Thats everything for baby, but what about ME?!

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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??

Em - yup, they're the ones :)

I was kind of talking about things that 'one' could stock up on - wasn't saying it's all the woman's job!!

The suggestions here are great. I was recommended to spend some time cooking meals like bolognese, lasagne, mild curries etc to freeze so they can be microwaved and eaten fast!

My sister kept me in vegetable soups for the first six weeks (I had a horrid, and later infected, episiotomy so doing a #2 was painful for weeks - TMI sorry) so perhaps make some of those to freeze in potions too? Especially with the warm weather.

Oh and but a travel thermos mug. Means you'll have hot tea or soup regardless of what baby decides to do! You can get ones with decent lids too so you feel safer drinking when holding your bub.

Congratulations by the way!

ouch, really hoping I dont tear or have to have stitches sounds scary! So if you HAVE to wear proper nursing bras, when is the best time to buy them, do you wait til after baby is born or just before? this is my first so i dont know what happens to your boobs!

I bought nursing bras just before, because I wanted to be prepared. i know they aren't the best, but it is much, much, much easier to get your boobs out without practically stripping off!
I just used baggy tops so you can hoik the top up and keep covered at the same time, if that makes sense.

Even if you don't tear (which I really hope you don't!) it might be good to get arnica tablets for any bruising as it really helps settle the bruising down very quickly.

Another thing, when you settle down on the sofa to feed your baby, its useful to make sure you have the phone, the remote and a drink next to you. As soon as i started bfing I would have a raging thirst. And DCs would fall asleep on me and I could never get to the phone or change channel. It was a nightmare, nightmare i tell you! Maybe i will learn with DC3.

I had two cheap nursing bras that I washed and wore when I gave birth. After a couple of weeks when my milk supply was established and went and got measured at Mothercare.

To be honest, I had a tear (fast delivery) but in the moment I didn't realise. I had gas and air when being stitched up which helped. No long term ill effects from the tear :)

my boobs didn't change at all until my milk came in.
i had slightly larger ribcage and maybe went up a size during the last part of my pregnancy.

i think my ribcage is still bigger than it was, and my cupsize is, too, but not majorly (i know I don't fit into my old bras!)

the thing about the proper nursing bra is that it's got the clasps, you see.
And the one I linked to is the best I've come across because it's not specific to one size - it fits me in the morning when my boobs are FULL and at night when they're rather tiny again.

I was also given a shedload of someone else's cast-offs, and I used the ones that fitted during pregnancy.

Cheapo pants. I bled loads and sometimes it leaked onto my pants when the pad couldn't contain it. Didn't want to be scrubbing blood stains out of pants, so would just chuck them out. Feel less bad when they're Asda multipack ones!

Fybrogel - I probably didn't need to take it, but felt reassured that I had when going for "the first poo".

LIP BALM is the main thing I would recommend for you at hospital! Before I went I hunted down every list I could online of what to put into the hospital bag and they all put lip balm. I chose to ignore it and I was sorry! Gas and air dry your lips out terribly and I would have done anything for some lip balm!
When you're back at homes have already made and frozen a lot of easy dinners (I did chilli, bolognese, curry, stew etc) as you will have no time to cook properly! It's a welcome meal when you're shattered and sore from BF and being up every few hrs! Also things like packs of bacon for a tasty sandwich for lunch and things like that!
Big knickers, I second everyone who recommended those! I got mine in M&S for £5 for 5! Get them 2 sizes bigger than you'd normally wear, they are a boon!

Sounds a bit weird but if you've got any family or friends birthdays or other special occasions around your due date, plan for them while pregnant. My DS was born in Oct, right in the middle of all my family birthdays. Sorting out cards/presents etc while looking after a tiny baby felt like a big deal! I really wish I'd used some of my maternity leave to prepare a bit more for things like that. Could probably done with making a start on the Christmas shopping too!

I bought a few packs of thank you cards so I could send them out after receiving gifts. Get small ones so you don't have to write much!

I bought, nipple cream, breast pads, maternity pads and disposable knickers. I'm also going to buy a new comfy dressing gown, pyjamas and slippers probably in the next ten mins online. I also added some lovely night shirts from Victoria's Secret to my online basket.

I have been indulging in mama mio toiletries but will start mixing my own aromatherapy oils again once he's here to avoid any infection 'down there.' Usually salt water baths with tea tree and manuka oil work well.

My husband hates tv but bought me an iTunes voucher to pick whatever series I want when I go I to into labour. I thought this was really sweet because sadly I LOVE TV.

Snacks.

My mum bought me a lovely blanket and nursing chair :)

My aunt bought me a voucher for a Mani + Pedi.

So happy other people said they had lots of visitors in the first few days. I am expecting a hoard! Luckily my grandmother has already volunteered to bake fresh cakes and I am keeping long life milk and soya milk - it's very convenient since you can store it for ages and doesn't go off. Plus our baby is due in November and it may be snowing and may not be possible to pop to the shops.

Nearer the time I will make food like lasagna and freeze it so we can have things on hand.

Cranberry juice and bottles water for the delivery room and a lot of food and bits. Food and entertainment for hubby hahah.

@Borntofolk - baby is due in November and I started my Christmas shopping in August hahah. Just picking up bits and pieces, has definitely helped.

I didn't bother with nursing bras but did get vest tops that have the same type of clips. Found them much more comfortable while lounging around the house

instead of buying nursing bras when pregnant (guesswork) get some soft sleep bras, as the sizing is less specific and they are very comfy in the first few weeks. Then you can get fitted properly when your milk supply has settled down-could be up to a month !

You're far more organised than me then!

YY to those nursing vest tops which have a built in shelf. I lived in those for the first few weeks and only started wearing nursing bras later.

I bought mine from ASOS and they were by Emma Jane or something similar. They were about £25 each which was pricey but I also slept in them for a bit of support so felt they were well worth it.

I'm having my 5th on 4th October and in my hospital bah I have tena lady pads. They are much more absorbent than maternity pads. I'm going to buy some absorbent tena pants too for the first couple of days heav bleeding.
Flip flops for wearing in the shower are a must. Maternity ward showers aren't the cleanest. Also smear babies bum in vaseline before the first poo. It makes it so much easier to clean.

I just bought a bra like this from Asda. Only £6, really comfy and pulls down to feed. Comes in small/med/large and quite forgiving so I'd recommend it for the first couple of weeks til the milk comes in.