Top 10 Postpartum Must Haves

I'm sitting here just over two weeks postpartum and I have been reflecting on some of the things I could not have done without over the past few weeks. This is a post where I'm talking about a lot of lady things ... if that grosses you out or you are uninterested in it, feel free to skip.

1. The peri bottle - I am pretty sure that this little gem might top every Mama's list. It's beauty is self explanatory. There is nothing quite like it. Squirting yourself with warm water to dilute your urine so it doesn't sting and clean off your tender parts ... fabulous.

2. Earth Mama Postpartum Herbal Bath - there was a mixture in the homebirth kit from the midwives that gave me enough for two herbal baths but thanks to Shaina, I also had a jar of this mixture which carried me through the first week or so. Being able to have an herbal bath with my babe every night was so soothing and relaxing.

3. Earth Mama Bottom Balm - This was given to me at one of my showers and at first I thought it was bottom balm for the baby, but upon closer inspection I realized it was for me. It is a balm that is stored in the fridge and can be applied to your you-know-what a few times daily. It is a cooling salve that really really really made things feel better, especially when paired with a postpartum ice pack (see #5).

4. My husband's underwear - yes, that's right. I spent my first week postpartum in my hubby's underwear. Who ever thought I would be so quick to get back in his pants? He wears boxer briefs and has one particular brand that are fairly tight that he doesn't wear. They were the perfect size for me and so comfy. They held everything (see below) in place just perfectly.

5. Frozen pads and size 5 diapers - before giving birth, I soaked some large pads in water, cut them in half and froze them. Then, the midwives supplied me with a few size 5 diapers in the birth kit. I placed the frozen pads in the diapers and put them into my underwear the Dude's underwear underneath a large soaker pad folded in three. Pure bliss.

6. Medela Purelan 100 - Breastfeeding = ouchie. Enough said. Lather those lady's up.

7. Gatorade and gingerale - I don't know why, because I don't particularly love either of these drinks normally, but I downed gatorade and gingerale after her birth. Luckily, I had stocked up on gatorade to drink during labor (which was also a must have) so I had a bunch left over. I felt like it helped me re-gain some energy. What was not a must-have however, was freezing Gatorade into Popsicles. Something about the electrolytes in the drink made it taste like I was licking a salt block.

8. Easy off and on ring - When dealing with sleep deprivation and trying to establish breastfeeding, I found it absolutely invaluable to have a sure fire way to remember which side I need to nurse Eva on each time. Of course, there are times when my girls make it prettttttty dang obvious which side she needs to go on, but for the rest of the time, I have loved using my fake wedding ring to switch from hand to hand so that I always can remember which side to milk from.

9. My Mom and Mother-in-law - over the past two weeks these women have been doing everything from cooking, cleaning, laundry, giving advice, holding the baby, getting my groceries and so on. The support I've had from them has been unbelievable and I know my transition to motherhood would not have been as smooth as it has been without them.

10. The Fabulous Dude - obvi. This kid rocks my freakin' world. He was off of work for the first five days of Eva's life and he spent much of that time caring for his helpless wife. I learned to depend on him for things I never ever ever expected to depend on my husband for. He helped me with everything from pottying to showering to changing to getting out of bed to distracting me while I got through the toe curling ouchies of nursing. And he's done alright with helping care for Eva, too ;)