Mother to be

maternity pads

Immediately following delivery of your baby, your body discharges the lining of the womb. This discharge, called the lochia, is usually bright red, very heavy, it may come out in gushes or flow more evenly like a normal period, and may contain clots. Over the first six to 12 hours this should lessen when resting. However, when you get up and move around you may experience a rush of blood loss. This is because the blood pools inside the body, escaping when you change position.

You may bleed for as little as two to three weeks or as long as six weeks after birth. After the first few days your blood loss will lessen. It will change colour from bright red to more pink and watery and then brown over the second and third week.

Hygiene and comfort are really important after having your baby. Remember to wash your hands before changing pads as well as after. You need to change your pads frequently to stay fresh and help prevent infection. You will need to change your sanitary pad or towel every one to two hours to begin with and then, over the next two days, possibly every three to four hours.

It's important to buy specific maternity pads for straight after birth. They are longer, softer and much more absorbent than ordinary sanitary pads. Buy at least two or three packs of 12. For better comfort, wear high-waisted old cotton knickers to hold your pads in place properly and especially if you have bruising or stitches.

You may notice that your loss is heavier after breastfeeding because the suckling causes your womb to tighten, forcing the lochia out. It may also become a little heavier if you are busy and not taking enough rest.

Independent midwives advise women to use specially designed maternity pads but to avoid any made with plastics as these will make the wound area hot and aggravate any stitches. Natracare maternity pads are extra soft, long, very absorbent, free from plastics, super absorbent gels and dry weaves. If you have stitches after giving birth, avoid pads with a dry-weave cover, (which is actually just plastic with holes punched in it) because your stitches can get caught in them making you very uncomfortable.

Another tip is to keep some maternity pads with you leading up to the birth for when your waters break!

Natracare maternity pads are thick and extra long, are plastc free and have a soft, smooth cover to keep you comfortable - even if you have stitches.

nursing pads, also known as breast pads

Breastfeeding gives babies the best start in life

Breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of life can make sure your baby gets the best start because breast milk contains all the nutrients they need and helps protect them from infection and diseases. Every day you breast feed makes a difference to your baby’s health now and in the future [1]. It also reduces mothers' chances of getting certain diseases later in life [2].

Breastfeeding also allows you and your baby to get closer - physically and emotionally. So while your child is feeding, the bond between you can grow stronger.

Most women leak breast milk, especially in the early days of feeding. This usually settles down and although breast pads (nursing pads) are not always essential, they can still be extremely useful for breastfeeding mothers, especially in between feeding, when out and about or if returning back to work.

It is important when choosing protection for your nipples between feeds, to avoid plastics, superabsorbents and other synthetics. Natracare nursing pads are made from plastic free, natural materials and are totally chlorine free.

baby wipes

Postnatal care guidelines advise parents to use only plain water to cleanse baby for at least the first month of life and to avoid cleansing agents, alcohol, any potentially harmful preservatives, lotions and medicated wipes as these are not recommended for bathing babies at all. Wipes need to be durable, effective and biodegradable in order not to burden your child with a huge waste mountain in the future. Baby wipes are a convenience for use when nappy/diaper changing, to clean up mucky hands and faces and freshen up after play.

Natracare baby wipes are designed especially for natural and organic babies everywhere and are never tested on animals, just on sensitive human skin, to make sure what we say is proven.

Useful links:
http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
http://www.nct.org.uk/home
http://www.llli.org