Kutsie Blog / pregnancy

What to Pack for the Hospital When Giving Birth Checklist

There are tons of websites that seem like you need to be bringing multiple suitcases just for you to the hospital. You don’t! Everything you need to bring can fit into one bag! With my son I over packed. I ended up not needing half of the things I brought. Here is what is in my hospital bag!

Hospital Bag for Mommy:

  • 1 robe
  • 2 nursing bras
  • 2 nursing tops (For the first day I only wore a robe and nursing bra or nursing tank top.) One of these can also be part of your going home outfit
  • 2 comfortable loose fitting pants/shorts: You will not want to wear anything tight, and you may just choose to wear no pants, and only your robe. The second paid can be part of your going home outfit
  • 3-4 pairs of underwear: The hospital provides you with some mesh panties, which I personally LOVED! But for those of you who may not like them I’d bring extra underwear incase of leaks. Make sure they aren’t your nice Victoria secret panties, just comfortable ones that you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • 1 pair of Pajamas: This may be necessary for some, but for me, I ended up sleeping in my robe and nursing bra.
  • 2 pairs of socks: You probably wont want to be walking on the hospital floors barefoot
  • 1 pair of slippers: Just in case, or if you don’t want to wear socks, slippers will do.
  • Toiletries: Travel size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, face wash, hair brush & hair ties, and a small bag of make up like foundation, mascara, and chap stick.
  • Chargers/Memory Card: phone and camera chargers. Also an extra memory card for your camera if need be.
  • ID, hospital forms, change/cash for any vending machines
  • Eyeglasses/Contacts: cases, solutions.

Hospital Bag for Daddy: (can easily be fit into your bag or he can pack his separately)

  • 2 shirts
  • 2 pants/shorts
  • 1 pajama set
  • Tooth brush, deodorant
  • 2 pairs of socks
  • 1 pair of shoes: sneakers or flip flops
  • Phone charger

Hospital Bag for Baby:

  • Baby book with extra papers so you can get extra foot prints
  • Going home outfit
  • Blanket (more for going home)
  • A car seat

A small empty bag to fill at the hospital:

The hospital provides you with a baby outfit, baby blanket, diapers, wipes, nursing cream, pads, etc. Take whatever you don’t use home with you! It is there for you!

Let us know if you have anything you’d like to add to the lists above for the First Time Moms! 

Visit Blissful Belly Blog for more great advice!

Blissful Belly Blog
Posted on January 12, 2014
Blissful Belly Blog
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8 Tips to Help You Prepare BEFORE You Become Pregnant!

“Lets have a baby!”

Easy enough for the men to say! It gets a little tricky for us women though. If getting pregnant is something you are planning to plan with your man, then there are certain steps to take, starting after the phrase “Lets have a baby!”

  1. Are you on birth control? Doctors recommend you are off birth control, and have a few cycles before you start the baby making. Give your body time to figure out what to do now that you are off the pill, and once you have one cycle, you can start tracking it to make sure you are ovulating regularly. A little tip to help you figure out when you are ovulating is to subtract 14 from the length of your cycle. (Example: Cycle is 28 days long, minus 14, means you ovulate around the 14th day of your cycle). Of course, make sure you are still using protection until you’re ready. Even though you just got off the pill, it does not mean that you cannot get pregnant right away.
  2. Replace your birth control with prenatal vitamins. It is best to start taking the prenatal vitamins before you conceive to give you a healthier pregnancy. Also, The Centers for Disease Control believe if you take 400mcg of Folic Acid per day for no less than a month before you start trying, your chances of have a baby with neural-tube defects will decrease by 50-70 percent.
  3. Stop the partying. You shouldn’t be smoking, drinking, or doing drugs while pregnant. It only makes sense to stop doing any of that before you plan to get pregnant. Drugs, alcohol, and smoking can decrease your chances of getting pregnant, and if you do get pregnant, they can increase your chances of miscarrying, or having a baby with birth defects.
  4. Make an appointment with your OB/GYN. Sometimes it's nice to get the “all clear” before hand, just to make sure there will be no road blocks in actually getting pregnant.
  5. Weigh yourself. When you find out you are pregnant, your doctor will want to know your pre-pregnancy weight to help them keep track of how much you’ve gained during pregnancy, and how much you should be gaining.
  6. Start eating right, and continue being active. Eating healthy and being active increases your chances of having a healthier pregnancy. Avoid more than a cup caffeine a day, limit your intake of fish per week to 2 servings and avoid fish that are high in mercury.
  7. Sit down with your husband to start planning what happens next. Start budgeting, you’ll have to save for baby gear, and maternity clothes, also paying for your medical bills. How long will you take off of work after the baby is born? Will you send your baby to daycare after 6 weeks? All of these questions are good to start thinking about before trying to conceive.
  8. Once you and your husband are ready, then you know it's time! Relax and have some fun! You can get pregnant right away, or it may take a few tries, but that is okay! No stress! Getting pregnant and being pregnant should be an exciting time for you and your spouse! Good luck! Get ready for the start of a new and exciting life! 
Visit Blissful Belly Blog for more great tips and stories!
Blissful Belly Blog
Posted on January 07, 2014
Blissful Belly Blog
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5 Tips to An Easy Start With Breastfeeding

5 Tips to An Easy Start With Breastfeeding

            Like every new mother, we are all entering this new life, new beginning with a blindfold on. Of course most of us have the sister that had the easy experience breastfeeding, or the friend who had such a difficult time that she gave up after the first week. Or maybe, you’ve never known anyone who has breastfed, but you’ve read every article about ‘How to Successfully Breastfeed’ or articles of other mothers’ experiences, good or bad.

            With breastfeeding…you will never know how it will go for you until you do it. Every experience is different than the next. Here are 5 tips that will hopefully distress you and make the path to successfully breastfeeding an easier one. 

  1. Start breastfeeding with an open mind. If the baby doesn’t latch on right away or if it hurts you, don’t worry! Try again! As silly as it sounds, practice makes perfect. Don’t give up right away. In most cases it takes a few tries and a lot of patience.  Just relax! No, really, relax those shoulders, it will help your little one latch on!
  2. Make sure you meet with the Lactation Consultant at the hospital, or schedule an appointment with one very soon after giving birth. No new mother is a breastfeeding pro on her first try. So why not let the professionals help? Lactation Consultants give you tons of tips and multiple nursing positions to try with your baby. 
  3. Invest in a boppy or breastfeeding pillow. Your arms and back will thank you for this one. You’ll need one hand for your breast, and your other hand to help guide the baby to your nipple.  The pillow gives the baby support and gives you use of both hands. Also, Dad can use the pillow, too, as extra arm support when holding the baby. When your baby gets older the boppy can be a nice pillow to let him or her lean on.
  4. Find a nipple cream, or you can even use your own breast milk to apply on your nipples after each feeding. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding your nipples will become sore and maybe even raw. The cream or milk will definitely help sooth them.  For even more comfort, Lasinoh Soothies Gel Pads will give you instant relief!
  5. Set up your nursing station at home for nighttime feedings: a comfortable place to sit, lots of water, some healthy snacks, your breast pillow or boppy, nipple cream, something to do, and definitely don’t forget the burp cloths.  Having all of this ready to go before you fall asleep will make breastfeeding so much easier for nighttime feedings. For daytime feedings, don't forget your nursing necklace and nursing cover!

These 5 tips should help make the first few weeks a little easier for you. Remember to keep trying and to ask for help or advice when you need it. You will do great!

For more advice and tips on the joys of pregnancy: before, during, and after, visit Blissful Belly

 

Blissful Belly Blog
Posted on December 17, 2013
Blissful Belly Blog
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You're Pregnant! Now What?! 9 Things To Do When You Find Out You're Pregnant

pregnant-what-to-do-next

You just found out you are pregnant! Now what?!

Relax, enjoy the ride.  There will be ups and downs, crying and laughing, nerves and anxiety.  So be ready for this amazing journey we call PREGNANCY.

  1. First things first, if you haven't already, make an appointment with your doctor and start taking prenatal vitamins.  
  2. Become part of a baby community site such as babycenter.com or whattoexpect.com.  You will be able to communicate with other soon to be mothers that are experiencing the same changes as you.  Your friends and family will also be a huge help during this time.  Don't hesitate to get their opinions and advice (especially those who are mothers).
  3. Make sure you are eating healthy, staying hydrated and exercising (always check with your doctor to make sure your exercise routine is appropriate).
  4. Budget, Budget, Budget.  Come up with a plan.  Find out the cost of the hospital and doctor visits (your OBGYN may have a printout of these costs), furniture, diapers, other baby items you may not get at your shower, etc. I suggest you start buying diapers now, once a month.  Like I said in my previous post, most stores will let you exchange diapers for a different size, so it's okay if you end up with too many of one size!  
  5. Start a journal -- write in it as much as you can! You will love to look back at all of the emotions and experiences you went through while being pregnant.  After my pregnancy, I made a photo journal book (I used shutterfly.com) with all of the photos and journal entries I made throughout my pregnancy.  It's a book that will live on forever.  
  6. Spend time with your other half! Once the baby is here, you will not be able to have that one on one time with your partner.  Go on a babymoon or mini vacation.  
  7. Discuss parenting methods with your partner.  Make sure you are both on the same page before he/she arrives!  
  8. Take it one day at a time, some days will be hard and some will amaze you.  That first little kick will bring tears to your eyes.  The first set of hiccups will make you giggle.  Talk, sing, and dance with your little bean.  
  9. Don't sweat the small stuff.  Some things will seem like huge obstacles; hospital bills, daycare, baby shower, the sugar test!  They will all work themselves out.  The most important thing right now is the health of your baby, so don't stress!

 

Kutsie Baby Owner
Posted on May 08, 2013
Kutsie Baby Owner
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