If you haven’t already, now’s the time to start thinking about everything you’ll need once your little one arrives and, of course, what you’ll need in hospital.
Feeding products may not necessarily be at the top of your baby preparation ‘to buy’ list because you’ll probably be planning on breastfeeding, but there are still some items that you’ll find particularly useful.
Expressing breast milk, after your milk has been established gives you the flexibility to help you breastfeed for longer. Expressing is really easy once you get used to it, and it’s worth investing in a good breast pump, such as the Philips AVENT Single Electronic Breast Pump that is designed to make expressing milk as quick and easy as possible. It’s best to wait a few weeks after the birth to allow breastfeeding to become established before you start expressing, unless your Healthcare Professional recommends otherwise.
It is important to keep all your feeding equipment sterilised before each use for the first year of your little one’s life. Steam sterilising is the easiest, safest and fastest way to do this.
The Philips AVENT ThermaBag holds 2 AVENT Bottles, 2 Magic Cups or 4 VIA Cups. The double insulation layer incorporating 3M Thinsulate™ keeps milk cold and water hot for up to four hours, so it’s perfect for feeding on the go.
The Philips AVENT Digital Bottle and Baby Food Warmer is a fast, safe way to warm expressed milk and baby food, warming 125ml/4oz milk at room temperature in just four minutes.
Philips AVENT orthodontic soothers are suitable for babies from birth, respecting the natural development of your baby's palate, teeth and gums. All Philips AVENT soothers are made of silicone and are taste and odour-free.
With the new Philips AVENT range of DECT Baby Monitors that guarantee zero interference, you can relax safe in the knowledge that your baby's happy even when you are out of the room.
The Philips AVENT Digital Bath and Bedroom Thermometer is a convenient way to monitor the temperature both in your baby's room and in the bath. It has also been designed and tested as a safe, fun bath toy.
The Philips AVENT Ultrasonic Humidifier helps to improve the air quality of your baby’s room by silently adding moisture and establishing a comfortable humidity level.
Coins for the car park and vending machines. Most maternity units provide a parking permit for labour.
Slippers, or thick socks and a dressing gown.
Two or three knee-length cotton nighties for labour and after – not white and preferably with buttons down the front for breastfeeding.
Old underwear, or disposable knickers, two or three packs of maternity pads and a couple of feeding bras.
Basic toiletry kit, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. Hairbrush and hair bands. Face wipes, lip salve and moisturiser.
Patterned towel and pillowcase – with pillow. Make sure it’s a patterned pillowcase so it doesn’t get put in the hospital laundry.
Nipple cream, breast pads, breastfeeding information to use when staff are busy.
Earplugs - post-natal wards can be noisy. These will help you sleep if someone is watching your baby.
A little make up, tissues, glasses, contact lenses.
Baby Feeding Diary (or notepad) and pen.
A stash of snacks, drinks and a small amount of money.
Some clothes to go home in.
Optional extras such as an MP3 & speakers (check that’s OK with the unit), massage lotion, exercise ball, TENS machine, a magazine or book.
For your baby:
One pack of nappies, plus some cotton wool pads.
Six vests and six babygrows, socks and scratch mitts, two thin cotton hats.
Coloured muslins
Blankets and warm outfit, including a hat, for going home. Hospitals have swaddling sheets, cellular blankets and baby nighties.
This is a very basic list and you’ll probably use all these items. If you use the babygrows quickly, for example, or have to stay in for more than a night or two, your partner should be able to bring in replacements.
Please be aware that the information given in these [articles] is only intended as general advice and should in no way be taken as a substitute for professional medical
advice. If you or your family or your child is suffering from symptoms or conditions which are severe or persistent or you need specific medical advice, please seek professional medical assistance.
Philips AVENT cannot be held responsible for any damages that result from the use of the information provided on this website.
