Postpartum Survival Kit

Lately whenever a friend or co-worker has a baby, I like to give her a "Postpartum Survival Kit" -- a collection of useful items that are super helpful to mom, but things that many do not remember needing.

I like to include ...

For Mom's Body:

• Overnight Maxi Pads -- the ones from the hospital can be really uncomfortable (and dare I say, cheap?). If it's touching your vulva the day after you push out a baby, splurge on some "fancy" ones. (Also, those first few days when your bleeding is a little unpredictable, put an extra pad across the back of your underwear at night. This will keep the leaking to a minimum.)
• Hemorrhoid pads (Tuck's are a popular brand) with Witch Hazel. I especially like to give these ask gifts, if only to relieve the new mom from having to ask the guy at the drug store where they are.
• Nipple Cream (I like the Lansinoh brand, but any 100% lanolin cream works. Note: Lanolin comes from sheep wool, so if you are vegan or prefer to stay away from processed animal products, there are non-lanolin nipple butters on the market, such as those from Earth Mama Angel Baby).
• ***Note. Nipple cream will not solve the problem of sore or cracked nipples, only make them feel better while you fix the issue, which is usually a bad latch***
• Puppy Pads. Seriously. I doubt you will find a pregnancy book that will include this one, but here it is. Again, in the first few days your vaginal bleeding may be a bit unpredictable, and you would hate to sit down in your new cream-colored nursing glider and leave a blood stain. Puppy pads are absorbent and have a plastic bottom layer, so the fluid won't leak through.
• Other One-Offs
• Breast pads. Some moms need a lot of these, some need none. I like to include a few, simply so mom doesn't have to go buy and whole big box, unless she finds she needs to wear them consistently.
• Microwave Sterilizing Bags. I know, boiling water is SO HARD, but I personally loved these. So I like to include one bag, so mom can use it for those first few items without bothering with the stove. (**Note. You don't have to sterilize pump parts and other baby things after every use, unless your baby is premature or his immune system is compromised).

For Mom's Mind:

• Her favorite magazine. There is a lot of sitting when you are nursing a newborn, so here's a chance to catch up with Martha Stewart (or People Magazine, I don't judge).
• A gift card for iPhone apps or music (this is great for Dads/partners too!) Angry Birds helped R's dad survive those early days (er ... months) of evening grumpies, where all we could do was sit and rock him.
• "What Mothers Do Especially When It Looks Like Nothing" by Naomi Stadlen. A great book about the realities of mothering a newborn, complete with negative feelings about oneself and one's baby. Very real and very moving.

For the Breastfeeding Mom and Baby

• If mom has registered for or already has a nursing pillow, a Nursing Pillow Cover. These get milky and smelly, so it's good to have an extra one handy.
• The name and phone number of a local Lactation Consultant. Most common breastfeeding issues can be fixed easily with a little help. Encourage mom not to wait, but to call someone right away (remind her it's probably covered by insurance!)
• The name and phone number of the local La Leche League leader, as well as their meeting schedule. All moms need support, but breastfeeding moms also need support from other breastfeeding moms. Seeing other moms nursing their babies and being able to ask them questions about their experiences is invaluable. 
• Occasionally I have a friend who wants to breastfeed but has not done any preparation (classes, reading, research). I will sometimes include a breastfeeding cheat sheet -- pictures of positions, latch "rules", common problems and what to do about them -- just so she has a jumping off point, as well as a handy reference for those moments when she doesn't know what to do.

What was the item you found most helpful in the early days of motherhood?

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------–

Like what you've read? Pregnant and looking for a class in Western/Central Massachusetts?
Check out our current class schedule here.

Questions? I'm never very far away from my email.

Follow Crafted Birth on Facebook for updates and birth-related resources.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------–