So.. Absolute musts for post partum? Tips, tricks, recommendations welcome! Want to make sure I can…

With all of my babies, I set up a feeding station next to my bed near an outlet for a bottle warmer and breast pump depending on the age and stage of each baby. A cooler, plastic I've packs, single-serve formula packets, a boppy, and bottles of room temp water. Having everything right there in the middle of the night makes life easier.

Plan ahead meals!!! Or someone available to cook for you. My husband was working 12-16 hours so he wasn't around to make dinner so I made frozen meals or crock pot meals. Ask for help, and if someone offers help accept it!!! Even if it's just a diaper change. Shower when you need/want to. Baby will be okay for a 10 minute shower. Notice signs of ppd and make sure people around you know them so they can intervene if needed. Make people be on your time, not you on theirs. If you're planning on napping tell them to please come over a different time. If you're worried about them having a cold or not being UTD on whooping or flu shot, tell them to wait until baby is older (my mother in law was not allowed to hold my baby because she refused to get the shot)

bed tables with a lamp.. we had to have it dark to sleep but I had to get up and turn on the light any time that I changed the baby. we always had an issue with waking up in a puddle so I started sleeping without a shirt on and a bed pad under me so that it would soak it up. I agree with @dcb012, accept any help offered and don't forget to ask for help.

Awesome. Thank you ladies! What about healing wise for vaginal delivery? @erinflaherty818 @dcb012 @lilmommy93

bed pads for the first few nights. I had to spray *use a hair dye bottle* myself down with hexol when I used the restroom and then pat down with a soft clean rag. big, ugly, comfy panties to fit your big pads in. I put coconut oil on after a shower. get everything you need close to bed or a couch/recliner so that you don't have to get up much. my mom made me stay in bed for 2 days and then down for 8 days after that.

Healing....My hospitals gave me witch hazel pads to line my pads with as well as a pain numbing spray.

It's going to sound insane, but I swear by using depends diapers for the first couple days and then whenever you are sleeping! Then you never worry about leaking because reality is, the newborn is NOT going to wait for you to go to the bathroom to change a pad and come back and feed them.... I didn't have too much pain as I didn't hardly tear with either of my babies. I did use warm water to wash myself while I urinated the first couple days because the acidity of the urine can burn. Don't be afraid to use stool softners as if you do tear it's not a fun process trying to poop but most hospitals won't let you leave without passing a bowel movement. Wear loose baggy clothes for the first couple days with the bulky pads. Take tylonel when you need it, there's nothing wrong in doing so. And remember you're not broken. Unless there is a medical reason to stay in bed, you need to get up. Even C sections require you to get up and walk. If you don't swelling could occur and huge issues could accompany it. Check with your ob before using anything other than water and what the hospital gives you for healing, fighting an infection while having a newborn will not be fun!