What you need for pregnancy and baby
A pregnancy takes you on a journey filled with new experiences which bring along new responsibilities. These experiences can be exciting but also overwhelming. There are many decisions to make during your pregnancy. Take your time making these decisions: gather information, compare the available options, and ensure you make informed decisions.
Use the following key questions to ensure your decisions are informed as possible:
B: Benefits
R: Risk
A: Alternatives
I: Intuition
N: Next step
Some choices that you will have to make include the following:
Choice of doctors (gynaecologist, paediatrician)
Midwife (if your choice is for a midwife-assisted delivery)
Choose birthplace
Check with your medical aid for coverage
Choose a childbirth educator
Decide when to buy what
Make a to-do list of the abovementioned choices
The following layette essentials will guide you in what you may need for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the baby. Not everything on the list is a must but it will guide you in what you may need.
Maternity time:
Preggy roll
Birthing ball
Massage ball
Books on pregnancy, labour and parenting
Disposable panties
Maternity pads
Linnen savers
Most of the birthing places do have their own list of items you need to pack in your bag for delivery. This list is usually given when you book your bed for delivery. The following article will also guide you.
What to pack:
Breastfeeding time:
Books on breastfeeding
Feeding bras (x3)
Breast pads (options are disposable or reusable pads)
Nipple cream
Breastfeeding tops
Breastfeeding accessories if needed (for example breast soother, Nipple puller, breast pump)
It is advisable to do a class/consultation with a lactation consultant before delivery. Find a lactation consultant in your area and save her number on your phone.
Sleep time:
Cot or camping cot
Mattress (a new one and breathable one)
Fitted cot sheets (x3)
Fitted sleeping bags
Blankets
Receiving blankets
Night light or dimmer
Cot net (mosquito net)
Nursery thermometer
Sound and movement monitor
Soothing music or Lullaby’s
Nappy time:
Disposable nappies
Or
Towel nappies (x36)
Waterproofs when using towel nappies
Nappy liners when using towel nappies
Baby wet wipes (recommended to use unscented, soap or alcohol-free)
Bum cream / nappy rash cream
Scented nappy sacks (for disposable off disposable nappy)
Surface sterilizing spray
Hand sterilizer or water-free soap (for cleaning your hands after
changing the nappy where no water and soap are available)
Changing mat
Bath time:
Bath or baby bath support
Anti-slip mat
Changing pad and cover
Safety nail scissor
Towel
Hooded towel
Face cloths
Toiletries ( Baby soap, baby lotion)
Brush and comb
Cotton wool
Only use baby products on baby and infant skin. The skin of the little ones differs from adult skin, and adult products are too harsh.
Travel time:
Pram combination or stroller
Car seat ( carrier car seat 0 - 9 months or Recliner birth - 5 years)
Head support cushion
Car window shades
Baby on board sign
Baby view mirror
Baby sling
Car seat regulations
Feeding time:
Burp cloths (x4)
Bibs (x4)
Plates, spoons and cups
High chair or baby feeding chair (different options available)
Inform yourself on the use of pacifiers
Dress time:
Vests x 6
Babygrows x 6 (according to months, season and weight of baby)
Jerseys (how many depends on the season wherein baby will be
born)
Sun hat / woolly hat
Booties / socks
Muttins or gloves
Babies can not regulate their temperature like adults. A guideline that can be used when dressing a baby is to dress the one layer more than which the mom is wearing.
Health time:
First aid kit
Thermometer / thermoscan
Pain medication for babies
Medicine dropper/medicine feeder
Baby sunblock
Nasal aspirator
Safety time:
Fridge lock
Cupboard locks
Door guard
Plug covers
Safety gate
Tiolet seat safety locks
All medication even chronic medication to be stored out of reach of children and recommended behind lock cupboards. All chemicals are to be stored high and locked away. Never store chemicals in food containers for example in cooldrink bottles. Label all chemicals and keep medication in its original containers.
Playtime:
Activity mat
Play gym
Teethers
Rattles
Soft toys
Educational toys
Children books
It is advisable to read about screen time and its influence on children sleeping patterns and age-appropriate screen time and what to watch.
Also, gather information on the importance of crawling for the baby’s development and avoiding the use of walking rings and jolly jumpers.
Memory Time:
Babybook
First-year calendar
Camera
Pregnancy and preparation for the baby and parenthood can be overwhelmed. The above-mentioned layout will guide you. The classes available at Elna's preggy and baby centre may also be helpful are:
Early pregnancy class: advice for pregnancy niggles, what to do and not to do, what to eat during pregnancy
Childbirth classes: normal delivery, caesarean section, pain management, post-delivery recovery advice
Breastfeeding class: the importance of skin to skin, feeding and stress cues of baby, sleep stages of baby and breastfeeding
Baby class: baby care including topics like baby bath, immunizations, colic etc, baby developmental stages, CPR and first aid
References:
Expecting Mothers guide; Childbirth educator forum
The ICEA guide to pregnancy & birth; ICEA ( International childbirth education association
Comments