Over the past few weeks, I have been preparing these baskets in preparation for my upcoming home birth and postpartum period. These baskets contain items for labor comfort, labor nourishment, newborn care, and postpartum + breastfeeding support, that are easy to move around my home and access items that support each journey. In my last postpartum experience, I found the diaper caddy to be a huge benefit for taking care of my newborn, and wanted to explore how it would be to have other baskets readily available for other aspects of my birth and postpartum journey!
The Labor Comforts Basket
The labor comforts basket has all the items I hope to use during my labor for comfort! I have included:
Scarf to use to hang from doors and use as a labor prop
Extra sports bras and clothes, in case I need to shower or want to change due to sweating
Lightweight robe to use for sudden temperature change that occur during labor
TENS unit to aid in labor comfort. I have used a generic brand off Amazon that worked just fine in my birth support but found this brand that was specific to labor from Babytens that I am curious to see how works. It allows you to pre-program intensity levels so you just press one button to increase the intensity during a contraction, and then you press it again to return to the original dull buzz in between. This would make the transition from contraction to in between a bit easier for me as a laboring person.
Essential oils roller with a scent that I find relaxing.
Handheld diffuser that can be easily relocated around the house with me as I labor if I want aromatherapy
Labor Nourishment Basket
My labor nourishment basket has all my labor snacks and hydration to readily have available as I labor. These snacks are all easy to eat and snacks I enjoy eating. They are high in carbs and dense in nutrients.
Cashews
Energy Gels, the same ones you would use in an endurance race for quick glucose
Water bottle with straw
Electrolyte or Sports Drink (Body Armor and Gatorade are the two I have on hand to drink during labor and for after labor too)
Mints in case I have nauseous or suddenly don’t like the taste of something I just ate
Plan to purchase fruit and vegetable trays to have on hand the day of, as well!
Postpartum Recovery + Breastfeeding Basket
In my postpartum and breastfeeding basket, I’ve filled it with items that will aid in my postpartum recovery and also support my breastfeeding journey. I found that when I was breastfeeding, I’d run into an issue then be scrambling to find an item on Amazon to be delivered in a few days or just crying in pain. Hoping by having some of these items on hand now will help alleviate some of the pains of my previous journey.
- Baby sling/carrier
- MamaStrut Postpartum Support Belt (covered by my insurance)
- Spectra Portable Breast Pump (covered by my insurance)
- Willow Breastpump to use on the go and during birth support
- Sunflower Lechin to help with any clogged ducts
- Happy Ducts Tincture to help with any clogged ducts
- Silverettes to support healing during the initial breastfeeding journey
- Peribottle in case my Hello Tushy doesn’t arrive on time!
- Epsom salt to help with any clogged ducts and help with breastfeeding related healing
- Breast Pads for comfort
- Hatch light for easier lighting during middle of the night feeds and diaper changes
- Claraderm as a perineal spray
- Boobie Tubes from Earth Mama that can be both warmed or cooled as a compress.
Newborn + Diaper Changing Basket
We had a diaper caddy for our previous postpartum period that was incredibly helpful! It had everything we needed to do diaper changes and basic newborn care with, and also some helpful breastfeeding support items that I would need while caring for my newborn.
- Diapers and wipes
- Diaper balm
- Nail clippers for baby
- Extra baby clothes
- Burp clothes
- Muslim blanket (found these to be so versatile in use!)
- Nipple balm
- Haakaa
- Pacifier (our daughter never really took one, so unsure if this baby will either, but figured why not)
Feeling prepared for our upcoming birth and postpartum period! Will probably keep adding to these baskets or create more as the daily demands change!