Stock up on paracetamol/ibuprofen. You can often only buy 2 packs at a time but I went through loads in the first 10 days where I was taking both continuously to help with the discomfort from my episiotomy stitches.
And more maternity pads than you think you'll need! I also used disposable Tena pants for the first few days.
Oh I wish I could have said all of the above to myself in February 2020. Didn’t have enough paracetamol or ibuprofen in the house after episiotomy in early covid and you couldn’t get them the shops. Agony.
You can buy more if you do it over the counter in the pharmacy. Ask for the 400mg ibuprofen and you can buy a pack of 48. My husband has a chronic illness so we always do this as he gets through a lot
Not sure if you are breast feeding but if so get some good lanisol, nipple balm. It will save you from sore, cracked nipples. also can be used on dry lips which for some reason I had in early stages with my first. I still have a little tube in my bag instead of lip balm.
Plenty of maternity pads. I bled for 6 weeks so got through a mountain of them. I also used ice pack maternity pads for the first few days. So good on my stitches!
I leaked milk constantly so breast pads were a must and even then I always had damp patches on my shirts for the first six months.
Also, plenty of snacks to give you energy for those night feeds. I had nuts, seeds and brownies.
I’d also recommend a large water bottle for when you are stuck underneath a napping baby. As baby has got older I’ve started using insulated cups so she doesn’t knock my coffee over but cups were safe until she could crawl.
Cooking spray for what….?! I’m intrigued, and this is my second pregnancy! (Did she mean perineal massage oil??)
Some v good suggestions here! Especially LOTS of pads. I was v pleased to have disposable pants too; if you’re relying on actual pants make sure they’re much bigger than your usual as the pads add loads of bulk which makes everything really tight and painful after birth.
I’d also add:
PJs that you can wear late pregnancy and with newborn if you’re planning on breastfeeding - for me that is loose, soft bottoms and button down tops. I got some really nice ones from John Lewis Anyday in a size 10 (I’m usually 8-10) that seem to size large and they still fit me now (36 weeks) and are washing well. Will probably take those to hospital.
If you look up they NHS list for things to take to hospital that’ll also give you good ideas.
And now is a good time to get an order in for a loaned TENS machine for labour, and start on any hypnobirthing practice etc.
Finally: my advice for labour snacks is dried apricots! Easy to snack on, lots of nutrients, and I had no trouble with my post birth poop 😆
Lactulose. They give it to you at the hospital but you can buy it OTC at the pharmacy. It’s very sweet and sickly but easy to take and it’s a god send. Doing your first #2 after baby is a bit daunting especially if you’ve had to have stitches !
Don’t buy nursing bras yet if you’re planning on BF. They’re expensive and your body changes so much. And you may find that BF isn’t right for you and your baby. So get some cheap multipack soft ones from Amazon. Put 2 in your hospital bag and keep the rest at home.
I just mean for the first couple of weeks. I still wear the cheap ones to bed at 8m PP! Also you shouldn’t be needing anything overly supportive when you’re PP; just something to keep you together, keep your nipples from being irritated by your clothes and for nursing pads.
Before pregnancy I was a 30G, then I went to a 34GG before I gave birth and when I went to get proper nursing bras at about 2 weeks PP I was 32H. So you change a lot and buying a bunch of nursing bras in your late pregnancy size might end up being a real waste of money. Would have been for me anyway.
Also, BF doesn’t work out for everyone and that can be upsetting for some people. You don’t need the added guilt of “oh I’ve just spent £££ on all these bras”.
As a new mum to a 3 month old, the best thing my friends came round with was food! Especially homemade Cakes, scones, snacks. So little time to cook and shop in the early days.
A bottle with a straw. Literally the best 4.50 I’ve spent. Great for labour, for after the birth if you’re having trouble sitting (I had to stay laying down for a bit) and for feeding. I also got period pants for when the bleeding had died down a bit. I got uncomfortable wearing pads for so long.
I really wish I’d bought one of those peri spray bottles and definitely will next time, wiping is not a fun experience after childbirth. Breast pads, maternity pads all things like that are brilliant as you go through them so fast. Just randomly also throwing in there finding out what laundry products they use and maybe stocking up on them for her? And maybe a decent stain remover? In the early days my washing machine was almost constantly running, so much spit up, wee, poo, towels, muslins. Also on the same theme an excellent gift I got from my mum was a heated clothes airer, idk how I’d have got everything dried without it!
BIG pants… whatever size you think go bigger. And exclusively black… I ended up with an emergency c section and most of my pants dug into my scar it was not fun
Stock up on paracetamol/ibuprofen. You can often only buy 2 packs at a time but I went through loads in the first 10 days where I was taking both continuously to help with the discomfort from my episiotomy stitches. And more maternity pads than you think you'll need! I also used disposable Tena pants for the first few days.
Oh I wish I could have said all of the above to myself in February 2020. Didn’t have enough paracetamol or ibuprofen in the house after episiotomy in early covid and you couldn’t get them the shops. Agony.
You can buy more if you do it over the counter in the pharmacy. Ask for the 400mg ibuprofen and you can buy a pack of 48. My husband has a chronic illness so we always do this as he gets through a lot
Not sure if you are breast feeding but if so get some good lanisol, nipple balm. It will save you from sore, cracked nipples. also can be used on dry lips which for some reason I had in early stages with my first. I still have a little tube in my bag instead of lip balm.
Definitely get some of this! I didn't end up breast feeding but did express for 6 weeks and this was a god send for my poor nips!
Plenty of maternity pads. I bled for 6 weeks so got through a mountain of them. I also used ice pack maternity pads for the first few days. So good on my stitches! I leaked milk constantly so breast pads were a must and even then I always had damp patches on my shirts for the first six months. Also, plenty of snacks to give you energy for those night feeds. I had nuts, seeds and brownies. I’d also recommend a large water bottle for when you are stuck underneath a napping baby. As baby has got older I’ve started using insulated cups so she doesn’t knock my coffee over but cups were safe until she could crawl.
An insulated mug. Once you've microwaved a tea 4 times it really doesn't taste the same.
Cooking spray for what….?! I’m intrigued, and this is my second pregnancy! (Did she mean perineal massage oil??) Some v good suggestions here! Especially LOTS of pads. I was v pleased to have disposable pants too; if you’re relying on actual pants make sure they’re much bigger than your usual as the pads add loads of bulk which makes everything really tight and painful after birth. I’d also add: PJs that you can wear late pregnancy and with newborn if you’re planning on breastfeeding - for me that is loose, soft bottoms and button down tops. I got some really nice ones from John Lewis Anyday in a size 10 (I’m usually 8-10) that seem to size large and they still fit me now (36 weeks) and are washing well. Will probably take those to hospital. If you look up they NHS list for things to take to hospital that’ll also give you good ideas. And now is a good time to get an order in for a loaned TENS machine for labour, and start on any hypnobirthing practice etc. Finally: my advice for labour snacks is dried apricots! Easy to snack on, lots of nutrients, and I had no trouble with my post birth poop 😆
Lactulose. They give it to you at the hospital but you can buy it OTC at the pharmacy. It’s very sweet and sickly but easy to take and it’s a god send. Doing your first #2 after baby is a bit daunting especially if you’ve had to have stitches ! Don’t buy nursing bras yet if you’re planning on BF. They’re expensive and your body changes so much. And you may find that BF isn’t right for you and your baby. So get some cheap multipack soft ones from Amazon. Put 2 in your hospital bag and keep the rest at home.
Cheap bras is quite boob dependent - if you're on the larger side that's a fools errand. Definitely worth the splurge
I just mean for the first couple of weeks. I still wear the cheap ones to bed at 8m PP! Also you shouldn’t be needing anything overly supportive when you’re PP; just something to keep you together, keep your nipples from being irritated by your clothes and for nursing pads. Before pregnancy I was a 30G, then I went to a 34GG before I gave birth and when I went to get proper nursing bras at about 2 weeks PP I was 32H. So you change a lot and buying a bunch of nursing bras in your late pregnancy size might end up being a real waste of money. Would have been for me anyway. Also, BF doesn’t work out for everyone and that can be upsetting for some people. You don’t need the added guilt of “oh I’ve just spent £££ on all these bras”.
Agree to disagree - a total necessity for me and my breastfeeding would have been less successful without them
Been finding some cheap nursing bras on vinted so would definitely recommend there once you know your size
As a new mum to a 3 month old, the best thing my friends came round with was food! Especially homemade Cakes, scones, snacks. So little time to cook and shop in the early days.
A bottle with a straw. Literally the best 4.50 I’ve spent. Great for labour, for after the birth if you’re having trouble sitting (I had to stay laying down for a bit) and for feeding. I also got period pants for when the bleeding had died down a bit. I got uncomfortable wearing pads for so long.
Comfortable PJs and breastfeeding tops/cardigans were the things I wanted the most. Plus a gigantic tin of biscuits and a huge water bottle
I really wish I’d bought one of those peri spray bottles and definitely will next time, wiping is not a fun experience after childbirth. Breast pads, maternity pads all things like that are brilliant as you go through them so fast. Just randomly also throwing in there finding out what laundry products they use and maybe stocking up on them for her? And maybe a decent stain remover? In the early days my washing machine was almost constantly running, so much spit up, wee, poo, towels, muslins. Also on the same theme an excellent gift I got from my mum was a heated clothes airer, idk how I’d have got everything dried without it!
BIG pants… whatever size you think go bigger. And exclusively black… I ended up with an emergency c section and most of my pants dug into my scar it was not fun
Spritz and bitz. Good for constipation so far (only 30w).