Postpartum Essentials Basket

UPDATE: Since having my baby, I wanted to do a quick update to my postpartum essentials basket on what I actually used or didn’t use! Click here to see my postpartum must haves!

In preparation for delivery and postpartum, I wanted to create my own postpartum kit with everything that I might need when I get home from the hospital.

I am a huge researcher and planner and like to be as prepared as possible. Let’s get real here: labor is hard. Recovery is hard. Being prepared is going to help ease some of the stress

Some of these things the hospital should send home with you, however, I wanted to make sure I was prepared in both of my bathrooms so I would have access to all the necessary items on both floors.

  • Pads – Apparently you will bleed (a lot) after delivery. Think of all the periods you were able to skip for the last 9 months seeking revenge! The hospital will give you pads, but you will need more and the hospital pads look pretty hardcore. For this I chose two kinds: Overnight, heavy flow for the beginning and a thinner, overnight for later. 
  • Tucks Pads – Hemorrhoids are real, ladies. They are pretty common after pushing out a baby. Not only are these Witch Hazel soaked pads perfect for easing hemorrhoid pain and discomfort, they also can help your whole area with swelling.
  • Peri Bottle – After delivery, you are going to be swollen. You aren’t going to want to use toilet paper at first on such a sensitive area. So the hospital will give you this spray bottle to squirt warm water on your lady bits after using the bathroom. The hospital should send you home with at least one, but I wanted one for each of my bathrooms. 
  • Dermoplast – Again, you’re going to be swollen and in pain. This product helps to “freeze” the area to help with both of those things. Make sure you get the BLUE top! They may give you one of these to take home. 
  • Nursing Pads –  If you are breastfeeding, you are going to leak. So I have stocked both of my baskets with Lansinoh Disposable nursing pads that I received free in gift bags from Target and Buy Buy Baby for creating a baby registry with them. I also purchased a set of organic, reusable nursing pads. I have read pros and cons to both types of nursing pads, so I wanted to try both and see which works best for me. 

Other: (these items are not essential, but will be convenient to have)

  • Earth Mama Baby Angel Postpartum Bath Herbs – Another way to help combat the pain, swelling, and discomfort post-baby is using a Sitz bath to soak in when you get home. The hospital may send you home with one. These  bath herbs are like a large tea bag to put into your pad, sort of like a Tucks pad, but you can freeze these herbs to help with pain and swelling. I purchased these on Black Friday for a really good deal, so I thought I would try them instead of buying a whole Sitz bath and herbs to put in it. 
  • Lansinoh Hot or Cold Breast Therapy  – I also received these for free in a registry gift bag from Target. You can use them hot or cold, which is perfect when breastfeeding to help let down milk and also to help with engorgement issues. If you didn’t want to purchase these, you could use frozen bags of vegetables or wash cloths. 

Not shown: (the following items are either in my hospital bag or in my medicine cabinet)

  • Earth Mama Baby Angel Nipple Cream – You will need some kind of nipple cream to combat the constant sucking. A lot of women like Lanolin Nipple Cream, however, if you have a wool allergy, you will want to avoid Lanolin. I just love EMBA, so I am choosing to use this cream instead. 
  • Ibuprofen – This is a must! It is what they will give you in the hospital post-baby and will help with pain and swelling at home.
  • Colace – Your provider will give you a prescription for a stool softener to help with your first post-baby bowel movement. I have heard that it is not a pleasant experience. Yay. I didn’t want to deal with stopping to pick-up or drop-off a prescription after the baby, so I purchased this on my own. 
  • Padsicles – The hospital should offer you ice packs after delivery, which is helpful,  but this DIY ice pack will help with swelling and pain using regular pads, aloe and witch hazel. I have stocked my freezer with a freezer bag full. 
  • New Mama Bottom Spray – This will be similar to Dermaplast, but with natural ingredients. I purchased a package of different things from EMBA on Black Friday and wanted to try this as replacement to Dermaplast. 
  • Bottom Balm – Again, this came in a package I purchased on Black Friday, but I have heard great things about this bottom balm, so I want to give it a try! 

Is there anything else you would or did include in your postpartum essentials kit?

 

 

 

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Healthy Crock Pot Refried Beans

I have always loved Mexican-ish foods: tacos, nachos, burritos, oh my! So becoming a vegetarian wasn’t that difficult for me because you can substitute beans for meat in tons of dishes!

Last year, I was so sick of opening cans of refried beans. Is it actually vegetarian or is it made with lard? Which brand tastes the best? And then I would always add things to the beans to make them taste better. There had to be a better way and this is totally it!

When I first started making refried beans in the Crock Pot, I knew we would never go back. Yes, it does take more time and planning than simply opening a can, but it is so worth it!

I know exactly what is in the beans and can tweak it for my taste! This recipe can be made with just pinto, but I do like to mix black beans and pinto beans. It does make the color a little darker, but it is so delicious!

The beans can easily be frozen in freezer bags to keep on hand. The most important part of this recipe is removing extra liquid from the beans when they are done. If you leave to much liquid, the beans will be really runny. If you like it like that, perfect! If you like it a little thicker, make sure you pull off as much liquid as possible. You can always add it back in later if the beans are too thick or it is also a perfect base for soup!

Healthy Crock Pot Refried Beans

Ingredients:

3 c Pinto beans (I usually use half black beans and half Pinto beans)

5 c water

4 c vegetable broth

1 onion, quartered

3 cloves garlic

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp black pepper

Optional: 1 fresh jalapeno, sliced

Directions:

  1. Rinse the beans in a strainer.
  2. Add all ingredients in crock pot, stir to until well combined.
  3. Cook on HIGH for 8 hours or until beans are soft. Add more water if needed. (I did not need to)
  4. When beans have opened and are soft, they are done.
  5. If there is a lot of liquid, remove as much liquid as possible. (The more liquid, the runnier the beans)
  6. Use an immersion blender to blend beans until desired consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a potato masher to mash the beans. If beans are too dry, add liquid back into the beans or more water as needed. 

*I do like to save some of the whole beans, instead of pureeing them. They are so good to just eat plain or in burritos!

 
To freeze: Wait until cool, then put in a Ziploc freezer bag. Lay flat in freezer for easy storage.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, I made broccoli cheese soup.

It was a disaster.

I’m not sure what went wrong, but it was inedible. Usually, even if dishes don’t turn out that great, we still suffer through so we don’t waste food. But this… this abomination of broccoli cheese soup will probably go down in history as the worst thing that I have ever made.

Since that day, I have stayed away from making broccoli cheese soup. Even though I love it so and my heart pines for it, I refused to try to make it ever again.

…Until now. As I’m entering my last few weeks of pregnancy, I’m trying to prepare for bringing the baby home. One way I’m prepping is to make a bunch freezer meals so I won’t have to worry about cooking for a while.

I came across this recipe for a healthy broccoli cheese soup and decided to overcome my fear and go for it!

It came out fantastic! In fact, it was so good that we ate all of it before I could get it into the freezer! So then I made a double batch so we could eat it and freeze it!

I am so happy with this soup. It’s so easy and it is so good! Hope you enjoy it as much as me!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, dice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 c of butter

1/4 c of All-Purpose flour

1 c milk (I used Almond Cashew)

3 c vegetable broth

3 c broccoli (apxr 1 head), chopped into bite-sized pieces

1 c carrots, diced (I used pre sliced carrots and roughly chopped them)

½ tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 c cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

  1. In a large pot, heat the butter until it starts to melt.
  2. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes.
  3. Slowly add the vegetable broth and milk, continuing to whisk the mixture.
  4. Once combined, turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 min.
  5. Meanwhile, add olive oil to saucepan for medium heat.
  6. Add onion and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Remove from heat if finished before flour/butter mixture is done simmering.
  7. Once the flour/butter mixture is done simmering, add broccoli, carrots, and cooked onion/garlic.
  8. Add salt and pepper.
  9. Simmer for another 20-25 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
  10. Using a handheld immersion blender, puree about half of the soup. (If you don’t have a handheld blender, blend half the soup in a blender). You can also blend more or less depending on how chunky you like your soup.
  11. Add the cheese and stir until combined.
  12. Serve and enjoy! You can add some shredded cheese on top if desired!

 

To freeze: Once cooled place in the either a freezer ready plastic container or freezer bag.

To serve: Place in fridge to thaw about 24 hours before eating. Reheat either on stovetop or in a microwavable container in microwave until heated through.

 

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DIY Postpartum Padsicles

As I’m entering my last few weeks of pregnancy, I’m prepping for bringing the baby home and for my postpartum recovery. I have read that these padsicles are a necessity, so I wanted to make up a bunch to throw in my freezer to help ease my recovery as much as possible.

These are really easy to make and are essentially ice packs for your postpartum lady area. In the hospital, they should offer you ice packs to keep the swelling down after birth.

However, padsicles are extra special! Witch Hazel helps reduce swelling, helps repair broken skin, and naturally fights bacteria. Aloe also helps with swelling, cools, and soothes skin.

You can also add essential oils to the pads like lavender, however, I have had reactions to lavender in lotions and detergents in the past, so I didn’t want to take a risk especially postpartum.

Supplies:

DIY postpartum padsicles steps

Directions:

  1. Carefully open a pad.
  2. Remove paper over wings.
  3. Pour a tablespoon of Witch Hazel over the pad. *If adding essential oil, add a few drops now
  4. Use a tablespoon of aloe and spread over pad. (Eventually I just eyeballed the amounts).
  5. Fold wings back in and replace paper.
  6. Fold pad back up.
  7. Place into freezer bag and into freezer.
  8. Take out one at a time to use as pads. Let that for 2-3 minutes before placing on skin.

 

 

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links for products that I have used, purchased, or love.

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Pregnancy Update: 36 Weeks

Holy moly! I cannot believe I only have 4 (actually 3.5) weeks left! I wasn’t even sure if I would make it this far because of my husband’s family history with giant babies and early labors. But here I am and it doesn’t look like the baby is planning on making an appearance anytime soon!

Although I’m getting super uncomfortable, I am soaking up every minute that I can with just my husband and I. Enjoying the quiet. Taking naps.

I’m also taking my time making freezer meals, packing my hospital bag, and preparing for bringing the baby home. I’m still feeling really good, just everything takes longer and more effort!

Total weight gain: Ohhh man… close to, if not over 30 lbs. I stopped getting on my scale at home, but I can’t help side glance the scale at the doctor’s office!

Maternity clothes? All the time. Sadly, some of my maternity shirts don’t cover my big ol’ belly anymore!

Stretch marks? A couple on my back/love handles. Crossing my fingers that I don’t develop anymore!

Sleep: You know, people kept saying I was so lucky for being pregnant in the winter and I just brushed it off because I am always cold… but this last trimester I am burning up! I am still sleeping well, but I wake up a lot because I am so hot!

Workouts: Not so much. Does laundry count? Actually, it has been getting nicer outside, so we have been walking 2 to 3 miles when it’s warm enough.

Diet: Same as always. I just eat less now because the baby takes up so much room!

Best moment this week:  Hmm… Probably when the baby’s mattress came in and we are almost complete with the nursery!

Miss anything? Having my own body! It’s so frustrating when I can’t bend over, get up, drop things, try to do the dishes, etc.

Food cravings: Cold stuff. I have to have ice in all of my drinks!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.

Gender: Boy

Labor signs: None. I have had some light cramping every couple days, but no signs of baby.

Symptoms: My hands! My hands are hurting so bad!

Belly button in or out? Still in and almost completely flat.

Wedding rings on or off: Off. Since my hands have been hurting, my fingers have also been swollen. I could probably get my ring on, but I don’t know how comfortable it would be.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy. I’m enjoying these last few weeks of just my husband and I as much as possible.

Looking forward to: We have decided to have the baby at our hospital’s alternative birth center instead of the labor and delivery unit. This week we have our orientation to get prepared for that, so I’m pretty excited to meet the staff, get all the info and finish packing for the hospital.

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