The 5-star MN Fran support thread starts here!

[peatbogfaerie]

I'm really hoping this is going to be just helpful, practical support for Fran -- yes, I know she can get it off all the pregnancy and baby boards, but her situation is slightly unusual to say the least.

It's a bit early perhaps, but I wish someone had told me to have the following ready at home for the first few weeks (note they are mostly for you!):

• lavender and t-tree oil to put in yr bath to help heal any stitches or tears.
• Large packet of painkillers so that it won't hurt too much.
• Kamillosan for sore nipples.
• one of those lavender and wheat bags that you heat in a microwave - fantastic for sore boobs when yr milk comes in.
• huge enormous super-super pads with wings (but just the normal ones, don't bother with special maternity ones)
• Infacol for Molly, just in case she gets wind, but prob. not if yr able to b.feed

I'm sure lots of others will come up with more.
Hugs from London to you both

Good-oh threads everywhere!

Advice I was given & used (as opposed to the shed-load I didn't!!)

• If anyone visits/phones/emails & says "anything I can do to help? " snap their hand off & give them a job starting with put the kettle on!

• If baby sleeps take a rest /sleep yourself DO NOT start doing stuff to catch up. Later maybe when you're sleeping better & in a bit more of a routine but you need to rest to get good milk.

*If you have a freezer get a supply of "ping dinnners" in/made now so you can grab one out & stick it in the mwave on a bad day/in the evening when you're knackered & still have a proper meal.

*If you have loads of visitors wanting to come be firm & tell them to take turns as it's exhausting & it's more fun having them in fits & starts, for SHORT stays.Oh & tell them to bring their own duvets/pillows where possible as then you'll not have so much washing! (I realise for overseas visitors this may not be possible )

Loads more I'll try some later.

Thanks for doing this PBF hopefully it'll help other mothers-to-be not just Fran!

Hey everybody, the parties moved to 'Pregnancy: Fran's Support Thread', so post any advice for her there ...