How are you guys preparing for postpartum?

I don't have any experience, but you do! Just think back - what would have been helpful? What caused you problems? Make sure your partner is there for you. Tell him now what you will be needing so that he can be prepared too and make your postpartum recovery easier. Think about how your daily tasks (cleaning, cooking, taking care of your first child) will be redistributed? Agree on a plan.

I'm hoping I'll feel more relaxed this time. My daughter was a COVID baby and I was scared of everything. I'm going to prep as many meals as possible for the freezer to make those first weeks easier. And try to get out as much as I can to baby groups and for walks. I think that will help my mental health this time.

The big things that stick out to me from last time are the ice pads, witch hazel pad liners, and disposable knickers from Frida so I have all those stocked up.

Thanks all for your responses! Really interested what other people found helpful/necessary. Yes, definitely meal prepping is a good shout, and to look up baby classes/groups before the birth! I remember feeling overwhelmed by all the classes and would have been helpful to just have one or two in mind beforehand. Hadn't thought about ice packs before, or heard of witch hazel liners, and disposable knickers.. will look these up. Thank you 😊 A friend told me to get giant pants and she was right! Haha

I’m not gonna be in such a rush to be out of the house this time round or having visitors. I’m doing no visitors for the first week, staying in my bubble at home. Self care wise I’m gonna go to those nail and hair appointments with the baby, I want to feel good too. I’m gonna get a load of Cook meals for ease and prep lots of meals for my toddler and get out for walks as much as possible. I’m really hoping I can take it all in and be far more chilled this time round and just enjoy it.

I would definitely recommend not having visitors straight away as it meant I couldn’t rest when my house was flooded with people first time round and I needed sleep desperately. Disposable knickers are a a must (they have some higher waisted ones for c sections too). Only bring black pants to the hospital too incase there’s a leakage! If you’re planning on breastfeeding, look up what foods cause indigestion in babies as for the first month or so newborns are very sensitive to anything that you consume and it is passed on through the breast milk, and it really is anything like tomatoes, beans, citrus fruits, spices etc.

I’m the same as you! Having 2nd baby and didn’t prep much for postpartum 1st time. Some things: -Freezer meals -Book cleaner every 2 weeks for the first 2-3 months -reading ‘maternal depletion’ and will try follow the advice I think it’s things like taking iron & magnesium supplements and setting aside small amount of time for mindfulness -will have a rough routine from the start. Planning on getting showered & dressed before my partner leaves for work everyday -eat healthily and exercise as much as I can -loads of sanitary pads and supportive nickers for the first month or so -Keep my days simple & not put too much pressure on myself to do many things -sleep when the baby sleeps and ask for help. I think that’s it 🤔