Postpartum Essentials

Charlie is now 2 months old and I can't believe how time has passed in the blink of an eye. With that said, after these two months I've learned a few things and wanted to share with you some postpartum essentials that people don't talk about post delivery. Those gifts that are not gifted - for good reason too! It's those awkward items that would be a wee-bit too personal and not quite as fun to give as all those cute little outfits. These are the postpartum things, and items I wish I had or known about prior to delivery:

#1 Medela Lanolin Ointment - 

This stuff literally saved my nips. Haha. Before having Charlie, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. We did skin to skin immediately following her birth, and breastfed her right away in order to establish a good latch. In my opinion, It's a good birth practice for those Mom's wishing to breastfeed - the sooner the better. The hospital gives you little trial samples of the Medela tender care lanolin ointment. I didn't use it right away, thinking I didn't need to unless there was an issue with my nipples (cracking, roughness, pain, etc), boy was I wrong. After the first two days or so, after not using the ointment, the skin around my areola's started to peel- yes peel, as in flakes of dead skin coming off. I think it was from friction or maybe just my body's way of toughening up the skin for the months ahead. But let me tell you, I wish I had used it right away. It wasn't until after we came home from the hospital that I started using it after every feeding. It seriously saved me, potentially from even worse pain and discomfort as a result of breastfeeding. I am to the point where my nipples no longer hurt when she latches, sometimes a little discomfort, but I attribute part of my success of breastfeeding to using the lanolin generously, but mostly determination and perseverance was key. You can find it here. I also use a nipple cream that is coconut based with lavender essential oil in it.  I got it in the bump box I bought from Doula, Kelly Sunshine, at our birthing class. You can find that here. I use it a bit more sporadically as I've grown to like the lanolin more. My suggestion would be to start using it generously after every feeding if your goal is to breastfeed as long as possible. Do not give up, it does get better over time, you just have to endure, eventually it will get easier, and less painful. Most people probably don't gift this because some women don't breastfeed or can't, the person gifting isn't sure they'll use it, or it's just a personal item that someone would feel awkward giving as a gift. Which is completely understandable. That's why I'm making this list so others can hopefully get an idea about the items you [may] use that aren't gifted or talked about, prior to delivery. So stock up now! :) 

#2 Lanosh Breast Pads - 

Again, this is a very personal item related to breastfeeding. Any breastfeeding mother knows, these are a must. I didn't even think about breast pads before delivery, or even in the hospital for that matter. I had a couple of "let downs" (where your milk spontaneous leaks from your nipples) while I was in the hospital, but, it was just a little nickel sized wet spot. I guess I didn't think I needed breast pads at that time. I knew I would need them at some point but it didn't even occur to me when I might need them. I think I had some samples that came with my Medela breast pump. I can't even remember now if I used any when we came home from the hospital, I'm pretty sure I did though. The first night home I realized I was going to be needing a lot more breast pads when I thought it was a good idea to wear a t-shirt to bed. Not a nursing camisole or a nursing bra, but just ta-ta's out in an oversized t-shirt. Charlie had her hepatitis B vaccination earlier that day, and she became inconsolable that evening. It wasn't until I noticed my shirt completely soaked that I realized, huh, this wasn't such a good idea, and maybe I need to order some breast pads - ASAP! Hello, Amazon prime! Ordered & done. You can find them here. No more wearing free-boob tees. 

*On a side note: I was given cloth breast pads, a hand-me-down gift, that were never used of course. After trying them once, the fabric caused a weird friction sensation, so I decided I wasn't going to use them, and go with the disposable ones instead out of convenience. Let me tell you, they are a life saver when it comes to breastfeeding. Not very eco-friendly but neither are diapers, and who really uses cloth diapers anymore anyway? Maybe if I was a stay at home mom, I would have the patience and stomach for that. Ew. I joked with a couple friends of mine, both mothers, I said "Only a breastfeeding mom would understand that being in cold weather is not good for the nips”. Your nipples are just never the same. All you breastfeeding, and exclusively pumping mama’s out there know what I'm talking about. 

#3 Swaddle blankets - 

We received so many swaddle blankets from the baby shower and hand-me-down ones as well. Partly my mistake because I put practically every cute patterned ones I saw on the registry. What I didn't realize was that you really only use them up to about two weeks after delivery. Babies don't really need to be swaddled longer than that. If you think about it, you may only need one or two swaddler blankets. You really could go without them and just use the [very roughy fabric] blankets the hospital uses, you know, the generic ones with the blue and pink stripes on it. I had a few cute swaddle blankets that I wish I would have brought to the hospital to use instead, for all her first photos. They would have made for some much cuter pictures I think. Hindsight is 50/50 as Sky would say. I also think that swaddling can be substituted with skin to skin. When you breastfeed, especially in the first month, babies like to be skin to skin. Charlie was having slight latch issues (just on my right side due to anatomical difficulties) while we were still in the hospital, so the nurse recommended we do skin to skin feeding because I was trying to feed her while being swaddled up in a little ball… like a little burrito which wasn't working. We got her down to her diaper and nestled her close to my breast, and behold, she latched, fed, and then fell asleep. A mothers body has a unique way of providing the warmth that the baby needs, there are actually studies that prove this. I would say, select a few cute swaddlers and leave it at that. My favorites are from KB Cute and Modern Burlap, which you can find here and here. I didn't discover these businesses/companies until after and wish I could have bought one to use at the time of Charlie's delivery. 

#4 Tucks pads - 

Disclaimer: they are not just for hemorrhoids! The one thing moms don't really talk about regarding birth is the healing process...unless your me, then you do. I have no shame or filter when it comes to talking about anatomy, and bodily functions. These cooling pads are amazing for the indescribable mess that is the post birth vagina and perineal area. Luckily the hospital supplied me with two packs of these. I had never heard of them before birth though, and I certainly never saw them at the drug store. I guess if you've never needed them, you wouldn't know about them. I love that they have witch hazel as the healing property. These are a must, and if your hospital doesn't provide them, I recommend getting some along with the numbing spray they supply you with also. I'd go into detail with that stuff, but you'd be reading a novel. I just think of it as the "after-care" go-to products for a vaginal birth, they are important, so use them!!! I'd also stock up on different brands/types of pads and especially panty liners...I had bought the super duper thick pads because I read somewhere to get the super overnight pads... I can tell you once I went through the hospital pads that I brought home, those store bought ones weren't great. They created friction, and frankly I wasn't really bleeding that much anymore. I still needed something though, and that's when I turned to the liners, which were more comfortable and didn't create so much friction and bunching in the perineal area. After delivery you think, will things EVER be the same again down there, and I'm here to tell you, yes! It was about a month of healing, all-together. Seems like a long time but in the grand scheme of things, if you think about it, it's really pretty fast. Everyday that passes, it gets better and eventually you're healed! Don’t get discouraged about your lady parts healing, it will heal. Give it some time and try to stay off your bum. Lay down whenever possible to take the pressure off your perineum. You can find these here. 

#5 Sleep - 

Ok, I know this one is not an "item" but essential nonetheless. When everyone says "sleep when baby sleeps", they really mean it. I would say its probably good advice for new moms, but only after the first month. That first month you're paranoid, stressed out, worried and questioning everything you're doing. Sleep is the last thing on your mind and you’re scared to even shut your eyes for a moment. You push your body to the limit and sleeping is done in two hour increments, if that. The first couple of weeks that Charlie was home, I didn't really get much sleep, maybe 2-3 hours, and only in increments. Sky and I took shifts at night staying up watching Charlie. Mostly watching her breathe, and making sure she was still alive. All because most parents are scared shitless of SIDS -everyone talks about it, and articles seem to fill your Facebook feed somehow, which leaves you no other option than to force yourself into a sleep deprived zombie, or as I like to call it a ”mom-bie". We originally had the Owlet monitor, which I talked about in this post. However the one we received was defective. Once we got it sorted out with the company, they sent us a new one, but it took about a month as we got it shortly after Christmas due to the rush from the holidays. Go figure that would be a popular Christmas present. Now that we have it, and it works, and we love it. The amount of relief & security it gives me while she sleeps is priceless. 

#6 Zip-up & Newborn onesies - 

Snaps. Who thought of snaps? They are the arch nemesis of diaper changing. A parents worst nightmare. I however, feel you just have to have patience with them, but when your child is screaming bloody murder because they're hungry and you're desperately trying to avoid a blow out so you change their diaper first, you are left with trying to unsnap & then snap a gazillion of them - or so it seems. This is why the zip up onesie is amazing! The one stop shop: footies, hand covers, and a one zip access to easy diaper exchange. These are a must. My friend Maggie gifted a couple at my baby shower, sharing her advice that I now completely agree understand. Zip ups are best. If you didn’t get any at your baby shower, go get some right now. You’ll thank me later. You can see an example of a zip up here. 

I didn't get a lot of newborn size stuff. You would think that would be the most popular size but in actuality I think most people figure they are just going to grow out of it so fast so what's the point in it. I have to say I received a bunch of second hand newborn onesies and thank goodness for that because that's the one thing I didn't get much of. Everything would have been ginormous on her if we didn't have the newborn sizes. It's amazing, the 0-3mo sizes can be so huge on her, and yet, at 2 months old now, the newborn size is just now becoming a bit snug. Can someone say growth spurt. Make sure you have some newborn onesies, and one zip outfits. 

#7 Burp rags/Cloth Diapers - 

Towels, rags, cloths. Whichever name you choose to use, these are invaluable. You never want to leave the house without one. Or a binky for that matter -Sky & I learned that lesson the hard way. Burp rags are a must have essential. Sky's mom actually bought us some, but they come in a package as cloth diapers actually. Of course I'm not using them as such but they are the perfect burp rag. We took some home from the hospital which we were told, "if one or two went missing it wasn't the end of the world." But as soon as we got home I opened the package of cloth diapers, aka burp rags, and have been cycling through them like no ones business. We did get some very nice peanut shaped burp rags, hand sewn with cute fabric, but only 4 of them. I find I use these on the boppy, on my shoulder, as an absorbent rag for my breast pumping parts, and as liners in our various bassinets. Nothing is worse than having a blow out in the bassinet, or worse, the boppy! The boppy is also the next best thing next to sliced bread. Put the burp rag on it... the Newborn Lounger by Boppy doesn't come with a zip off cover, luckily, I had a burp rag on it when Charlie had a blow out. I'm sure you could wash the whole thing, but who wants to have to do that?! Not me. You can find these here. 

#8 Stool Softener Pills

They will give you these in the hospital right after birth so that you do not become constipated. Nothing is worse that having a rough bowel movement right after giving birth. Don't worry, it usually takes anywhere between a couple of days to about a week or so for the first bowel movement. At least from my experience. The only downside is that once you leave the hospital, there isn't a nurse giving you the stool softeners pills anymore. I recommend getting a bottle so that once you get home you can start taking them. I'm not sure if they actually tell you to start taking them, I think they recommend it but only if you feel its necessary. I am here to tell you, you'll want to start taking them everyday. I did for the first month, and then slowly tapered off the second month. Trust me, you'll think to yourself, "Will pooping ever be the same, and not feel so uncomfortable"? The answer is yes, give it time and everything will be back to normal again. P.S. I just used the generic Up & Up brand from Target. You can find them here. 

I'm sure I will think of so many other things once I post this, but I would say these are my tippy-top of the list essentials I think are overlooked and just not really thought about until after the fact. I hope this helps some new moms, or moms to be! 

P.S. The customized Arizona State Rattler is made by a company called Bannor Toys. You can find it here. The cactus pillow is from the Land of Nod and can be purchased here. 

Below are more pictures I took of our cute little 2 month old Charlie bean. 

xoxo Angela 

I used the rattle to create the vignette around this image. I just thought it looked cool and it got her to look right at the lens in this photo. Same for the image below.

Behind the scenes of how I got Charlie to look at the lens. She wasn't in the best of moods when I decided to do the photos but she was a trooper and really like the Jelly Cat bunny rattle.