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With a new baby on the way, it is easy to hyper-focus on the new little person and forget that you will be recovering in the period after birth. It is so important and often overlooked to make plans to have the necessary supplies and plans in place to take care of your health while you recover and enjoy your new baby. Here are some items to consider putting together for your own care:
Feminine Hygiene
What: Pads, pain relief options, transitional underwear.
Regardless of how you give birth, you are going to be a bit of a mess downstairs for a while ( I bled heavily after both a vaginal delivery and a cesarean). You will want to be stocked up on pads (I used the kind for incontinence and not menstrual flow, some women even use adult diapers), pain numbing cream in case you have a tear (pain relieving and cooling “padcicle” recipe below), and underwear that fits comfortably, will hold all this in and you do not care if it gets ruined. If you can score some extra mesh undies after you deliver I would live in these for at least a few days.
Nursing Supplies
What: Nursing Pads, Nipple Cream, Pineapple Juice, Milk Saver
If you are planning on breastfeeding you need a few supplies on hand such as nursing pads and nipple cream, but there are two items that I recommend that will most likely not be on your list. Pineapple juice can help with engorgement (this is why I recommend it in your hospital bag), it also has anti-inflammatory properties and will help you stay hydrated which is so important when nursing. When you first start breastfeeding you will most likely leak some, but as tempting as it may be, pumping before 6 weeks postpartum is not advised. It seems a shame to let all of this milk go to waste though, this is where your milk saver comes in. Put the milk saver on the non-nursing side to catch the milk and then freeze that milk in an ice cube tray for later use (each “cube” will be exactly 1 oz). Make sure you purchase a milk saver that does not create suction (not a haka, these are great after six weeks though) such as this one:
Nursing Basket
What: snacks, water bottle, books or puzzle games
You will spend a huge amount of time those first few weeks just parked in a chair nursing your baby. Having the supplies you will need nearby makes you much more comfortable and relaxed. Fill a medium sized basket with snacks (think, high nutrient like nuts, and dried fruit), a reusable water bottle, and some entertainment items.
Postpartum Wardrobe
What: Loose comfortable clothes that allow you to nurse with ease and flatter your postpartum body
If you are breastfeeding then investing in a postpartum wardrobe is a huge self-care investment. Even if you do not plan to breastfeed you will want to invest in a few transitional pieces. Personally, I would invest more in this wardrobe then my maternity wardrobe, you will most likely nurse for at least a year so these clothes are going to be your staples for quite a while. Check out the separate blog post on building your wardrobe here.
Remember your body just created an entire new person, give yourself time to heal and be gentle with yourself!
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