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Postpartum Healing for Mom

Tricks and Tools You Can Really Use

By Kate Riener Boyd

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You've got the crib, diapers and monitor, so you're all set for Baby. But what about what you might need after the baby arrives? Not only are there gadgets to help you take care of the baby, some particular item might help your exhausted body recuperate after labor. Here are a few of the most popular postpartum products to get you started.

Nursing Helpers
Either it will be the best purchase you make all year, or it might collect dust in the corner. Unfortunately, you won't know until you try a nursing pillow. Erin Rourke, of Oak Park, Ill., claims she could not have survived without her beloved Boppy nursing pillow, while mine was relegated to a tummy-time support for my son.

If possible, borrow one from a friend or visit a maternity shop to get your hands on what's available. Liz Lambert, general manager of The Right Start store in Chicago, says the Boppy is the most popular, but some people may prefer something else. "'My Brest Friend' has really good back support, and it's great for dads to use when they are bottle-feeding," she says. Your personal choice may depend on your build and the chair or bed you use regularly for feedings.

For middle-of-the-night feedings, some people have found the Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper a savior. "We didn't get ours until my daughter was about 2 months old," says Stephanie Mordan of Perkasie, Pa. "I wish we'd had it as soon as she was born." The Arm's Reach attaches to the bed and is like having a walled mattress extension. It has the benefit of sharing a bed with your newborn, but there is no worry of pillows or blankets since it's actually a separate space. The best part of such a product is that both you and the baby are minimally aroused during a feeding. "I could just roll over, and it didn't wake her up very much because we weren't lifting her out of the crib," says Mordan. "It definitely optimized our sleep time."

Milk Collection

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