So my friend who's 7 months pg just asked me what I wish I'd had in the house BEFORE the baby arrived?

[Twinklemegan]

For me/DH specifically. Other than copious amounts of alcohol.

I thought of tea tree oil, cos that was so so useful for the episiotomy scar (not wanting to scare her...)

And a bloody good book on breastfeeding.

Any other ideas - there must be loads of things but it was a while ago...

a night nurse

If she is breastfeeding -

Lansinoh cream

Breasfteeding support pillow

loads of mags or a good book

oh hello !

i wish i had known about mumsnet

arnica for post delivery

Ina may gaskin books

to write off the first 6 weeks post natal, and just wallow in new babyness!

a functioning kitchen would have been a start.....

but also
a comfortable chair and one of those posh pillows for bf
a freezer full of food
enough basic newborn clothes

second the freezer full of food. Also, tesco direct preloaded with our routine shopping list. Lavender oil for PN baths.

another good tip for episiotomy scar is having as many baths as possible (yes, right) with a few drops of lavander oil, it really works.
lots of dvds to watch while breastfeeding

x post btn!

Lots of bf snacks and biscuits for visitors, enough tea for an army and some takeaway menus.

cordless phone, cartons of juice strategically placed about house, hidden stashes of mags/biscuits/lansinoh

Wish I'd had thank you cards in the house - it would have seemed presumptious to get them in beforehand, but had I realised quite how generous people would be and just how many thank you cards I would need, I would have got some ready. Also, birth announcement cards... again seemed presumptious to get or plan them in advance, wish I had spent some time researching this beforehand to cut down time looking on the internet when I had a tiny tiny baby to look after.

Thanks for the replies. Also thinking in terms of a useful present(s) for her/DH post-baby. Can your DH's think of anything? Mine is useless and can't think past beer/something stronger.

What do I wish I'd had in the house before the baby arrived??? CONTRACEPTION

dp says,
ear plugs....
single mattress...
so I and he and said well what can you give him when his life has just become complete... awwwww

My DH was so traumatised by the birth that he came straight home and hit the whisky until 4am! So DD's head was well and truely wetted. Maybe beer isn't such a bad idea...... (but perhaps don't tell her about my DH and how "brutal" he thought the whole thing was).

Awww at your DH Slur!!

Hi Lulu!

A dishwasher was the best thing ever before DS was born! Standing up to wash dishes is no joke with a mahoosive bump and swollen legs! Its now a much loved white good in my kitchen! lol!

lansinoh purified lanolin for sore nips, ten million maternity pads, a valley cushion to sit on, lots of nice flapjack/biscuit/cake things to eat while breastfeeding, lots of magazines, nicest present i got was a basket of mini muffins and hot chocolate delivered to the door when ds was 2 days old, much better than baby clothes!

An electric fence and a guard to keep everyone away for a few days

Big big big (and I mean HUGE) pants. Loads of sports bottles of water. Lavender Oil.

Message withdrawn

a stock of grabbable food...i was always starving....cake, nice bread, bananas,chocs whatever...i would have loved the muffin basket!

supplies of whatever creams and potions and bath things you usually use....dh always found a bargain and you'll drift away from spending on yourself for a bit

comfy chair...i had my old rocker with added pillows and functionning remote and stack of books/mags you have chosen

a double bed in dc's room.... so that you can feed lying down/sleep with dc if you want to and not have to have you and dp awake

When I had dd1 my sister gave me a special box (wrapped in nice paper) full of sweets, chocolate, nice cereal bars, strawberries and fruit etc. It was lovely.

Yes to grabbable snacks, and drinks, and lots of comfy cushions.

Lots of hearty meals in freezer.

Wireless network and laptop for scrabulous while feeding.

agree with loads of food/snacks, lavender oil for baths (mum not baby), and couldn't agree more with what lulumama said....to right off the first 6 weeks (or more!) and just enjoy it! I will be doing more of this next time round!!!

And DON'T be thinking about ROUTINES!!!

A 32 hour clock.