Baby Basics

First of all, magazines and baby shops may give you the impression that you need to build an extension for all the baby gadgets they want you to buy, but in reality there are only a few basics which are really necessary. Talk to other mums and ask their advice on what they found most useful/useless!

Borrow as much as you can from friends and relatives, who very often are delighted to be getting unused baby stuff from under their feet/out of their attic, and it’s great to be able to share things which are grown out of so quickly, such as a Moses baskets, changing tables and baby clothes. On a similar note, tell friends and family not to run out and all buy a whole load of newborn/3-6 months, no matter how cute, as you don’t want to end up with more clothes than can be worn when baby is still growing so fast!

It is always handy to have a decent baby book to hand; Miriam Stoppard’s “First Time Parent Book” includes step by step pictures guides to bathing and changing baby

Sleeping

Moses basket – Some mums swear by their Moses baskets and other mums feel they are a waste as baby grows out of them so quickly, try to borrow one if possible and just replace the mattress. Some travel systems come with carry costs and very often baby is just as happy sleeping in it.

Cot – Do you plan on having baby sleep in your room for a while? If so, you should consider a bedside cot, which is a normal cot that can also be turned into a 3 sided cot which can be moved to the side of your bed. A 3 sided cot eliminates having to get up out of bed in the night to pick up or feed baby, as you can just reach over to baby any time you need.

Fitted Sheets and mattress for either cot or Moses basket.

Sleeping bag and/or Cellular blankets

Baby monitor – not strictly necessary but can prevent new mums from checking in on a sleeping baby every five minutes!

Exploring the outside world

Travel System and Car Seat – Ensure that your car seat is fitted correctly, as an estimated 70% of car seats in Ireland are not. Ask the shop where you buy the baby seat to fit it for you if possible. You must also make sure that the car seat is fitted before delivery, as the hospital will not let you leave unless you have a properly fitted car seat.

Rain Cover for buggy/pram

All in one jacket/snowsuit - for winter time, as well as mittens which also help to stop baby from scratching themselves.

Hat and gloves – to stop baby from losing heat from its extremities in cold weather.

Sunglasses – don’t forget that even though it may be cold, the sun can still damage baby eyes! Sunglasses are not only for the beach!

Baby changing bag – pack this with spare bottles, baby food for older babies, nappies, baby wipes, cotton wool, sudocream, a spare change of babygro/vest and bibs, nappy bags for disposing of the evidence! A changing mat is also handy if you are caught out on the go!

Changing and bathing baby

Changing table/unit – a changing table will save you bending down to the floor all the time when changing baby and save your back muscles, you’d be surprised at how weak your back muscles can be after pregnancy! Some changing tables also come with a baby bath that is stored within, and saves buying one separately.

Changing mat – this can be an alternative to a changing unit, or you can use for it in conjunction with the unit for when you don’t want to change baby in it’s room or are out and about.

Baby bath – if you are not using/do not have a bath integrated into your changing table.

Baby towels

Baby lotion and shampoo

Feeding time - breast and bottle feeding

Regardless of if you are bottle or breast feeding; a nursing/feeding pillow can be invaluable, especially as baby gets bigger and heavier! It’s a u or v shaped pillow that supports baby comfortably while feeding which takes the pressure off your arms, especially if it is late at night and you are sleepy.

For breast feeding: nursing bras, breast pump, breast pads, nipple cream, and one bottle for pumped milk.

For bottle feeding: bottles (about 6), steriliser, formula, bottle brush.

Muslin cloths are also a life saver, for burping baby or any time baby is on your shoulder really, place it over your shoulder and it’s perfect for cleaning up spills and spit up, you can just wash them and they are dry in no time.

What to pack in your labour/hospital bag?

Going to the hospital, you will most likely need a small bag for the labour room and a bigger bag for post-labour in your room. There is no need to get stressed out getting your hospital bag ready, as friends and family can always bring you in anything you need, and the hospital can also provide the essentials for you if really necessary.

Labour bag

Birth plan (if you are using one)
Two old nightdresses for labour
Warm socks, as your feet tend to get quite cold during labour
Dressing gown and slippers for walking the corridors
Lib balm/Vaseline for dry lips
Hairband and hairbrush
Hairdryer/straightener if required
Tens machine if required
Dark coloured towels
Mobile phone and charger
Camera and charger
IPod/MP3 player
Ear plugs and eye mask – in case of snorers on the ward
Nipple cream if breastfeeding
Toiletries (Shampoo, face wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush etc.)
Make up/Face products
Comfy going home clothes for mammy
Disposable underwear
Maternity pads
Bottle of water with sports lid - useful if you have stitches
Front opening nightie for breastfeeding
Nursing brasNewborn nappies
Baby clothes – 4 x babygros, 4 x vests, hat, scratch mitt, cardigan, socks
Change of clothes, snacks, deodorant and plenty of change for parking for daddy
Plastic bag for sending home any washing

Lastly, it is a good idea also to have your baby seat fitted to your car prior to going to the hospital as they are notoriously tricky to install. This will save you sitting in the car for 45 mins while your partner attempts to install it!

Maternity Fashion

Once upon a time fashion and pregnancy were not something that you heard together in the same breath… but with high street chains introducing maternity ranges, as well as the ease of ordering clothes online, there is something for every shape and size bump! So there is no need to be relegated into smocks and tents for nine months, as there has never been more choice in terms of business wear, formal wear, casual wear, even lingerie and swimwear! See below for a list of both online stores and bricks and mortar shops. If you have a maternity shop or pregnancy fashion item that you would like to recommend, please let us know and we will add it to the list.

There is no need to feel pressurised into buying a whole new maternity wardrobe either, as they are worn for such a relatively short amount of time. Most family and friends and delighted to clear unwanted and unneeded maternity wear out of their wardrobes! Try pooling your maternity clothes among friends and family, allowing you to save money and a bit greener by recycling your maternity wear. Some dress rental shops also supply maternity outfits, so there is no need to splash out for just one event, very recession friendly on your pocket!

As you well know, people like offer advice to pregnant women, whether wanted or not… so we would like to dispel a few pregnancy fashion myths:

Myth 1: “You don’t need to buy maternity clothes, just buy normal clothes in a larger size!”

Every mum and bump is different. Some mums show very early on, and others bumps will be hardly noticeable for many months. Being pregnant is not the same as just putting on weight, and your shape and size will not necessarily grow according to standard sizing measurements. Ill fitting clothes will only serve to make you uncomfortable, especially if they are not designed to house a bump! Good fit on maternity clothes will make you look and feel better.

Myth 2: “Just buy maternity wear in your normal size to last your entire pregnancy”

All shops use different measurements to decide on their sizes so it is imperative that you try on clothes before you buy them, or ensure that online clothes shops have a returns policy. Also you may go up a size (or two!) even in maternity sizes throughout your pregnancy, so don’t rush out and buy an entire wardrobe early on, as you may find you have grown out of them nearing the end of your pregnancy, just when you need comfortable clothes the most! Also remember that your pregnancy will most likely span three seasons, so if you are buying in advance, remember that temperatures and weather conditions will vary throughout your pregnancy. Buying items in dribs and drabs is more sensible, as you can add bigger/comfier/warmer/cooler etc clothes as you need them.

Pregnancy Fashion Links

3d Ultrasound Scans

3d Ultrasound Scans are used during pregnancy to provide three dimensional images of the baby through the technique of ultrasound waves. 3D means that the pictures of your baby will be in three dimensions, as well as a 4D which adds the extra dimension of movement, so that you can see an animated scan of your baby. 3D and 4D scans use the same sound wave technology as 2D; instead of the sound wave being sent vertically down and reflected back, they are sent at different angles.

The returning echoes are processed by a computer program resulting in a reconstructed three and four dimensional volume.

Why should you get a 3d ultrasound?

3d Ultrasound is mostly used on pregnant woman as a bonding scan where you get to see what your baby will look like, as well as to check the gender of the baby if requested. Babies often have their hands in front of their face, sucking their thumbs, covering themselves, etc. These pictures can be very cute and can even provide a glimpse into their personalities. The duration of an ultrasound scan usually takes up to 30 minutes depending on the position of the baby.

While a 3D scan is not a medically necessary, studies have shown that a 3D scan can improve bonding between mother and child and also between father and child. Women who have received a 3D ultrasound are motivated to have healthy behavior during pregnancy, such as taking prenatal vitamins, and are more likely to breastfeed after the birth of their child. They are more likely to quit smoking and avoid alcoholic beverages after receiving a 3D ultrasound of their baby.

For more details about 3d 4d ultrasound scans please visit our 3d 4d ultrasound section.