What do you recommend? What to buy?

[PeanutButterFalcon]

I’m finally starting to get some things for the baby and don’t even know where to start.
What pants do you recommend for after birth? And then there’s maternity pads, breast pads, storage for breast milk. I’m also looking for pyjamas and lounge sets for the hospital. Is there anything else I need/you recommend getting.

Thank you

Maternity pads I've always used Tescos as someone recommended them to me.

Pants wise, I get Asda black full briefs in a size or 2 bigger than normal.

Lounge wear ect for the hospital, I would suggest nighties over pajamas

Maternity pads are pretty much the same wherever you get them so go with your usual supermarket if they have them. You only need the thick ones for the 1st couple of weeks or until any stitches have settled then can move to normal pads, ones with wings are best.
Same with breast pads, similar everywhere so go with cheap and cheerful.
Pants. Get full brief a size or 2 up from your usual as your belly will remain swollen for a while. I second asda ones, cheap and last okay.
Nighties are better initially (button or popper fronts for nursing), you can hike them up in bed so they don't get soiled. PJ/lounge bottoms always end up covered in blood so only bother if you are going outdoors or having visitors.
The breast milk bags would be best (not sure about brands) as they'll take up the least room.

Get some puppy pads. They are good for any leaks you may have at home, you don't want extra piles of washing in the early days.

For pants I just got some black (black is key!) cotton “granny pants” from Tesco. I also would highly recommend Tesco’s maternity pads too. I wore them for a good two weeks (even though my flow reduced) as I found they provided a nice bit of cushioning on my stitches when sitting.
For breast pads id go against another posters advice and say avoid the mega cheap ones (I might just have particularly leaky boobs 🤣). The Tesco cheap ones are awful, they’re basically a cotton wool pad which stays wet when full and leaks everywhere. tescos Ultra breast pads are much better as they absorb and hold the liquid as a gel so stay pretty dry.
I got an amazing pair of maternity pjs from Asos by mamalicious, they were quite expensive but I wore them for my last trimester, after birth and still wearing them two months on even though my bumps gone and they fit great still. Buttons up the front is key.
Im currently using lansinoh breastmilk bags and have zero problems!
Don’t bother with anything warm for the hospital, I took dressing gown and slippers back in Feb and the hospital was roasting.
Id also recommend a peri bottle to spray water on your bits for your first few days of wees to dilute and reduce stinging.

I read a dark dressing gown was a good idea and I also bought cheap slippers just for the hospital. We had 3 weeks in NICU and I lived in maternity leggings, nursing vests and dressing gown. I also like the gel deodorant as spray fumes made me twitchy

Pants - Full briefs, two sizes bigger than you usually wear. M&S do good basic ones.

Pyjamas - button down nighties / pyjamas are best if planning to breastfeed. If you’re going to have a c-section then go for nighties so nothing rubs on the scar.

Maternity leggings - Love Leggings. Fab quality and great for post birth.

Maternity pads and breast pads - either Boots or Tesco own brand are fine.

Milk storage - Lansinoh do milk storage bags. Your midwife will also be able to give you some colostrum collection syringes.

Lansinoh also make a lanolin nipple cream - this is an essential for me when breastfeeding.

Baby clothes - Next are my favourite for quality. Try not to buy too much newborn size as they aren’t in them for too long.

H&M do good nursing tops.

Just think comfort, comfort, comfort.

More important than any kind of pad is to get a waterproof sheet for your bed. Because you and baby are going to leak body fluids all over your mattress for a month or two

@GreenSlide your so right I used those disposable bed mats for weeks after birth and a towel under me for my mattresses sake haha

Thank you everyone. Definitely lots to add that I haven’t even thought about.

I’ve seen pads in my local Tesco so will pick up some. I’ve seen a few bits online at Asda so will add the pants on thank you.

I don’t think I have ever worn nighties and don’t think I’d be comfortable in myself wearing one.

Thank you @Piccalily19 I definitely don’t want to be leaking breast milk and haven’t thought of ASOS for pyjamas.

I’ve seen a few people mention Lansinoh on other threads didn’t realise they did storage bags too. They sound like a good brand.

@LadyCluck I live for comfort!

@GreenSlide thank you. I haven’t thought of that. I have a mattress protector but don’t fancy ruining the bed

I bought full briefs from Sainsbury’s - in black! They were really soft and comfortable.

I find reusable breast pads more comfortable generally, but for hospital the disposable ones are more practical. Any supermarket brand is fine.

A long cardigan was very useful to me - covered my bum, which a hospital gown won’t, and helped me regulate my temperature.

For baby basics (vests and onesies) I love M&S and John Lewis. They’re very soft and comfortable, and good quality.

We bought most of our baby clothes from the supermarket or second hand - asda does cheap multipacks. My son had severe reflux and was sick several times a day so we needed lots of clothes and didn't want to pay too much.

The waterproof bed cover is a good shout. We put ours under a regular mattress protector to stop it being too crinkly and still have it on now (mainly because the sickly son used to end up in bed with us if poorly).