We have compiled a checklist of items we think you may need during the postnatal period, so you can collect them before labour begins. This is obviously meant just as an indication, or to give you some ideas.
Clothes
Of course, when buying baby clothing the size will depend on the size of the baby. When you buy the smallest size, but expect a big baby, these clothes will not fit at all, or will not fit for long. This table gives you an idea of sizing.
Incidentally the sizes per brand often are different. Clothes that are handy to have around the house:
- Creeper
- Sweaters / pants or dungarees
- Socks
- Coat or Jacket
- 2 hats
Bathroom
- Bath
- Bath frame
- 2 bad towels (with hoods/caps)
- Baby soap or washing gel
Baby care
- Changing table/furniture
- Changing mat
- Hairbrush
- 12 hydrophilic nappies
- Burp cloths
- Disposable nappies
Food
For breast feeding
- Breast pads
For bottle feeding
- Bottles and teats
- Formula
- Bottle and teat brush
Birth (Home)
- Maternity package:
- Birthing mattress
- 10 cellulose sheets
- 2 packs of maternity sanitary towels *1
- 2 boxes of sterile gauze
- One pack watten *1
- 1 bottle of alcohol 70% *1
- One umbilical clamp
- Bed supports
- Extra cushions
- Bedpan
- 2 digital thermometers *1, 2
- 2 buckets
- Bin bag
- Plastic sheet
- Basin
*1: You need also during the postpartum periode
*2: An ear thermometer is not appropriate to use for the baby
Hospital labour
Have these items ready beforehand for both home and hospital labour:
- pregnancy card
- proof of registration for maternity care
- toiletries
- 2 sets of pyjama’s
- bathrobe
- 2 sets of underwear
- 2 pairs of warm socks
- slippers
- roomy shirt (for labour)
- clean clothes for the journey back home
- spitting cloth
- 2 sets of baby clothes
- baby coat
- baby hat
- blanket for the journey home
- mobile phone and charger
- car seat
- change for parking
- camera
Bedtime
- 2 seamless metal bed warmers
- 2 bed warmer bags
- crib or baby bed
- Polyether mattress, at least 8cm thick
- 2 baby blankets
- 3 sheets
- 3 top sheets
- 3 soft woollen mattress protectors*
- soft woollen sheet*
* If you prefer
