From a STM: What you REALLY need postpartum

rdgove

-You will be so so so sore after you give birth. The pain for me with a 2nd degree tear and massive hemmies was so terrible. I told my friend, who has given birth twice, and she brought me this little jar of heaven. It is amazing. It feels so good and helps everything heal. Truly worth every penny - get some for the day you come home:

 http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-2-Ounce/dp/B0021HR94K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336955105&sr=8-1 

-For those planning to breastfeed: IT HURTS!! Even with a perfect latch, anything sucking on a part of your body for hours every day will make you raw/sore/chapped until your body adjusts. It can feel like you have glass coming out of your nipples during latching for the first couple weeks. I'm not exaggerating. This stuff is great - much better than lanolin. Start using it a few weeks before giving birth. You will be glad:

 http://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Herbal-Company-10011-Nipple/product-reviews/B0007CQ726/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

-Swaddling will be a lifesaver. You can use swaddle blankets, but they can be a pain and some babies are little escape artists, plus fiddling with the correct swaddling technique at 3am is useless. These swaddlers are amazing, cheap, machine-washable, and helped my daughter start sleeping through the night from 8pm-6am at 8 weeks old. Grab a Stage I and II pack (stage III I found unnecessary) and enjoy your sleep:

-http://www.summerinfant.com/SwaddleMe.aspx