Pampering yourself immediately after childbirth and in the first few months

[vanillacinamon]

Just curious really and not sure whether this is the right sub category. I know it is a very individual thing but what if anything did you buy yourself or want to buy yourself in the first few weeks /months after childbirth to make yourself feel looked after? I realise it is a bit of a wide and vague question and could range from anything obviously like make up, nice bath products, clothes etc to more lifestyle things like "a meal out with the DH/DP" or "booked a holiday"

In other words when you had a new born what did you do and particularly what did you want to buy to look after yourself and make yourself feel nurtured (so Im not specifically thinking of things like "more clothes for the baby" etc but more things for you).

In my case I remember wanting a particular nail varnish which I bought myself on the internet and then waited about 2 and 1/2 weeks before I actually had 20 mins uninterrupted to paint my nails LOL

But what was it in your case?

a bit of extra sleep and other people to cook for me and keep the house in order

This sounds like all you need to me! But if you have a big pile of extra cash you absolutely must get rid of, get someone in and pay them for the above maybe?

I am 37 weeks pg and have this week bought myself two lovely new tops from whistles and a pair of sky high espadrille wedges from office. Cannot wait to wear them - am sick of mat clothes and not having been able to wear heels for last 4 months!
My lovely friends also treated me to vouchers for my local beauty salon so I am looking forward to a mani / pedi / facial a few weeks after baby arrives.
Have also been given some lovely l'occitane and white company lavender bath products from colleagues when i left work that I am already using and will do so afterwards too.
Nothing wrong with a bit of pampering - i LOVE a diptyque candle, jo malone candle / products and one other thing i am looking forward to after baby's arrival is a hamper full of brie / pate /wine and all the other yummy things have not been able to eat when pg. Have more or less instructed dh he must make sure this is there when i get home from the hospital!

I've made time to just restart my facial care routine - amazing the difference that made to the way I looked and therefore felt. After the EMCS, I wanted clean hair but wasn't up to climbing into /out of our bath (shower wasn't working) so went to a hairdressers just for wash/dry. Booked a week in a static caravan so we can have some quality family time to look forward to. Joined National Trust when there was an offer on, so we've lots of places to go in aforementioned family time (weekends etc).

But actually, getting dressed (or not), spending time cuddling my newborn and reading/watching tv/listening to music and not worrying bout housework, cooking etc (have pre-prepared food in freezer) is bliss. And if this is your first, make the most of that as there isn't as much opportunity to do this with subsequent babies.

I'm really looking forward to getting my hair cut & going for a facial once DD2s feeds are a bit more predictable!

• how are you doing?

Someone (very very kindly) bought me a token for a reflexology session in my home, but would also be happy if DH offered to rub my feet!!!

Nervatious think you should go back to AIBU as you'll fit in much better there. These threads are for nice, non-judgemental people!

Really? Yawn.

PS you are in fact being very judgey about how nice or judgemental I am....maybe you should go to aibu as well?

I only wanted sleep. More than anything I have ever wanted anything in my whole life.

I was so relieved not to be the size of a planet I went shopping for new clothes 3 days a week for about a month.

I also planned a long US road trip (which we took when DD was 5 months) and visits to 3 music festivals (all undertaken before DD was 5months) - which had to be planned with military precision. I love a nice bit of programme management.

Oh, and I watched the first 2 seasons of True Blood on DVD in the afternoons which was just fab.

This time round (DC2 is due July) we will be doing a road trip before he's 3 months and a music festival in Paris when he's 2 months.

I can't really be bothered with the usual nurturing/pampering - my idea of relaxation is good music and loads of booze.

Gin.

Oh yes MotherInferior, how could I forget the gin! Especially during the first awful three months

I became a raging alcoholic after DC1. I was so happy that booze didn't taste crap to me anymore I was downing 1-2 bottles of wine a night. I have a friend who is a world respected toxicologist with a particular interest in ante and post natal toxicology. He said that as long as I could still hold the baby to bf without dropping it it was fine.

glad I am not the only one who doesn't think lying around in PJs is mandatory after giving birth. Feels SO much better to be up and dressed. Agree that a lot of it has to do with being lucky enough to have a LOT of help so have had extra lie-ins, baths etc and silly though it sound, a 5 min walk to the shop just by myself is a treat. other than that, what everyone else has said really. Also, am doing a little bit of work (or should be, if I wasn't on MN ) to email in which helps me not sink into complete babydom.

clean fresh sheets on the bed... even better if you can find someone else to change them for you!

I like to pamper myself, I book a beauty therapist to come to the house and have anything from a pedicure to a massage! It's the comfort of my own home, I have all baby's things to hand and can bf if I have to, or book for dh's day off then he can feed lo with expressed milk. Would go to spa but don't like leaving lo in first month or so!
Also just having girls over in the eve, a glass of wine and to catch up with everyone (does depend on my milk flow though and weather there's enough to express for a whole day till wine out of my system)!