In the run up to DC2's birth (last week), rather than fixate on the hospital bag, I found myself stocking up the cupboards at home with various treats and essentials to help when I got home, based on my experience with DC1.
I thought this could help first-timers and those wondering what to give a new mum (NOT flowers!). What are/were yours?
Some of mine:
- huge supply of chocolate, Haribo, cereal bars for the middle-of-the-night-feed munchies
- Guerlain Midnight Secret moisturiser
- fake tan for face...helps to combat the anaemic look in photos
- under-eye concealer....multiple, stashed around the house, handbag, car
- favourite bath oil/foam, body lotion
- face wipes...no time to cleanse face properly
- chewing gum...ditto teeth cleaning!
- dry shampoo...ditto hair washing!
- Neal's Yard Seaweed and Arnica bath foam (healing)
- Arnica tablets and cream
- Lavender and Tea Tree Oil
- Preparation H gel and wipes (Tmi?)
- Moist toilet wipes
- Savoy cabbage and/or Breast Nurse pads (in the fridge)
- Mamma Mio Creams and oils
- an iPad
- a fab nightie from M&S that looks like a maxi dress but works for breastfeeding, chuck a cardi over it and I can answer the door to the postman without feeling embarrassed
- a tie-front shrug cardi to throw over nightie/huge boobs when answering the door...less obvious than a dressing gown
Realise I sound high-maintenance but I only plan on having two DCs, also wasn't prepared for things like piles with DC1! And if you don't deserve a treat after giving birth, of all times, then when do you?!