready to go in case I was scatter brained and forgot to pack my other one.

-Motrin! I needed it quite a bit the first week I was home.

- A donut pillow to sit on. I couldn't sit right because it put pressure on my stitches and made me want to cry so my mom bought me a little donut pillow and it was a game changer. I only needed it that first week but it was definitely necessary!

Things I hated:

- Anything wet! This included padcicles and tucks. They made me feel a little better but I felt wet enough down there and any added wetness made me want to cry!

PleaseSendPicklesNow · August 2017

Emergency c-section mama here.

- Get as many peri bottles and mesh panties from the hospital as you can. The mesh panties rode high on my natural waist, so the waistband never rubbed against my incision. They were so much more comfortable than my own underwear.
- Home blood pressure monitor to keep an eye on postpartum preeclampsia.
- Even though it's going to be January, have your flip-flops ready! Due to preeclampsia and post C-section swelling, I could not wear a single pair of my real shoes for a week after birth.
- Ask your doctor for two varieties of prescription-strength laxatives after a c-section (a stool softener AND a stimulant laxative like Senna). Trust me. You'll probably be on an opioid painkiller, so you'll NEED them.
- Buy a cute hat, and get bangs. When your hair falls out all at once, it's nice to have a hat to cover the bald spots. And for some reason, the bald spots are often in the front. Bangs help camouflage them.

lmmjd · August 2017

I know I am more of a lurker (too shy to normally talk), buttttt hoping someone can learn from my mistakes. I had a vaginal birth and a 2nd degree tear.

DO NOT get the pads with the mesh overlay. It is not fun to try to get the stitches out of the mesh. Go for ones that have either a full layer or ones like the always infinity that are foam.

Also, if you use witch hazel pads (would recommend in general), DO NOT get the kind with alcohol. It reallyyyyyy burns on a tear.

burnsmommy27 · August 2017

@PleaseSendPicklesNow I'm not looking forward to PP hair loss. This will be my 3rd pregnancy since 2014 and my hair is suffering badly.

I'm just getting some hair back to loose it all again. Oh well the baby is worth it.

@immjd I'd just like to say ouch, thanks for sharing.

BelhurstBride · August 2017

Two unmedicated vaginal births.

Whoever mentioned no to extra moisture- that was me. Dermaplast, tucks pads, I hated them both.

Earth Mama Angel Baby makes a new mama spray- I loved that. It has cucumber in it- a light spritz was so soothing. I also made up their bath herbs then froze them. I used them more with DD1 than DD2. I just didn't need them as much the second time around.

Epson salts for baths

Lots of large pads.

Comfy underwear you don't mind tossing.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

Oo I forgot about dermoplast! That stuff was amazing. Tucks didn't do anything for me.

I did get a package of pads and a few pairs of the mesh undies, plus the peri bottle, all from the hospital. They also let me take home the bottle of dermoplast i had started using there, but I did use it up quickly so it was nice to have more at home.

trudytudy · August 2017

I felt like the hospital sent me home with all the necessary items but I needed a Costco bag of pads, Vaseline for a circumsized baby boy and gauze. And one thing that was critical was generous sized gel ice packs. I had unbelievable engorgement (breast inflammation) with my first when my milk came in. My breasts were sooo swollen and hot and painful so I needed ice packs on them constantly. And yes to the sleeping bras. I also used a milkies milk saver for the leaky side. That was a really good investment. I was also really glad to have the ' Medela soft shells for sore nipples'. I had them on the table when I was in the hospital and the pediatrician came in and said "oh those are great, I used those when I had my baby."

Dani0329 · August 2017

Vaginal birth, minimal tearing.

I will do some repeating, for that I am sorry.

I prepared 20 freezer meals in my last month of pregnancy and was so thankful for them!

Tucks pads (medicated cooling pads).
Dermoplast pain reieving spray.

I'd spray my after the peri bottle, place Tucks pad on top of a huge pad. It gave me relief.

Placing expressed breast milk on my nipples, helped soothe them. Also, if baby gets eye funk going on, a drop of breast milk in there always helped clear it up!

Colace, just starting taking it as soon as you deliver. You'll thank me.

huskymomma94 · August 2017

If you're planning on breastfeeding, ask your OB (ahead of time!!) for an Rx for APNO. It has to be filled at a compounding pharmacy, so have it on hand before you have the baby. It is a LIFESAVER.

kelk5 · August 2017

Thank you everyone for sharing. FTM here and I was so focused on the baby that I hadn't been thinking about my recovery at all. A little bit of OMG as I'm reading all this but thankful to be learning and be more prepared.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

Seconding @Dani0329 that breast milk is magic! Good for cuts and scrapes, sore nips, diaper rash.. I could go on.

cyanope · August 2017

I agree with most everything said here! Thankfully my hospital supplied me with most of the stuff I needed. I had stocked up on it pre-bith though, so I had double the supplies.
I'm definitely a fan of the dermoplast and tucks pads! Yes, they added moisture, but there's already so much going on down there that I didn't mind. The numbing relief that they both provided trumped the added moisture issue!
I also wanted to add that it helps to have all of these supplies in every bathroom. I think someone else mentioned the same thing, but I had a little "postpartum station" in the two bathrooms that I used regularly.
I also think that it would be helpful to do a "hospital bag" packing list when we get closer to delivery! There's some "must haves" that I needed while there!

ETA: I second everything @Dani0329 said! Your postpartum routine sounds identical to mine!

jakobaby · August 2017

Agree with so much said here. Most of the remedies I used and some I will definitely try this round. Just to add for postpartum advice:

1. Take everything you can home from the hospital! When nurses stock you up, put it in a bag and they will give you more. What they bring into a room they can't take back out in most cases, so take it. This includes items for baby as well like diapers.
2. Put warm water in that peri bottle BEFORE you sit down to pee. I didn't tear, but I had abrasions down there (think skinned knees). Urine burns ladies. Spray the peri bottle on the area at the same time that you pee to minimize the burn. You could also pee submerged in a tub full of warm water or the shower if you have a handheld shower head to direct in the area. Survival! (Also the more water you drink the less concentrated the urine is and therefore the less it burns.) Dermoplast is great between pees as well.
3. The first poop (or 5) sucks. Take the stool softener, especially if you're going to take the Rx pain killers. Don't fight it either. Get it over with.
4. Every time I would nurse DS in the beginning, I would get instantly thirsty and I would also cramp and bleed during letdown. Have a huge water bottle around at all times if nursing and try to have a fresh pad in.

bainidhedub · August 2017

This may not apply for everyone and probably not right away, but for low milk supply or primarily/exclusively pumping, these can help with supply.
*Lactation tea like Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk (anise flavor but I didn't hate it even though I hate black licorice)
*Lactation cookies, either already made or prepped and ready to bake (there are many recipes, I'm sure some people here will share their favorites later). These are also good BFing snacks even if you don't "need" them.
*Oatmeal. Once I was back at work and pumping, I made batches of overnight steel-cut oats for the week using this recipe.

trudytudy · August 2017

Yes to the APNO nipple ointment! I got it with both of my babies and it helped us get through the first few tough weeks. Also for the millionth time, tucks pads are good. Also epsom salt for tub soaking was helpful. And I really want to see a freezer meals thread and hoping for some easy recipes bc I don't really love to cook.

Cricket99 · August 2017

@jakobaby yesssss on the abrasions! It was like road rash down there! I couldn't stand warm water down there, so I used cold until the abrasions were gone, then switched to warm. The nurses thought I was nuts with the cold water, but I couldn't handle warm.

sbishop426 · August 2017

Vaginal birth w/2nd degree tear and an episiotomy. Dermoplast ftw! And keep up the pain med regimen. The nurses at the hospital inconveniently kept forgetting to bring my motrin/whatever pain med I was on every 4hrs so I had to buzz them to ask for it because when it wore off oh my goodness it was painful. And I loved the ice packs!

Also, sex might be painful so lots of lube is a must.

And I'll be stocking up on freezer meals in the 3rd tri. I'm so glad to be giving birth during cold weather so I can make crockpot soups/chili. Mmmm.

KatieEl · August 2017

@cyanope a hospital bag checklist thread is a great idea! I know I definitely overpacked as a FTM and yet still managed to miss a few essentials.

supercoolstephy · August 2017

@KatieEl ditto. I brought a freaking suitcase with me. haha Last time I brought a blowdryer and a curling iron, plus all my makeup, which I did wear. But the curling iron was not used, I can't remember if I used the blowdryer but I do remember how amazing that shower felt so I might have used it to feel some normalcy after being strapped to a bed for almost 48 hours.

fivetimesnoluck · August 2017

@kelk5 I too am grateful for this thread, but knew I wasn't the only FTM reading it and thinking.... OUCH and WTF?! Honestly, seeing it all written out is a little intimidating. I keep telling myself if so and so (insert random name of woman I know) did it and survived, then I can too.

livingoffpbjs · August 2017

@fivetimesnoluck I emailed my husband and said Im now terrified. That after I have the baby Im going to go stay with my parents for 2 weeks because if Im this freaked out now I know he wont be able to handle it. This thread has me thinking Ill be oozing different fluids for weeks, I hope Im just exaggerating this all in my head.

Cricket99 · August 2017

@livingoffpbjs unfortunately birth is messy and you will be oozing fluids for a while. It's not too bad though. Think of it like having your period for a month... which sucks, but it does eventually stop!

supercoolstephy · August 2017

@livingoffpbjs you will be oozing for a bit, even if you have a c-section. I didn't realize I would still have to have all the pads after that. I don't really know why I didn't think about it, but I'm glad I was prepared.

missblaze · August 2017

@livingoffpbjs Agree with @Cricket99, yes you will be oozing. I had a c-section and I was shocked that I was bleeding for so long afterward (I don't know why I was so shocked - it makes sense). It is like a really long, gross period.

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