This time around I’m feeling far more relaxed and also I realised before Leo came that I wanted a few things I didn’t have with Alfie. So I thought I’d do a little tiny list of things I’m doing differently this time that has really helped me being more relaxed and chilled.

First thing I knew I wanted was a nappy caddy. A nappy caddy? I hear you ask. Yes it’s like a basket I have easily available on the sofa with everything needed for changing nappies. This means I don’t have to get up and go to the changing table which is in our bedroom. Massively helpful when recovering from childbirth c-section or not, the first few days you want to move as little as possible.

In the nappy caddy I have an extra muslin (can never have too many of those!), nappies, nappy cream, changing mat, d-vitamins for baby, water wipes(suitable from birth as only water and cotton), coconut oil as sometimes newborns can have dry skin and coconut oil is what we used for Alfie so just got that again and it works for Leo. Last but not least – a water bottle for me. It’s so important to stay hydrated and even more so if you’re breastfeeding. I was told by my midwife to drink 3 litres a day! So I really need to have water easily accessible. For me a chilly’s bottle does the trick.

The actual little caddy? Got this one at Amazon.

As I am breastfeeding I’m often just sat on the sofa or in our bed, boobs out and baby latched on. It’s too easy to get into bad habits in how we’re sitting and ending up with really sore necks and backs. One way I’m trying to give myself some support is my old pregnancy pillow. Yes, no need to buy a new breastfeeding pillow (unless you want to and you’re able to – go for it!), the one that served you during the nights of your pregnancy equally good as support for breastfeeding. Just a difference in position.

Once it was laying in bed alongside my body and between the legs for support. Now it’s wrapped around my waste on the sofa so I can rest my arms whilst comfortably holding Leo whilst feeding him. So good! My one is an old one I have had from when I was pregnant with Alfie. It’s even helped a friend out during her pregnancy last year. Now back with us again. I don’t remember when’re I got it but I got it in Sweden at some point in 2018. But if you are pregnant and looking for support just Google pregnancy pillow and you’ll get a big list to look through. Choose what looks the most comfy for you and always worth thinking of – can this help me in any way after the pregnancy? If so it’s a win in my books at least.

One last thing I’ve made sure I have at home this time around is a thermos mug. I’m slowly getting back to drinking coffee again and I’m drinking tea as well. So when you’re looking after a newborn and a toddler it’s often the case that your hot drink is all of a sudden not so hot by the time you are able to drink it. So what’s better than a thermos mug?! Not many things. I’ve been given one I think it’s from Sainsbury’s but not sure. But if you’re looking for nice looking ones I’d say this insulated mug from Iglu is something I might get if I didn’t already have one.

Well, maybe not overly exciting but hopefully it is useful for someone out there.

Enjoy your day and hopefully you’ll get to sleep well, even if it’s only five minutes at a time. X