Share the Love for Your Incoming Baby with These Delivery Preparedness Tips – Your baby is coming any day now! Let’s kick off Valentine’s Day with the ultimate preparedness guide for delivering your baby. Learn about the tips from what to pack in your hospital bag to how to shop for healthy foods to eat right here on Newsymom!
This informational campaign comes to you in partnership with the Stark County Community Action Agency.
Congratulations! We’re over here giddy, counting down the days until your little bundle of joy arrives.
As your family grows, it’s so important to prepare for the coming days ahead! Let’s talk about what to pack in that hospital bag and how to make the changes to allow coming home to be a BUNCH easier:
Prepare for Your Hospital Stay
Preparing for your hospital stay will help pass the possible long hours of labor and waiting for tests and screenings.
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Use this guide to help you prepare as you pack your hospital bag:
For Mom:
- Clothes*
- ID/Insurance information
- Medications (if any) or glasses
- Entertainment for yourself:
- Books
- Magazines
- Games or puzzles
*We recommend packing for a couple extra days longer than you think. If you anticipate three days, pack for five.
For Baby*:
- Going home outfit
- Car seat
*The hospital will provide you with a TON of supplies, formula, clothes, a swaddle, etc. for the baby. Bring an empty bag to take stuff home with you!
Toiletries:
- Dental care products (toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, mouthwash)
- Hair care products (hair brush, hair ties, clips)
- Skin care products (face wash, makeup remover, moisturizer, etc.)
- Lip balm
Electronics:
- Phone, tablet, or laptop
- All chargers
- Bluetooth speaker (if you want to play music softly while you’re in labor)
Preparing Your Home
When you bring your baby home, you want to arrive in a calming environment that makes the adjustment to motherhood much easier! Use these tips to prepare your home before you bring your bundle into it:
Nesting Mode = Activate
Deep clean your home! When you come home to a mess-free environment, your mood is so much more relaxed. Your baby can sense when you’re anxious, worried, or stressed, so keeping calm is super important! Recruit your partner, family members, or friends to assist you with the cleaning and organization projects you need to tackle before you leave for baby’s delivery.
Set Up the Nursery
This might’ve been one of the first things you’ve jumped on, but having the nursery set up is crucial before you come back home! Make sure to have a nice supply of wipes, diapers, laundry detergent, a safe sleeping space, and clothes organized for you to easily grab. Bonus tip: Create a small cart with a snack station for yourself in the nursery near your rocking or lounge chair. Add water bottles, juice, snacks, and lactation cookies (if you’re breastfeeding), to keep yourself fed and hydrated.
Prepare Delicious, Healthy Meals (Ahead of Time)
This is a pro tip: Make as many meals ahead of time as you can! Bringing your baby home is an adjustment and you will be exhausted, there’s no question about that! The idea of making dinner will be even more exhausting. Set yourself up for success by shopping for healthy ingredients to make healthy, prepared meals beforehand.
Use these shopping tips to save you time and money when you head to the store:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables are cheapest when in season
- Buy in bulk when possible
- When buying canned goods, always choose low sodium and packaged in natural or fruit juice
- Frozen fruits and vegetables are healthy and don’t break the bank
Prepare yourself for the exciting motherhood journey ahead! And when you need a helping hand, don’t hesitate to check out the SCCAA Community Actions Pathway HUB. They’ve got the education, resources, and support to help new and pregnant mothers get through these drastic life changes.
Melissa Klatt
Reporting
