Here we are, seven weeks out from D-Date. Does that sound weird? Because I am totally starting to freak out! While I am so excited to meet Baby Boy #2, I wanted to put together my postpartum must-haves that I wish I had the first time around.
Oliver arrived 4 weeks early, and ironically, the night before I delivered him was when I packed my hospital bag. I had a mile-long to do list for the afternoon and it turns out I was having a baby instead!
I think everyone learns from their first baby what you wish you did differently, or how things could have gone smoother and easier once you came home from the hospital. I’m hoping to show you my hospital bag checklist in a few weeks, but I wanted to put together a list (and a few tips) of items Mama will need for postpartum recovery.
Underwear: The higher – The better. You just gave birth, whether it was vaginal or C section, and you are going to need something other than the mesh undies. Personally, I was not a fan of the mesh undies. They gave me a awful rash about 3 days postpartum which had me asking my mother to run to the store for the biggest pair of underwear she could find. She delivered, and these babies were so comfortable and perfect post C-section surgery. Isn’t childbirth just so sexy?!
Nursing Tanks: As soon as you have that lovely little bundle of joy, you’re basically topless for the next few weeks. I nixed the nursing bras for a while and found comfortable nursing tanks that I could sleep in and lounge. Target had a good selection, fairly inexpensive and I still wear them for pajamas at night. They’re the type of tank that gets softer the more you wash them.
Hands Free Pumping Bra: I was so upset that I never bought this the first time around. It didn’t even come to mind. I imagined a lovely adventure with breastfeeding Oliver and it was SO opposite. I had Oliver at 36 weeks and my milk didn’t come in right away. Due to him in NICU, he was on a feeding tube so while he was there, it was my responsibility to pump every two hours. I hated it. I hated sitting there like a cow with my hands tied to holding this breast pump instead of holding my little baby. This time around, whether nursing is easy or not, I’m planning to buy this hands free pumping bra so I can be a multi-tasking mama.
Support Band: I think this should be a topic you can bring up with your OB/GYN because I am most definitely NOT a healthcare professional. Any type of childbirth recovery can be tough, and I really only know the one end of the spectrum and that is for a C section recovery. A support belly band like this one is something I wish I had the first time around. Anything like laughing, sneezing or coughing can make you feel like your guts are about to fall out of your incision. This band is on my list to purchase so it can help me hold things together a little better and give my belly support for recovery.
A few other postpartum items on my shopping list include; stool softener, nursing pads, nipple shields, water bottle, extra long pads and plenty of protein packed snacks.
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What do you have on your shopping list for postpartum recovery?? Check out my First Trimester Must-Haves!
Great advice! I love RX bars, as well!
There are so many things that I never would think about; I can’t believe you’re so close to your due date now!
Thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely refer my mom friends to this post.
Good luck with everything! You’re going to do great, my thoughts and prayers are with you! 🙂
I love that your so honest in this list. I never would have thought about half these things!
Getting so close! This was so informative for me knowing nothing!
This is a great list for new moms & moms to be!
Sounds like you are on the ball with this list!