When bringing in a new bundle of joy into the world you buy cute toys, outfits and blankets you see, but do you buy anything for yourself? Did you get anything to help you with self care at the baby shower? Chances are you said No and if you said yes then you probably only got a few things because HELLO mom guilt kicks in and you wonder “Am I worth it?” Well I’m here to tell you, you are worth it and more! Theses are my top 10 must haves for life after the baby.
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- FREDA baby peri bottle This little Gadget it the best thing ever! The peri bottle you get in the hospital is hard to maneuver, you cant get all the water out to fully clean yourself and its hard to hold onto. This Peri bottle is designed with a mom in mind! The curved top makes it easy to hit the target! Sore stitches, Hemorrhoid, and everywhere in-between. Being a mom you have no time to waste, especially on cleaning your lady bits….
- Madela gel pads I was given a sample of these at the hospital when my first daughter was born. They saved my breastfeeding journey. My poor nipples hurt soo bad and kept drying to my bra between feedings..(ouch!) These can be used more then once which helps with justifying the cost. Slap these bad boys on and they feel cool on your hot nipples, keep your nipples from drying to your bra and hold the lotion on your nipple. I ran right out and bought myself some my second go around with breastfeeding.
- Coconut oil Buy this stuff buy the truck load! Seriously LOVE IT! I have a lot of uses for Coconut oil! If your breast feeding use it on your dry cracked nipples. Itchy stitches rub some down there. Feeling lucky… makes for the best all natural organic lube. Baby has cradle cap, use coconut oil. I put this stuff on EVERYTHING. I buy the big jugs and then put in smaller jars all over the house. Just know that during warmer months or if your house is 90* in the winter it will melt and be liquid form.. BUT STILL WORKS THE SAME! I store some in the fridge as well.
- Tucks pads/ Hemorrhoid cream This was something I was given at my baby shower and thought it was an odd gift. But let my tell ya this was a life saver! My first night home from the hospital I was sore from stiches and couldn’t get comfortable down there. I had used all the tucks pads from the hospital and didn’t want to have to call my aunt to make detour on her way over. Then I remembered my care package! Tucks and Hemorrhoid cream together helped me with my pain from my stitches and itchiness when healing, Also those lovely hemorrhoids that you get the never seem to go away.. To read about more totally normal things that happen read my post Life after Labor for more help tips.
- Nursing Bras/Shirts I recommend investing in some good nursing bras if you plan to breastfeed. I personally do not like underwire or padding in my bras. I absolutely love these nursing bras I bought on amazon. They are not expensive, they have no underwire and they have several color options. Also being a first time breastfeeding mom I had a hard time with discreetly nursing my baby. (After abut 3 days that quickly went away) When in public I liked my nursing tees because my mom belly wasn’t hanging out while my child ate!
- Haakaa/Manual Pump The Haakaa was a total life saver with my first born! This little contraption goes on your opposite boob when nursing your baby and it catches your letdown. I recommend buying at least two for night feeds. When my daughter would nurse in the night I would store what I collected in the fridge and have a clean one to use the next feeding. I didn’t have to clean one in the middle of the night. My first daughter I only used my Haakaa to collect milk because I was home with her. Along with your haakaa and breast pump I recommend having a manual pump. I could pump more using my manual pump. Also I kept a manual pump in the car incase I forgot my electric pump. I cant even tell you how many times i forgot my power cord or the bottle to pump into.. Manual pump to the rescue.
- Always over night pads These babies were a life saver. It seems like as soon as your home from the hospital everyone wants to come visit. Your already worried about your laundry piles and dishes, the last thing you need to worry about it standing up to go pee and have blood spot. The over night pads will give you plenty of coverage front to back so you wont have to worry about that! I wore them morning, noon and night. Around the clock coverage.
- Kegel Balls– I just got my first weighted kegel ball. Doing my Kegels are every stop sign and red light just wasn’t cutting it for me. I literally felt like my Vagina was falling out… Is that even possible?? My husband would joke with me ( i asked for him to be 100% honest.. not sure what i was thinking) that I would never be the same down there. and well he was right… i wouldn’t but by jolly i was gonna try! The weighted kegel balls are my favorite. You start with the smaller weight and move up as you need to be challenged. Start with short times like while you shower or vacuum then move up as needed. ** Do not start these until you are cleared by your doctor after your 6 week check up**
- Support It is so important for a mother to have support from friends and family. Reach out to other moms, join Facebook groups about breastfeeding, bottle feeding etc. There are support groups for everything. Everyone is going to give you their opinions on how to dress your baby, feed your baby, what you should eat…. the list is never ending. Having a place, friend, or family member you can ask questions and have them support you is essential for a mother. The quote ” it takes a village to raise a child” is sooo true. Build your village early on! Also don’t feel guilty hiring help with house work, or shopping. Having someone come once a week to clean my bathrooms , vacuum and wash my floors was a life savor for me when I had my first child. One less thing on my list of things to TRY and get done.
- Food Snacks, on the go meals, easy dinners, quick lunches all are must haves! As a new mom we are so busy trying to get in a new routine and often times find ourselves skipping meals or not having time to make meals. I like to make ahead freezer meals that I can throw into to croc pot, A set it and forget it! Also ALL THE SNACKS! I have my own little basket full of my favorite snacks. Everything from healthy meal bars to my favorite cookies! Also anytime someone in the family offers to make us a meal or invite us to dinner 90% of the time we agree! I can eat a nice meal and not have the mess! Jackpot!!
Becoming a Mother is one of the most rewarding and hardest things you will ever experience. Hopefully these will help you on your journey! And as always Bee Bold, Bee Beautiful, Bee Bubbly!
