Five Favorites

I'm jumping on board the Five Favorites train to share my favorite postpartum products. Here goes:

-1-

I read this tip in the comment section of a blog post when I was pregnant with Hannah and boy oh boy was I glad I did! Buy the most expensive toilet paper you can find. Take a role to the hospital. Use the rest at home. Because really-the time for using crappy one ply toilet paper is NOT hours after you give birth.

-2-

I have an extreme amount of pity for any nursing mother who wasn't told about lanolin when they started nursing. The last thing our doula said before leaving us when Hannah was born was, "Lanolin. Both sides. Every single time." And I listened. I had virtually no pain with Hannah and am only having some with Paul (i.e. cussing only once or twice per day) Waiting until your nipples are cracked and bleeding is NOT the time to go out and get some lanolin. Have it ready. Use it liberally.

-3-

I love these nursing tanks from Target. I bought two with Hannah and am still using them (although they're slightly stained from all the lanolin). I have one in black for wearing by itself and one in cream-which is good for wearing under clothes. I've lived in them from the time we got to our postpartum room until now-with no end in sight. I wash them both almost every single day because they are usually covered in spit up and breastmilk. If you can afford it-get three or four. Order them small, they stretch out a bit. I have one with "side slings" and one with holes cut out for your boobs. I like the side sling one better-the extra fabric on the other gets in the way sometimes. Absolutely could not survive the messy months of nursing without them.

-4-

A sweet blogger friend gifted me with a postpartum care kit from Earth Mama Angel Baby when I was pregnant with Hannah. I had no idea what a perfect gift it was until I started using it. This bottom balm was essential in healing from my tear, these bath herbs were wonderful when added to a sitz bath, but this spray was absolutely amazing. I only have the balm and herbs leftover for this time around and I really wish I had the spray. This would make a great gift for a pregnant friend!

-5-

I had no idea this little gem existed with my first nursing go-around. Oh how I wish I had! I think it could have saved us months of agony from oversupply. Not to mention the hours I could have NOT been pumping had I known about it. It's a Milkies Milk Saver (click for link) and it does just that. It saves the milk that leaks out from the breast that's not attached to the baby. The first time I used it I got 2.5 ounces in just a single 15 minute nursing session. That's an entire lady's night out! Effortlessly! In only a few days I've managed to stock 33 ounces of breast milk in the freezer. If this keeps up, I won't ever have to pump. Ever. Granted, I'm not working full time like I was with Hannah. I probably would have had to pump a little then-but it's likely it would only have been one time a day.

And if I thought this thing was awesome yesterday-today I'm even more in love. I skipped it last night because I was too lazy to walk back into the kitchen before crawling in bed. I've been engorged all day-it has been saving me of this discomfort and I didn't even know it! I think this is because I'm letting all that extra milk out rather than smashing my unused breast to try to stop it.

I'm not soaked when I get up from nursing. I'm not pumping to have a supply for the times I need to be separated from Paul. I'm not engorged and uncomfortable. It's a win-win (win-win-win-win....).

-6-

I'm cheating and adding a sixth favorite. 

This guy.

He makes all the postpartum trouble worth it.

Any other postpartum essentials that I've missed? I'm really wanting to try reusable breast pads this time around (so I can stop buying the disposables every time I turn around) but want to know if they really work.  I tried the cheapos from Walmart with Hannah and felt like I had wet rags in my bra all day. Anyone know of a brand that really works? Tell me about your favorite postpartum items in the comments!