August 2020 Moms
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Postpartum Supplies
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What did you find helpful to stock up on?
What would you wait and see if you need?
What did you find helpful to stock up on?
What would you wait and see if you need?
Re: Postpartum Supplies
Since none of us really know how our births will go (unless you're having a scheduled c-section), does it make sense to have some things on hand at home for both types of recovery? Not that I know what that would even be lol.
We have a bidet hose and I swore by that as well. I hated toilet paper. A lot of women use a squirt bottle.
and my husband) so I could sleep was more beneficial than any of the above.
-Pads. I bought three types: some size 3, some size 5 and some overnight regular ones. I used very few size 5 and not a lot of size 3 either. In fact, I never bought another pack of either for D2, and I'm not buying any more 5's for this baby either. Don't stock up on tons of huge pads. Within about 1.5 weeks, I was down to needing just regular period maxi pads (plus some extra long ones for overnight). I should have bought more of those! You'll probably need pantiliners for a little while, too.
-Earth Mama bottom balm and bottom tea. I really liked both of these and used them a ton. I made padsicles with the excess tea after using the pack itself, but I didn't really use them at all. I also had Earth Mama nipple butter, but I didn't use it much.
-Arnica. This is a homeopathic remedy for bruising and muscle soreness. It really does help!
-Peri bottle. I was given this at the birth center. It helps a lot!
General tips
-WIIINGGS are your friend! They keep the pad from scrunching up between your legs. I won't buy any pads without wings.
-I never used stool softeners. If necessary, I planned to take magnesium, but I never needed it. TMI, but I just took my time, didn't push hard and just let it come.
-I had a second-degree tear with D1 and a first-degree with D2. I had stitches with both. My midwives recommended not looking at myself with a mirror for a few days, haha! I think I did on the third day. It honestly didn't look that bad, but I'm also not overly squeamish.
Kotex brand pads
i used a few depends after the mesh undies ran out
witch hazel pads
extra peri bottle for the different bathrooms
stool softener
disposable breast pads (overnight and daytime) for the first few weeks then bamboobies once my supply regulated during the day then disposable ones at night (they stayed put better)
a sleep nursing bra
advil
Craft Blog
- Sitz bath soak
- Witch hazel pads
- Nursing pads
- Peri-botle
- Colace
- Dermoplast
I used ice packs in the hospital, but didn't have any at home. I did order some Frida 2-in-1 postpartum instant ice maxi pads for my SIL, though, that I wouldn't mind trying out this time around.
Colace-- that first bowel movement is scary
A belly binder, eliminates the need for a pillow on your stomach and support ls everything.
Overnight pads-- sitting down for the toilet is hard the first few days, so extra long protection from the bleeding is super helpful.
Ibuprofen
Heating pad-- sometimes your back muscles will lock up since your abs arent doing a lot to help support your body.
Loose fitting pants/shorts
High waisted underwear
This isnt a supply you can buy but is the most important thing: walk around as much as possible. The more you do it, the better you will feel and the faster you heal, seems counterintuitive, but I promise it works.
I will add more if I think of any others.
I've heard the Warmies stuffed animal heating pad is really nice for CS mama's since it is weighted. Like someone else noted, a weighted pillow would do the same to provide support when you cough or move but the heating aspect is an additional benefit!
Not necessariliy "supplies", but having frozen pre-cooked meat made dinner and lunch really easy in the beginning. Pull out a bag of shredded pork - BBQ sandwiches. Pull out a bag of ground beef - tacos.
Last time, my mom made us mini meatloaves. So they were mixed up, formed, frozen on a cooling rack (so they wouldn't be as difficult to pry off as if they were on a baking sheet), and then put in gallon freezer bags. So then, I just had to turn on the oven, pull as many as I wanted out of the bag, and put them in a pan.
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Perineal-Pregnancy-Postpartum/dp/B0065ZTKWS
I had a little basket next to my master bathroom toilet with all my postpartum bathroom supplies in one place. It really helped. Pro tip- empty the trash can daily. 🤢
-the Medela Soothing Gel pads were a freaking life saver. I plan to have several packs on hand this time around. They help heal your nipple really well and quickly when they are cracked and bleeding.
-A hands free bumping bra was another life saver. Whether you are at home or working, it's great to have your hands free while your pumping. When I returned to work, I never worked while I pumped. I've heard of some women doing that and that just was not something important for me. I wanted to focus on pumping and being relaxed as possible. I also heard watching videos of you LO is also helpful to do while pumping.
-i did use a nipple cream, mainly after my pumping session, and that also helped the healing process of my nipples
- I loved reusable nursing pads. They just felt great on my nipples and I didn't feel like I was throwing money away with the disposals pads
Delivery:
- I plan to ask every single nurse I see during my stay at the hospital for the dermoplast spray. Especially after having my vagina cut, it felt so good to spay that stuff on my vagina.
-combine the dermoplast spray with the peri bottle and I felt good food immediately after going to the bath. I barely wiped as well. I used the peri bottle to rinse myself and then i gently pat myself dry.
-I plan to buy some type of diaper type thing this time around. I felt like the full coverage under, which I don't wear at all, with a pad, was just messy. I didn't bleed for long, but then was always blood everywhere.
-I also plan on making an ice pad or whatever they are called for my vagina before hand. I think that would be extremely helpful.
I second the colace. It makes pooping so much better.
I feel like I wrote all of this somewhere on this board, so ignore me if I'm repeating myself.
I don't think we are going to have a nursing specific thread (we had one about pumping), but I'm starting to think about what kind of nursing pillows folks recommend. I've had some friends say they were fine with just regular pillows and others who have sworn by having something nursing specific.