Marlea’s Favorite Postpartum items

Aug 29

So this week we are taking a break from the serious things (birth stories) By the way if you took time to read them thank you so much! We are going to talk about Postpartum Items. Our Favorite items! It’s so wild to think I just used these things a year ago and it seems like it was yesterday and years ago at the same time. This is Marlea, so some of my postpartum favorites may be geared towards C-section mamas.

So first on my list would have to be a water bottle! Which you can use during pregnancy obviously. But I ordered one specifically for going to the hospital. It’s stainless steel so it keeps cold. It has a straw which was so helpful at the hospital. Also it was slim enough it fits in almost all cup holders and my ryan and rose cutie holder. Which can attach to your hospital bed! I made mine feel more “me” by putting some cool stickers on it. And I used it everyday during the postpartum period. I even ordered another because I used it so much I didn’t want to wash it. With lactation and hormones you are so thirsty after having a baby. And if you are like me and have a cesarean you may be on a liquid diet. It's nice having your own water instead of what they bring you at the hospital.

Speaking of liquid diet that leads to the next thing. Drinks. I brought flavor packets to the hospital and also drank them at home afterwards also. I really like the Liquid IV brand. Another drink I enjoyed was Body Armours. They are a coconut water based sports drink with so many flavors. They keep you hydrated with electrolytes and have a rep for boosting milk supply.

Food! This one sounds obvious, but it gets so easy too be busy to actually eat a good meal with a newborn. But you have to take care of and nourish your body. You can have a nesting party, have family, friends, even your doula come over and help prep freezer meals for you before your due date. You could set up a meal train and have friends and family come bring you a meal and meet the baby if you wish. I personally think that is a great idea if you have a lot of people wanting to meet the baby and you want to space it out. Ask your mom or whoever to cook your favorite meal, and do not be afraid to say what you want.

I started with a water bottle and it just snowballed. But there is obviously way more you need postpartum. My 4th item is panties. I personally took the mesh panties home from the hospital and used those. I also loved the Frida mom panties. I usually alternated between the 2 of them. I think I wore the mesh ones to bed and the Frida ones during the day. I was given adult diapers and didn’t care for those. My doula gave me a pack of cotton Hanes like the biggest size they sell and I wore those a few times. Then I bought some panties that were high waisted and had some compression. Someone that has a vaginal birth May like different things. A lot of things bothered my incision whether it was too tight or itchy.

Pads obviously. I liked the hospital ones. I also hated ones with wings. I think my favorite ended up being the poise brand. I had a friend give me her left overs, and my mom bought me a ton. So fortunately I was able to try a ton of brands and pay it forward. Also I did not care for the padsicles, although I am going to try them again when I have my vbac. The coldness wasn’t worth the comfort. I would try to thaw them so they would be less cold and then it would just be so messy. I did however use the Frida mom witch Hazel wipes and foam and liked those. The wipes can lay on your pad and you can put the foam on top.

I also want to add the Frida mom kits. I received one at my shower and used most of the things. If I had a vaginal delivery I know I would’ve used all of it. Since then they came out with a new C-section box and I know I would’ve used all those things. They are kinda pricey. But I think it is worth it if you use it all.

Breastfeeding things I loved were- nipple soothies, cool gel pads kinda like pasties the hospital gave me, they feel so good! Haakka, this pump is good at catching your let down on one side while breastfeeding on the other breast. Nipple cream, I tried several. My favorite was Birth Song Botanicals. I liked the reusable bamboo breast pads more than the paper ones. A nursing bra, I like the one from target without wires.

A nursing gown. I lived in my gown. My favorite was Dwell and Slumber. It’s so comfortable, stylish, and the buttons make it easy for skin to skin. My only complaint was the fabric showed everything spit up, milk, etc.

Hand sanitizer, I set these out all over. As well as making sure your hand soaps at your sink are stocked up! I try to find ones with good ingredients because people are probably going to touch the baby right after using it.

Colace and over the counter pain medication. I took colace the last couple weeks of pregnancy and postpartum. I fortunately had no issues going. But I’ve heard C-section and vaginal birth mamas say that it was tough. You have postpartum contractions after you have your baby and labor can put a toll on your body as well.

Heat pack. I had lower tailbone pain and using a cherry pit heat pack really helped.

Shower seat, must have for C-section moms!

And finally Massage, chiropractic care, and appointment to a pelvic floor PT. These are so important, they will help you feel so much better. They will help you realign your pelvic floor, help with lower back pain, hip pain, tailbone pain. And also help with upper back pain from nursing, leaning over, holding a new baby.

Water bottle https://a.co/d/2s1RAn0

Cutie holder https://a.co/d/hGR71of

Liquid IV https://a.co/d/cmh3gGW

BodyAmor https://www.walmart.com/ip/976267956

Nesting party https://marabouservices.com/i-had-a-nesting-party/

Link to meal train https://www.mealtrain.com/

FridaMom panties https://a.co/d/7HlzRkQ

Cotton panties https://a.co/d/jawchPE

High waisted compression panties https://a.co/d/4KQKTZt

Poise pads https://a.co/d/aa3Hvb3

Frida mom witch Hazel wipes https://a.co/d/0asaQhr

Frida mom foam https://a.co/d/3myQS9c