The most useful gadgets in puerperium
What are the postnatal essentials for a new mom? How are postpartum pads different from regular pads used during menstruation, and what should you choose? How to make the beginning of breastfeeding easier for yourself by equipping yourself with helpful accessories? Are postpartum bed pads a must have? In this article, we advise you which gadgets can be of great help during the puerperium.
What is worth equipping yourself with during the puerperium?
The postpartum period is the time when a woman's body recovers from the hardships of pregnancy and childbirth.It is assumed that it covers a period of approx. 6 weeks after giving birth, but its symptoms are very individual for each woman. In puerperium, all gadgets that facilitate everyday functioning are worth their weight in gold. The postnatal reality, although beautiful and unique, can also be difficult, painful and exhausting for most women. The uterus contracts and regenerates, stitched wounds of the perineum or after cesarean section trouble with everyday activities, and the level of pregnancy hormones decreases, affecting the mood of a new mother. And yet you need to take care not only of yourself, but above all of the newborn baby!
It is worth making it easier to adapt to a new life situation by getting accessories that will facilitate both the care and feeding of the newborn, as well as returning to full strength. What is worth equipping yourself with during the puerperium? Certainly in proven, safe and functional gadgets. They can be found in the database of products with a positive opinion from experts of the Institute of Mother and Child.
Sanitary pads after childbirth, i.e. postpartum pads
In the postpartum period, the uterus contracts, gradually returning to its pre-pregnancy size. The contraction of the uterus is accompanied by intensive cleansing, which the woman observes as bleeding and excretion of the so-called postpartum excrements, i.e. remains of pregnancy tissues. Bleeding is most abundant in the first days after delivery, after which it usually decreases in intensity and turns into a thinner discharge, which usually stops around 6-7 weeks after delivery.
For the first, postpartum weeks, it is worth getting special postpartum pads, czyli postpartum sanitary pads. They differ from traditional pads in thickness, and thus significantly increased absorbency. They are also significantly larger, thanks to which a woman in puerperium can freely change the position of the body without fear of the sanitary napkin shifting and the bedding covered with blood. Many types and shapes are available in stores and pharmacies sanitary napkins after childbirth:
- day or night;
- universal;
- and those having wings and a self-adhesive attachment to the underwear.
Expert advises
It is worth buying at least two types of sanitary pads after giving birth to find the most comfortable one for you. These types of sanitary napkins should be changed as often as possible, at least every 4 hours - blood is an excellent breeding ground for pathogens that can contribute to the development of inflammation of the reproductive organs. In addition to frequent changes of postpartum pads, we regularly wash during the puerperium (preferably with a special intimate hygiene liquid after childbirth) and dry the perineum well, choose a shower instead of bathing in a bathtub, and do not use tampons.
Postpartum panties
In puerperium, airy and very comfortable postpartum panties will be much better than traditional underwear, worn every day. They will be useful both after natural delivery and caesarean section. It is worth deciding to buy a few reusable postpartum panties, made of elastic mesh, because they are easy to keep clean (if dirty, they can be washed quickly) and, compared to disposable panties, they are much better breathable.
Postpartum panties provide excellent support postpartum pads, preventing their displacement, they do not compress the caesarean section wounds and ensure optimal air flow to the intimate areas.
Postpartum bedding
In the first weeks after giving birth, when vaginal bleeding is the most profuse, many new moms are concerned that the bedding, mattress or couch may get dirty. Even the most carefully fixed sanitary napkin in your underwear may slightly shift during your daily activities after childbirth. Postpartum bed pads are perfect for the postpartum period, as they are soft and absorbent on one side, while their other side is covered with a waterproof layer. If dirty, the underlay can be thrown away and replaced with a new one.
Contrary to appearances, this type postpartum bed pads They work well not only for securing the mattress in the bed, but also other upholstered furniture, such as e.g. a couch or a feeding chair (during feeding, oxytocin causes faster uterine contraction and increased outflow of blood and postpartum faeces). The underlay can be additionally covered with a darker-colored blanket or bedspread so that it is less conspicuous and does not move due to changes in body position.
Liquid for intimate hygiene after childbirth
In the postpartum period, it is recommended to take special care of the hygiene of the intimate parts. In the first 2 weeks after childbirth, it is worth washing yourself after each visit to the toilet, because urine, faeces, blood and postpartum faeces can contaminate the vaginal opening and possible wound after incision of the perineum.
Perfect for washing a gentle liquid for intimate hygiene after childbirth with a composition specially composed to accelerate tissue regeneration and alleviate unpleasant ailments of the intimate areas. Its mild formula does not cause irritation even with frequent use.
When preparing the bag for the hospital, the intimate hygiene liquid after childbirth can be poured into a smaller bottle to save space in the cosmetic bag. A small dispenser with a pump will work best, which will facilitate quick and hygienic dispensing of the product in the first days of the puerperium.
Comfortable and airy breastfeeding bra and nursing pads
Most often, feeding a newborn on demand will be a new mother's primary activity during the postpartum period. A comfortable, well-fitting nursing bra is invaluable in this case, ensuring easy access to the breast in any situation. It's worth stocking up on several pieces of this type of underwear, as bras often become soiled with milk during the early stages of breastfeeding, which can leak from the breasts even between feedings.
That's why it's a good idea to use disposable or reusable nursing pads in your postpartum bra. Women often use them until their milk supply stabilizes (stabilization often occurs around 4-6 weeks after giving birth, but this varies greatly from person to person).
When buying a nursing bra, it is worth considering the lactation increase in the size of the breasts and the circumference under the bust.
Food collector
Another gadget very useful in puerperium for all breastfeeding mothers. Until lactation stabilizes, milk often flows from the other breast at the same time while the baby is feeding. To prevent valuable food from getting soaked in the breast pad, a handy and very easy-to-use food collector can be attached to the other breast during feeding. It is a bottle with a specially designed shape, made of soft silicone. Just squeeze its lower part and put the collector to your breast. Thanks to the generated negative pressure, the collector does not need to be held - it sucks painlessly to the breast, storing the leaking milk.
The food collector is also perfect during the physiological load of food, bringing relief to breasts full of milk, without over stimulating them and forcing them. The food collected in the collector can be frozen in specially designed bags or containers in order to be able to give it to the baby later, if necessary (observing the appropriate rules and the shelf life of breast milk).
Feeding pillow
Expert advises
A woman after childbirth is often weakened and sore, so it is difficult for her to find a comfortable and ergonomic position for breastfeeding. You can take the nursing pillow to the hospital to make it easier for you to put your baby on the breast very often. This gadget will also be useful at home - in the event of an incision in the crotch or a wound after a cesarean section, the feeding pillow will allow you to assume the most comfortable position for a woman, which will not cause irritation and drag on the sutured wounds.
You can choose from many shapes:
- a feeding pillow in the shape of a cute hen;
- a practical croissant;
- or a soft roller that can be arranged and formed according to your needs.
It is worth choosing pillows with anti-allergic filling and a pillowcase made of certified materials that will be friendly to the delicate skin of a child. This gadget will also be useful for parents who feed their babies with formula - the feeding pillow will provide comfortable support for the hand supporting the newborn's body.
Nursing shirt
Next to sanitary napkins after childbirth it is one of the basic gadgets in puerperium, which women take to the hospital and then eagerly use the nursing shirt after returning home. In the postpartum period, many smiling women find that the nursing shirt temporarily becomes their all-day garment, facilitating very frequent feeding of the newborn.
You can, of course, opt for airy pajamas with pants and a breastfeeding blouse, but the nightgown in the puerperium provides comfort and better air supply to the sore, irritated tissues of the perineum. It is worth buying a nursing shirt for yourself, not only practical, made of airy material, but also pretty. It is very important that the freshly baked mother feels comfortable in it, but also beautiful and feminine.
Recommended products
Chief Specialist for issuing opinions on utility products for children at the Institute of Mother and Child in the years 2004-06.2022
Jug filtering water
Expert advises
After childbirth, both by natural forces and by Caesarean section, the woman's body needs regular and plentiful hydration. In the postpartum period, it is recommended to drink approx. 3 liters of low-sodium and low-sulfate water every day. Still water is especially recommended so as not to irritate the digestive system and not to provoke gas. Increased thirst very often also accompanies breastfeeding women, who produce up to 750 ml of milk for their baby a day.
A filter bottle will come in handy in the hospital. This will help reduce the luggage you are preparing for heavy water bottles. At home, in order to ensure unlimited access to fresh, delicious and health-safe water, it is worth getting a water filtering jug before the puerperium period.
It is good to put a water bottle or glass of water next to the feeding chair and the bed, because when feeding a baby, women often experience a strong thirst that should be satisfied immediately. You can ask your partner or other household members to bring the woman something to drink regularly during the puerperium and remind her to refuel abundantly.
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