23/08/2020
Written by Dylan, Founder of Premiers Moments
Your due date is fast approaching and you still haven’t got round to packing your bag for labour? Let Materniteam and Premiers Moments help you make the right choices so nothing gets left behind!
Helping your baby sleep
What should you pack for your baby’s first nights?
Baby sleep bag
A sleep bag will keep your baby warm at night. It must be the correct size for infants (0-3 months, 50 cm), because if it’s too large, your baby could get lost inside, making it just as dangerous as a blanket. The sleep bag has to be warm, even in summer, since your baby can’t yet regulate body temperature.
Bodysuits and rompers
Choose cotton wrapover bodysuits and velvet rompers (even in summer) that open at the front. See “Dressing your baby”.
Night light
A night light is essential for comforting your baby in the middle of the night without having to turn on the powerful neon light in the maternity ward.
Dummy
The act of sucking brings real comfort to babies. Certain babies will naturally find their thumb, others will fill this physiological need with the nipple. It's impossible to predict what your unborn baby will do, so if in doubt pack one or two dummies adapted to infants (size 0-3 months).
Cuddly toy
Giving your baby a toy to cuddle during the night isn’t recommended since it could hinder their breathing. However, if supervised, you could let your baby play with a toy during the day – babies like grabbing hold of them!
When we bring our baby home, where should they sleep?
Each to their own bed! Letting your baby to sleep in your bed is dangerous. When you get home, make your baby sleep in a cot, ideally in your bedroom. As far as possible, avoid slatted cots during the first weeks and opt for a cradle or bassinet, more adapted to the size of infants. Babies appreciate contact with the sides of these, which remind them of the womb. For your baby's safety, make sure before buying that your cot complies with the European standards in force: EN 1466 for bassinets, EN 1130 for cradles and EN 716 for cots with slats.
Dressing your baby
What should you pack for dressing your baby in the maternity ward? What type of bodysuits should you choose? How many rompers will you need?
Five bodysuits
Bodysuits serve as both a t-shirt and pants. Choosing the right shape is crucial: pick wrapover bodies, which means you handle your baby as little as possible. During your baby’s first few weeks, ban bodysuits that have to be pulled down over the head because babies really don’t like them.
Five rompers
These are also called sleepers. Whatever the season, opt for velvet rompers for the first few days because babies can’t yet regulate body temperature on their own. Your baby won’t yet be physically active and can’t take advantage of the warmth that a little physical activity provides. To make changing easier (6 to 8 times a day for an infant), choose rompers that open at the front and that can be snapped down to the end of the legs. Rompers that open at the back require much more handling, which often upsets babies.
One or two vests
A knitted vest, ideally cotton or wool, will help keep your baby warm. Depending on size, the vest can be worn over or under the pyjamas.
One or two pairs of booties
A small knitted pair of booties, cotton or wool, will stop your baby’s feet from getting cold.
Two bonnets
The first bonnet is used for the very first seconds of your baby’s life in the delivery room, and the second for their first trip outside. The first should be light, and woven in cotton. The second can be thicker and knitted.
A pair of gloves
One pair of knitted gloves for when your baby leaves the maternity ward is enough. Some people like to put a pair of light gloves on their baby all day long to prevent scratching or because they think their hands are cold, but this is not recommended, especially since babies like to put their hands in their mouth.
What fabrics should I choose?
Opt for natural materials such as cotton (or wool for vests), which significantly reduces irritation or allergies. If possible, choose untreated, organic cotton. One of the strictest organic labels is the GOTS label (Global Organic Textile Standard). Also make sure that the fabric hasn’t been treated with any potentially harmful chemicals, by selecting the Oeko-Tex label, for example.
What size should I choose?
On your third ultrasound, your doctor will tell you the estimated height and weight of your baby on delivery. This estimate usually has a margin of error of just +/- 15%. Newborn sizes are adapted for a baby weighing 3 kg. If your baby is heavier, opt for 1 month. For chubbier babies (over 4.2 kg), 3 months should be suitable.
Baby care, bathing and grooming
Scissors or nail clippers? Flannel or sponge? Brush or comb? So many questions when it comes to choosing what to pack to care for and groom your baby!
CARE PRODUCTS
Thermometer(s)
For infants, taking rectal temperature using a digital soft-tip thermometer is the most reliable method, and you should bring one with you. Infrared thermometers are more practical but less accurate and therefore not essential. However, they can be useful for taking your baby’s temperature when they’re asleep, without waking them up. Opt for infrared thermometers that can take the temperature on the forehead rather than in the ear, as this can be unreliable before the age of three.
Brush or comb?
Use a comb for babies with a lot of hair and a brush for balder babies. But you won’t know that until the big day, so bring both! Choose brushes with soft bristles and combs with rounded teeth so as not to irritate your baby’s fragile scalp.
Nail scissors or clippers?
Neither for the first month! Your baby’s nails are still too soft and could break if you try to cut them. After one month, you can use special baby scissors, baby nail clippers or a glass nail file (sold in chemists).
BATH TIME
Bath cape
For getting out of the bath, choose a large cotton bath cape (75x75 cm or larger) that properly wraps your baby, and one with a small hood for easily drying their hair.
Bath thermometer
Invest in a digital bath thermometer, which will save you from having to squint every day to see if the bath temperature is between 36 and 38°C. Most digital thermometers will alert you with a light signal if the temperature is too hot or too cold.
Flannel or sponge?
You can wash your baby with a flannel, a sponge or your hands. However, keep in mind that flannels and sponges can become breeding grounds for germs if they’re not washed and replaced regularly.
TOILETRIES
Even today, many toiletries sold in supermarkets and chemists contain products that are harmful to health (irritants or endocrine disruptors), and it’s difficult to tell the good from the bad. One effective method is to opt for organic products, since the vast majority are made with non-harmful ingredients. However, this doesn’t guarantee their safety! In all cases, it’s important to use toiletries specifically designed for babies because their skin is particularly fragile. Choose simple products: the fewer ingredients the better for your baby’s skin. And when you look at what’s in the products, avoid if possible any containing alcohol, essential oils and dyes.
Gel
Use gel at bath times. Most gels are two-in-one, which is practical for washing your baby’s body and hair. There’s no need to wash your baby’s hair every day, however - two or three times a week is enough.
Cleansing milk and micellar water
Both can be used to clean your baby’s face or to wash them between baths.
Moisturising lotion
A moisturiser can be used after bath time since it helps restore the hydrolipidic film - the skin’s protection against external aggressions.
Liniment
A preparation using just olive oil, limewater and beeswax, liniment can be used when changing your baby. It leaves a protective film on the skin, limiting the risk of nappy rash (irritation). Apply liniment after cleaning your baby’s bottom with a cotton pad soaked in water. You can then gently rub on a little liniment using a cotton pad.
Wipes
Wipes are practical for cleaning your baby’s bottom when you’re not at home. Use them sparingly since if used too often, they can irritate the skin.
Meals
What essentials should you pack for your baby’s first meals?
Muslin squares
These little fabric squares will spare your clothes more than once! They’re used to protect your shoulder from regurgitation after burping. They can also be used to protect your changing table or as a light blanket in summer. Some babies even adopt them as a cuddly toy! Choose thick and absorbent materials.
Bibs
Bibs are essential for protecting your baby’s clothes at mealtime, since they absorb baby sick. Opt for sponge bibs that open and close from the side rather than the back of the neck.
Bottles
A bottle is always useful, both for baby formula and breast milk. Start with just one bottle to make sure your baby accepts it before you complete your collection. A bottle can also be used for giving your baby water during warm weather.
Bottle brush
Bottle brushes are used to clean bottles after each use. They’re more hygienic because you can separate baby cleaning products from everyday cleaning products (sponges, for example).
Washing up liquid
Some major childcare brands now offer special washing up liquids using natural products and that are designed to effectively remove traces of milk proteins. This is reassuring!
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