what are you postpartum must haves? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Sky]

oooh! thanks those look very nice.... i am definitely going to look next time she stocks..

[shastalily]

Have any of you used a postpartum band before?  What did you think--did it work to help shrink the tummy back down faster or is it more for pain related issues?

I'm slowly buying the stuff on my list.  My to-do today is to check to see if my pump is still working after being in storage for 8 years and to buy some new tubing/valves/etc. for it.  And, I'm trying to remember if my regular size panties are gonna fit (under the flabby belly) or if I need some larger cheap ones to hold the pads for the first week or two.  What are you guys doing?  Also need to see what sort of condition my old nursing bras are in and maybe buy a couple new ones.

[Just1More]

Originally Posted by shastalily 

Have any of you used a postpartum band before? 

Yes!

What did you think--did it work to help shrink the tummy back down faster

Yes!

or is it more for pain related issues?

Yes!

I've used them for my last two births and the difference is amazing.  Things go down faster, but more than that, I'm much more comfortable through the whole process.  I've just used misc things, but this time I'm on the hunt for a very good and comfortable band.  Anyway, my core just feels so much more stable, and I avoid all that early back pain, etc. 

[belltree]

I used a traditional belly support band postpartum and I wore it while it felt good.

[JynxGirl]

I am still trying to find money to buy things for the baby. I'm trying to figure out what I absolutely must have for me post partum.

Mostly I need help, but since it appears that is never going to happen, I am trying to find bare minimum things that I can get by with.

I'm planning on making a batch of lactation boosting cookies either when I go into labor or the day I come home. They're yummy and awesome and I think I have everything on hand already except brewer's yeast.

I know I need breast pads and probably new nursing bras, but the bras may need to wait. (My normal bras are close to $150 a pop... I can't imagine how much more they'll be when my breasts swell and fill with milk.)

For me, it all really sucks, because we'd been doing so well with money, and then all of this stupid nonsense started with preterm contractions and my husband had to take time off work and we're back in the hole again. So my bare minimums have had to be reevaluated and reassessed. It's not been easy.

[maryamrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JynxGirl 

(My normal bras are close to $150 a pop... I can't imagine how much more they'll be when my breasts swell and fill with milk.)

yikes! I will never again complain about how expensive my bras are. are yours custom? I'm guessing nursing tanks are completely out of the question.

[janellody]

I have no idea what I need.  What are breast pads for and where do you get those?  Also I want a belly band wrap thingy too, my friend said another reason to get it is that it helps all your organs go back in place so you don't get the "mama pooch" as she calls it.  I checked out the one on amazon, does anyone have any other ones they recommend?  I guess I will go over your lists and see what items I think I will need since I am so in the dark on this one! 

I also need to find a good list of items to bring to the hospital, I can't remember if someone posted one of those or not.. I guess I will go look around!

[belltree]

Jynxgirl, I admire your plan to bake on the day you come home from the hospital! I could not imagine to do that. Could you get away with lactation tea or freezing the cookies ahead of time?

Originally Posted by janellody 

1) What are breast pads for and where do you get those? 

2) I checked out the one on amazon, does anyone have any other ones they recommend?

3) I also need to find a good list of items to bring to the hospital, I can't remember if someone posted one of those or not.. I guess I will go look around!

1) Breastpads are there to soak up leaking breastmilk. A lot of mom's leak quite a bit initially until supply and demand have found a happy balance (some leak even longer). You can use cloth diapers or burp cloths, if you leak really badly, there are throw-away ones, you can get in the baby isle of almost every grocery store, or you buy reusable ones, they can also feel quite nice when you have sore nipples.

2) I just used a wrap fabric from a sling as a belly band.

3) You can find lists online, maybe talk to your doula. In the end, the hospital will have a lot of things on hand (you can and should ask them when you tour the hospital). There are things you might need or want for labor, and others you might want for the days afterwards and the ride home. A lot of things listed on those hospital bag lists are actually provided by the hospital.

[JynxGirl]

Originally Posted by maryamrose 

Quote:

yikes! I will never again complain about how expensive my bras are. are yours custom? I'm guessing nursing tanks are completely out of the question.

LOL When I was on social assistance,I tried to explain to my worker that my bras were really expensive and she went "Yeah, $40 for a bra is a lot." I nearly peed myself from laughing... When I explained, I thought she was going to choke. She didn't know bras got that expensive. :-P

I'm too scared to look up nursing bras for my size. They're not custom, but they're enormous. The last time I measured, my bust line was 56" around. I'm 70" tall... While they're awesome, they're also uncomfortable as sin.
 

[casmer]

Originally Posted by janellody 

I have no idea what I need.  What are breast pads for and where do you get those?  Also I want a belly band wrap thingy too, my friend said another reason to get it is that it helps all your organs go back in place so you don't get the "mama pooch" as she calls it.  I checked out the one on amazon, does anyone have any other ones they recommend?  I guess I will go over your lists and see what items I think I will need since I am so in the dark on this one! 

I also need to find a good list of items to bring to the hospital, I can't remember if someone posted one of those or not.. I guess I will go look around!

This is the list I have going so far, while I'm at the hospital.  Actually it's a list DH is working on, so some stuff is likely to change...who knows.

For Her:

Heat pad or Hot Hands type of stick-on heat packs

Cold pack or frozen water bottle

Massager (this was a suggestion of our Bradley instructor- I don't think I'll like this when I'm in pain so I'm not sure if we'll pack this or not)

Lotion

Rice pack

Nursing pads

Loose, comfortable clothes

Lanolin/nipple cream

Nursing pillow?

Robe

Extra Towels

Her pillow (colorful pillow case)

Labor kit

Candles?

Mints

Chapstick

Depends? Maternity pads?

Snacks

Orange juice right after (blood sugar will be really low after exerting that much energy)

Goo (quick energy easy to take in)

Lollipops

Cooler for cold stuff?

Toothbrush, shampoo and soap

I think I would also add nursing tanks to this list as well.  Hospitals provide nourishments (juice, coffee, tea, broth, graham crackers, saltines, ice cream, jello), but I'm kinda picky and we will likely bring our own snacks and juice.  I've worked as a nutritionist/dietitian in several hospitals and I can say that the nourishments aren't always "high quality" but I'm sure it depends on the hospital. 

The stuff I've seen recommended over and over are chapstick, a robe, your own pillow, and lotion.  I also found this short list helpful: http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-i-really-needed-to-have-baby-at.html  It's funny because she has a link to what she packed and it was much longer than what she found she actually used!

I've also considered making some RRL tea for during/afterward to sip on...any thoughts on that? 

I'm *hoping* to have some freezer meals ready to go at home.  Our church will do a two-week care calendar every 3 days,  so that will help too.  I don't know what to expect from family, so I don't know how long my mom or MIL is planning to stay.  Hopefully they'll want to pitch in an cook us some food too.  I downloaded a free e-book the other day from Money Saving Mom on Freezer Cooking, I haven't had a chance to look at it, but I hope it's helpful.  I never know what stuff freezes well and what doesn't.

[belltree]

Casmer,

my hospital has all kinds of massage balls and heat cold packs available. They also have nursing pillows and gazillions of towls.

Candles are not allowed and they provide great maternity pads, the ice once are great.

I second the snacks, though, the options are not great and mostly not very healthy. Also, I remember last time feeling so starved after labor, they found a little sandwhich for me, but not much food in the middle of the night and breakfast was so tiny, considering how much I had just worked out. 

[casmer]

Originally Posted by belltree 

Casmer,

my hospital has all kinds of massage balls and heat cold packs available. They also have nursing pillows and gazillions of towls.

Candles are not allowed and they provide great maternity pads, the ice once are great.

I second the snacks, though, the options are not great and mostly not very healthy. Also, I remember last time feeling so starved after labor, they found a little sandwhich for me, but not much food in the middle of the night and breakfast was so tiny, considering how much I had just worked out. 

We're doing our hospital tour in a couple of weeks, so I should know more about what they provide then.  I don't know that it's standard for all hospitals to have those items, so that's why they're on the list.  I've heard that some people just don't like the towels that are provided (too scratchy, too small, not enough, etc).  I'm also very choosy about my feminine care products, so I don't know what to expect in that regard...I figured I'd rather over pack than wish I had brought my own of something.  I also don't want to break out in some freak rash because my body isn't accustomed to whatever chemical is in the pads...kwim?  I'm an anxious, over-think and over-packer...haha.  The candles we have are LED, guess I should have mentioned that :)

I think I need to add our radio/cd player and a peri-bottle that was mentioned earlier. 

[belltree]

The LED candles are quite sweet and can make a calm atmosphere  :)

I suggest bringing everything that one is really specific (femine products, soap, music etc.) about.

[persephassa]

our hospital said we could bring candles, they just can't be lit ;) i guess it's more for the scent, if you get aromatherapy candles?

[belltree]

One more thing - my doula said she would also bring her toolkit, which has led candles, aromatherapy stuff, massage rollers and much more. So, in case you have one, you might want to discuss your packing list with her :)

[shastalily]

Originally Posted by belltree 

I used a traditional belly support band postpartum and I wore it while it felt good.

Is this just the kind that you use while pregnant?

[maryamrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JynxGirl 

LOL When I was on social assistance,I tried to explain to my worker that my bras were really expensive and she went "Yeah, $40 for a bra is a lot." I nearly peed myself from laughing... When I explained, I thought she was going to choke. She didn't know bras got that expensive. :-P

I'm too scared to look up nursing bras for my size. They're not custom, but they're enormous. The last time I measured, my bust line was 56" around. I'm 70" tall... While they're awesome, they're also uncomfortable as sin.
 

have you ever considered Enell bras? they aren't designed as nursing bras, but they're heavy duty and hook in the front, and they do tons of custom sizes (and go up to a 60" bust in their in-stock sizes). I might actually get a couple as nursing bras because they're so supportive - I just won't hook them up all the way. they should be $60 or so.

[casmer]

For postpartum belly support, I wonder if wrapping with a long piece of cloth would be just as effective?  I imagine it might be a bit fussier than pp support band, but it seems like being able to size it as you shrink up would be helpful. 

[belltree]

In Mexico women wrap a rebozo around their waste. A rebozo can be great during labor for backpain and help for squatting.

In Japan they use a sarashi. I would not do it this tight during pregnancy, it is traditionally more corsett-like, but one can vary the strength. Here is an example how to do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU2thhFGnw4

[JynxGirl]

Originally Posted by maryamrose 

Quote:

have you ever considered Enell bras? they aren't designed as nursing bras, but they're heavy duty and hook in the front, and they do tons of custom sizes (and go up to a 60" bust in their in-stock sizes). I might actually get a couple as nursing bras because they're so supportive - I just won't hook them up all the way. they should be $60 or so.

omg, I hadn't ever heard of those before. They may become my new favorite bra. :P
$66 for my size would be amazing!! As long as they last about a year, I'd be ecstatic