Preparing for the arrival of a baby is one of the many things moms do best.
Setting up the nursery to perfection, making a birthing plan, packing your favorite birthing gown, and making the ultimate playlist for labor are all on the pre-baby checklist.
The area moms forget to plan ahead with is post-natal comfort – and it can make all the difference in the world.
Sure, you are enamored with your new little one, but you will be thinking about how cold your feet are, or how your underwear is riding up if you aren’t prepared.
The other aspect to consider is how the hospital doesn’t offer the comforts of home for sleep.
Nurses are in at all hours of night checking you and your little one’s vitals, and of course not at the same time because that would be too convenient.
Dozens of strange noises grab your attention during your stay: beeps, buzzes, other babies down the hall who did not get the memo it is time to sleep, and your husband’s snoring on the couch next to you.
All of these noises are only interference to the soft breaths your baby takes that you subconsciously (or very consciously) listen for at all hours of the day and night.
So, what is there to do about all these seemingly odd events? Pack a post-natal bag that contains these essential items.
1. Water bottle
The hospital may provide you with a water bottle, or they may just give you an unending stream of earth-damaging styrofoam cups.
Bringing your favorite water bottle that can easily be used while lying down, such as a leakproof one with a straw, will encourage you to stay hydrated.
After losing a lot of fluid and blood in birth you will need to re-hydrate to be able to be in condition to get discharged and enjoy your baby from the comforts of your own home.
2. Pack extra of everything
A lot of unexpected events are par for the course with moms. You never know when your little one is going to spit up on you, poop through a diaper in your arms, or when you are going to leak through your own postpartum diaper.
Running out of sweaters in the cold hospital room, or onesies for your tiny little one is an inconvenience that can seem unbearable when you are struggling to make it to the bathroom.
You don’t need your own personal bellboy with a cart of luggage, but a couple extras of the basics is not a bad idea.
3. Underwear
I do not mean your “normal” underwear, but high-wasted cotton underwear. Think of what one would call “granny panties.”
When you have a tender belly from natural birth, or especially a C-section, you aren’t going to want any elastic bands choking the life out of your lower abdomen.
Bring a pack of high-wasted cotton panties a size up so that you can toss them if they get messy, and they won’t be constantly taking your attention away from that beautiful sleeping cherub.
4. Home routine
Whether you realize it or not you have a routine at home that helps you sleep.
Do you make a cup of tea before bed? Do like to rub lavender oil on the back of your neck to help calm you down? Do you sleep with a noise machine?
Write down the steps you take in the evening before going to bed, and then try to bring what you would need to mimic the environment. You will find it is much more conducive for sleep.
Hospitals will try to give you the essentials, like their sorry excuse for a pillow (note: pack pillow), but a cold medical room just can’t compare to a bedroom.
Plus, the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your baby will be; which means more sleep for the both of you.
Taking care of yourself as well as your baby is important. Both of you have just come out of a very exhausting event and need a little TLC.
Don’t let the hospital stay get you down, and prepare for a comfortable night in to be catered to and cared for.