Only about five percent of all women have their baby on the day predicted by their gynecologist; the remaining 95 percent give birth two weeks before or two weeks after the expected due date. This isn’t a big deal and is part of the normal range of fluctuations, but it can quickly turn into stress if contractions suddenly start – and the hospital bag hasn’t even been packed yet. It is recommended that pregnant women should have gathered everything they need for the delivery room and the first days after birth by the 36th week of pregnancy at the latest. The following checklist for expectant parents lists the most important things for the upcoming hospital stay in detail.
In order for a newborn to receive its birth certificate at the clinic, you must either present your marriage certificate or – if you are not married – your birth certificates and, if necessary, acknowledgment of paternity. If you have a family register, you must also pack this in your hospital bag as well as the following important documents:
At the latest when contractions begin, you will be very grateful for the hospital bag that is already packed: To make your stay in the delivery room as comfortable as possible for you, you should definitely pack comfortable clothing – otherwise the hospital will give you a classic nightgown make available. So please take the following with you:
Since you cannot know in advance how much time you will actually spend in the hospital, you should pack the most important hygiene items that you need for daily personal care, such as:
So that you can keep friends and family members up to date, you should pack your charging cable in your hospital bag alongside your smartphone. You can use your phone to take your baby’s first photo, but you can usually take even better photos with a good SLR camera. Another useful and practical companion is the nursing pillow, which you can use before, during and after birth to optimally support your body and your baby.
After birth, your newborn will be provided with everything he or she needs in the hospital. However, if you want to leave the clinic, it is your turn to provide your baby with everything he needs. Starting with clothing and diaper changing items right up to the safety shell for your car. So that you are prepared for all eventualities on the journey home, we recommend the following initial equipment for babies:
Once the hospital bag is packed, you can also pack the diaper bag for your unborn baby. Depending on how long your journey home takes, a mishap can quickly happen along the way. For this reason, you should carry all the essential items you need for diaper changing – from the changing mat to wipes to plastic bags (for dirty diapers if there isn’t a trash can nearby). To avoid any unpleasant surprises, the following things should not be missing from your diaper bag:
There is no question that a diaper bag has to be practical first and foremost. However, you should think carefully in advance about which model is right for you. Especially if you want to use the bag even when it is no longer needed for your child, you are spoiled for choice: For example, if you generally prefer large handbags, shoppers or shoulder bags are well suited – but you are More the backpack type, to keep your hands free you should opt for a diaper bag that you can also carry on your back. This makes sense especially if you often carry your baby around in a sling on your body – then a shoulder bag would only be a nuisance.
Furthermore, the closure is also crucial if you need to quickly change your child’s diaper. Especially when your baby doesn’t want to lie still and you have to hold him with one hand, zippers can be very cumbersome. Magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners or even Velcro fasteners are the better choice here, so that you can have all the important things in your bag (diapers, wet wipes, pacifiers, drinking bottles, etc.) within easy reach as quickly as possible.
The material of the diaper bag is at least as important. If you choose a stylish leather model, you should be aware that the bag is very robust, but also susceptible to stains. In addition, the material must be regularly impregnated to protect it against rain. Diaper bags made of easy-care materials such as cotton, PVC, nylon and polyester are more suitable here. They have the advantage that they are all washable or water-repellent.
Many diaper bags come with accessories, such as a changing mat (padded and washable), a bottle warmer or even a small bag that you can close. Depending on which model and brand you choose, a different number of parts are included in the overall package. It is therefore worth taking a look at the accessories before you decide on a diaper bag.
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