Parenting Topics
How can I get my baby to sleep? What can my toddler learn from toys?
Any ideas to help preschoolers get ready for kindergarten? We have
answers to your parenting questions, with lots of resources and helpful
articles from our panel of child development specialists.
What to Pack for hospital
Don't forget insurance and hospital pre-registration forms. Filling them out ahead of time makes admittance a breeze. Pack a bag for the labor room. You could be there for a while, so the following things may prove useful:
A list for mum:
A list for mum:
- Bathrobe
- Slippers
- Socks
- Extra underwear
- Sanitary napkins
- Lip balm
- Hard candies
- Lotion for massages
- Snacks for your birthing partner
- Change for phone calls and vending machines
- Cell phone (if permitted)
- Phone numbers for people waiting to hear the good news
- Books
- Tapes
- A tape/CD player
- Eyeglasses
- A stopwatch for timing contractions
- Paper and pencil
- Camera with film and flash
-
Baby book for recording baby's first footprint
Later, for your hospital room, you'll want a fresh nightgown (with nursing openings if you're breastfeeding), a bra (nursing or supportive), underwear, basic toiletries, and your address book. For going home, bring a fourth- or fifth-month maternity outfit.
A list for baby: - T-shirt
- Spare nappy
- "Coming home" outfit
- Receiving blanket
- Snowsuit (in winter)
- Hat or bonnet
- Booties or socks
- Bottle, nipples and formula (if you're bottlefeeding)
- Infant or convertible car seat
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.