Hellobee Boards Topic: What helped you out most in the first few months?

Hellobee Boards Topic: What helped you out most in the first few months? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:30:48 +0000 MrsMccarthy on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months/page/2#post-2042990 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 23:39:11 +0000 MrsMccarthy 2042990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ When my MIL came over and cleaned my house, made food, stocked shelves. Soaking my nipples in a shot glass of warm salt water when they were sore and cracked followed by nipple butter. The bouncy seat. Mrs. Champagne on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months/page/2#post-2042930 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:50:10 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2042930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mrsrain: good point on the showers! I took a bath every morning when DS naped and then showered. Every night when DH got home I had another bath. Great for some moments alone and for recovery! And being clean and having washed hair made me feel a lot better. autumnleaves on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months/page/2#post-2042924 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:44:40 +0000 autumnleaves 2042924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I wish I had created a postpartum kit before my LO arrived. HB has several posts on this including <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2014/09/02/postpartum-survival-kit-2/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2014/09/02/postpartum-survival-kit-2/</a> The freezer meals lasted us for months and I was very thankful for friends dropping meals by and checking in on us. Belonging to a CSA that delivers produce to our door and having Amazon Prime membership also helps as well as a very supportive husband who was willing to run to the pharmacy to get some of those PP kit items for me and watch the LO so I could take a shower every day. mrsrain on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months/page/2#post-2042889 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:17:07 +0000 mrsrain 2042889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Three things come to mind: 1) We had our parents take turns staying with us for the first 2 weeks. It was so, SO helpful to have people to feed us, do laundry, and occasionally take LO so we could sleep. We also ended up going to the pediatrician every day for the first four days (concern over LO's weight), and it was a life-saver having my dad drive us since we were so sleep deprived. 2) I took a shower every day. Every. Single. Day. It really helped me to feel a little more human, and I looked forward to that little alone-time every morning. I highly recommend it. 3) When LO was a couple of months old I made it to a local breastfeeding support group, and I sincerely wish I had managed to make it there sooner! It really, really helped me get comfortable with breastfeeding (and specifically BFing in public), and those ladies have become my closest friends! catlady on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months/page/2#post-2042865 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:08:00 +0000 catlady 2042865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nursing stuff was huge for me in the early days since my LO cluster fed for what felt like the first 8 weeks straight. I used Motherlove cream, both washable and disposable nursing pads, Bravado nursing bras, and lots of cheap tops from Old Navy that were very stretchy and I could just pull down. Alot of it is trial and error but I wish I had bought more of that stuff ahead of time since I really didn't have any of it when I came home from the hospital. I also used my iphone, kindle, and hulu plus a ton in the early days. One thing I didn't do which I regret was join a new mom or new parents group. My excuse was that it was too cold by the time I was comfortable taking LO out by myself (she was a fall baby), but I wish I had made myself go. theotherstark on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042863 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:07:53 +0000 theotherstark 2042863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Lanolin nipple ointment and nursing/nipple pads! ElbieKay on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042841 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:58:31 +0000 ElbieKay 2042841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Are you eventually planning to pump for any reason? If so, get a pump now. I had a lot of nursing pain and needed a pump right away so I could take breaks from nursing. I had no equipment, and luckily my best friend hooked me up with her hospital grade pump the same day I got home. That pretty much saved my nursing relationship with my son. Other things I wish I'd had up front: Lansinoh soothies for my nipples (aka the only reason I could tolerate wearing a shirt), PumpinPals aftermarket flanges, a handsfree nursing bra, and a comfortable place to nurse and to pump. I wound up buying a glider when my son was a few months old, and I regret not getting one before he was born. It would have saved me a lot of neck and back pain. MCD919 on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042837 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:55:27 +0000 MCD919 2042837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You have done some great preparations already! Echoing some others... peri spray (I used earth mama angel baby bottom spray), nipple ointment/ cream (earth mama again), pads, and stool softener in the bathroom. A good netflix show is a must! I did desperate housewives, but it isn't on anymore :( Gilmore Girls is great, too! Someone you trust and feel comfortable with to help with breastfeeding... My sister was there for me, and basically got LO to latch which was such a huge help. Newborn and 0-3 month zip-up one piece outfits with feet. My LO was born in January and pretty much lived in these! Hand sanitizer... I'll ETA if I think of anything else! blackbird on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042828 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:51:15 +0000 blackbird 2042828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I used to walk outside and water the plants. It was soothing in the springtime. The fresh air in the morning....also I was able to take barre classes and they had babysitting. That one hour every morning started my day off right littlejoy on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042821 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:48:49 +0000 littlejoy 2042821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @ScarletBegonia: My goal was a shower each day. Amazing how that can make you feel like a human!! :) jetsa on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042812 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:42:10 +0000 jetsa 2042812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @youboots: I got most of my recovery supply's from the hospital. It may be worth a call before you buy more. Little Misters Mom on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042777 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:13:59 +0000 Little Misters Mom 2042777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Amazon prime and saving a few good TV shows to binge on! ScarletBegonia on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042776 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:13:23 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2042776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My husband and I came to an agreement on the first or second day home that he would unquestionably have the baby for about a half hour every morning so I could shower and change into a clean nursing tank and clothes, and spend some time on my own in our bedroom. The night wakings were pretty unrelenting in the beginning and it was hot, so by morning I would be covered in dried sweat and leaked milk and just feel gross. Even if it was at 5:30am - getting showered and dressed were super important to me. They still are now that my son is at daycare - no matter how little sleep I get I have to shower every morning or I don't feel like myself. daniellemybelle on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042772 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:11:23 +0000 daniellemybelle 2042772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My mom, a big water bottle, and getting out of the house/breaks from the baby. My mantra was sleep-related: "Five minutes is better than no minutes." Sometimes I would lament that by the time I drifted off the baby was up again, and figured I should just stay up and do laundry or play on my phone. I would force myself to sleep even in tiny increments! avivoca on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042766 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:07:20 +0000 avivoca 2042766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Mom's group was amazing, so was getting out of the house everyday, even if it was just to walk the dog. My iPad/phone was always with me because I parked myself on the couch and I don't watch much TV. I also cooked and froze a bunch of muffins to heat up for snacks/breakfast. And I kept a big bag of homemade trail mix and water by my side. MamaCate on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042751 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:58:26 +0000 MamaCate 2042751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ When I saw your title, I thought of this mantra, which was the best thing for newborn days and endless nights: This is a phase. This too shall pass. SweetiePie on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042746 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:51:35 +0000 SweetiePie 2042746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Moms group, getting out once a day for air, keeping the window shades/curtains open for sunlight. Oh and if you're pumping, a hands free pumping bra! littlejoy on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042730 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:40:58 +0000 littlejoy 2042730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was happy that I had my breast pump in advance. On day 3, my milk was coming in, but my nipples were already destroyed from her tongue tie. If I didn't have my pump already, I would have been a hot mess (an even hotter mess than I was). If you have a robust supply, you will likely want the pump to avoid engorgement/clogged ducts/mastitis. Beyond that, I would suggest 7 nursing tanks, lots of comfy pants (that you might get blood on), tons of giant pads, some chux pads (for putting under you when you sleep and for the couch). Oh, and everything that @looch suggested! We loved the laptop for movies and shows in our room (since we basically lived in there for 2 weeks). For baby, we kept a basket in each room of hats, burp cloths (so many burp cloths), a pacifier (if you use them), extra diapers & wipes, and a onesie. The baby is the easy part! They don't need much. Mama Bird on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042619 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:31:42 +0000 Mama Bird 2042619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I spent a lot of time glued to the couch while B ate, so I was very glad to have a big book I'd been wanting to read for some time. Another thing that was priceless was a set of waterproof pads (not sure what they're called) that I put in my lap when he was nursing. They kept me from having to wash all my clothes quite a few times! youboots on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042584 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:16:30 +0000 youboots 2042584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Ok I just ordered dimmers for our lamps and a 10 ft charger. cait on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042545 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:52:32 +0000 cait 2042545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I second the nightlight suggestion, made the nighttime wake ups a little less jarring. ;) Also I kept a burp cloth or wipes in several locations so I could always grab one quickly! gingerbebe on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042516 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:27:03 +0000 gingerbebe 2042516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Oh yes! I bought a 10 foot iPhone charger cord for the hospital and it's been invaluable! Mamasig on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042515 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:26:55 +0000 Mamasig 2042515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @youboots: I tried to go somewhere once a day - grocery store, pay a bill, mall. I just hated being cooped up all day. I need an outside purpose for my day to get me showered, dressed, etc. If not, I'd be a bum in my pjs all day. But that's just me. I had a friend who loved hanging out at home all day. Mrs. Jump Rope on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042505 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:17:40 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2042505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ A phone charger like this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/EasyAcc-Brilliant-Portable-Charger-10000mAh/dp/B00H9BEC8E" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/EasyAcc-Brilliant-Portable-Charger-10000mAh/dp/B00H9BEC8E</a> I'm 5m PP and still have "my spot" on the couch and in iur bed where I nurse, and neither has a close outlet & I'm always on my phone while nursing. This portable charger is so awesome & I always carry it in my diaper bag now. Pillows, too. I bought new pillows before baby was born. Great back support made a huge difference in nursing. Scented hand soap with lotion for every bathroom and the kitchen. You wash your hands so many times in the newborn days (think of all the diaper changes!) that it was nice to have a hand soap with lotion so your hands don't get dry. Burt's bees. Netflix & chromecast or amazon fire. gingerbebe on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042500 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:15:09 +0000 gingerbebe 2042500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We preferred lamp dimmers to night lights. We just kept them on all the lamps around the house. I kept diaper kits around the house - a puppy pad, wipes, diapers plus a bib and a burp cloth. Eye mask and ear plugs for when it's your turn to sleep. I like wearing robes because my shoulders got cold while nursing or pumping. Lots of paper plates and plastic ware. Lots of toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, lightbulbs - random things that will annoy you if you run out suddenly. Along those lines we stocked up on laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, dish soap, and LOTS of hand sanitizer and foaming hand wash. And hand cream! youboots on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042495 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:12:46 +0000 youboots 2042495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @looch: got it. I was thinking baby stuff. Thank you. @namaste: thanks for chiming in too. namaste on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042490 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:10:36 +0000 namaste 2042490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mediagirl: Agreed with having my spot! It really helps with MOTN feedings, especially when I was waking her up every 3 hours. illumina on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042481 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:07:28 +0000 illumina 2042481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @petunia354: Prime saved my life! So speedy! Also lots of DVD box sets! looch on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042472 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:01:18 +0000 looch 2042472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @youboots: I would put a peri bottle, washcloths, dermaplast if you're using it, and Prep H at each bathroom. youboots on "What helped you out most in the first few months?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-helped-you-out-most-in-the-first-few-months#post-2042470 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:59:36 +0000 youboots 2042470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Eminthevalley: I have a once a month cleaner. And my Mother in law cleans my house when she housesits (bless her) and will be staying at the house with the dogs when we are in the hospital, and do some cleaning and cooking. @looch: I don't have a stocked first aid kit for myself yet. Good tips, I'm adding it to my to do list. We have a bathroom on each floor. What kind of 'kit' do you reccomend? The main level we have a tiny 48" tub that will be the baby's bathroom that will have all bathing stuff and we will keep first aid items in a designated drawer in our bathroom.