Alternitives to "Baby" Products Please?

Squidgy

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Now I'm likely to be going into hospital next month (NOT to have another baby!) and I'd rejected the idea of slipper sox in case the floor's ever not entirely dry ... but I've bought some new slippers and wouldn't dream of wearing flip-flops or mules because I know I'd fall over in them. Anyway, each to her own, having thought about it I will see if I've still got some slipper sox because they would keep my toes warm, as you say, and be handy if I was only popping across the ward to share some chocolate with a fellow patient or something like that!

Savvy

To be quite honest I'd be amazed if the floor wasn't dry on the wards. Can you imagine the uproar if you had an accident at hospital? I'd definatly kick up a fuss!

I definatly wouldn't wear mules or flip flops. Think how easy it is for your foot to slip out and then for you to trip over them. Very dangerous with a baby in your arms.

jo_b_2

jellyhead wrote:

i was shocked at the price of breast pads though, i had no idea they were so expensive! between 5 and 10 p each pad depending on brand - how much does it cost a day in breast pads i wonder, i'm going to shop around for washable ones i think!

I used Avent washable breast pads. I found them really nice and much softer to use than the disposable ones. You will probably need to buy at least two packs as you will want to wash them frequently. (Breastmilk has a very distinctive smell!)

Hush-Puppy

Hiya all,

I'm mum to 3 rugrats, aged 10, 7 and 3.

On the subject of baby products, I'd say:

Never use either talc or soap on a baby's skin, as they are far too drying.

In my opinion Sweet almond oil gently wiped on with cotton wool pads is better than baby moisturisers, and cheaper too (try local chemists').

A tiny bit of unscented baby bath in with the bath water is fine to wash baby with, and I recommend Ramer baby sponges as they are just so soft (try boots for these). I also have to add that it's usually easier to bathe tiny babies with yourself in the 'big bath' if you have a partner handy to help. Much easier to hold slippery baby, and fantastic for skin-to-skin bonding.

A basic 'water steriliser'/'milton steriliser' is going to be fine too, and you will probably use it more than you think - bottles for cooled boiled water (sometimes breastfed babies are thirsty,not hungry and it's also great for babies with wind/colic) dummies, rattles. etc can all be popped in. Oh, and I always found the tablets easier to use than the liquid.

Sanitary pads worked best for me, even with a 6 week womb infection after my last baby, I used two 'Always Nightime pads' together, and found them much more comfortable and durable than standard maternity pads, which I never felt 'dry' using.

I also know a great trick to help prevent tearing, and a tip for if you do get grazed or torn 'down there' but they might be too descriptive for this board, so PM me if you want those..lol. I can gurantee both tips work, though!

Sorry to have rambled, hope all goes well for all the expectant mums out there!

Hushy

Savvy_Sue

Squidgy wrote:

To be quite honest I'd be amazed if the floor wasn't dry on the wards. Can you imagine the uproar if you had an accident at hospital? I'd definatly kick up a fuss!

It's not the ward floor I'm worried so much as the loos and bathrooms. Maybe because I live with 5 chaps I can't bear going into a bathroom in bare feet!

jellyhead

hushy, post your tips on here, we don't have any shame lol!

Squidgy

enough said savvy! Come on hushy tell us your tips! actually I think I maight know one of them.

They recommend that you stretch the skin around your bits with oil (massage, olive, veg !), just massage and stretch it a bit every day in the last trimester.

Its supposed to help, but stupidly I didn't do it with my last and tore very badly, suffice to say I will be doing it this time!

Squidgy

see hushy we have no shame! (perhaps it's just me?!)

Hush-Puppy

LOL!

Yes, rub any oil into your perenium, then insert a finger-tip, and slowly stretch it outwards and downwards. I did about 10 stretches a day for the last 3 months in particular. This has prevented me having any stitches or tears with my three kids, I just ended up with grazing.

The 2nd tip - for if you DO get grazed 'down there', is to remember , when you Pee, it WILL sting like mad (NO midwifes warned me of this).

It stung like acid, so much so that I refused to go to the loo unless I REALLY needed to, which didn't impress the midwifes, as they wanted samples.

To help with this, firstly - try to pee in a bidet/bath/bowl of water. Sounds gross but really reduces the sting. Secondly, and more usefully, try to bend forwards when you are on the loo, so that your hands touch the floor. This directs the pee away from the stingy bits, and REALLY helps.

Hope the tips are useful to someone, I realise most mums might have figured them out already, but for 1st timers - well I wish someone had told ME!

Hushy

jellyhead

thanks for that :-)

i'd heard about the oil thing but not about peeing into water, i wish i'd known that last time, my stitches really hurt! for the first few days i had a catheter in though so i was probably over the worst of it before i had to pee naturally lol!

see, we have no shame lol!

Hush-Puppy

Well ... I don't know about you, but when I went to have my first baby, I left my dignity at the door on the way in - and forgot to pick it up on the way out ! So I agree - We Have No shame!

And I wish I had known about the peeing problems in advance, too!

Luckily by the time number 3 came along, I knew these things!

Hushy