Hospital Bag for Labor & Delivery

I started to pack my hospital bag when I was 37weeks. 
So here are the things I'm gonna bring:

[  ] - Phone charger 
[  ] - Sanitary pads
[  ] - Disposable underwear
[  ] - Nursing bra
[  ] - Nursing pads
[  ] - Clothes to wear home
[  ] - Socks (Wear comfortable shoes)
[  ] - Nursing wipes
[  ] - Handkerchief
[  ] - Snacks
[  ] - Toiletries - body soap, lotion, powder, moisturizer, comb, hair band
[  ] - Dry shampoo
[  ] - Toothpaste & toothbrush
[  ] - Spectacle
[  ] - Baby's wear home clothes, socks and mittens
[  ] - Baby hat
[  ] - Receiving blanket - to wrap baby home
[  ] - Breastfeeding book
[  ] - Pre-admission forms

Baby Shopping List

My complete baby shopping list (brand new + second hand):
Feeding:
1. Bottles - 4x 8oz and 1x 4oz
2. Sterilizer (alternatively, some ppl use boiled waters)
3. Pacifier (optional)
4. Bibs (optional)
5. Teats (teat size 1)

Cleaning:
1. Brush (for bottle & teats)
2. Liquid cleanser 
3. Citric Acid (to rid the sterilizer of lime scale    )
4. Detergent for babies (do not use softener)

To wear:
1. L/S and S/S onesies - about 6-8 of them (both Keira & Caedy outgrew the newborn size in a matter of days, so don't buy too many of them.)
2. Mittens (second hand is usually too loose, if possible, buy new ones although baby just needs them for 6-8 weeks)
3. Socks (I prefer normal socks for newborn, they are not too loose)
4. Diapers
5. Hat
6. Blanket
7. Swaddler
8. Receiving blankets
9. Shoes (this is unnecessary actually, until they start walking)
10. Baby sling (optional)

Shower & Baby care:
1. Top to toe cleanser - Buds
2. Rash Cream - Pureen (drapolene is good enough too)
3. Ru Yi Oil (for baby's tummy if she is having gas in the tummy)
4. Washclothes
5. Alcohol Swabs
6. Nail Clipper
7. Wet tissues
8. Cottons
9. Massage Oil - Aromababy (bought in Aus)
10. Precious Newborn Travel Set - Buds 
11. Thermometer
12. Baby bath tub
13. Bath Stand
14. Towels

Travel:
1. Stroller (P3)
2. Car Seat
3. Diaper Bag
4. Changing mat (if the diaper bag doesn't come with it)

Nursery:
1. Cot (preferably a size 24” x 52” that can be converted into a toddler bed)
2. Changing Table (optional but highly recommended to prevent backache)
3. Mattress
4. Mattress Protector
5. Cot Bumper (optional: it is to cushion the baby from getting their limbs stuck in between the ‘bars’ but it increases risk of suffocation)
6. Blanket

Others:
1. High Chair
2. Walker (optional)
3. Playpen (optional)
4. Large net bouncer (optional but I find it very useful)

Breastfeeding:
Side Note - if you plan to breastfeed, the most important thing is to get support from your family or friends. Without them, I have to say it's very tough. There are many breastfeeding support groups nowadays, so do not hesitate to find help.
1. Nursing pads
2. Nursing bras
3. Breastpump
4. Milk storage bottles/plastic bags
5. Awesome Mom Cooler bag + Ice Packs (convenient for working moms or those who travel a lot).
6. Bottle warmer - don't have to buy expensive ones... cheaper brands like Autumnz works well too
7. Nursing cover
8. Nursing Pillow (optional)

Final Week of Pregnancy

So baby will most probably come this week. Had second CTG this morning, the result showed 2 contractions but I didn't feel it. Doc did an internal exam, Caedy's position is already very low (but no dilation yet) and the way Doc told me was so convincing, "she's like here already u know..." (touching her thigh). Funny.

Keith and mom will be here on Wed, the confinement lady has been informed. So now we'll all just wait. I'd say this has not been an easy pregnancy for me, but it's all worth it. Can't wait to see Caedy.

Helpful Apps for Mommies

Whether you are using iPhone, iPad or Android phones, you just have to be thankful. As my due date is approaching, I was trying to recall what was going on in my first pregnancy, from labor to delivery to doctor's follow up to going back home...

When I was home the first month, I got frustrated so easily because I couldn't remember what was Keira's last activity. When was the last feed, when did I last change her diaper, because everything happened so frequently. You know, being a first time mom, I was a paranoia (Boo!). So I wrote down her daily schedules on a piece of paper everyday.

Last night, I searched if there's any android apps that help to tabulate newborn's activities. To my surprise, there are many of them. So I downloaded "Baby Care" that can record down all activities like feeding, changing, sleeping, etc... 

Another one is "Breastfeeding Tabulator". You can even remember which side of the breast you last fed the baby. Woohoo!

There's one more app "Time Flies" which I didn't install. It basically record down your past activity, any activities. Things like the last time you change your bedsheet, wash your car, buy groceries, wash toilet, etc... So if you are as forgetful as me, I think it can be useful. 

THANKS TO ALL THESE APPS AND THEY ARE ALL FREE!

This Week or Next?

So 2 weeks ago Doc said I will give birth end of this month... been anticipating. Excited & nervous, this time round not so much about the labor and delivery, but the after birth. The need to take care of my 2 kids (a.k.a sleepless nights and busy mornings).

Other than the uncomfortable feeling of being unable to bend and do certain things, oh and a lil bit of backache, everything else is good. It's been busy at home... mainly because I can't stop cleaning the house, you know, the nesting instinct thingy, had been cleaning up the bedrooms, wet kitchen, dry kitchen, and so on.

Will have my prenatal check up tomorrow, probably the last time before giving birth. Can't wait to hear from the Doc.

Now time to sleep! :)