Preparing the bag
It is better to choose a bag with transparent sides or a bag. You will not be allowed into the hospital with a compact backpack. Such things can carry pathogenic microflora on the surface; they are difficult to handle and wash. The best option would be spacious bags.
There will be several of them:
- Mom's pre-birth package.
- Mom's things that will come in handy after childbirth.
- Things for the child.
- Items to be checked out.
Note!
The mother immediately takes packages No. 1 and No. 2 with her to the maternity hospital. You can also take the third one with you if you wish, if relatives cannot quickly bring things up immediately after the birth. The fourth one is just for discharge.
Cot
First of all, buy a crib for your new family member. Sometimes newborns sleep for a while in strollers or even with their parents. But this is not entirely correct. The baby needs his own sleeping place. Moreover, the baby spends almost all his time sleeping in the first months. Read about how to properly put a newborn to sleep here.
It is ideal if the baby sleeps in a cradle or cradle for up to six months. This way the little person who has just been born feels calmer. The cradle creates the impression of a closed space, as if hugging the baby, helping to fall asleep faster. After all, large areas still frighten a newborn. The cradle is installed in the crib or suspended from the ceiling. They wear the baby in it for a walk, to visit or to the clinic.
A comfortable crib with a removable side panel. Move the open side crib close to your bed, and your baby will be next to you all night. And a rocking crib, or a crib on wheels, or a playpen bed, or a crib with a changing table ─ each is interesting and useful in its own way. There are many models of cribs on the market; the task of parents is to choose the most suitable one. Focus on the safety and hygiene of all purchases, cribs in particular.
The positioner pillow will save the mother’s nerves, because the baby secured in this way will not fall or roll over. And it will be very comfortable for him to lie on such a pillow.
Many mothers buy a positioner pillow for their babies, which confines the baby on all sides. The baby is comfortable lying in such a pillow, and the mother is calm: the baby will not fall or roll over. And modern modifications of diapers turn them into cocoons. The diapers are not wrapped as before, but are quickly and softly fastened with Velcro or zippers. Such convenient devices seem to hug the baby, creating the impression of being in mother’s tummy or mother’s embrace.
Read about other baby crib accessories here.
You'll want to hang a nice canopy over your crib. For your crib, you will want to buy a changing table or a chest of drawers for baby clothes with a pull-out changing table. Then something else, so the child gradually acquires the necessary things.
Important documents
Even before you get ready for the maternity hospital, you need to start preparing documents. In the maternity hospital you need:
- woman's passport;
- compulsory medical insurance policy;
- birth certificate;
- exchange card from the antenatal clinic;
- open sick leave (if mother works);
- fresh tests that are taken at the latest deadlines;
- contract for partner childbirth, contract for paid childbirth, or, if this was drawn up.
Advice!
It is better to put all documents in one folder and keep them with you. They may be needed at any unexpected moment.
Doctors advise that after the 37th week of pregnancy, a woman should always carry all documents or at least an exchange card with her. If labor unexpectedly begins, doctors will have complete information about the condition of the mother and child. They will take the woman to the hospital to which she is assigned as a patient, and not to the nearest one or the one on duty at the moment.
Other items
In addition to the items described above, the first essentials also include pacifiers and bottles, a bathtub, rattles and hygiene products.
Items from the last category deserve special attention. The baby kit must include navel treatment, nozzle ejector, gas tube, baby cream and powder. A further list of the children's first aid kit will be provided to you by your pediatrician.
To ensure that your child’s first winter does not turn into illness, and that the immune system is not damaged, you should stick to the golden mean. Do not overheat your baby and hide him from every breath of wind. It is necessary to gradually harden the baby, but at the same time avoid freezing. Then the child will grow up healthy and strong, active and energetic.
All articles about the most necessary things for newborns
Putting together a winter antenatal package
Now there are ready-made maternity hospital kits for sale for the winter season. They already have things to send mom without any fees. This can be an exceptional option for unexpected onset of labor, when there is no time for preparation at all. It is better for the expectant mother to pack her things herself. This will be a psychological preparation for the upcoming event, and you will put exactly what you need there.
Package No. 1 should contain the following things:
- documentation;
- phone with charger;
- medications if a woman takes them on an ongoing basis;
- disposable diapers for examinations;
- 2 rolls of toilet paper;
- scrunchy;
- slippers;
- items for washing;
- socks (several pairs);
- warm bathrobe;
- two nightgowns or pajamas;
- panties (made from natural fabrics, several pieces);
- towel for body and face;
- toilet seats (paper, disposable);
- Trash bags;
- disposable razor;
- Food;
- soap;
- drinking water;
- kettle, dishes;
- optional decorative cosmetics;
- something for leisure.
Sometimes maternity hospitals make their own rules. It is usually known in advance which maternity ward the woman will be admitted to, unless it is an emergency birth. It is advisable to find out about the rules for women in labor. For example, sometimes they are not allowed to use their own gowns; they are given sterile ones in the department.
Shoes
An equally important issue is shoes for newborns. Since the baby's movements are essentially limited and consist of chaotic waving of arms and legs, maximum crawling on his tummy after a certain period of time, they do not need to buy shoes. Instead, it is better to look for several pairs of decorative booties. They can be made from warm fabric or knitted from wool yarn. Read about how to knit booties in this article. It is best to choose several products of different density.
Booties for newborns in the cold season have not only aesthetic value. After all, the baby is very small, all systems are still imperfect, so it is necessary to insulate the legs so that the baby feels comfortable
After a few months, you can start selecting sandals or boots, if we are talking about the winter period. How to choose the right shoe size for your baby is described in this article. Materials must be of high quality and natural. In addition, you should not select heavy models. The internal structure is also important, as it is responsible for the correct formation of a child's foot.
Preparing for a partner birth
If you decide to have a partner birth, then in package No. 1 you need to add several things for the dad or other partner. It could be a pregnant woman's mother, sister or friend. More often than not, husbands accompany their wives during childbirth.
You need to additionally prepare:
- partner’s passport (original and photocopy);
- a certificate from a physician with test results for HIV, syphilis (valid for 1 month), hepatitis, fluorography (valid for 1 year);
- application signed by the head physician of the maternity hospital;
- indoor shoes;
- disposable gown, cap (sold at the pharmacy);
- shoe covers;
- drinking water;
- cookies, chocolate (childbirth takes a long time, you will want to eat).
Each maternity ward has its own rules; you need to clarify it in advance so that there are no misunderstandings.
Preparing for a caesarean section
What is needed in the maternity hospital for mother and baby on the 2019-2020 winter list for a planned cesarean section will not differ significantly. After the operation, the woman is given a set of sterile linen. Often you are not allowed to use your own belongings, but first you need to find out the rules in the maternity ward of the hospital.
You will also need to take a disposable razor, several packs of sterile bandages, gauze and cotton wool. Special sterile pads and disposable diapers. It is better to take urological pads or postpartum pads. They are more comfortable and absorb more secretions. You can also take a few small clean towels.
After a caesarean section, doctors recommend wearing a postpartum bandage. Even during pregnancy, you should discuss its use with your doctor, choose and buy the option you like.
A breast pump will also come in handy.
Tips from practice
Even those women who already have children cannot immediately pack their things for childbirth. Over time, memories become dull and much is erased from memory. Recommendations from women who have soon been discharged home with their baby will be useful.
Practical tips:
- rubber flip flops will be useful for taking a shower;
- Glycerin suppositories help well (with them it is easier to empty the intestines, which is difficult to do after a natural birth);
- In winter, woolen socks may come in handy in the delivery room; your feet get cold between contractions;
- The packages must be numbered and a list of items inside must be printed.
Cameras, which are usually brought to childbirth, often remain unclaimed. At the time of birth, there is no time for recordings, or the images taken are rarely viewed. It is better to take beautiful photographs or notes upon discharge. Knowing what is needed for the maternity hospital for mother and baby, with a list for 2019-2020 for the winter, it will be easier to get ready.
Feeding accessories
While you are fascinated by clothes and outfits for your baby, don’t forget about the necessary items for feeding. It's good if your baby grows up breastfed. After all, breast milk is the best food, medicine, and pleasure for a baby. But even with such healthy nutrition, the baby will need pacifiers, bottles, pacifiers, bibs, and other accessories.
When the baby grows up, you will need plates. Buy plates with suction cups so that your little one doesn’t knock them off the table. A convenient sippy cup will teach him to be independent. The baby can safely brush his teething teeth with fruits and vegetables using a nibbler.
Modern technologies make it possible to produce products for children that are useful, comfortable, and safe.
Anti-colic bottles are designed to make your baby feel like he's at his mother's breast. The feeder does not swallow air through the pacifier, which prevents liquid from penetrating into the ears and causing colic, gas, and regurgitation.
In addition, you will need a brush, sterilizer, warmer, bottle container, breast pump and other items for feeding your baby.
