Post birth toiletries for mummy

[fatfingeredfran]

Starting to get ready for birth and making myself a basket of toiletries that I'm likely to need afterwards. Planning on leaving it in the bathroom so everything is handy. So far I have: maternity pads, breast pads.

I'm thinking of adding:

1 a bottle that can be used for squirting warm water on myself for cleaning myself or for using while I pee to reduce the stinging- any recommendations? Can I just use an empty water bottle with a sports cap?

2 some sort of soothing aloe/tea tree / witch hazel... again any product recommendations?

3 wet wipes

Is there anything else that you've found useful that you would recommend?

Thanks xx

Oh also, I know there are a lot of you tube videos on this subject but they seem to be US based and therefore recommend US products that I can't seem to find here in the UK

I like salt baths when everything is sore dont want anything that might sting

Do you add salt to the bath water and have a full bath, or do you mean you mix up some salt and water in a small basin/container of sorts just for use on your sore bits? sorry for the detailed questions just wondering if I need to get some sort of basin thing or if best just to have a full bath.

I buy sea salts for the bath from the health food shop you get a big bag for less than £10 and add a couple of handfuls to the bath water to help healing

I found the Andrex flushable wipes an absolute godsend in the first few weeks! Not sure if wet wipes can be flushed? I would also stick some nappy bags in there too for used pads etc. Also maybe some spare pants just in case of leakages x

Witch hazel was a life saver for me. I'd pour a little onto the maternity pad before use, also used it mixed with water to reduce stinging while peeing also.
Also, a few drops of tea tree oil in an egg cup with full fat milk, pour into bath, really helped keep stitches clean etc.

Some decent nipple cream (Lasinoh)

I added a few drops of lavender oil and a few drops of tea tree oil to an egg cup of milk then added that to the bath. My best friend gave me that tip and when I had stitches with dc1 it was totally amazing so i recommend it to everyone!

Thanks! Which brand of witch hazel is good?

Not really to do with giving birth but I got through a lot of dry shampoo in the first few weeks! It meant I didn't have to go through the rigmarole of washing, drying and straightening my hair (just to tie it back up out of baby's way!) but made me feel a bit more human if I wanted to go out or we had visitors.

You can get bath salts (I like the magnesium salts) from Home Bargains for £2.50! My best pregnancy find! I had a bath every day after birth, it was so relaxing and comforting and helped me feel properly clean

I used boots own brand witch hazel

Don't forget it's distilled witch hazel, very different from the sticks or pure oils you get I got boots own brand too www.boots.com/boots-distilled-witch-hazel-b-p-c-200ml-10115211

I'd get about 3 bottles, even if you don't have stitches (and I hope you don't need them!) it's very soothing for grazes and I went though a bottle every 2 days ish.

Yeah, the bottle with sports cap is the best I think as you can aim. Jugs were a faff.

Stash a packet of chocolate chip cookies near your bed for night feeds. It's a perk

Arnica, I went through a load of the cream.

Good luck

Some gorgeous smelling toiletries for first shower, including body lotion

Tea tree oil for putting on reusable pads. Help with healing, should that be required

Coconut oil as nipple cream. Can multitask as lip balm, nappy cream, for baby massage & cuticle oil. Put it on directly, or on bamboo breast pads

Hand sanitiser, & hand cream

Hi

Just came across your thread. I'd recommend tea tree oil, I was running a very shallow bath, just enough to cover "that area" and added a few drops of tea tree oil and bathed for about 5-10 minuets and showered as normal after. I had to have an episiotomy and I healed perfectly! Although very sore for a few days.

Definitely stock up on lots of maternity towels! I found boots own brand to be the best.

Can't think of anything else that hasn't already been mentioned. All the best x

I just used a jug; and TBH I didn't need it after a few days. A water bottle would work fine too. I'm doubtful the flow is fast enough from a spray - you're basically just aiming to dilute the urine so it doesn't sting. If you have stiches and a sore vulva, then sitting on a rolled up towel (forming a circle, you then sit over the middle) will help until your bruises heal - again just a few days.

I don't believe in products which have no or extremely limited proven evidence for their alleged benefits but the plaebo effect is powerful, so buy witch hazel / arnica if you want --- I used paracetemol myself...

I used a jug as I found it easier.

This was quite good? www.ashfordstpeters.info/images/leaflets/MA03.pdf

I've got a ten day old baby and am enjoying Arnica baths....
http://www.hawthornhealth.com/general-health-c7/nelsons-arnicare-bath-massage-balm-200ml-p24001/s27643?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmterm=nelsons-arnicare-bath-amp-massage-balm-200ml-nel-101100&utmmcampaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlMXMBRC1ARIsAKKGuwjnBJ5e0-4r2ax7Im4h5wkdnFWqrsNeg1QikFWU0q8d4OZqMSEhtoaAl85EALww_wcB

Also, I was in hospital for a week after birth. Both me and baby were a bit beaten up and in need of TLC. My husband rocked up with some Elemis Frangipani Monoi body oil which is the most luxurious smelling thing I've ever encountered. I covered myself in it after my first shower and felt like a new woman. I definitely think you should try and include a few things to treat yourself.

I second Boots own pads, Sainsbury's maternity pads are surprisingly good too :) depending on how human you are you may want disposable knickers too, I wore them for about a week after.

I used manuka honey impregnated dressings (just off Amazon) to help heal down there and they were brilliant.

Also paracetamol and ibuprofen - lots of them. Not aspirin.

Erm.. I found anything vaguely papery (Andrex wipes, loo roll) to be too sore and just used a flannel soaked in warm water for the first week, I got a 10 pack of really crappy cheap washcloths from the pound shop to keep by the loo :)