What to take in the hospital for mother and baby: a list of the most necessary

What to take with you to the hospital for mother and newborn baby? Russian obstetrician-gynecologist Tatiana Ligatyuk told how to collect only the most necessary and not carry extra. In this material you will find a practical checklist that will help to properly collect bags in the maternity and postpartum wards without unnecessary costs and fuss.

The ideal time to prepare for childbirth Tatiana Ligatyuk calls the 32nd week of pregnancy. By the 37th week, the baby is considered full-term, and if by this time things are packed, then on X-day it will be just to take the documents and go to the hospital.

The main rule of modern fees, according to the specialist, is nothing superfluous. The times when huge baulas had to be transported to maternity hospitals are long gone, since most hospitals fully provide mother and child with basic care. Relatives can always deliver any missing trifle later, so buying clothes for a newborn in dozens does not make sense. A baby can be born immediately size 56, and only in practice will it become clear which type of fastener will be most comfortable. In addition to documents and hygiene products, Tatiana Ligatyuk recommends putting a few practical things in the bag that will make staying in the postpartum ward comfortable:

1. A little thermal circle. It is necessary for establishing lactation when regular warm drinking is required. She will keep the water warm all night, and the woman will not have to get up to the cooler again. Please note: bulky metal or glass thermoses are often not allowed according to the internal regulations of Belarusian maternity hospitals due to strict requirements for disinfection of personal belongings.

2. Sleep mask. It helps to fully relax in conditions when lights are lit around the clock in the boxes and corridors of the hospital. Earplugs should not be used: when staying together, the mother should fully control the condition of the newborn and hear his crying.

3. Lanolin nipple cream. Prevents the appearance of cracks and abrasions on the skin during the period of adaptation to breastfeeding. According to Tatiana Ligatyuk, the bag in the postpartum department often grows to a giant size. The most practical choice is called whole slips (overalls) with closed handles and legs - they are more convenient in the first days than openers and individual pants. Five slips for the entire period of stay in the hospital will be enough with a margin. The doctor recommends not to buy a lot of clothes in advance, since only in practice it will become clear which cut and type of fastener will be most convenient. How many diapers to take with you and why you need a home diaper Tatiana Ligatyuk recommends taking one small pack of diapers for about 24 pieces. It is not worth making large stocks: hospitals provide wards with clean tissue diapers, and a newborn may have an allergic reaction to a particular brand.

In addition to the basic set of clothes, the doctor advises to put a clean home diaper in the bag. In the maternity hall, when the newborn is laid out on the mother's chest, it can be additionally covered with it. This will create for the baby the usual heat barrier in the first minutes of life and eliminate unnecessary contact with the hospital environment. For the daily hygiene of the child, only clean running water from the tap is needed, it is not necessary to heat or boil it. Special foams and baby soap, according to Tatiana Ligatyuk, are required only in exceptional cases - for example, if the original feces (meconium) managed to dry. The rest of the time, the use of detergents is contraindicated, as they dry the delicate skin of the baby. To make it easier to endure contractions, Tatiana Ligatyuk advises you to make a musical playlist in advance or download meditations that help you relax. Another effective way to support yourself is to record an audio message on the recorder.

In a calm atmosphere at home, you can write down words of support, which at the right time will help to gather strength. The same task can be assigned to the husband, so that he repeats the necessary phrases during childbirth. The main thing, as the doctor notes, is to discuss the wishes with the medical team even before the fights begin, so that everyone in the hospital acts harmoniously. The doctor told what to consider the norm in the third trimester of pregnancy