Top postnatal tips

[LadyMedea]

So here we are day 13 with my gorgeous PFB DS. This board and my antenatal thread were my lifeline but I'm not sure I'd seen a thread about postnatal survival for a while so I thought I'd share my couple of tips and hopefully some experienced mummies will also chip in.

Lactulose is your friend
Even if you avoid a tear (mine was 2nd degree) you want those postnatal poos to be soft and slippery. I didn't get started on the lactulose quickly enough and am paying for it now with a (TMI) anal fissure. You can get it on prescription or just get it from the chemist for a couple of quid.

Medela Hydrogel Pads
Oh my god these saved my breastfeeding. They are moist wound healing dressings, not cheap but in 24hrs my nips went from cracked and bruised to almost perfect. No breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, but I did a lot if damage in those first post birth brain addled 24 hours and needed a quick recovery solution.

Things I didn't have in my hospital bag but wish I had had: baby socks for chilly feet, smaller hats (unless you have a whopper those 0-3 will drown them), and a gazillion wipes (entire packet on first poo).

Good idea LadyM my top tips would be;
Sleep! The washing up, post, hoovering, last night's Corrie can wait.
Don't beat yourself up if things don't go to plan.
Get a cheap manual breast pump just in case.
Get a couple of cartons of formula just in case.
Nipple cream! I'm going to take out shares in Lanisoh, the stuff is amazing.
Communicate with your partner, you're going to be tired, sore, emotional an hormonal and your DP is not a mind reader, so talk about stuff.
Try to get out of the house and breath some fresh air once a day, even if you just stand in the garden and watch the birds for five minutes.
Relax, it's a hard time, you won't make it easier by winding yourself up with stress. If you are stressed ask or help, here, irl, your GP, your MW, your HV, someone will be able to lend a hand.
Enjoy!

Lansinoh* even, fat fingered typing!