Suggestions for what to buy myself as a new mum/ heavily pregnant

[Coldsleeves]

I have bought all the necessities for my hospital bag etc but I'm wondering if there is anything anyone can recommend anything for either my hospital bag or when I get home as a first time mum?

Comfy bras for in the house! Lots of pads from boots, some yummy snacks for when your home to treat yourself, a nice chillys bottle to keep your water up especially if your BF, nice dressing gown and comfy clothes!! Lavender essential oil for the bath ( I had stitches and my midwife put it in the bath, it's amazing )

I liked having a zip up hoodie/fleece for the hospital and first few days. Easy opening for breastfeeding but not as hot as a dressing gown.

Some nice lavender scented pillow spray to help feel relaxed when napping/sleeping.

Pate. Soft cheese. Wine.

A nice hand cream in a pump dispenser at every sink and wash basin as you’ll be washing your hands a lot and an pretty insulated mug as you’ll never get to finish a hot drink in one go.

Nice shower gel or soap as you probably won't have time to rub in body lotion but you will hopefully be able to have a shower

Oooh and cosy slippers. I personally like bootee style they don't slip off on the stairs

Massive comfy knickers to hold massive sanitary pads. I went about three sizes up from my normal size. The bigger the better. The higher they go, the more comfortable they will be if you have to have a section. You can get cheap cheerful cotton ones from TJ Hughes or somewhere and bin them when you are done with them.

If you are breastfeeding then some nice bralettes will come in handy. Nipple cream too.

A lidded thermal cup so you don’t risk spilling your brew on the baby.

A star wrap from Tuppence and Crumble instead of a fiddly snow suit for baby.

Chocolate, definitely chocolate.

Some larger size clothes that you don’t feel hideous in. The first time round my mum got me some larger clothes from BHS, they were horrid and old ladyish and made me feel massive and frumpy. The second time I got myself a few nice tunics from Rackhams and felt so much better about myself in the recovery/body changing stage. I’m not even particularly fussed about clothes ordinarily, but it can be hard when you are feeling low and your body is different but you’re no longer pregnant.

Also, please don’t bathe if you have stitches, it’s not good for healing as it softens the wound, despite a lot of midwives still recommending it. Wash in the shower and pat the area dry afterwards.

Another vote for nice hand cream (I never ever used it until I had a baby. Now it's one of my favourite luxuries.)

Lots of nice healthy snacks you can grab easily and eat one-handed - dried fruit is very helpful to get your digestive system going again after giving birth. I won't go into detail unless you want me too...

I'd go for some really lovely PJs/loungewear for when you are home so you don't feel too manky. I also got some nice sweaty Betty high waisted leggings and a nice oversized jumper which were comfy/easy to throw on but made me feel nice.

A bottle of really lovely wine/champagne?

The M&S bralettes are fab for breastfeeding.

A mattress topper? My lovely mattress now has milk stains all over it from my insane boobs.

Some great smelling shower gel/bath stuff for your first bath or shower?

Agree with the pp who said dried fruit. It's not as delicious as chocolate but dried apricots will help the first post baby poop!

Really boring, but in the hospital they make you write down every time your baby poos/wees/feeds. So a note book for your bag with a pen.

A copy of 'Your baby week by week'. The best book out there in my opinion.

A list of breastfeeding support numbers ready to go.

Some films downloaded/tv box sets that you are looking forward to watching.