Thats everything for baby, but what about ME?!

[sprite25]

Was just curious what I will need to get for after baby arrives for myself, we have pretty much everything we need for baby but all I can think of that I will need for me is breast pads, maternity pads, nursing bras/tops...is that all I will really need??

Lansinoh? Some comfy but not too skinny clothes to mooch about the house in for a week or two? I got some slouchy pyjama bottoms that look a bit like yoga pants so that I don't have to wear jeans etc if I'm sore.

Chocolate (or your favourite one handed snack) and some magazines for occupying you while feeding?

Apparently witch hazel and tea tree oil are also recommended.

Big pants in case you have a section. And a vest top with a shelf support section I found useful for night times and just dropped the shoulder for feeding rather than always wearing a bra

Comfy clothes, that's a must. I second yoga pants, they were all I wore for weeks. A little bit of planning for a CS will help - you'll be frazzled enough anyway if that does happen, so it's worth having at least one item of clothing you can wear.

Big knickers!

And snacks, plenty of easy snacks, both for the hospital and at home.

Disposable paper knickers or some really cheap big knickers, so you can fit a couple of maternity pads in them and stay comfy, then chuck them once you're done. Glamorous eh?
Paracetamol for combating any aches and pains.
A comfy set of old PJs and slippers, lots of snacks and drinks for you and birthing partner for your hospital bag.

Second big knickers and comfy clothes! Lived in my maternity leggings and nursing tops for first week or so. 3 weeks on I am only just getting back into "normal" clothes, but if you are bfding then strappy tops, shirts etc are helpful. Definitely stock up on the maternity pads, breast pads, and Lansinoh was a lifesaver for me during the first week. Small jug in the bathroom if you have stitches, let me know if you need more info! Stock up on snacks yes, I am snacking constantly and often don't have time (or hands) to make proper meals until DH gets home.

Skinny clothes?!

I meant not too scruffy clothes, to make you feel comfortable but presentable in case of unexpected guests etc (if that's the way you feel, of course).

I wouldn't expect me you to be wearing skinny clothes so soon after the birth. Bring on the cake

Oh dear, am I going to be the only one who says a good box set of DVDs for when your DH goes back to work!

I choose something with limited sex and violence (west wing! ) but I doubt the baby will notice. Honestly what are we meant to do be for hours while cuddling and feeding if too tired to read a book!

Cabbage leaves to line your bra for when your breasts feel as if they're about to explode

One tip I'd give is tinting your eyelashes. I found it just made a bit of a difference to my appearance without having to think about it. I wouldn't spend a fortune on nursing tops. In the early days I just used cheap vest tops.

is it really necessary to use nursing bras? Since underwired bras got too uncomfortable ive been wearing padded sports bra type things anyway and nursing bras just look awful/seem quite expensive and am unsure if I really need them.

No, decent TV is a must!

Paracetemol or ibuprofen isn't a bad call. Yes, you get given it on the ward if you want some and you definitely shouldn't just start mixing it with anything they are giving you, but if you do end up staying in a few days you might just have a headache or a sore throat or even miss the drugs round (worst case scenario doom-monger, sorry, but an emcs and a baby in NICU isn't conducive to getting all the drugs you want on time!) and just need a little something. Oh, and Rennies too!

Hopefully you will have a great birth and feel ok afterwards, but if you can afford it, £30 making sure you have some big knickers, soft-topped trousers, tea tree oil, a jug for peeing etc will really help if you do end up feeling a bit bashed around afterwards.

I have invested in one of these www.seraphine.com/nursing-shawl-brown.html as something comfy to wear, good for breastfeeding whatever else I'm wearing and for feeling a little 'dressier' when going out/visitors show up...

Definitely big pants and lots of maternity towels - I actually used just normal night time ones rather than special maternity ones.

Comfy loose clothes and if you are planning on breast feeding, layering tops are good so you can pull a vest top down and your jumper up so your tummy is covered too if you see what I mean. Oh and muslin squares (technically for the baby not you actually but just in case!)

DVDs to watch, or the tv remote within reaching distance a thermos mug or flask for hot drinks is good as you will not believe how hard it can be to go and make a cup of tea sometimes. Footstool or footrest - will make you much more comfortable. lots of cushions too.

iPad if you don't already have one. Didn't have them back when I had dd but it would have made my life so much better!

I also second the lansinoh nipple cream. perhaps also arnica tablets to help the healing. Also I had some of this and this both of which sounds scary but were very soothing and nice on the sore bits

Good luck!

~OP, how would you get your boob out of the sports bra to feed the baby?

there are some lovely ones here: [http://www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk/search.asp?types=HotMilk nursing bras]

oops

You do need easy access to boobs if BF. I was told to wait to get fitted after my milk had come in so you get the right size.

tv serious to watch while spending hours and hours breastfeeding??

Something comfy on your bottom half and comfy and long on your top half. I was really conscious of my big fat maternity pads showing through my clothes and wished I had something like this to go home from hospital in and in the early days after the birth.

Oh and tea tree oil drops for the bath, very good for healing your undercarriage.

Definitely tv, I recommend Revenge

My sister had a manicure and it really made a difference to how she felt and she looked so much more together. She popped to the local shops while the baby was asleep but you could get someone to come to the house.

I bought a charcoal jersey breastfeeding dress which had v subtle sparkles (better than it sounds!) - looked nice and smart but v comfy so ideal for first few days of lots of visitors

Yup - lansinoh (no cheap alternative r is as good), tea tree or lavender oil for you to have in your bath if you have stitches, tea, biscuits & cake to keep your energy up, and several box sets. Or, if you're me, develop a sad addiction to the Real Housewives & Murder, She Wrote!

I'd second getting normal night time sanitary towels. I found the maternity pads I bought were exactly the right width and thickness to press on my stitches. The ones the hospital gave me were wider and softer, but rather like a mattress. Body form night time ones were the most comfortable.

Lots of snack foods you can eat with one hand. For first few weeks I relied on having a bowl of apples, cereal bars, chocolate close to where I was feeding.

Something good on TV helps. DS arrived just in time for the tour de France. That whiled away the hours.

The tablet I'm typing this on has been a godsend.

Lip balm and throat lozenges, after gas and air my lips were terribly dry and my throat was sore from growling when pushing

Don't have night time towels for the first 2/3 weeks. They're scented so will mask any sign of infection and may dissolve your stitches! The wider and thicker the better for pads.

Once you're pretty much healed and the flow has calmed down you could use normal STs.

Nursing bras are easier at first, but I gave up on them and returned to just shoving ordinary non wired bras out the way, once DD2 got good at latching on.

In the end I returned to my old wired bras, DD2 used to moan they got in the way.