Baby shower gifts often include an array of items meant to keep baby comfortable, safe, clean and warm in the months to come. Pretty packages contain sleepers, diapers, bottles, and baby shampoo. These classic gifts are helpful, but often leave one important person out of the equation: Mom.
Post partum care is often forgot about in the midst of new baby excitement and new moms are notoriously bad at taking care of their own needs. A thoughtful gift for mom to help her be more comfortable through recovery and to bond with baby is always a welcome surprise. I recently gave birth to my 4th child and discovered four gifts I recommend to support moms while they care for baby.
Gift #1: Halter Strap Kangaroo Top from Milk and Baby
This is the top you want to pack in your hospital bag. The skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) immediately after birth helps stabilize the temperature of newborn and promotes the initiation of breastfeeding. With the Baby Kangaroo Tube Halter top, you can keep baby close, skin to skin, and support them hands-free while laying 45 degrees in a bed or chair.
My Kangaroo Tube came after Sebastian and I arrived home from the hospital. We were having a rough day together, with baby fussing every time I set him down. Swing, car seat, even a sling, were unacceptable alternatives to my arms. Don’t get me wrong, I love snuggling my baby, but I was recovering from a c-section and needed some relief. The Halter Strap Kangaroo Top came in the mail that afternoon and proved a game changer.
The halter is meant to be worn alone, but it can also go over a trim fitting t-shirt if you’d like. The idea is to provide a cozy kangaroo-like pouch for baby to nestle in next to your chest. Baby enjoys the comfort of closeness and mom can relax and lean back, leaving arms free for awhile. The halter is not intended to be used as a hands-free carrier for mobility.
This halter is definitely more than a nursing shirt, utilizing some very thoughtful features:
- Made from a soft, lightweight and stretchy cotton / spandex jersey. This provides flexibility for baby to see the breast.
- Semi-side seams with elastic shirring prevents baby from slipping sideways and follow the shape of the baby without unnecessary pressure.
- Halter sits above c-section area, so you can remain comfortable while healing.
- The double band at the bottom and inner support to the buttocks / lower back prevents baby from slipping down.
- Just slide the halter straps over the head to breastfeed easily.
Milk and Baby offers a full line of Kangaroo Care clothing to facilitate skin to skin contact and nursing. I really appreciated the halter for new baby care (it is for up to 15 lbs). It’s the type of item moms most likely won’t think to purchase for themselves, but could provide great comfort while recovering. I would also love t try the long sleeve kangaroo care options during the winter.
The C-Panty High Waist Incision Care Compression Panty from UpSpring Baby
While recovering from my c-section in the hospital, the nurses brought in a compression to help with my recovery. I liked how the belt helped me to be more confident and comfortable when sitting up and walking. The belt provided additional support I needed around my delicate surgery area and I continued wearing it when I returned home.
The belt was made of stiff, somewhat uncomfortable material. Over time, I noticed chafing, then a rash, where the belt lay against my skin. I wore it over my nursing tanks, but the aplix closures caught on the shirt’s fabric, causing runs. After a week of this, I decided that there must be a better alternative and I hit Amazon to research my options.
I discovered the C-Panty during my search and was impressed by the positive reviews. While the main criticism was aimed at the $39.99 price, the benefits seemed to outweigh this for many. The C-Panty is made especially for moms recovering from c-section surgery, with the following features
- 92% Nylon/8% Spandex
- Compression around c-section incision reduces swelling & decreases pain
- Compression over abdomen shrinks uterus, decreases fluids & flattens belly
- Interior medical grade silicone panel over incision speeds healing & reduces scars appearance
- Protects & supports delicate incision area
- Can be worn any time after delivery to 12 months
Once I replaced my hospital belt with the c-panty, I understood the praise for this product. The high-waisted panty provides the same support and protection, but in a much more comfortable, seamless way. I especially appreciated the silicone panel over my incision area, offering relief from discomfort and an added layer of protection. The panties have a snug fit, but it’s not too tight or restrictive.
I would definitely recommend the C-Panty for women recovering from c-sections, although I agree that the cost is a bit prohibitive. My biggest complaint is really that I don’t have a pair to wear every day post-recovery without doing wash daily.
MAIA Lunapanties from LunaPads
Post partum menstrual care tends to be the elephant in the room when it comes to discussing what happens after you give birth. After my first delivery, I remember thinking, Why didn’t anyone tell me I would bleed for 6 weeks? Some friends are comfortable having a direct conversation about this, others might just select a discreet gift. Either way, LunaPads offers a great solution with the MAIA Lunapanties or LunaPads gift card.
These comfortable, organic cotton underwear have a secret PUL lining and a 100% cotton fleece insert. You can wear them as a single use and wash panty or you can add reusable inserts and change them throughout the day, making the underwear last through a single day.
With the lunapanties, you can enjoy discreet, comfortable menstrual care without the bulk of enormous disposable pads. Post partum bleeding tends to be very heavy, so this definitely requires the postpartum insert or an extra insert or two to make the panties last throughout the day.
In my experience, these panties have a snug fit, so don’t be shy about ordering larger. They are also a bit of a challenge post c-section because of where the waist band hits in relation to the scar. Now that I’ve had more time to heal, however, I’ve found them to be a comfortable solution for the light bleeding that continues after a month. These are most likely the best panties for someone recovering from a vaginal delivery.
Lunapanties are also a terrific idea for people who feel squeamish or uncertain about the idea of reusable pads. These are very familiar – a regular panty with a boost. Someone who doesn’t like changing pads can simply remove the panty, place it in a wet bag, and replace. It’s also very easy to change inserts by slipping them between the bands on the underwear. I much preferred this fit over pads that utilize wings because it doesn’t pull or shift during wear.
Ripe and Ready Tea from Birds and Bees Teas
This blend of Raspberry Leaf, Hibiscus Petals, Rose Petals, Cinnamon Bark, Allspice Berries, Crystallized Pineapple is meant to support moms in the last few weeks of post partum and the first days after giving birth. It comes in a pretty, decorative tin to provide warming and tonifying to the womb.
This is a comforting gift to give moms to prepare for birth beginning at 38 weeks, where they drink it warm. Once baby arrives, it’s recommended that mom sip it iced. This is one of six teas available from Birds and Bees Teas, with all blends comprised of 100% natural, organic and delicious herbal infusions.
These teas make lovely gifts and can even be purchased in sample sizes or gift packages, along with tea drinking accessories. What a lovely way to pamper mom and remind her to take care of herself, while caring for baby!
You will have a chance to win all 4 of these awesome post-partum items in the huge 4th Time Around Event, beginning November 17th! Why not go show these brands some love now to say “thanks” for sponsoring? You can find Milk and Baby, UpSpring Baby, LunaPads, and Birds and Bees Teas on Facebook.
Disclosure: I received product in exchange for my honest review of these products. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included in this post.
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