Can You Sleep Your Way to Conception?
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WAHMRecommended
| Receiving blankets | Most newborns love to be swaddled. Although your nurse will no doubt send you home with hospital-issue blankets, it is nice to pack a couple extra soft and cozy wraps for your newborn. | |||
| Phone book and calling card | You'll want to share the joy of having a baby without paying the hospital's long distance rates. | |||
| Video camera, camera, and extra batteries | Check with your doctor before you go into labor about the hospital's policy on taking pictures and videos in the delivery room. If you're not using a digital camera, bring plenty of film to capture those precious moments of your newborn's first minutes, hours, and days. | |||
| Music player and favorite music | Both during labor and after your baby is born you'll appreciate the familiarity of your favorite tunes as background music. | |||
| Snacks | You likely will not be eating or drinking much during labor, but the dad-to-be may want to fuel up without leaving you to find a snack machine. It's also nice to have a healthy snack for after delivery—you may be starving and very thirsty (hey, having a baby is hard work!), and if it's the middle of the night you'll be grateful for something to munch on. | |||
| Breastfeeding information | Bring a breastfeeding book or consider scheduling a lactation consultant to visit you after the baby is born. Some hospitals provide this service, but it's a good idea to double check with your provider and insurance company before the birth. | |||
Niceties
| Laptop | After delivery, you may want to take a few minutes to send your favorite cyber friends a virtual birth announcement. | |||
| Baby book or journal | You may want to jot down some details in Baby's book while everything is still fresh in your mind. Don't forget to see if the baby book has a place for newborn footprints—you can have these done at the hospital. | |||
| Massage lotion/aromatherapy items | Splurge on some special pampering lotions and aromas. Massaging you during labor will also give your partner something to do to help you (and him) keep busy. | |||
| Cosmetics | This is for moms who like to look great in all photographs! At the very least you may like to put on a little makeup after deliver as a pick-me-up and to greet any well-wishers and visitors. | |||