Postpartum Supplies?

[honeybunches101]

Another vote for depends! I was very glad I had bought them ahead of time when my water broke at home, I wore them to the hospital and went through a couple there as well when I was walking the halls trying to speed up contractions. I actually didn't love the mess underwear so I was glad I had these at home for after so I didn't worry so much about leaking on the couch or bed. I also took a few of those big mat things they laid on the bed, I would bleed in huge gushes and was super paranoid about soaking everything so I think I slept on one of those for a couple nights.

Tucks pads and keep them in the fridge and line them up on your pad, it felt amazing! I didn't get any hemrhiods but I think the witch hazel helped anyway. Dermaplast spray was great too, don't get the antibacterial kind, that stung. I think regular is in the blue can.

Definitely take the peri bottle and sitz bath from the hospital. And any of the pads with the cooling thing in them. Those were the best. I will definitely stockpile those and look into the frozen diapers too!

Motherlove nipple cream was my favorite, and I liked the disposable nursing pads way more than the washable ones. Nipple cream stained my nursing tanks in the hospital, so you may want to bring these too. Various gel soothie things were okay but not too helpful, my nipples basically get like hell no matter what from weeks like 1-5 but then it got so much better.

[tatersalad]

Apr 16, 2015 12:44:29 GMT -5 sapphyre0702 said:

Apr 16, 2015 9:15:55 GMT -5 tatersalad said:

Second vote for Depends here. They were so much easier and more comfortable to wear the first week or two with my Bellefit Binder that snaps under the crotch. Not even sure how I'd work that with the pads.

tatersalad how did you like the bellefit? Did you feel like it helped? I am waiting for it to come back in stock on amazon in my size and I would love to hear your thoughts (and anyone else's) on how it worked for you!

It's come up a few times in other threads but I loved the Bellefit Binders. I think any girdle type style binder is good and I'm buying a second one to rotate out with the one I bought my first pregnancy. I found it very comfortable and supportive to wear, and it did wonders for getting my midsection back into pre-pregnancy shape. I ordered directly from their website and binder arrived 2 days later.

ETA: don't waste your time on hip shrinking binders. I was a bit obsessed as a FTM and that thing was impossible to wear and a waste of money.

[lalamomma]

I didn't use the whole tube of lanolin either but this time opted for the kind I suggested in my first post after some friends used it and love it. They use it for a lot more than nipples. They use it on babies too for irritated skin and stuff and just rave about it.

[silv3rlining]

The hospital provided almost everything I needed (at least immediately) minus breastfeeding pads (leaking). I did end up buying some pads for once the bleeding was lighter. Another think I had bought and used some was the gel packs for breasts. It was nice to use after nursing when the engorgement was still really bad.

[cnumbers]

I have a few things that I still have to get..

I have to finish my hospital bag so I need some nursing bras.
I need my breast pump.
My crib.
And some other bits and bobs.

I'm off to babies r us tomorrow, can't wair!

I've done it again & got confused (see above) i don't know what kind of thread I thought I was responding too.. Pregnanxy brain.. I'm not a STM.. So I don't really know but the above I must get!

[bendherova]

Oh. If you have the time/desire, we installed a handheld shower head in our master shower right before I had DS1 which helped a lot with the washing of the mayhem below.

[wegrowsheep]

Apr 16, 2015 12:57:27 GMT -5 @kej0004 said:

This post just made me so, so scared.

It sounds pretty overwhelming, and in some ways it is. Think about what your lady bits have to do! However, as long as you take it easy, you will probably be better off than you think. The worst of it lasts less than a week, IMO.

And when you have that first post-baby poop, around the same time your boobs are engorged, make sure you have a box of kleenex. It may not hurt all that bad, but it can all get a bit emotionally overwhelming when you're sitting on the toilet, leaking, and wondering what the hell you got yourself into!

[leenziepops]

Apr 16, 2015 12:57:27 GMT -5 @kej0004 said:

This post just made me so, so scared.

+1 This thread is equally useful and terrifying.

[tatersalad]

I really wouldn't worry too much about these lists if you are a first time mom. You will get everything you really need at first from the hospital, and between ibuprofen, peri bottle, and the dermoplast I felt pretty swell after delivery. Much better than I did most of the third trimester! Your partner can run out and get you anything else you need when you get home. I relished the first errand I ran to the pharmacy when DS was a few days old. My girlfriend called and asked what I was doing and I said "just staring at shit at CVS. Hubby is home with baby and it feels so good to be here alone. This errand might take an hour". ☺️

ETA: I took the stool softeners like a good girl and found the first post pregnancy poop to be highly overrated. I've had more painful bowel movements during this pregnancy than I did post pregnancy with DS.

[ladysif]

noeliav totally agree on the gel breast pads, OUCH. Damn.

TAKE ALL THE ICE PADS FROM THE HOSPITAL. They're much more comfortable than something frozen shoved in your underwear and last forever. I'm also pro taking the mesh undies and rocked the granny panties with overnight pads for a long time after.

I had a 2nd degree episiotomy and recovery wasn't nearly as bad as I thought with BMs, etc. Peri-bottle helps a lot, I used the donut, but those awesome ice pads from the hospital were the best ever.

Nipple creams I used lanolin but yeah, it can stain your bras/tanks. I never used nursing pads; despite overproduction and engorgement issues, I never leaked so never used them. My nipples both cracked and bled, one really terribly, so the few times I tried the pads they would just stick to the wounds and make it more painful. I tried the gel soothies, breastmilk, other nipple creams, Medihoney... then I got mastitis and just pumped the really bad crack until it healed and then was fine.

I brought my own body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc. and that was a good call, I felt so much better using my own stuff after that first shower. Shower shoes. SIL just had a baby and her hospital did not even provide her with soap or shampoo - my brother had to go home and get it for her. Talk about cutting costs! I'm delivering at the other hospital so am curious if they will still offer it. Yikes.

[sapphyre0702]

tatersalad thanks!

[noeliav]

Apr 16, 2015 15:13:36 GMT -5 wegrowsheep said:

It sounds pretty overwhelming, and in some ways it is. Think about what your lady bits have to do! However, as long as you take it easy, you will probably be better off than you think. The worst of it lasts less than a week, IMO.

And when you have that first post-baby poop, around the same time your boobs are engorged, make sure you have a box of kleenex. It may not hurt all that bad, but it can all get a bit emotionally overwhelming when you're sitting on the toilet, leaking, and wondering what the hell you got yourself into!

This made me actually LOL. Yes. Emotionally overwhelming is a good way to describe it, lol. It's all just so much. So much leaking from all these places. So little sleep. So much LOVE. I would randomly start crying because I was just so very in love with my new baby... and also that these new boobs were horrendous looking and sore.

Apr 16, 2015 15:21:53 GMT -5 tatersalad said:

ETA: I took the stool softeners like a good girl and found the first post pregnancy poop to be highly overrated. I've had more painful bowel movements during this pregnancy than I did post pregnancy with DS.

Yes. I was on my OB practically seconds after delivery all "I haven't pooped! I need stool softeners! Must poop asap!" because of all the horror stories my local board had shared. It was totally NBD.

[tiffbot]

Apr 16, 2015 15:21:53 GMT -5 tatersalad said:

I really wouldn't worry too much about these lists if you are a first time mom. You will get everything you really need at first from the hospital, and between ibuprofen, peri bottle, and the dermoplast I felt pretty swell after delivery. Much better than I did most of the third trimester! Your partner can run out and get you anything else you need when you get home. I relished the first errand I ran to the pharmacy when DS was a few days old. My girlfriend called and asked what I was doing and I said "just staring at shit at CVS. Hubby is home with baby and it feels so good to be here alone. This errand might take an hour". ☺️

ETA: I took the stool softeners like a good girl and found the first post pregnancy poop to be highly overrated. I've had more painful bowel movements during this pregnancy than I did post pregnancy with DS.

Honestly, I feel this way about most baby supplies. We even live almost hour away from the city which means almost an hour from any pharmacy, WalMart, fully stocked grocery store...with DS being early we weren't that organized and I still had everything I needed/wanted in that first day or two between the hospital and someone running out to get things.

[omgtree]

I had a C-section with my first. I used the big pads but my pp bleeding was just like a heavy period. Stool softeners are a must! I had/have really bad hemroids so I'm also bringing some stuff for that. Nipple cream, breast pads and some heating pads for my boobs.

[Deleted]

-Lanisoh breast pads. I went through boxes and boxes of these for the first few months.
-Comfy nursing bras. I bought a few lightweight wrap style sports bras that worked well for me to wear at night w the Lanisoh pads tucked in side since the breast milk night leakage the first weeks were out of control! During the day I wore a regular nursing bra for more support. I alternated between 2 black nursing bras and 2 nude ones.
-colace stool softener
-tucks witch hazel pads ( the hospital gave me 1 jar for free but I ended up using 2 total)
-in regard to nipple cream my lactation consultant did not recommend using any. The best thing she recommended was if their is any irritation to express a little breast milk manually and rub around your nipple and to stay aware from hot water in the shower on your nipple. I still occasionally used the cream anyway. I prefer medela brand over Lanisoh since the medela brand was thinner and easy to spread
- I second opinions that the mesh hospital undies bugged and the crazy oversized pads they give you. Once I was home I just wore regular comfy cotton underwear (not skimpy undies) w a regular brand heavy flow Kotex pad.

[megeliz1]

My must haves:
Peri bottle
Always infinity overnights
Tucks
Dermoplast
Didn't need Colace last time but have it on hand
Didn't get any special underwear
Pad for the bed for them first week or so and glad I had it for overnight leaks
Bamboobies
Motrin

[belle0720]

billyhorrible how many nursing pads do you recommend? and did you use strictly reusable or disposables too? I'm planning to finish off my babies'r'us registry this weekend with the zillion gift cards we got and Bamboobies are BOGO 1/2 off right now so I'm going to add some to my registry and buy them. I already got the 'free' 2 pack you told us about a while back, but was thinking about getting a pack of 60 disposables and another pack with regular and overnight reusable ones.

[noeliav]

Apr 17, 2015 11:31:27 GMT -5 belle0720 said:

billyhorrible how many nursing pads do you recommend? and did you use strictly reusable or disposables too? I'm planning to finish off my babies'r'us registry this weekend with the zillion gift cards we got and Bamboobies are BOGO 1/2 off right now so I'm going to add some to my registry and buy them. I already got the 'free' 2 pack you told us about a while back, but was thinking about getting a pack of 60 disposables and another pack with regular and overnight reusable ones.

I went through the disposable (lansinoh) ones like water in the beginning. Two each night, two in the morning, two sometime around lunch. I was just a big ol' leaking mess. 

I tried to do the reuseables but they would be soaked through too fast and it made me feel gross to sit in wet boob pads. 

The leaking did slow sometime around 6months (I'm pretty sure I'm not a typical case, though). This time around I'd like to have some sets of reuseables for after that time. Maybe 12 pairs or so?

[belle0720]

noeliav Wow 6 disposables in a day, so a 60 pack wouldn't even last two weeks. I had no idea women went through so many!

[noeliav]

Apr 17, 2015 11:51:32 GMT -5 belle0720 said:

noeliav Wow 6 disposables in a day, so a 60 pack wouldn't even last two weeks. I had no idea women went through so many!

I think my boobs were/are just special The worst leaking was at night, and I would have simultaneous letdown so whenever I'd nurse DD on one side, the other's boob pad would just fill up with milk.

And it eventually passes. 

I had no idea either, really. I didn't know what I expected, but to be more or less soaked with breastmilk for the first few weeks certainly was not it!

ETA: I ended up doing big orders on pads from amazon prime. Two day shipping for the win.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TLU5JO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The last time I ordered was 02/2014. DD was born 11/2012, so only 14 months of boob pads

[trixi282]

I bought regular pads and big overnight ones, as well as tucks and almost bought dermoplast with my first... I ended up not using the big fatty pads, even though I did bleed quite a bit. Never touched the tucks, and didn't need dermoplast since i had a csec (yes, you still bleed a lot and need pads for weeks after).

That said this is what I would have on hand...

Motrin (ask doc about dose now if you want... Mine said regular strength )
Stool softeners
Pads for heavy flow (long ones)
Super comfy/soft underwear that is cheap for when you run out of hospital ones.

Definitely stash away the hospital undies when you can. I've been wearing them this week on my bedredt and am reminded of their stretchy, comfy, and disposable amazing-ness!

[mathistm]

I guess I am going to add a different trash can for our bathroom. Right now I have a cutesie, matchy, no lid one. After seeing all of this I will be getting one with a lid so there is no chance anyone sees all of this disposable massacre.

[billyhorrible]

belle0720 - I started out with disposable before finding bamboobies. I didn't change mine as often as noeliav, I think I changed them 2-3 times a day.

For bamboobies, I had 1 overnight (but 2-3 would have been better) and 3 daytime. (I wouldn't put money on it, but I think I got a package that came with all 4 in it). I did fine with that, although I had to do a wash every other day to have clean pair. I only needed one pair a day. I've added to the collection in the past 3 years though, so now I actually have a ton, which will be nice for laundry.

[Widget123]

Apr 17, 2015 17:20:36 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

belle0720 - I started out with disposable before finding bamboobies. I didn't change mine as often as noeliav, I think I changed them 2-3 times a day.

For bamboobies, I had 1 overnight (but 2-3 would have been better) and 3 daytime. (I wouldn't put money on it, but I think I got a package that came with all 4 in it). I did fine with that, although I had to do a wash every other day to have clean pair. I only needed one pair a day. I've added to the collection in the past 3 years though, so now I actually have a ton, which will be nice for laundry.

I prefer to use the overnight ones during the day then i dont have to change them as often. The daytime ones are a little thin for the first few weeks. I plan on buying another pack that just has overnight ones for this LO to add to my stash.

[Widget123]

Apr 17, 2015 18:20:56 GMT -5 @demanda88 said:

STMs...thoughts on making padsicles? I've heard of people making them and storing them in the freezer for after you get home. Are they worth the trouble?

They are overrated IMO. If you make some just dont go overboard. I felt so silly making so many of them then not using any of them.

[disney815]

I saw a great Pinterest thing about padsicles...so besides my usual things that most other moms mentioned above, I'll be trying those this time around!

[noeliav]

I'm not doing padsicles. I didn't even need/want them after the first few hours PP.

[dogmama22]

Apr 16, 2015 9:11:46 GMT -5 @hazeldublin said:

I'll be ordering the earth mama angel bottom spray and the bottom balm. I was totally unprepared last time. I've heard good reviews so I'll be packing them for sure!

I'm starting to gather all of these things now and the spray seems like a great idea! I'm poking around the website now and also see the bottom balm that you mentioned. I'm a little scared about this one. Did you just apply it after the peri rinse and spray or was it something you used more later on? I'm just nervous about touching stitches and whatever else may be going on down there PP.

[ladysif]

Apr 17, 2015 18:20:56 GMT -5 @demanda88 said:

STMs...thoughts on making padsicles? I've heard of people making them and storing them in the freezer for after you get home. Are they worth the trouble?

Steal a couple extra from the hospital and call it good. Theirs are far better than padsicles IMO. A padsicle will provide cold numbing relief for about two seconds before just being a damp pad. The hospital ones last a really long time and are flexible, dry, and comfortable. 

[lalamomma]

The pain spray must be really good for so many of you! I wonder why it was so terrible for me?! Seriously the burning... Awful!
My hospital didn't offer any padsicle type thing. They had ice diapers they made you, tucks and that spray.
Im going to ask during my hospital tour.