There is no shortcut for excited
moms-to-be, here are few guides and hints to help you cope on the firsts months
of your newborn:
The Birthing Day
Prepare a hospital bag, so husband and family members will not forget anything
in panic, fill it with:
- your comfortable easy-to-slip on clothes
- underwears (panties and brassier)
- slippers or flat sandals for you
- your toothbrush
- your own spare blanket and pillow
- thermos with hot water (or plug-in
airpot)
- Distilled water (Wilkins or Absolute)
- Baby wipes (do not buy generic and
cheaper brands it may contain harsh chemicals)
- plastic cup, disposable spoon and fork,
plate
- your baby’s blanket (pranela/lampin),
booties, gloves and cap to cover her on the first minutes. Name your baby’s stuff, the nurses MIGHT interchange them accidentally with other babies in the nursery (it
happened to my firstborn, we got an old blanket/pranella and the new ones was given to another baby – do not worry
we did not protested, we let it be…just wanting you to be reminded of it).
* medium size towel
* soap (for the baby) to give the birthing assistants
*adult diaper for you (the first days after
giving birth – you will get a heavy flow (like menstruation).
*70%
alcohol
-In
a PLASTIC ENVELOP (put inside the bag):
*Philhealth/Medicard Documents and receipts
(photocopied)
*Marriage Contract of Parents (original and
photocopy 2pcs)
*Credit Card/Cash/ATM
*Black ball pen
* Be sure to have a CLEARLY WRITTEN COPY of your child’s name for the hospital to
register – check on the birth certificate (spelling, date, parents’ name,
middle initial –for sure check the whole document)
The moment you see blood spotting on your underwear that is the time...
Buying Clothes
Size
It is not so practical to buy lots of
clothes for the first six months because
your baby is growing
too fast but still, there is another option if you
still insist on buying – buy larger sizes (BUT not too big to swallow the whole
of your baby!), that is to make sure that the baby can use the clothes for more
than just a month or two and you need not buy another set sooner…
Color
If you are too excited to buy clothes for
the baby and you do not know the gender yet – you can not go wrong with white
and or yellow – it looks fine on both sexes.
Colorful
(resembling flowers) clothes might attract insects
more although they look really nice to see.
It is important to buy BIB too. Include it on your buying list.
Design
It is best to choose plain than the
printed ones so you can easily see or catch
even the smallest insect that might pester the baby. It is also recommended in buying linens
(pillow case and bed spreads).
Another thing to consider is comfort in
clothes-changing, cotton shirts and
undershirt (sando) might look best and comfy design, the cloth itself is the
best because it is breathable but BETTER choose the buttoned or Velcroed front clothes even for overall (clothes with socks and hood)
clothes. Babies are very delicate and might easily get hurt just getting the
shirt out while the buttoned once can easily be removed by simply lifting her
back while protecting her head. Make sure to get the one with smallest and buttons (sometimes hidden
by a piece of cloth) and always check if
they are still adhering tightly every after washing – accidents on swallowing
is possible. Zippers might irritate the baby’s skin.
Comfort
Babies
want to feel warm like they are inside the womb –
especially in the cold days. Do not forget to buy her three-fourths shirts.
Choosing Diapers
Although the use of cloth diapers is the
best for baby’s skin and comfort, busy ‘mom
and dads’ prefer diapers that offer the same convenience plus more. Considerations:
- the efforts (if you can pay for a
laundry, good). The time you will spend on washing can be your rest timeo
bonding time with your baby.
- the consumables like water bill,
electricity bill (on ironing for disinfecting), detergent soap
To sum it up, it almost costs you the same,
indeed! Why not choose convenience? There are diapers that feels like cloth and
as soft as cotton. Do not go for the plastic ones.