What kind of stuff would you put on your third tri shopping list, aside from standard baby gear?
I'm thinking more along the lines of the little stuff you wanted around postpartum for you and baby that you didn't necessarily think of in advance--nursing supplies, medications, other random odds and ends like that.
Post by sewpinkgal on Jul 22, 2012 19:05:16 GMT -5
I had bought nursing pads, but really disliked them once I actually wore them. I realized that I liked Medela ones much better and it was one of the first things I purchased PP.
I stocked up on super heavy duty pads and witch hazel and all sorts of other stuff for down there, but wound up not using most of it. If you do the same, save the receipts - that way, you can always return if you luck out and really only need a regular size pad for a few weeks.
I wish I had bought more easy to eat snacks for nursing sessions. I was famished every time I'd nurse and the one bag of trail mix we had got old quick. Think about what quick snacks you like to eat and make sure they're in the house ready to go.
From looking at my Amazon purchases, the weeks after DD was born, I ended up buying dry shampoo, Simplisse nursing pads (so much better than any other ones I've tried), miralax (I already had stool softener), more Always Infinity pads, and extra water bottles so I could have water bottles in every room in the house. I also sent DH out to buy those puppy pee pads, because I was still bleeding enough that I was scared of staining our light colored couch. We use them now for DD's naked time.
-Angel Mama's Bottom Balm (best thing EVER for postpartum care down there)
-a good water bottle for breastfeeding (insulated to keep water cold is great)
-snacks for between meals (chex mix, fruit or granola bars, cut up fruit, popsicles, cereal, etc)
-frozen individual sized containers of lunch/dinner foods. I spent a week stocking my deep freezer with tupperware containers of homemade comfort foods and it was awesome! Lasagna, beef stew, corn chowder, split pea soup with ham, a bunch of chicken casseroles, etc. I was so happy I did this because take-out is really expensive and the last thing I was interested in doing for the first 2 months or so was cook for me and hubby. He also loved how easy it was to come home, heat up meals for the two of us, hold the baby, and feel like he had done his part, lol.
-really comfy clothes (you will live in yoga pants and nursing tanks for a few weeks, at least - invest in some that will stand up to washing and will look nice on you)
ditto snacks and some frozen meals (Trader Joes is an excellent option for this) colace ibuprofin disposable diapers/wipes if you don't have some already, DD is too small for her CDs right now.
your hospital will likely give you an insulated water cup, if you don't get one, I have 3, so I can hook you up.
most of what I ran out to buy right after she was born was stuff I didn't know we'd need, like formula, bottles, diapers/wipes, newborn/preemie sized clothes, and then cookies, lots and lots of cookies because I was so effing stressed out.
I should have bought the stool softener in advance so I didn't end up stopping at the pharmacy on the way home. That and Ibuprofin. Cheap pads to make ice packs for my lady parts. Always Inifinity - Overnights to start, regular for later Trail mix from Costco. I kept the bag by my bed so I could grab a handful at every night feeding.
I tore pretty badly and went through two cans of benzocaine spray and a huge thing of witch hazel pads, in addition stuff they sent me home from the hospital with. But if you don't tear, you might not need those things.
Ibuprofen, stool softeners, nursing pads, nursing tanks, overnight pads, comfy full coverage underwear (I liked the Hanes boy shorts), and easy snacks. If you have a kindle, nook, iPad, etc., buy some new books for it.
I like the pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths and those little disposable tooth brush things with the toothpaste in them for freshening up in the hospital and the first few days after.
Part of my nesting phase with both of my pregnancies was to stock up on all sorts of toiletries and household items. I'm still using conditioner I bought before DD1 was born! It made me feel more prepared for baby and it was nice not to have to run out for TP with a newborn.
Post by oregonpachey on Jul 22, 2012 23:04:47 GMT -5
I did a big shopping trip before Cal was born and this is what I bought: pads, Colace, a light cotton robe for at the hospital and to wear at home, nursing tanks, nursing bras, yoga type pants, nursing pads, snacks for the hospital and at home, and good smelling hand lotion. The last one sounds weird but there were days I didn't shower but if I put on nice lotion after washing my hands, I felt more human.
Witch hazel pads (Tuck's) for my sore lady parts and thick pads. The very few and very thin pads I had around the house just weren't what I wanted/needed post-partum and these were the one thing I absolutely needed to shop for myself. DH has no idea what to look for in the tampon/pad aisle of the drugstore!
Soap.com usually delivers overnight and is part of the diapers.com empire, so you can bundle your order with baby stuff and get free shipping, BTW.
I don't know what Pugz' insulated water cup comment means.
I wish I had bought more frozen or easy to prep sides/veggies. I had a lot of meats and main dishes, but not sides or vegs. I also wish I had more thank you notes.
This time I'm going to stock my fridge with healthy foods like 6fsn suggests. Last time I had some freezer meals but for snacking I was eating crap and this time I'm no going to have that problem with a pantry full of healthy goods.
Also agree with the bf'ing supplies. Nipple cream, cooling pads, nursing bras, nursing tanks, etc. I also tore and agree with maxi pads, tucks pads and granny panties. I only wear thongs and those were NOT an option after delivery!!
A few things I bought I didn't end up using (witch hazel, dermoplast) but the most useful were the snacks. I read a tip on the bump to make nursing baskets & leave one in every room of the house; those were a lifesaver. I filled them with granola bars, raisins, nuts, salty snacks, a few bottles of water, hair ties/head bands and chapstick. My doula recommended bringing some of the RRL/nettle tea I'd been drinking before DD was born to the hospital to help with pp recovery & I swear it worked wonders getting everything shrunk back down and getting me back on my feet.
I got my first Kindle about 2 months before DD was born and it was so nice having that with me for NSTs, in the hospital, and anytime she was nursing.
For DD I wish we'd had mylicon drops at the house so we didn't have to run out.
I overbought expecting to be able to bf. I am so glad i had receipts for the nursing bras, nipple cream, and maternity tanks. I wish I had bought books to read. Having something to do really helped the baby blues, gave me something to focus on other than real housewives lol!
I'm going to also recommend healthy snacks. Friends and family brought us meals, but sometimes I just needed something quick that I could eat with one hand. Also, I would be careful if you plan to stock the freezer to have a variety of meals and are breast feeding. DD ended up getting gassy if I had too much red sauce, garlic, onions, dairy, beans, or too much spice. That made all the baked ziti and chilli in the freezer practically useless
Gripe water and GasX (for me after c section I had horrible gas pains but hopefully you wont end up with a c) If friends and family want to bring meals then start a calendar on one of the free websites so they can sign up. I did 3-4 days a week for meals for a month.
Good call -- we ran out for Soothies really early on with DS1. Though I guess that may be another wait and see thing since some people might be lucky enough not to have awful nipple pain. I personally used all the topical pain relieving stuff--witch hazel, Dermoblast, Soothies, etc.
Some things that I used a lot of were: -medela breast pads -colace -snacks (I was so hungry from breastfeeding) -granny underwear (cheap from target) -nursing sleep bras (I still sleep in one every night)
Ditto pugz on the insulated water cup from the hospital. I took home 2 of them, and I use them daily while nursing b/c they have a lid and straw.
I also made a ton of comfort meals in advance, and I'm SO GLAD I did. DH said every day "this is the best.idea.you.ever.had." I made lasagna, chicken casserole, enchiladas, and butternut squash soup. They lasted us two weeks, and boy did we need them. The last thing either of us wanted to do was grocery shop and cook, and there's no takeout here in the boonies.
As far as purchases:
-Really glad I splurged on a nice nursing bra and tank (Melinda G). -Yoga pants. Pants with a waist and/or belt are NOT your friend post-partum. -Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple cream