Text/Juan Ma

As someone who has been there, I have also gone through the confusing stage of not knowing what to buy before giving birth to a baby in the hospital. I understand the confusion of expectant mothers. I consider myself a person who likes to learn. During the second trimester of my pregnancy, I went to the library to borrow several books on scientific pregnancy, learned several popular parenting apps, checked N recommended articles on Zhihu, and consulted with several people who are close to me. I had several pages of notes on my experiences with my mother-to-be friends in front of me and far away. However, after I was discharged from the hospital, I realized that I still bought a lot of "useless" supplies that were not practical.

In order to prevent novice parents from getting into "traps" and spending wasted money, based on my own production process, I recommend some cost-effective items that expectant mothers can prepare for themselves before admission. I hope this can bring some help to new parents.

1. Daily necessities during admission

1. Soft-bristled toothbrush

Two days before and after delivery, I used a disposable postpartum toothbrush given by a friend. It's just a few layers of thick gauze tied up with a flat bamboo stick and used to gently wipe the teeth. It doesn't seem to be of much use. Later, during confinement, I directly used an electric toothbrush to brush at the sensitive setting (picture below). In fact, as long as you use a soft-bristled toothbrush for daily use and don't brush too hard, you'll be fine.

2. Maternal sanitary napkins

I didn’t know it at first, so I asked my relatives to purchase special maternity sanitary napkins and wet wipes designed for maternity from Neon Country. In fact, it’s all a waste! fee! money! Considering that there is a lot of lochia just after giving birth, mothers should just buy the largest extended sanitary napkin they use every day. By the way, don’t forget to bring two pieces with you when you give birth.

3. Mother’s skin care products

Some people say that when a woman is pregnant, giving birth, or breastfeeding, she cannot put any cosmetics or skin care products on her face, as they will enter the body through the skin and be absorbed by the baby. Absorption, thereby affecting the baby's growth and development. For this reason, I have read relevant literature. Some ingredients are said to be teratogenic and need to be used in large doses. However, in order to ensure safety, I use the Curel set during pregnancy and hospital delivery. The brand of facial cleanser used during lactation is not fixed. After cleansing, I usually use G lotion with a drop of HABAsq oil to moisturize, and then apply soymilk. Lotion, then apply Kerun facial cream. When you are lazy, just apply horse oil. The eye cream is American CeraVe Moisturizing Repair Eye Cream. When I'm in a good mood, I also do facial masks. During the winter when I was breastfeeding and the weather got cold, I used HABA heating masks more often.

Curel is out, here is a picture of the official flagship store (see above).

4. Slippers and three or four pairs of cotton socks

There is no need to buy the postpartum slippers promoted by the merchants, just flat-heeled, soft-soled, non-slip slippers that are convenient for getting out of bed and moving around. It was a hot summer day when I gave birth to my baby, so my confinement sister-in-law suggested that I wear cotton slippers. As I am afraid of cold and heat, I made some changes and wore cotton socks all the time. The slippers were Adidas' black sandals. By the way, many elderly people and postpartum women do not allow mothers to wash their feet. In fact, there is still a way to have the caregiver wipe the mother's feet every day, wipe them well and then put on cotton socks, which is comfortable and hygienic.

5. Mobile phones and chargers

Everyone knows that it is best to stay away from mobile phones during delivery and recuperation in the hospital, but can you really do it? I can't do it anyway. But for the sake of eyesight, you still have to look at your phone less. You can use the software on your mobile phone to listen to music and books, grinning in pain. When I was pushed into the operating room to give birth to the baby, I didn’t forget to bring my mobile phone with me, and then I had a commemorative photo of Chun Juan when she was born (see picture below). That's right, I just gave birth and I took the photo with my mobile phone while I was lying down waiting for the doctor to press my stomach to remove the lochia.

6. Lunch box, chopsticks and spoons

If you live in the hospital’s VIP suite and eat three meals a day provided by the hospital, just pretend I didn’t say anything. I was not used to the hospital food, so I asked my family to cook the meals at home and send them to the hospital based on the confinement meal recommendations of the season and my own taste. In the first few days after giving birth, you should eat a light diet and remember to nourish your body with fish and meat immediately.

7. Disposable toilet mat

For myself and others, hygiene starts with me.

I use the one pictured below, just lay it out on the toilet lid.

8. Disposable sheets

A must. Postpartum nurses help mothers clean their wounds and pad them cleanly and conveniently.

9. Washbasins and towels

The expectant mother uses three washbasins to wash her face, buttocks and feet. A baby washbasin must also be prepared, see the baby chapter for details. Same goes for towels.

10. Napkins

Prepare a few packs of dry and wet (wet wipes), as mothers and babies will use them in many places. Baby should prepare special baby tissue. I bought it directly for my baby, and then I used it with my mother.

The napkins in the picture above were recommended by my confinement sister-in-law and are very cost-effective.

I have tried baby wipes bought in Japan, and Nuk is still the best.

11. A little cash, bank credit card, citizen card, booklet to be filled out for each hospital check-up during pregnancy, (birth certificate), paper and pen, small mirror, scissors, fruit knife, earplugs, comb, toothpaste , special bags for storing various receipts, cushions... Think about what the expectant mother needs.

2. To replenish energy before giving birth

1. Chocolate

Giving birth is a very physical and technical job. How can you give birth if you have no strength? Before giving birth, you must remember to replenish energy, but the huge pain caused by uterine contractions will make the expectant mother lose her appetite. It is recommended to eat something in the interval after the contractions stop, but do not eat too much or eat something that is not easy to digest.

2. Functional drinks

The doctor at the hospital where I gave birth recommended buying Red Bull. Unfortunately, my father was still on his way to buy Red Bull for me, so I gave birth... Then, Red Bull Dad Juan drank it all by himself...

3. Water cup and straw

You can just bring a drinking cup with a straw. I brought an ordinary drinking cup and bought another one. A box of disposable straws.

4. Disposable cups

After giving birth, in order to help the mother get rid of lochia and recover as soon as possible, the doctor will prescribe a lot of medicine and require you to soak it in water every day. The confinement nurse used a disposable cup to hold the medicine and sucked it for me through a straw.

3. Preparation for breastfeeding

1. Cream protection cream

Many mother friends have described to me in detail how their nipples were bitten by their children while breastfeeding. The emotional journey of being in pain and wishing for life after the breakup. To prevent cracked and painful nipples, you need to prepare a protective cream. I recommend Lansinoh’s Lanolin Cream, it’s very useful. I had just given birth to a baby and had no milk for the first two days. My nipples were stained with purple blood from the spring rolls. I applied some moisturizing cream on them and the pain was gone. As for whether the baby should wipe off the cream before feeding, scientifically speaking, there is no need to wipe it off, but out of the mentality of new mothers to protect the baby and never let any hidden dangers threaten the baby, no one will stop you if you want to. If the weather is cold and the temperature is low, this cream will condense and it will be difficult to squeeze out. It can be squeezed out after being warmed a little. Now, I use it directly on my heels to prevent cracking, and the effect is great.

2. Nursing bra

No need to explain this, you know it. You can prepare two before giving birth. The price fluctuates greatly, so you can buy them according to your personal preference. When I was in the hospital after giving birth, I didn’t wear it even once, and I breast-fed “in a vacuum” under my pajamas. I wore a nursing bra when I was discharged from the hospital. Later, when I occasionally went out to meet friends, I wore a nursing bra with an anti-overflow breast pad inside. Gee, it’s not too convenient~

3. Anti-overflow breast pads

I only used this after I was discharged from the hospital of. At first, the mammary glands were not fully open, and the amount of milk was average. Later, I discovered that I was a "big cow". Every time I fed, milk would flow out of the other breast. After every feeding, half of my clothes were soaked through, making them sticky and uncomfortable, which also affected my mood. At this time, it is much easier to have anti-overflow breast pads, which are disposable products and are attached to the nursing bra. During my confinement period, I put it directly on my pajamas when I was lying down and threw it away after use, which was convenient.

4. Pajamas

The style of pajamas is recommended to be open-front or buttoned. Pullover and one-piece long skirt styles are not convenient for breastfeeding. I was born in summer, and I asked before the birth whether it would be more convenient to wear pajamas or a skirt? The answer I got was that it was convenient to wear a skirt during examinations and delivery, but when I was hospitalized after giving birth, my body was weak and my pores were open, so I had to wear pants to keep warm.

It is recommended to bring at least two sets of pure cotton pajamas, one with separate tops and pants.

5. Electric breast pump

Don’t buy a manual one, otherwise you will be exhausted. While in the hospital, the breast pump was not used even once. I didn't start breastfeeding at first, and there wasn't enough milk at night. The hospital wouldn't let me bring milk powder. I even asked the hospital to buy some milk for the spring rolls. At the beginning of confinement, the amount of milk skyrocketed, and supply and demand began to become imbalanced. There was no time to drink the spring rolls. There was too much milk, so I sucked it out with an electric breast pump and stored it in the freezer compartment. Soon I couldn’t save it. Later, Juan’s father simply bought a freezer to freeze the milk. .

6. Silicone Breast Pump

The good news of "cows"! When pumping or breastfeeding on one side, the other side absorbs the silicone breast pump. Mom no longer has to worry about my clothes being wet by the leaked breast milk, and the milk will not be wasted.

7. Milk storage bags

I have used several types of milk storage bags, and the safest and most useful one is Lansinol.

4. Postpartum repairs

1. Belly corset

I had a normal delivery and just gave birth to a baby, but my belly still looks big. Hospital nurses will also ask mothers to wear an abdominal girdle to protect their waists. At this time, I used a very soft abdominal belt made of hospital cotton, spliced ??with a little elastic cord. When I go home for confinement, I will replace the belly band I bought.

Medical corsets are sold in hospitals and can also be purchased on a certain website.

2. Hip belt

I don’t want a big butt. Wait until the lochia is cleared from the body before using a hip belt. You can buy this later. I bought them together when I bought the bellyband.

3. Confinement underwear

During hospitalization, you can wear the underwear you usually wear. Some people recommended disposable underwear, but my friend said that there is no need to buy them because they are not breathable and not clean. I didn’t buy any. I wore my old cotton underwear from before I got pregnant and threw them away after wearing them. I bought confinement underwear from a certain online store during my confinement period. They are cheap and very practical. They are firmer and more breathable than ordinary underwear. I bought two pairs, one mid-waisted and one high-waisted. It's cold. If you're breastfeeding at night, lifting up your clothes can protect your belly button and keep you warm.