THE DELIVERY BAG
The Delivery Bag
A practical post, on preparing for Delivery-day!
As your baby is on its way to you, it's time for you to get all-packed-up-&-ready-to-go too!
Time: I started preparing this at 7.5 months, it took me a few weeks to get it ready!
I. For me, the Mommy-to-be!
… Clothes
I took my Favourite & most Comfy clothes...
For nursing it just helped if every top is front opening up to the navel …Button-down shirts from
Shawls - thin thick thicker - and a soft blanket
- Useful to cover yourself when unexpected visitors walked in!
- And very comforting at night to have my own blankie
Really loose bottoms - sarongs, pyjamas
Button pyjama tops for night
Rubber chappals, bathrobe
… Lingerie etc
- Granny panties (wait high undies) - tight fit, loose fit... Depends on how you feel after delivery, on what fitting you will choose... Keep 3 of both type http://za.triumph.com/panties/style/shaper
- Period Pads - heavy duty, preferably cotton, preferably the post-delivery kind
Lots of comfy nursing bras, at least 6…
- my fav is Motherhood maternity http://www.motherhood.com/maternity/lingerie.asp
- Breast pads - the normal flow day type from Mothercare is fine, no need for the fancier ones http://www.amazon.in/Mothercare-Disposable-Breast-Pads-Pieces/dp/B005CGYIYQ
Mothercare, Mom & me, Just Moms … all have great brick & mortar stores too!
… Toilet bag
The Essentials: http://www.nykaa.com/
Face wash, face cream, Kaajal and lipgloss - it made me feel normal to put on a bit of Kaajal and lipstick on my face!
- http://www.flipkart.com/mac-eye-kohl-smolder-1-45-g/p/itmdu84sj4sygkz2
- Shampoo, conditioner, Shower gel, anti stretch body cream , hand cream, perfume…
- http://preprod.nykaa.com/pampers-cocoa-butter-formula-massage-cream.html?root=search&searchterm=cocoa%20butter&
The Non-essential:
I took a hairdryer as well :) Felt Brilliant to have clean blowdried hair!
Tip on involving your partner!
Make a list of your specific toiletries (along with brand names), and give the daddy-to-be the list, to prepare the toilet bag – this an easy (and fool-proof way!) for him to be involved
II. For Baby, our most precious & delicate bundle!
… One set of clothes to get baby home
In Breach Candy Hospital, where l was, they didn't allow outside clothes for baby, so I just had 2 sets to get him home in, I ended up using the following
- Onesie with full arms and legs (toe closing, hands closing)
- Swaddle cloth (the nurses will swaddle baby's head also in the wrap, for car journey)
- 2 newborn size diapers (I didn't use mine, hospital keeps)
- Pillow for car to keep baby on your lap
- 4 napkins for spit ups
- 4 burp cloths (also useful for visitors!... though I wasn’t comfortable with guests taking him!)
http://www.firstcry.com/ - great for bulk shopping such as diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, cleaning products
http://www.hopscotch.in/ - great for one-off items such an changing mats & covers
… For your nursing needs
A breast pump, so that nurse can teach you to use
A nursing pillow - 'my Brest friend' brand - super useful from day one http://www.amazon.in
… Other things I took
a small cushion, jambox, candle, 6 toilet paper rolls, 3 boxes of tissue, 2 hand towels and 2 body towels (I was getting fresh ones daily from home and sending used ones back), my favourite hot chocolate powder, bananas, my fav jam, all found at http://www.naturesbasket.co.in/
and not to forget... extra toothbrush, blanket, and small cushion, for whoever was staying with me!
… Papers!
A folder with hospital registration papers, along with your admittance fee money, in a folder.
A folder with all your pregnancy papers... tests reports etc.
A folder for all the baby papers that they give
Other Do-sies
- Make sure your husband/mom know where what is in your hospital bag! Then you don't have to stress in the hospital
- Keep extra napkins and burp cloths in a separate bag, these are very useful even when you're in the hospital, and keep swaddle cloths - these are just useful to spread on any surface before you put baby down
- Ask your fam to sneak in foods that are good for lactation… upma, sabudana – khichdi, kheer, sandesh, poha
- Ask the nurses to help you with going to the loo & shower, since the body is really weak
- Ask the senior-most baby-nurse and lactation consultant to teach you how to feed, and care for your baby... Sponge, diaper change, swaddle, burp!
- .... Decide what you want to wear TO the hospital! Keep it washed ironed and folded in an easy-to-find spot in your cupboard! I wore maternity leggings, a super loose full-sleeve tshirt, chappals, shawl!
Happy Mommyhood!
xoxo
Natasha