Your journey, your choices, our support.
What things does the baby need?
If there is one thing new parents worry about a lot, it’s what materials and things they’ll need for the hospital and for the first days at home.
Firstly, we’d like to reassure you: what the baby will need most of all is their mother close by. Anything else will be secondary!
It’s also helpful to keep in mind that most things are readily available and easy to acquire the same day, so don’t stress!
What to take to the hospital
That said, there are a few things that are good to have handy before, so let’s get into it: usually the hospital will have a short checklist of items that expecting parents should bring, such as clothes for the hospital stay for both baby and mother, toiletries, etc. We’ve compiled our own list, based on our experience. Keep in mind that it is normal to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days after a vaginal delivery and up to 5 days after a c-section.
For the baby:
For the mother:
We also recommend bringing something from home to have in your room during dilation and after birth, such as a photo or poster, a blanket and a pillow, a diffuser…anything to make the room a bit homier. We also recommend downloading a playlist to your phone, so you have access to your favorite songs.
For the partner:
And last but not least, the partner! There usually isn’t anything thought out for the partner, and although they’ll have an easier time coming and going to the hospital, you likely won’t move very far from your family. So make sure to pack clean clothes and your own toiletries, and maybe even a pillow and a blanket. It doesn’t hurt to bring the “smell of home” to a birth!
It’s also important to pack your personal documents before leaving for the hospital, including the birthing plan, IDs, the tarjeta sanitaria or insurance cards, and documents relating to the pregnancy (such as the blue booklet, sonograms, blood work results, etc.).
What about home births?
If you are wondering what you need to have on hand to give birth at home, we’ve prepared a list, too!
For a home birth, the list tends to be more comprehensive. The practitioner will likely be able to bring a birthing pool, for instance, but you might need to have a hose.
Baby’s first days at home
Congratulations! You’ve made it! You are now at home with a brand new baby. What now?
As we said before, the baby won’t need a lot of things besides being close to their mother.
Here’s a short list of items that are practical to have prepared:
Plenty of rest, water and delicious foods! Take all the time you need to get to know each other, in the comfort of your own space.
At Doula Services Barcelona, we accompany you and your family through the first few weeks of postpartum. We will come and visit you and check in on you and the baby. We’ll provide support with breastfeeding, and answer any questions you may have.
Your journey, your choices, our support.
If there is one thing new parents worry about a lot, it’s what materials and things they’ll need for the hospital and for the first days at home.
Firstly, we’d like to reassure you: what the baby will need most of all is their mother close by. Anything else will be secondary!
It’s also helpful to keep in mind that most things are readily available and easy to acquire the same day, so don’t stress!
What to take to the hospital
That said, there are a few things that are good to have handy before, so let’s get into it: usually the hospital will have a short checklist of items that expecting parents should bring, such as clothes for the hospital stay for both baby and mother, toiletries, etc. We’ve compiled our own list, based on our experience. Keep in mind that it is normal to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days after a vaginal delivery and up to 5 days after a c-section.
For the baby:
- Clothing: onesies or pajamas, and one outfit for when you leave the hospital. Socks and hats. We recommend washing the clothes beforehand, with fragrance-free soap.
- A blanket, swaddle or muslin cloth
- Diapers, sponge or wipes. The hospital will likely have diapers, but if there’s a particular brand or if you’d like to use reusable diapers from the get go, you should take them with you to the hospital.
For the mother:
- Pajamas, preferably nightgowns.
- A robe, socks, and slippers to move around the hospital
- Disposable underwear or pads
- Toiletries: your lotions, soap and shampoo, etc.
- Nursing bras
- Comfortable clothes for when you leave the hospital
We also recommend bringing something from home to have in your room during dilation and after birth, such as a photo or poster, a blanket and a pillow, a diffuser…anything to make the room a bit homier. We also recommend downloading a playlist to your phone, so you have access to your favorite songs.
For the partner:
And last but not least, the partner! There usually isn’t anything thought out for the partner, and although they’ll have an easier time coming and going to the hospital, you likely won’t move very far from your family. So make sure to pack clean clothes and your own toiletries, and maybe even a pillow and a blanket. It doesn’t hurt to bring the “smell of home” to a birth!
It’s also important to pack your personal documents before leaving for the hospital, including the birthing plan, IDs, the tarjeta sanitaria or insurance cards, and documents relating to the pregnancy (such as the blue booklet, sonograms, blood work results, etc.).
What about home births?
If you are wondering what you need to have on hand to give birth at home, we’ve prepared a list, too!
For a home birth, the list tends to be more comprehensive. The practitioner will likely be able to bring a birthing pool, for instance, but you might need to have a hose.
- Soaker pads, sterile gauze, scissors, thermometer. Vitamin K (if administered orally) and antibiotic eye ointment (this is commonly administered in Spain, but not mandatory).
- Small plastic tub and a tupperware for the placenta
- Flashlight or another source of light
- Small towels, such as hand towels, for the baby
- Clothes for the baby, diapers, etc.
- Comfortable clothes that are easy to put on for the mother, in case of a hospital transfer
Baby’s first days at home
Congratulations! You’ve made it! You are now at home with a brand new baby. What now?
As we said before, the baby won’t need a lot of things besides being close to their mother.
Here’s a short list of items that are practical to have prepared:
- Navel care: while we don’t need to mess too much with the baby’s belly button, it’s good to have sterile gauze (and water) on hand to clean the area. In the event it becomes infected, a pediatrician or other medical professional will be able to help.
- Diapers and a sponge or wipes
- Toiletries: it’s amazing the speed at which the baby’s nails will grow at first. It’s a good idea to have nail scissors or clippers on hand.
- Lactation disks, disposable or reusable
- Perineal or c-section care items: if you have a c-section, the hospital will provide painkillers and items to dress the wound. Either way, it might prove useful to have over the counter pain relief, such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, which don’t interfere with nursing. A peri bottle could also come in handy, as well as an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas!). If the wound becomes infected or the pain is very severe, reach out to your doctor.
- A newborn carrier wrap. Not necessary, but nice to have.
- A waterproof mattress protector
Plenty of rest, water and delicious foods! Take all the time you need to get to know each other, in the comfort of your own space.
At Doula Services Barcelona, we accompany you and your family through the first few weeks of postpartum. We will come and visit you and check in on you and the baby. We’ll provide support with breastfeeding, and answer any questions you may have.
Your journey, your choices, our support.
