Publications
Partners
- Maternity pads - you’ll be bleeding for a few weeks after your baby is born as your womb cleans itself and this can last for between one to six weeks. Tampons aren’t advisable during this period so you need to get big, thick pads
- Breast pads - If you're breastfeeding you don’t want to “leak” and get embarrassing wet patches on your top. You can get disposable breast pads or re-usable, washable cloth ones. A mix of both is a good idea
- Nursing bras - If breastfeeding, ensure you have comfortable, unstructured bras for night-time feeding and structured ones for day time
- Pain relief - Arnica tablets help with swelling and bruising for caesarean or vaginal births. For the latter, you can also dissolve coarse salt or aromatherapy salts in a shallow bath of warm water, or use ice packs or warm compresses. Many moms also swear by Natura’s Rescue remedy to help with emotional upheaval
- Ready meals - Cook some meals in bulk and freeze them before your baby is born, so you don’t have to worry about cooking
- Good basic foodstuffs - Stock up on good basic foods to keep you going: low GI bread, eggs, cheese, milk and fruit juice, yoghurt, easy protein like ham and chicken nuggets, fruit and vegetables. Don’t forget the vitamins or tonics. If you’re breastfeeding, the product must be compatible – try Weleda Schlehen Blackthorn Berry Elixir
- Other groceries - Stock up on household essentials before the birth so you aren’t worrying about running out of toilet paper, detergent and so on
- Good things - Stock up on books, magazines and DVDs; invest in some nice candles and bubble bath to take a daily long, relaxing soak.
You’ll also need:
- As much help as possible. When friends and family offer help, accept it.
- A comfortable place to feed - arrange this before your baby is born. Is your chair comfortable and in a peaceful spot? Is there a table nearby to put baby “stuff” on it? Is the area a comfortable temperature night and day?
- Peace and quiet - do you have noisy neighbours, who might impact on your sleep? If so, rearrange where your bedroom is and invest in ear plugs (you’ll still hear your baby through the plugs if you’re sleeping in the same room!)
- Keep siblings occupied - do you have a firstborn who is about to become a big brother or sister? Organise ways to look after your toddler before the birth and remember to give them special one-on-one time every day.
Challenging as it is to adjust to motherhood, it gets easier over time. Do remember to have fun with your baby. And you will! Enjoy this time: it will go by so much faster than you’d dream possible.
