At 36 weeks (and earlier if you’re carrying multiples) you’ll want to pack your hospital bag. While most baby books will give you a good basic list of the essentials – pajamas, toiletries, a coming home outfit for baby – many of them neglect a few essentials that we at Baby Blueprint think are a MUST for any mom to be. Below is our list of must-haves for you and baby.
For Mom:
1. Extra hair elastics. Labor is a heck of a workout – and we guarantee you will want your hair up and away from your face. In the event that the one you’re wearing snaps, falls out etc., you’ll be glad to have an extra on hand!
2. Lip balm. Hospitals are dry, dry places and childbirth can be a long process. If you’re delivering at Prentice in Chicago, you likely won’t be allowed anything but ice chips after you clear triage – so a little lip balm will go a long way in helping you feel hydrated.
3. An extra empty tote bag. Your room at the hospital will be chock-full of freebies: infant diapers, swaddling blankets, tiny onesies and hats, information packets etc. An empty bag is the easiest way to make sure you’ve got room to take it all home!
4. A small amount of cash in small denominations ($1s and $5s). While you can certainly survive on a debit / credit card in today’s world, you may end up wanting small bills for vending machines and tips for valet parking.
5. A robe. Most baby books recommend a few pairs of maternity pajamas – and while there is nothing wrong with these, you may end up feeling (especially if you have a C section) most comfortable in a hospital gown. If that’s the case, a robe is a great way to look AND feel a bit more presentable and polished for photos and visitors.
6. Every baby book will recommend bringing along chargers for all the electronics you’re packing (cell phone, video camera). If you’re like us, you may not own an “extra” charger, and you’ll be using the one you should be packing right up until you leave for the hospital. To avoid having to remember these items in the throes of labor, stick a post-it note on top of your bag with the list of electronics (and chargers) you want to make sure to bring.
7. Your own Toilet Paper. Yes they have it at the hospital but it may not be the soft stuff you use to at home, and you’ll want something soft!
8. If you have a professional photography service at your hospital you may want to think about bringing along something for you and your partner to wear/coordinate if you want to get some shots of the whole family. It doesn’t have to be fancy, all black looks great.
For Baby:
1. Diaper wipes. This item specifically applies to those of you delivering at Prentice in Chicago. The hospital will provide you with tons of baby stuff over the course of your visit (see #3 above), but they will NOT provide you with wipes. For that first diaper change, you may want more than water and a gauze pad. You’ll just have to trust us on this one!
2. Two sizes of a take home outfit for baby. Depending on the weight and length of your child, they may or may not fit into the newborn size. We recommend packing an outfit in size 0-3 as well.
3. A colorful hat or receiving blanket. You’ll be taking tons of photos in those first days – and emailing them, tweeting them, and posting them to Facebook. A bright color will show up best against the fluorescent lights of the hospital – and lend a professional look to your amateur photography!
No comments:
Post a Comment