Preparing for Baby
Packing a hospital bag
It is useful to pack a bag for the hospital at least two weeks before your due date so you are ready to go if your baby comes early. Include pyjamas and socks for you (the hospital rooms can often be chilly). Be sure to include items such as lip balm, a magazine or a book, calming music and of course a tooth brush, toothpaste and toiletries.
For baby
You will need vests, Babygro’s, scratch mittens and a cotton hat and for going home, you will need warm clothes and a blanket. You must also bring new born sized nappies, wipes and nappy cream for baby.
Even if you are having a home birth it’s still a good idea to have your bags prepared so that everything is ready and in one place. It also means that should you have to go into hospital at the last minute, no one will need to rush around trying to gather together the things you need to take with you.
The things you’ll need after the birth can be brought in later, or if you are driving to the hospital, left in the car until needed.
Buying a cot
A cot will probably be your baby's bed until he/she is two or three years old. It should be strong and sturdy without cracked or broken slats and with no jagged points or edges.
If you are buying a new cot, it should conform to BS EN 716-2:2008, as all new cots on sale in the UK have to meet this standard. This standard ensures that the cot is deep enough to be safe for your baby, that the bars are the correct distance apart, and that the cot does not have cut-outs or steps.
If your cot is second-hand or borrowed, make sure the distance between each bar is no less than 2.5cm (1in) and no more than 6.5cm (2.6in). You should not be able to fit a soft-drink can between the slats. This is to prevent your baby's head from slipping between the bars.
You can use your cot from the day your baby is born, if you like. However, many parents choose a Moses basket, crib, or carrycot for the first few months, because these can be moved around to different locations in the home and because they are a little more cosy and comforting.
Most cots have drop sides and an adjustable base height to make it easier to lift your baby in and out as he/she grows. It’s a good idea to lower the base when your baby is old enough to pull himself up, so that he stays secure in the cot.
Be careful not to use fleece blankets in baby’s cot as these may overheat your baby. Instead buy thin waffle design blankets and layer them so you can use more or less as the temperature in the room changes.
Buy a thermometer for placing in baby’s room or near their cot and check the temperature regularly to ensure the room is not too hot or cold.
Buying a car seat
You will need to have a car seat ready before your baby is born, whether or not you own a car. If you are having your baby in hospital, your baby will need to be placed securely in a car seat on the journey home. Most hospitals will not allow you to take the baby home until you show you have a seat and that baby is secure within it.
Be cautious about borrowing a car seat, and avoid buying one that's second-hand. You need to be absolutely certain that the seat has never been in a car accident, and that there is no wear and tear that could affect its performance. You'll also need the instruction manual, so you can understand how to fit and use the seat. Most experts advise that you buy new.
Choosing the correct car seat for your baby's age and weight is crucial. You must also make sure that it is properly installed.
If a car seat doesn't fit your car perfectly, or is difficult to fasten in place, don't buy it. Not every child seat fits every car, and some seats work better in some models of car than others.
The seat should be held tightly by the seat belt, with very little sideways movement. Car seats should not move around more than an inch in any direction, though infant carriers will have a little give in them, even when correctly installed.
