When we are pregnant, we often think more about our little baby. After all, it's exciting to prepare the baby's room, to shop for baby's item and so on. However, you must not forget yourself! Your body after birth will also need to be taken care of. During your third trimester, take the time to prepare yourself well... to avoid running to the pharmacy with your newborn baby.
Here is a small list of essentials to take care of yourself after birth, for all the essentials for the bathroom and for your wardrobe. As a bonus, you'll also get two key tips.
Mom's wardrobe
Here, think confort:
â–¡ wear comfortable clothes (jogging pants, loose pants, pajama bottoms, possibly a long skirt)
â–¡ comfortable and wide panties, dark in color
â–¡ a dressing gown: it is comfortable, warm and practical for breastfeeding.
For breastfeeding
â–¡ nursing bra or soft sports bra
â–¡ clothes for easy access to breast: made of stretch fabric with a V or U neck, with button or snap, with zipper or even designed for breastfeeding
â–¡ nursing pad (disposable or reusable-washable)
â–¡ lanolin-type cream (sold in pharmacies)
â–¡ APNO cream (all purpose nipple ointment). You can ask your doctor for this prescription before leaving the hospital. If you need it, you will already have it :) It should be noted that this ointment contains a topical antibiotic and should only be used if there are lesions. You can ask your nurse for advice during the home-visit.
Tip#1: Cabbage or your natural cooling bra
During the milk come in, the breasts enlarge and may become tender. To relieve discomfort, I recommend applying cold cabbage leaves directly to your breasts. It may sound strange, but I swear, the relief is worth it. I therefore advise you to buy a cabbage towards the end of your pregnancy. Ideally (but not necessarily), you can blanch the cabbage leaves for 2 minutes in boiling water to make them more flexible and then keep them in the fridge.
Another option: you can buy therapeutic nursing pads (hot or cold use). Here is an example.
Hygiene care (in a small basket near the toilet)
â–¡ extra underwear
â–¡ maxi absorbent sanitary pads
â–¡ unscented cleansing wipes or
good quality toilet paper
â–¡ peri-bottle (given by most hospital)
â–¡ sitz bath (given by the hospital)
â–¡ tylenol or advil
â–¡ lanolin cream for nipples if breastfeeding
â–¡ nursing pads
Tip#2: Pad sicles
To relieve your perineum after childbirth and reduce swelling (especially day 1-2), it is recommended to use cold. Here is a homemade recipe for making Pad sicle or frozen sanitary pads. Using witch hazel (extracted from a natural plant that helps reduce inflammation / hemorrhoids / irritation and has antiseptic proprieties) and Aloe Vera, this will give you good relief. Here are the instructions:
- Wash your hands and work on a clean work surface.
- Partially unpack the sanitary napkins.
- Put a good amount of aloe vera (ideally pure, not green aloe vera) on the pad.
- Put about 1 teaspoon of witch hazel in the middle.
- Fold the sanitary napkin and put in the freezer.
- Take out one at a time, 2-3minutes before using. Keep on the perineum, maximum 20 minutes.
Another option, you can buy instant cold padsicles (they won't need to be in freezer). Here is an example.
I wish you a birth in full confidence
Karine
Hi there!
I am Karine.
I created Birthing with Confidence (prenatal classes and workshops | Postnatal follow-up | Breastfeeding support | Blog) to help YOU have a better birth and times with your little baby. I want to support you in this great adventure!
I dare to believe in yourself!
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