Preparedness becomes a central theme to the arrival of a baby. We’ve already discussed this matter in check list fashion, but let’s dive a little further.
Mom’s hospital bag is vital, a key to being prepared as it houses the requisite items we so often overlook. For example: While everyone is comfortable using their phone as a primary camera, we’re quick to forget that on important occasions such as, say, childbirth, the phone’s primary function is to serve as a phone. Bring a camera. Document this thing right.
And that being said, you can’t forget the following either:
Phone Charger – People are going to be calling you, make sure you can answer.
Guy’s pack – These newborns can take their time. Be sure to have the right supplies for your own overnight stay. Fresh socks, underwear, shirt, pants…you’ll want to look good, feel good, and be all set for the arrival of your kid!
CBR Collection Kit – You’re saving your baby’s cord blood stem cells with Cord Blood Registry so you’d better not forget the mechanism by which the doc’s going to collect! Also be sure to have all the paperwork settled (before arriving!). Make sure those cells are saved seamlessly.
The Red Tape – IDs, insurance, birth plan, forms, etc. Few love it. Everyone needs it. Bring them.
Scrap-able clothing – This journey isn’t going to be a clean one. From birth itself to an elongated stay at the hospital, bring some clothes that you can retire.
For her – Overnight goodies pertaining to hygiene, a headband or hair ties, more of those scrap-able clothes, maternity bras, and any other special requests the mother of your child might need.
Snacks – No hospital cafeteria is soon to get a four-star rating. Pack some of her and your favorite non-perishables. Also, singles! Bring those tiny bills because the vending machines won’t take plastic and you don’t want to wind up with $18 in coin change.
A Pen – Inevitably you’re going to need one so why not come prepared with one? From the hospitals forms to Cord Blood Registry’s forms to your own desire to document the occasion, a writing utensil should help.
Control what you can amidst the unpredictable nature of childbirth; prepare to be prepared (sounds like a John Wooden axiom)! Ask your partner what she needs or wants and pack this bag together.
The decision to start a family was a big one. We knew it would mean lots of change and a full 180 from the lives we knew and were comfortable with. But that was about where the definites of what we knew stopped.
Well, with the benefit of hindsight, I’ve written up checklist for the expecting dads out there or those of you thinking about starting your own family. Let’s call it the “Your Life’s About to Change, Dad” checklist Enjoy:
Pregnant – Become such. This may be obvious but just a reminder: it does have to happen.
Torture – She’s about to endure nine-months of it so be sure to stock up on your sympathy. You can practice by holding an ice cube for two minutes – they say that’s the closest most men will come to experiencing the pain of labor cramps.
Future – Talk about it. The naming battles are just the beginning. Don’t fear the future.
Diaper Bag – You’re going to carry one so make sure you’re comfortable with its look and feel.
Stroller – You’re going to push one. Be the man and figure out the brakes and how to make it collapse with a flick of your wrist.
Stem Cell Banking – Have a conversation with your partner and doctor about cord blood. It can save lives so I highly recommend saving it. There are payment plans galore to make it work if your budget is tight.
Nursery – Pick your battles. If you care about design, then make sure you get this right. Otherwise, let your partner lead and you focus on what you’ll be using the most – the changing table.
Logistics – From adding things to your insurance to making sure you get time off, dot your I’s and cross your T’s.
Photography – Trust me, you’re going to want those first few weeks documented for a lifetime because they fly right by. Find a professional you like and set up a shoot.
Diapers – Learn everything you can about how to change them because you’re about to do it a lot.
A while back I invited to a little charity gifting and giving (those plans are still in the works) but out of that came an invite to be part of pampers baby board. There is a new Pampers Hello World Baby Memories App is available now for free download on iTunes for your iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone. Because of Pampers one lucky reader is going to win an iPod Touch and a pack of Pampers SoftCare Baby Fresh Wipes.
Features on the new Hello World app include:
Making Memories- a one-touch sharing capability that allows you to take photo and videos, then quickly upload them to Facebook, Flickr, Twitter or Youtube at the touch of a button.
Albums- Allows you to conveniently organize and arrange, by category, your family’s photos directly on your ipad, itouch or iphone device.
Growing Baby- Allows you to take daily photos of your baby then pulls them all together in a time-lapse video so you can see how quickly your baby is growing right before your eyes! The best part is you can use this feature to create your own personal parenthood story– start with the baby bump, then the growth of your baby’s facial features, hands, feet, first tooth, etc. Growing Baby reveals in a remarkable way how precious babyhood really is…not that we need an app for that, but it’s still amazing to see!
The Hello World Baby Memories app is part of a series of apps called Pampers Hello Parenting Apps which also includes the Hello Baby Pregnancy Calendar
The Pampers Hello Baby Pregnancy Calendar allows you to explore life-sized images (iPad only; images in iPhone and iTouch are not life-sized) of a baby in the womb from week 4 up to week 40. Learn about the stages of pregnancy and make small discovers about a baby’s development. Did you know that a baby could respond to sounds by week 28? The “womb translator” feature allows you to record your voice, then play it back or share it with friends in the tone that your baby hears it.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. October 26th, 2011.
1 winner will win an Apple iPod Touch… Tell us what memories you’d love to save in the app and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: #PampersHelloApps @pampers @dadarocks http://dad.tc/oJD2qo — and you must also leave comment on this blog with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win a #apple #ipodtouch thanks to @pampers #PampersHelloApps from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/oJD2qo
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on theirs Facebook – facebook.com/pampers you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for recommending a friend to become a Fan on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks they must comment that you sent them and you must comment here for the entry
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Pampers for this raffle prize. Please note this is limited to the USA.
