Already by 31-32 weeks, expectant mothers, according to the recommendations of doctors, begin to collect a dowry for newborns. Despite the grumbling of grandmothers that buying things for a baby is a bad omen, pregnant women follow the advice of specialists and, taking with them a list of things for a newborn in the first months of life, they start shopping. By the time the baby is born, the dowry has already been prepared.
Dowry for baby
List of necessary things in the hospital
The list of things needed in a maternity hospital is conventionally divided into 3 groups:
- prenatal,
- postpartum,
- for discharge.
For convenience, each group of things is put in separate bags.
Important! Sanitary and epidemiological standards prohibit the use of cloth bags or leather bags in municipal maternity hospitals. Everything you need is put in bags.
They take with them such a volume of things that fits in the bedside table and does not litter the surrounding space. Preference is given to disposable products: these are diapers, diapers, samples of toothpaste and shampoos. Clothes for the accompanying person are selected in advance if a partner delivery is planned: a disposable set of clothes, a mask, shoe covers.
First of all, the necessary documents are prepared:
- passport or other proof of identity;
- an exchange card issued by a doctor at an antenatal clinic at 30 weeks;
- current certificate of incapacity for work (sick leave);
- compulsory medical insurance policy (if any);
- if concluded, then a contract for a paid childbirth or a contract for an individual childbirth;
- all certificates and examination results collected during pregnancy;
- the results of fresh tests for hepatitis, HIV, RW, general urine analysis, clinical blood test, coagulogram;
- the results of additional analyzes prescribed individually.
The documents are put in a separate folder (preferably a plastic one with a button). Starting from 34-35 weeks of pregnancy, they carry the folder with them all the time, even if there is no hint of the beginning of labor.
For mum
They put things very compactly into a new strong bag, then quickly get the necessary item.
For herself, the expectant mother prepares:
- a comfortable bathrobe made of natural materials in accordance with the season and conditions in a medical institution (but not a terry one);
- a nightgown for the postpartum period (for childbirth, a sick leave is always issued);
- cotton socks that are useful in the delivery room and in the ward;
- rubber shoes;
- underwear (nursing bras, at least 5 disposable panties, 2 pairs of regular cotton panties);
- several towels;
- a couple of rolls of familiar toilet paper;
- urological or postpartum pads;
- wet toilet paper or napkins;
- pads for a bra;
- a toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo (take samples or travel hygiene products with them);
- mobile phone and charger for it;
- drugs that are taken constantly, and they are not contraindicated for pregnant women.
On women's forums, it is recommended to take with you boilers, breast pumps (but they are forbidden to use in the hospital), teas to improve lactation, books and other "useful" little things. All this will simply create additional volume, but will never come in handy. They only take a cup, a spoon, a plate, disposable toilet seat covers and trash bags.
For a newborn
Important! The rules of some maternity hospitals prohibit bringing things for the baby.
Things for newborns are put in a bag:
- diapers for a weight of 3-5 kg at the rate of at least 8 pieces per day;
- at least 2 packs of wet wipes for newborns;
- packaging of disposable diapers 60x60 cm;
- baby powder or diaper cream (take one remedy);
- small scissors (newborn babies usually have long nails, they are cut to avoid car injuries);
- sterile cotton wool or cotton pads to clean the ears and nose;
- a few thin and warm caps;
- 3-4 warm or thin undershirts (depending on the season) 56 or 62 sizes;
- several pairs of sliders;
- a pair of bodysuits or overalls (depending on the season and the temperature in the ward);
- 3-4 thin and warm cloth diapers, if you plan to swaddle your baby.
The mothers also put the package for discharge from the maternity hospital themselves, but they do not necessarily take it with them right away, the relatives bring it later.
The discharge package is simply completed:
- put clothes and shoes for the mother;
- if desired, add a minimum amount of decorative cosmetics;
- clothes and an envelope (or blanket) for crumbs;
- you can put pink or blue ribbon.
Recently, a large selection of ready-made sets (bags) for the maternity hospital has appeared on sale. None of them fully meets the needs of expectant mothers, bags are completed independently. Since suppliers usually add cheap and not always high-quality items to sets, their prices are not the most affordable, the expectant parents assemble the bag themselves, in accordance with their own tastes and financial capabilities.
Ready bag to the hospital
What does a baby need after discharge
Sensible parents acquire in advance everything that a newborn needs for the first time. For the arrival of the crumbs from the hospital, relatives are already preparing:
- a stroller for a newborn;
- baby car seat (cradle);
- cot, mattress, blanket, several sets of bed linen;
- baby changing table;
- bathing tub;
- bottles for feeding and drinking babies, as well as a sterilizer for them.
Necessary things for the first time
In addition to the above, for the baby they acquire:
- packing of diapers for weight 3-5 kg;
- packaging of hypoallergenic baby wipes;
- powder, diaper creams, oil and milk for the baby's body;
- small scissors for nails crumbs;
- preparations for treating the navel;
- detergents for washing children's clothes;
- means for cleaning and disinfecting premises.
Clothes for baby
How many things will be purchased, the mother decides on her own and often buys too much under the influence of hormones and emotions. After being discharged from the hospital, a child does not need a lot of things. The baby is growing rapidly, in a month all his clothes will be small for him. Must buy:
- undershirts, sliders, bodysuits - no more than 6-7 pieces;
- warm blouses - no more than 5-6 pieces;
- hats or caps - no more than 2-3 pieces;
- 2 pairs of booties;
- 2-3 pairs of warm and thin socks;
- walking clothes for the season;
- in winter they buy an envelope jumpsuit on a natural sheepskin.
The crumb is selected clothes from natural materials. Cotton fabric is chosen for hot summer, flannel is preferred for winter. Bodysuits and jumpsuits are chosen with a push-button fastener between the legs. Many moms do not neglect used clothing. Such things must be thoroughly disinfected before use.
Clothes for a newborn
Bedding for a newborn
Many parents put their babies to sleep in their own bed. This method has a good effect on the development of the baby, but pediatricians have a negative attitude to this tendency - there are cases when tired mothers and fathers press down the child in a dream. For safety, the baby is put to bed in a crib or put there immediately after falling asleep.
A wooden crib is purchased with special protective bumpers. The mattress is placed quite hard with natural fillers (buckwheat husk, coconut, horsehair). They buy several blankets made of hypoallergenic materials.
Sometimes the newborn is placed in the cradle. The baby is comfortable in it, but it grows out of it very quickly.
Bedding sets (at least 2-3) are chosen from soft cotton fabrics in pastel colors, since bright patterns on the bedding distract the baby from falling asleep calmly. A special waterproof sheet with an elastic band is covered on the mattress or covered with medical oilcloth.
Note. The pillow is not used until the age of two.
Hygiene products for a newborn
For full-fledged care of a newborn, hygiene products are mandatory. They protect the baby from the adverse effects of the environment, prevent the occurrence of certain pathological conditions of the skin.
For the baby, they prepare their own individual set of hygiene products. A detailed shopping list for a newborn includes:
- cotton wool or sterilized cotton pads;
- cotton buds with a stopper;
Note! Some studies show that the use of cotton swabs is not safe. Currently, pediatricians recommend using gauze cords to cleanse the nasal and ear passages.
- sterilized sunflower oil;
- three percent hydrogen peroxide;
- 2-3 pipettes with blunt tips;
- electronic thermometer (or non-contact);
- potassium permanganate;
- baby syringe;
- brilliant green;
- powder and baby cream;
- baby soap (if the skin of the newborn is dry, then the bar soap is replaced with liquid soap);
- bath foam;
- specialized shampoo for newborns with a neutral Ph;
- bathing herbs.
Hygiene products for crumbs
Important! Hygiene products for babies are purchased only in stores and be sure to check the production date and expiration date.
Things for walking with a child
Outdoor walks for newborn babies take place during daytime sleep. The baby is put on a fresh diaper and clothing appropriate for the season and weather conditions.
Baby clothes for winter:
- undershirt,
- body or slip,
- tight jumpsuit or separate set,
- thin and warm socks,
- warm mittens;
- cap and insulated hat,
- sleeping bag or overalls on a sheepskin;
- woolen blanket or blanket.
In the summer, the child is dressed minimally. At an air temperature of 200, it is enough:
- light cap;
- thin undershirts;
- cotton romper or bodysuit.
In the spring, in March-April, and in the fall, in September-October, the weather is changeable, so they prepare for walks more carefully. In clear and calm weather, the baby is dressed in a cap, hat and insulated overalls. Many mothers prefer layered clothing, adding or removing something if necessary.
The kid is going for a walk
They put with them for a walk:
- spare diaper;
- in the cold season - a warm blanket;
- in hot weather - a mosquito net and a sun shade;
- dummy;
- a bottle of formula or milk (the bottle is stored in a special thermos);
- packaging of wet wipes;
- rain cover.
Things for a walk are put in a bag in advance. Each mother gradually gains her experience and a complete list of the necessary items.
Useful little things
Technological progress does not stand still. The developers offer a lot of things to make life easier for modern parents. Some of them really come in handy, some are downright useless. The list of little things useful for a newborn includes:
- Baby monitor or video baby monitor. An effective device if an adult needs to go to another room for a short time. A significant disadvantage is that it does not work correctly with a weak power supply.
Baby monitor
- Bathing equipment: slides, stands, hammocks, mattresses. An anatomical slide is used for water procedures for a newborn baby.
- Bath mat with pockets allows you to comfortably kneel when bathing your baby. The pockets store everything you need for swimming. Needlewomen make such a rug on their own.
- Sterilizers facilitate the process of disinfecting children's dishes, but if the financial situation does not allow purchasing a device, then they are content with ordinary boiling.
- Specialized detergents for washing children's clothes. They contain components that are safe for the health of the child. For the little ones, they also use ordinary laundry soap without additives. It is produced not only in lumps, but also in powder form.
- Manufacturers of surface treatment products in the children's room declare their safety for crumbs. Each mother decides on her own how to treat the surfaces: with a purchased product or a soda solution.
- The stroller bag is very convenient. Manufacturers include such an accessory with the stroller.
- Many mothers use a kangaroo, or sling, for a baby. Accessories allow the baby to be close to mom all the time, to mom - free their hands for other things.
Kangaroo for baby
- Baby cot. They place it close to the parent's bed, the child is next to the mother and is protected from being crushed by sleeping parents.
- A cocoon for a baby is a peculiar way of swaddling a baby, restricting the movement of a baby.
Cocoon-nest for babies
On the vastness of the world wide web there are various lists of items necessary for caring for a small child. Some of them contain outdated information, some are of an advertising nature. Parents individually decide what is necessary for the full growth and development of the baby, based on personal beliefs, living conditions and financial situation.
