Post birth essentials

[Tangomum21]

Hello All,

I'd like to do a bulk buy of post birth essentials and wondered what everyone else is planning to buy in terms of the following:

Maternity pads (which brands?). I read some recommendations for Kotex nighttime pads / tena panties too.
Disposable knickers (the jojomamanbebe ones are in packs of 5 and look secure)
Nursing pads
Maternity mats - do they work?!

Thanks!

You can buy essential oils very cheaply on ebay.

Giant black Primark knickers
Lanisoh breast pads and nipple cream
Maternity pads - I used boots and Tesco ones, both fine
Batch cook food for the freezer
Cereal bars and one-handed food if breastfeeding

Senakot for potential constipation!!

Not senokot if BFing though...

Twinkle star, how many sizes up did you go for the knickers?

If you are breastfeeding it's worth getting some DVDs, books and magazines and you'll be sitting around feeding a LOT in the first few weeks. Also some snacks to keep by your bed for night feeds, I was constantly starving.

I'm only getting one pack of each of maternity pads and breast pads as disposables, then I'm getting reusable breast pads and maternity pads. I'm not that sure about disposable knickers, I found dark maternity knickers to be fairly useful and I've still got them.

Don't think you really need maternity mats, I slept with a black towel underneath me for the first week until everyone int he house convinced me it was unnecessary.

Painkillers
Tea
Coffee
Biscuits
Travel pillow worked well to sit on.
Nice breastfeeding clothes (lots of visitors, I got sick of being seen only in baggy tops).
Cheap stretchy sports bras from peacocks to sleep in.
Cotton wool pleats better than balls for baby's bum.
I used around 3 x packs of maternity pads and 10+ of normal ones - worth getting loads.
I just wore normal pants, never saw any need to throw them away and my normal size fitted fine.
Low light lamp for night feeds.
I've still never used nappy rash cream or baby lotion and he's 10 months now!
Good luck