Postpartum Must Haves
This is my third time doing the newborn life and I made a list of items that have been useful this time around as well as for both of my boys! Most of these I used every time, with a few exceptions that are new finds, but I wish I would have had them for all of my babies!! Hope this helps you new mamas!!
1- Nursing Bra These Auden nursing bras are my favorite going on 5 years now!! I first got one when I had Jett in July 2017, And after trying a few other brands over the years - these are the only ones I will wear!! I actually have continued to wear them to bed even after I have finished breastfeeding! (important to note these are technically sleeping nursing bras- stretchy but no padding or structure - if you are in need of something to wear under clothes vs around the house, these are probably not the ones for you!)
2- Abdominal Binder An item many people told me help during c-section recovery- I bought one on Amazon to take to the hospital but my hospital supplied me with one that was so much better. The one I bought was too bulky and uncomfortable. I found the brand the hospital gave me on Amazon and linked that one!- In case your hospital doesn’t have them!
3- Nipple Shields With the twins being so little- our breastfeeding journey has been a little different from my full term babies! I met with a lactation consultant when the babies were just shy of 2 weeks old- as I had a lot of questions and just wanted to set us up for success as I have been hoping to breastfeed both babies - the goal to tandem feed them at the same time at some point! My lactation consultant suggested nipple shields - especially since my little babies are still learning the sucking skills they need to breastfeed, and these shields help them open wide enough and learn a proper latch. I know the use of shields have been “contraversial” for some, some claiming babies may not be able to learn to latch without them, but my lactation consultant didn’t have that concern- Dane has been doing GREAT with them, and we are even starting to wean him off of using them and its been no problem at all!
4- 3 Piece Knotted Gown I found these on Amazon and brought them to the hospital with us - before we knew the babies genders - (I got them in neutral colors!) and they come with both a bow and a hat. They have quickly become my favorite thing to put the twins in - super soft and stretchy and make diaper changes so easy! Especially overnight!
5- Mesh Underwear I took as many of the supplied mesh underwear from the hospital as I could, but decided to buy these ones on Amazon after realizing no other underwear I have - (no matter how high waisted they were ) were comfortable enough on my c-section incision. I am three weeks out and still favor these mesh undies over my regular underwear. I love that they are black (vs. the white ones the hospital gives you) and I am able to wash and dry them and reuse them rather than just throwing them away!
6- Sound Machine This was my third Hatch Rest purchase! We have used a Hatch for all our babies and the big boys still use them at night for some ocean wave sleep sounds. I love that I can control the light/ sound from the app on my phone. With the twins, we have the hatch in our room right now and when they wake to feed, I easily pull up my Hatch app and turn the light on to a very low blue color so that we can see for diaper changes - And its not too bright and distracting to wake up the babies!
7- Ice Packs These have been my best friend after my c section! For the first two weeks, I had an ice pack on my incision at all times as it really helped manage the pain and swelling. I bought two of these ice packs so that as soon as one warmed up after wearing it - I would switch out for the other in the freezer. The size was perfect and I love that it comes in a fabric “case” so that it wasn’t too cold right on my skin!
8- Baby Gown - More baby gowns I like!! Again these are amazing for quick and easy diaper changes!
9- Baby Loungers All of my babies have used baby loungers in their first few weeks of life - they are cozy and comfy for them, and I use them all throughout the day, bringing the lounger whereever I am so they can cozily sleep if I am not holding them (expert trick, this is how I typically shower if its just me withthe babies - plop the lounger right by the shower so I can keep an eye on them!)
10- Lounge Set Button down loungesets that are comfy, oversized, and make breastfeeding/ pumping easy!
11- Ollie Swaddle Hands down my favorite swaddle! again this swaddle has been a favorite for all my babies. Super stretchy, easy to put on and keeps baby cozy - I think all of my babes have been able to escape other swaddles and wake themselves up, but the Ollie does a great job of keeping them wrapped!
12- Nursing Pillow My favorite nursing pillow! WIsh I would have had it for all my kids!
13- Nursing Cups THESE ARE GAME CHANGERS! First time using these Silverettes and my nipples have not once cracked, bled, or chaffed! In the past I have used creams to keep my nipples from getting cracked and painful, but nothing has ever worked this well ! I have not once used any creams this time around!
14- Bathrobe I am in that stage of postpartum where I wake up for nightly feeds drenched in sweat. The hormone adjustment from pregnant to not pregnant always gives me night sweats - and when I wake up sweaty, it quickly gets cold once I get out of bed. I immediately put a robe on when I get up to tend to the babies otherwise I freeze!
15- Coffee Mug With two little boys and two babies - drinking morning coffee out of a regular mug is dangerous! It is just asking to be spilled! I found these yeti mugs when I had Beau and they are great to protect from spills AND keeps your coffee nice and hot all morning!
16- Car Seat Cover I love the Copper Pearl Car seat covers - stretchy and light weight, I put these over the car seats on sunny walks, or if we are out at the store/out and about. You can also use them as a nursing cover!
17- Baby Bath Support This time around we got this baby bath and its WAY better than ones we have had in the past. just does a better job supporting baby - keeps them in a good position and is comfortable for babies to lay on!