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{Contributed by: Nikki Jones}
Packing for your child’s birth can be difficult, especially if this is your first child: It’s tricky to predict what you will really, truly need and want in those moments right after your wee one’s birth. While you can always have guests bring some of the things you need, planning it out well in advance gives you peace of mind in what can be a nerve-wracking, emotional time. Experienced moms love to offer advice on what worked well for them.
Here are seven items to consider packing in your overnight bag:
Comfy Clothes
You’ll be provided with a hospital gown to wear during your stay in the hospital, so these aren’t strictly necessary. However, having your own clothes with you means that you get to change into them when the delivery is over. Those comfy sweatpants or yoga pants can really help you relax during recovery time. Cozy slippers cushion your feet from the hospital floor. A robe and pajamas not only feel so right, they can help lull you to sleep so you get that needed rest.
Lip Balm
During labor, you’ll be kept to a limited amount of liquid. That plus the heavy breathing — and panting, screaming and other noises — do quite a number on your lips, which can become chapped and sore. That little bit of lip balm can do wonders for you inside and out, restoring your lips to smoothness.
Personal Care Items
Deodorant, makeup, a brush or comb, and cleansing wipes will help put you back together after the delivery, so you can look your best during baby’s first photos. You’ll be so tired from delivery that you don’t need a lot of makeup, but those necessary and familiar personal care items that can help you freshen up will go a long way toward making you feel yourself again after delivery.
Snacks
Babies come on their own time, and you may be waiting around the hospital for a long time before actually giving birth. So you’re not stuck with vending machines or cafeteria food, pack a few options into your overnight bag. Consider healthy snacks like energy bars or granola as well as indulgent snacks like chocolate. Make sure your partner also has snacks for the hospital stay.
Pillow
This one is all about comfort: Those hospital pillows are not luxurious, and you will be exhausted after giving birth. Pamper yourself with a good night’s sleep by bringing your pillow. You’ll drift off to sleep on your favorite pillow from home instead of tossing and turning on a lumpy hospital pillow. Trust me, you’ll need that rest when entertaining visitors or caring for your newborn.
Electronics Equipment and Chargers
So you can spread the joyous news via telephone, text message, or tweet, remember your cell phone and charger. Make sure that your partner also has a cell phone and charger handy. Consider bringing a camera and extra batteries or battery charger so you can capture all of those precious first moments for posterity.
Entertainment
Again, you’ll be waiting around for some time before delivery, as well as afterward. Need to distract yourself? Use that smartphone or tablet to catch up on your favorite shows. Take time to browse Pinterest. Surf the web for funny pictures that are just too good. Bring magazines, a good book, or even a craft like knitting to keep yourself sane during the hospital stay. Even with a slew of visitors, you’ll likely have down time, so put it to good use.
As delivery gets closer, prepare a packed bag with these essentials and keep it near the door. You never know when you’ll need to rush out, and you do not want to be caught unprepared.
Contributed by: Nikki Jones
Nikki went to school for fashion merchandising. Upon discovering her knack for description by the written word as well as illustration, she began a career as a freelance writer in the fashion industry.
http://www.mind-mom.com/ says
Thanks for a great article.