ALL THE BAGS PT 3: THE POST-PARTUM BAG

Time for the last bag of all the bags. The postpartum bag....aka THE MOST EMBARRASSING BAG EVER. I really debated posting this just out of personal embarrassment but then I thought "You know, this is just part of it." If I'm gonna share the fun, exciting parts along the journey of pregnancy/parenthood, then I'm gonna share the embarrassing, not-so-fun parts. Let's just be real, there's some gross things that come along with pregnancy, labor, and the first few weeks (months?!) postpartum. Honestly, until I was pregnant and began looking up things for myself...I'd never heard of really any of the things the body goes through beyond the actual labor part and, to me, the first few weeks after sounds way worse than the actual labor and delivery! How had I never heard these things?! Because no one wants to talk about it. And I'm sure with a brand new baby to obsess over, non of this is gonna seem that bad. My focus will be elsewhere. 

Non-pregnant women and definitely any men may want to stop reading now. So without further explanation....

The bag is the 31 large utility tote. I LOVE this bag. For now it'll be used to house all these giant packs of things, but I'm thinking eventually it'll be great as a kind of toy box for Thea.

The first thing I gathered supplies for was DIY Padsicles that everyone (pinterest, mommy bloggers, etc) raves about. Apparently these are #1 MUST HAVE item for postpartum healing. Basically it's the biggest, super-sized mega pad you can find (The Always overnight maxi's are just that) with aloe vera, witch hazel, and lavender oil soaked into them and then frozen. It's a heavenly, soothing ice pack for your "business".

So the giant pads obviously need some giant panties to hold them. I totally plan on rocking the fantastic mesh ones the hospital gives you while I am there, but I picked up my own for home. I opted for boy briefs cause that just seems like it'd be more comfortable than actually briefs. Just like wearing a pair of shorts...right? Apparently even with giant pads, there is the chance of leaking, depending on the...flow. So I saw moisture pads recommended for sitting on and I thought PUPPY PADS! This is a giant pack so they are going to come in handy when little miss starts sleeping in her crib. I saw a genius tip to put little moisture pads under the sheet and layer your sheets up (pad, sheet, pad, sheet, etc) so that when baby has an accident in the middle of the night, you can just strip off the sheet and pad and there's a new one under it. Easy!

Ahhh... the "tender bits" care. From what I hear, and obviously after the stretching (and possible tearing) that comes from delivering a baby, things are a bit sore down there for a while and things as simple as toilet paper will feel like sand paper. Hence, the wipes. Hemorrhoidal medicated wipes for the back part if the pushing causes hemorrhoids. Regular  personal wipes for the front part. I also got pain reliever to help with the soreness and Miralax and Colace were BOTH recommend for helping with the first postpartum BM- which is apparently way worse than labor itself?! 

The down below bits are the only sensitive parts that need care. I have some Lanolin nipple cream in my breast feeding pump bag but got another one for this. The cream is to help with the drying and cracking (ouch!) that can come with breastfeeding. I also got the soothie gel pads for cooling relief. I got a couple boxes of Mother's Milk tea which is supposed to help with producing milk, just in case that is an issue. I really want breastfeeding to work out.

And that makes up my Postpartum Care Kit. Now, I've never had a baby before. I have no idea if any of this will actually be needed. I am perfectly fine if ALL of it isn't needed. But the last thing I wanted was to find myself needing ANY of it when I get home and having to worry about getting to the store to get it. Now, I am prepared and that gives me peace of mind.

So that's it. All my baby bags packed and ready for Miss Thea to make her appearance.

*** EDIT: Looking at the supplies picture, I just realized I forgot to include the Epsom salts! I figured a whole bath would be easier than the sitz bath you put on the toilet that they want you to do. Plus... Baths are my favorite! ***

ALL THE BAGS PT 2: THE HOSPITAL BAG

I'm back with part 2 of all the bags I've prepped as we await the arrival of little miss Thea Kay. **I can't believe she'll be here in a month!!** The next bag is the hospital bag! Let's get right into it...

This is the bag I used. This is actually a "mystery bag" I received with a recent ThirtyOne order. It ended up being perfect! And who doesn't love some polka dots??

First of all is all the stuff for this new momma. 1) Nursing bras. I packed a regular under wire one and 2 sleeping ones. 2) I've been wanting a robe for years- specifically a mid-length, light fabric robe for wearing around the house- and I figured what would be a better time than now?? With all the middle of the night feedings coming my way, I know I'll want something easy to slip on. 3) Going home clothes. I'm fully prepared for the "still looking pregnant" part of the post baby body, so I went with a loose maxi dress and light cardigan. I also packed a tank top and shorts for sleeping in at the hospital in case I get tired of the gown. I skipped bringing the big granny panties everyone says to bring cause I hear the mesh ones the hospital gives are good. 4) Comfy slippers and flip flops. My feet actually aren't fitting in these slippers anymore so I may get a new pair.

We can't forget about Dad! My hubby plans on staying overnight with me and baby at the hospital, so we packed a couple change of clothes and undies. I also included $15 worth of change for the vending machine.

I packed some travel size toiletries for both me and Chris. The little pink bag has a headband and ponytail holders. And of course, gotta have my EOS chap stick. I also packed a charger for our phones and Thea's going home outfit (which is remaining a secret until we get her first picture in it). I'll be taking Thea's diaper bag (to see what I packed in that click here) too so that's all for baby in this bag.

Everything fits so nice and neat into this one bag. I'm feeling much better knowing this bag is ready to go. Thea has been measuring a little big so I'm trying to mentally prepare that she could be here any time now! 

Hospital Bag Done

Any thing any of you experienced moms would suggest that I didn't pack? Did I pack too much? 

ALL THE BAGS PT. 1: THE DIAPER BAG

Welcome to the first of 3 blogs I'll be posting about all the bags that I've been prepping for the arrival of baby. I packed the diaper bag last week and took pictures of the process to share. Anyone who knows me knows how much I HEART organization. Like it makes my heart really happy. They also know how much I need to research and be informed about everything (some may negatively call this "overthinking"). So after reading a lot of different mommy blogs on diaper bag essentials, I've come up with what I think will work for me. At least for the first few months, as I know diaper bags grow as your child does. Without further ado...

First step was to find a diaper bag. I wanted one that was cute enough to carry around as a regular bag since it will double as my purse, was easy to clean, and of course-lots of room. I ordered this Ju-Ju-Be one from Amazon and it does not disappoint! I also got this set of 7 various sized clear cosmetic bags for all the beloved organization. My label maker is in my classroom right now, but I'll also be labeling all these bags. Next, I gathered up all the supplies...

1) I got one of those grooming and health all in one kits. I added in a cute little first aid kit I found at the store, a travel pack of Kleenex, and some infant's Tylenol to make a sort of first aid emergency kit. 2) I received a travel set of baby wash, shampoo, powder, etc and added that along with a couple sample lotions and diaper creams in one of the small cosmetic bags in case of over night stays. 3) Sunscreen and hand sanitizer is part of the first aid but I put them in their own little bag in case of leaks.

I packed a couple extra outfits, an extra sleeper, and an extra pair of mittens and socks all nice and neat into one of the cosmetic bags. I packed 4 burp cloths (1 is a burp cloth/bib) into another bag. And l used 1 bag for a toy/activity bag. This bag is big enough to fit a small board book and a couple toys as she gets older and her entertainment interests change.

1) I packed all the individual bags inside the diaper bag. Look how nice they all fit! 2) The rest of the stuff are things that I wanted to have quicker, on-hand access too. A few extra diapers, wipes (love this cute refillable case I got at Target!), butt paste, and the disposable dirty diaper bag dispenser all went into one of the big inside pockets. 3) A pack of Wet Ones, a couple receiving blankets, and a case of "binkies" went in the other big pocket. 4) Everything still fitting nice and neat. 5) My bestie got me this cute flower band that I wrapped around the free diaper clutch (has a couple diapers and wipes inside) I got in my Target registry bag and a receiving blanket I will use as a changing pad. This is my quick portable changing station I can take into a public bathroom without having to have the whole bag with me. 6) I just laid this right on top and the inside of my diaper bag was complete.

The outside pockets are what I'm devoting to my mommy stuff. 1) On one side is one giant pocket that I filled with a nursing cover, a thin black scarf (a great tip I read for quick cover ups when you get spit up on), and my Baby K'Tan Breeze baby carrier (so excited to use this!). 2) On the other side is 3 split pockets. In one I have extra breast pads and the other 2 are perfect for my chapstick, wallet, and phone. I can even fit my water bottle in one! 3) I even had 2 of the cosmetic bags left over. One of which will eventually be used to carry snacks.

And there we have it folks. The diaper bag is checked off the to-do list. I'm sure I'll have something small for just simple diapers and wipes for times we drop her off in the church nursery and things like that. But this is my big ol momma bag. You may be wondering about bottles...my breast pump came with a little cooler that I'll use for transporting her bottles to the sitter when needed. 

 So is there anything you experienced mommas would add? Any essentials that you found useful? Share what you packed in your diaper bag!