Needs for the nursery
As you begin to shop for baby equipment, you will find that there is a vast and often overwhelming choice. The aim of this note is to help mothers-to-be decide what they need for their stay in the hospital and the first months of the baby.
WHAT TO TAKE INTO HOSPITAL FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY
It’s a good idea to have your hospital bag ready a month before your baby’s due date, just in case. Some mums like to pack separate bags for the labor, and their baby. However, this is entirely up to you.
At the beginning, 3 important assumptions:
FIRST: WE TAKE AS FEW THINGS TO THE HOSPITAL AS POSSIBLE- so much less stuff with hospital germs we will return home.
SECOND: we pack for 2 days. 80% of women leave the hospital after 48 hours, and if you stay in the hospital longer, the family will have time to deliver the necessary things.
THIRD: I assume in this part that the hospital will not give you anything, so direct this entry to women who give birth in the average hospital. Of course, there are hospitals where a large part of the necessary things is provided.
ITEMS FOR YOURSELF:
- THREE NIGHTDRESSES – INCLUDING THE ONE, which you will not feel sorry for, because after childbirth it may (but does not have to) be unfit for wearing. Don’t worry, they don’t have to be special shirts for breastfeeding, it is enough to have shoulder straps or buttons on the front (front-opening for feeding).
- A ROBE or dressing-gown, or cardigan, in case you get chilly.
- TWO-THREE NURSING BRAS – during the labor, you can be with or without a bra, but when lactation begins, you should wear a bra (at least for a certain period) – it prevents food stagnation and damage to the milk ducts.
- TWO TOWELS (plus one small for hands)
- TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTHPASTE, face wash, moisturizer, lipstick, deodorant, and anything else you might need for an overnight stay.
- HAIR ELASTIC, bandana or something to keep your hair out of your face.
- WORM SOCKS.
- SLIPPERS, FLIP-FLOPS – leave the cloth slippers at home – go to the hospital only with slippers or other rubber shoes available on the market.
- CLOTHES FOR GOING HOME or use those that you want to use those you came in
- TWO PACKS OF BIG ORGANIC MATERNITY PADS – choose ones that are 90 x 60cm and cotton made (no plastic sheets) – my Camelia from @rossmann_and_lala
- FIVE HIGH-WAISTED, PULL-UP DISPOSABLE MESH UNDIES (the best looks like shorts. Not glamorous at all, but super handy for the first few days of heavier bleeding)-Postpartum slip disposable, Post parto slip monouso from Chicco mammy @chiccoalbania
- BREAST PADS – Johnson’s baby nursing pads
- NIPPLE BALM and BREAST SHELLS – the best is the lanolin cream and the shells that allow the nipples to breathe and regenerate between feedings. After one day of feeding my daughter, my nipples were bitten because she couldn’t suck (wasn’t doing that properly). Unfortunately, this is a problem for many women – HPA Lanolin from Lansinoh @rossmann_lala_official
- Intimate wash – Deter Day, ph4, from @altanatura and @medigreenfarmaci
- Antibacterial wipes and tissues- @rossmannn_lala_official
- Mobile phone, charger, camera.
- Water bottle, preferably with a straw cap, so you can easily sip holding the baby
- Snacks – I remember craving bananas. Something healthy and with a bit of sugar.
ITEMS FOR THE BABY:
- CLOTHES FOR THE BABY – we wear newborns in 2 layers/ bodysuit or onesie under (best are side-snap and organic) AND on top of it a pajama or romper (depending on the weather).
I would say 3 sets of those: 3 bodysuits short or long sleeves (depending on the weather) plus 3 pajamas OR sleepsuits (thin or thicker if it’s winter).
- ONE WORM SWADDLE BLANKET – newborns need warmth as they’re used to the womb temperature of your body. Best are cotton or merino wool – @lullalovemrb
- FIVE MUSLIN SQUARES – these could be used as towels, to put on a changing table, or to place under your baby’s head to catch any milk he brings up @francisandhenry
- WARM JACKET OR ALL-IN-ONEIF COLD WEATHER –Mayoral @tres_jolie_kids_official
- NEWBORN NAPPIES – 10-15, size 1, don’t take the whole pack to the hospital, because it takes lots of places and for a 2 day stay you won’t use more than that.
- BABY CHANGING CREAM – the most popular are Weleda, Sudocrem, Alanthan.
- BABY WET WIPES – 1 pack – Water Wipes @medigreenfarmaci
- ONE NEWBORN BOTTLE WITH ANATOMICAL TEAT – this in case you have a problem with breastfeeding. Feeding with formula milk from anatomical teats will not disturb the suckling reflex of your baby. Often those available in the hospital are the normal bottles with old-style teats. There are many more effective ways of feeding a newborn baby when mama’s milk it’s not enough but in case you won’t have a professional breastfeeding consultant, this is the best option. If you don’t worry about your breastfeeding, of course – skip this section.
That’s it. I tried to include everything, beyond the “standard” stuff, I added must-have items and my favorite once. I hope this list will help you to pack a well thought out and full enough hospital bag.
All the best,
Joanna
