Born Oct/Nov 2015

Thanks ladies for the feedback on the vests! @Clueless, I feel a bit better now that I haven't been the only one perplexed by the long sleeved vests! I've grabbed the short sleeved ones out and a little jersey for just in case. When I think about it, the ward was VERY warm when we went on the hospital tour. And I want to do as much skin on skin as possible so I'll be undressing her and putting her on my chest anyway (as will daddy).

@Zandri - I also got very hungry the other morning. One of our dogs is a bit of a whoopsie when there are thunderstorms and he woke us up (my bladder would have resulted in me getting up around then anyway) at about 3am. I went back to bed and then felt really hungry so ended up having a ham and cheese sandwich I think I've only had the early morning snack thing twice though!

As far as when to pack, I had previously decided that I would pack on 24 September during my 36th week, but decided to get started with it last month. I started with just the toiletries and things that I already had and am now putting in the other items as I go.

@Juanita - yes! Vaseline for that first poo. We were warned in antenatal class about that one!

I also think I'll leave the bottles for now. I want to make breastfeeding work! And even in the book I've been reading it says that if baby won't latch and your have some colostrum you can express it into teaspoons.

Morning

@Clueless what forum where you on with your first born?? wonder if we werent on the same one

As for the list, that is pretty complete. i would just add vaseline!! that first meconium poo (black/dark green glue like poo) really is like super glue and the vaseline underneath the bum cream helps with the next nappy change to wipe it off easier.

my take on the bottles .... if you really want to breastfeed, and there is help available at the hospital then you will be able to. don't settle for bottle feeding just because your milk isnt coming in fast enough. usually your milk only comes in on the 3rd day anyway. before that the amount that baby needs is so little. its not even half a teaspoon per feed!!!!
when i had Leandi she was really tiny and i had to feed her every 2 hours, the first night my milk hadn't come in yet and i didn't have enough colostrum to satisfy her hunger either. so i asked the sisters to give me some formula in a little cup (almost like a shooter glass) and i gave it to her like that. this was the best thing i couldve done coz we both got some precious hours of sleep after that, and she didnt get nipple confusion. if i had opted to give her a bottle then she wouldve never taken the nipple and breastfeeding wouldve been a no go.

as i said, this is just my take on things.

Oh I meant to add, in Sunninghill they do advocate for exclusive breastfeeding with no formula supplement, unless absolutely necessary, which is why there were no bottles on the list. But I did end up taking two sterilised bottles with, just in case, although we didn't use them in the hospital.

It is a good idea if you are going to formula feed, or if you have a preference for a specific brand (we used NUK) and you don't want baby getting used to another brand while in hospital, and then refusing to take your preferred brand bottle/nipple at home.

@HVDB - Thank you I will definitely have my bag ready then by the weekend.

@Clueless - Thanks for sharing your list. I did not think of taking a breastfeeding pillow but sounds like a great idea

Morning ladies,

PP, regarding us finding your question on long sleeved vests funny... I just looked back to the discussions here on Moomie before my first LG was born, and I asked that EXACT SAME question, in almost the exact same words. So please dont feel bad. And now, three years later, I can't remember details, that's why I went and looked up the discussions What I do remember is that we found the long sleeved vests underneath the babygro's very irritating, cause it kept on pulling up inside the babygro. I kept thinking that it would have driven me nuts if I had to wear something similar myself. We had a few newborn long sleeved babygro's, and those worked well. The full length (long sleeved and legs with feet) I found too hot, as others have said, you wrap them in blankies anyway. And they make those hospital rooms HOT, I had to keep turning down the temp on the aircon, just to find the nurses turning it up again.

Here is my list I took to hospital last time (some items are specifically on there cause I had a c-sect)

Pajamas (2 sets)
Maternity bra's (x2)
Clothes for baby (8 sets)
Receiving blankets (x2)
Toiletries for me
Dark colored wash cloths (x2)
Baby shampoo
Baby Aqueous cream
Baby oil
Baby bum cream
Cotton wool
Surgical Spirits
Natura rescue drops
Jungle juice
Nipple cream (Lansinoh)
Baby wet wipes
Diapers (1 pack)
Maternity pads
Smaller normal sanitary pads
Breast pads
Disposable panties (Carriwell)
Linen Savers
Sports (squirty) bottle for drinking water after c-sec
Breastfeeding pillow
Support belt (buy at Dischem or Woolies)
HAnd sanitiser

I never used the support belt, it is still lying in my closet somewhere, but the rest were all quite useful.

LouiseMarie, regarding the itchiness, have you read up on Obstretic Cholestasis? I'm being stupid, but I'm worrying about it, since my gynae said at the last visit that one should just keep an eye on this, just in case. Hey, I figure I need to worry about something right?

I spoke to both my sisters who had their babies there, 3 between the two of them, and they ensured that no more is needed. Maybe one or two things, like sterilized bottles for in case there is a problem with breastfeeding, then at least you have your own clean/sterilized bottles with you. Then a pacifier/dummy, as far as I know that is not included. What we have to pack is the clothing in ziplock bags marked per day (including beanies and socks) receiving blankets and earbuds the rest will be provided in their bag, my sisters says both that the stuff they supply is more than enough for the duration in hospital. Oh and the shops are close enough if something else must be bought. I will do my best to post as soon as I can after our baby arrives so that I can let you know what will be needed etc. Do not stress to much about baby's bag, get your bag ready, should your little one arrive early before 34 weeks, the chances are that baba will be in ICU, then all those goodies won't be needed till baby is ready, which will give enough time for your. Your bag MUST be ready as you will be using the same stuff either way! Well that is my thoughts.....but seeing that we are now 35 weeks, I have packed exactly as mentioned above.

Hello HoopVirDieBeste

Yes I saw the list in the journal Kloof gave me, just wanted to make sure that it covers everything.

I have not packed anything yet. I will start this weekend. How far are you now?