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Tuesday, June 20, 2006

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:
  • 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
Optional - I didn't include these, but they might also be good:
  • diaper rash creme
  • simethicone drops (infant gas meds)
  • baby nail clippers
  • 40"x40" or larger swaddling blanket(s) (see below for notes)
I also included a few baby books and DVDs of which we had multiples, just because. And probably a few other things I'm forgetting here.

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:

Blogger The Stute Fish said...

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!

13:12  
Blogger The Stute Fish said...

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!"

14:01  
Blogger jdg said...

what a great gift! may I use it for a story on blogging baby?

09:58  
Blogger The Stute Fish said...

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...

17:05  
Blogger The Stute Fish said...

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...

19:04  

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