Postpartum package
So I just sent a "baby gift" off to a good friend who is due in July. Only it wasn't really a baby gift. I mean, let's face it, babies need a couple of blankets, some boobs, and loving arms to hold them, maybe a drawer to sleep in. Everything else is a "new parent" gift, designed to help the parents soothe, dress, clean, contain, diaper, or transport the baby in a way that meets their own needs and societal expectations for what is "appropriate." In that spirit, I put together a "baby" gift that is more of a "postpartum mama" gift - all the things a mama needs postpartum that you can't register for and that you might not think to buy for yourself.
Mamas might not use everything in the package, but it's a fair bet they'll need at least half of it. And of course, these are some very personal items, so I wouldn't give this to, say, a casual acquaintance or daughter of a co-worker, only to a good friend. That said, the package included:
This seems like the right post to give some early-months crafty ideas, too. These are two baby-care-related things that are easily made at home that can be expensive/inferior when purchased in stores. They make good gifts, or good "things to keep", and are inexpensive and fast to do - unless you have a newborn. The first project took me about two months from start to finish, because I started it after the Squid arrived. Both projects could be easily completed by non-parents (after materials purchase, etc.) in half an hour or so.
(1) Heating pad. The heating pad I mentioned above was a piece of flannel and a washcloth folded in half, filled with a cup and a half of rice, and stitched closed. I made a pretty flannel cover for it, and blanket stitched the cover to the washcloth - I suppose you could make the cover removable for washing, too, with a few non-metallic buttons. Cheap, easy, and fast. Microwaving the pad for 1 minute 15 seconds makes a great heat source for unblocking plugged ducts - it's also useful later, when the evil monthly cramps return. I made one for myself at the same time.
(2) Swaddling blankets of a reasonable size. Everything says to swaddle your baby to help it sleep, and it really works. Problem is, most swaddling blankets are less than 40" square - far too small for regular-sized infants, who will thrash their way out of the tightest swaddles in minutes. The usable options on the market are all either pricey, gimmicky, or both - why not make your own? A 1.25-yard piece of 45" light flannel makes an ample swaddling blanket that will "fit" babies up to six months, at least. If you have a serger, just serge the non-selvedge edges; if you have a regular sewing machine, single-stitch and trim to prevent fraying, or even roll the edges over to stitch; the seam won't be bulky enough to irritate your little one. This also lets you get nicer prints, in gender-neutral colors. I would have included one of these in my package, but my sewing machine broke halfway through the first one, and I haven't been able to find time to get it fixed yet. I had to send the package so it would arrive before she had the baby, so that took precedence - oh well!
Mamas might not use everything in the package, but it's a fair bet they'll need at least half of it. And of course, these are some very personal items, so I wouldn't give this to, say, a casual acquaintance or daughter of a co-worker, only to a good friend. That said, the package included:
- a package of breast pads
- breast "shells" for sore nipples
- lanolin ointment (for sore nipples)
- a tube of vaseline (helps prevent meconium from sticking; also good for circumcision care)
- gauze pads (for circumcision care)
- a package of super-absorbent menstrual pads (I don't need to go into what these are for)
- witch hazel (frozen witch-hazel-soaked pads are supposed to be good for perineal care)
- stool softeners (benefiber or similar)
- baby oil (for cradle cap, if necessary)
- baby wash/shampoo (for washing baby, doyee)
- nuks/binks (many people choose not to use these, but it's nice to have them around if you want to try them)
- A copy of The Happiest Baby On The Block (DVD)
- nail files (those little claws get sharp!)
- a homemade microwaveable heating pad (for plugged milk ducts)
- Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth To Reality (an excellent AAP early-weeks info book; for longer-term information, I'm using The Mother Of All Baby Books: A Guide To Your Baby's First Year)
- earplugs
- diaper rash creme
- simethicone drops (infant gas meds)
- baby nail clippers
- 40"x40" or larger swaddling blanket(s) (see below for notes)
This seems like the right post to give some early-months crafty ideas, too. These are two baby-care-related things that are easily made at home that can be expensive/inferior when purchased in stores. They make good gifts, or good "things to keep", and are inexpensive and fast to do - unless you have a newborn. The first project took me about two months from start to finish, because I started it after the Squid arrived. Both projects could be easily completed by non-parents (after materials purchase, etc.) in half an hour or so.
(1) Heating pad. The heating pad I mentioned above was a piece of flannel and a washcloth folded in half, filled with a cup and a half of rice, and stitched closed. I made a pretty flannel cover for it, and blanket stitched the cover to the washcloth - I suppose you could make the cover removable for washing, too, with a few non-metallic buttons. Cheap, easy, and fast. Microwaving the pad for 1 minute 15 seconds makes a great heat source for unblocking plugged ducts - it's also useful later, when the evil monthly cramps return. I made one for myself at the same time.
(2) Swaddling blankets of a reasonable size. Everything says to swaddle your baby to help it sleep, and it really works. Problem is, most swaddling blankets are less than 40" square - far too small for regular-sized infants, who will thrash their way out of the tightest swaddles in minutes. The usable options on the market are all either pricey, gimmicky, or both - why not make your own? A 1.25-yard piece of 45" light flannel makes an ample swaddling blanket that will "fit" babies up to six months, at least. If you have a serger, just serge the non-selvedge edges; if you have a regular sewing machine, single-stitch and trim to prevent fraying, or even roll the edges over to stitch; the seam won't be bulky enough to irritate your little one. This also lets you get nicer prints, in gender-neutral colors. I would have included one of these in my package, but my sewing machine broke halfway through the first one, and I haven't been able to find time to get it fixed yet. I had to send the package so it would arrive before she had the baby, so that took precedence - oh well!
5 Comments:
I hear it happens when you have kids... *grin back atcha*
Go figure. I've always had a caretaking streak, but I didn't really imagine this for myself...
Also, the mama I sent the package to? Well. Remember my junior year girlfriend M? The very pretty poet? I was a bridesmaid at her wedding six years ago or so, and now she's about to have a little one too. Man, she and I boggle at one another ALL THE TIME - we never thought our lives would turn out quite like this back when we were dating!
Yes, that's the one! She's as gorgeous as ever, and due in July. I'm glad we stayed friends, at least, though it took a while - she's one of my very favorite people.
I don't know if we saw her during your visit - maybe, as she WAS living in the area at the time. The whole thing is a wee bit blurry to me, as I was managing my breakup with that nice man I was dating AND trying to go to Pride and have fun, not wholly compatible activities. He kept coming along and I was like, "hello, I am trying to drink beer and ogle women, here!"
what a great gift! may I use it for a story on blogging baby?
Dutch - yes, of course!
And Shelly - that was the last time I saw you. It's been too long! Adam and Renee have caught me up on dribs and drabs of your life, and I read your blog - you sound happier than you did half a decade ago...
I had just been thinking about what a dork I was for doing that, so thanks for stopping my retroactive shame fest. I do so love to second-guess myself: "What sort of lame-ass brings lilies on a plane?!" I asked myself. "She must have thought you were nuts!"
And I'm glad you're happier - you deserve it. Though I treasure my memories and photos of Spring Chicken and still sometimes wear the t-shirt...
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