You should also check out my Complete List of Post-Pregnancy Tips for more great ways to get you through the first days!
We are a few days out from baby and I am in that haze of nursing, recovery, and adjusting to a new number of people in the family. I am SO thankful for all the help I’ve had from friends and family! I have been super blessed with food and child-watching and all kinds of service and support. Now that I’ve been through four births (one vaginal and three c-sections), I have a good list of my favorite postpartum support items.
Note: This post is filled with affiliate links, which means if you buy something after clicking them, Amazon tosses some pennies my way without charging you any extra!
Nursing
Not everyone is able to chooses to breastfeed, but if you are, here are a few things that might help you out. These are my two favorites for the first few weeks of sore boobs!
Lansinoh Lanolin
I remember the hospital giving me a cream for sore breasts and reading a little warning on the back: DO NOT INGEST. And I’m supposed to put this on my nipples? That my BABY IS GOING TO NURSE FROM?? And the alternative is to WIPE IT OFF MY ALREADY SORE NIPPLES WITH A PAPER TOWEL?!!!? Not happening. This lanolin from Lansinoh is fabulous and does not need to be wiped off before breastfeeding. It feels great and is baby-safe. This is ESPECIALLY good when you’re about to get in the shower. Just trust me on that one.
Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads
The first few weeks of nursing are the hardest in terms of pain. Even though I was nursing Cooper up until a few months ago, it’s like starting all over again with a new baby. I won’t say that I’ve bled, but I won’t say that I’ve NOT bled. I’ve done this several times now, but it doesn’t stop me from having soreness or even sometimes blisters. These gel pads are the most comfortable things I’ve worn and are totally worth having a few sets. They get pretty icky and though you can wash them, generally after a week or so I throw them out and get a new set. They can even go in the freezer if you want a soothing chill. These are by far the best things I’ve found for pain in the early days! I use them in place of cloth breast pads, but I don’t tend to be that leaky. I’m not sure how well they’d work if you have fountains.
Baby Care
Fisher Price Rock N Play Sleeper
Quin is still in that squishy baby stage where she is constantly folded up in a position like she had in the womb: legs all the way up to chest and arms up by her face. She looks more like a tiny ball than a baby. When I put her in the pack n play or crib, she just kind of bobs around and does that startling thing with her arms. This is a great option for those early weeks for sleeping and just hanging out when your arms need a rest. It’s designed FOR sleeping, so has breathable mesh and is safe. Plus it’s great for reflux because it keeps baby up at an angle. We used this with Cooper and Quin spent her first night home snuggled like a little ball in it. A beautiful little ball of baby.
SlingEZee
I haven’t used this yet and probably won’t for a few weeks (it’s harder to babywear after a c-section), but this sling has seen me through all of my babies. Some like this more than others, Sawyer being the champion sling-baby, but it helped me at home, in grocery stores, church, and everywhere else. Slings and baby-wearing things are totally personal preference, but this one is mine. It’s adjustable, attractive, lasts for a long time (mine is six years and still going strong) and is flexible in terms of HOW to wear your baby. Also? In case you’re paranoid about people touching your new baby, they are less likely to get all hands-y when your baby is tucked into your chest. At least, HOPEFULLY not.
Those are just a few of my favorite postpartum things. Now tell me your favorite things so I can go buy them!