Do yourself a favor and pack your hospital bag no less than 3 weeks prior to your due date! You just never know when your little one may decide it's his or her time to enter the world and and you will want to be prepared as best you can!

Make a list of what you consider essential things you will need during your stay in the hospital. Don't forget things like a comfortable pair of sandals or slippers; remember that your feet may swell or continue to be swollen even after the birth. Wear something that's comfortable and easy to slip on when walking from your bed to the restroom or to use when walking the halls. And don't forget to pack your camera! You will regret not capturing those special moments for your photo album.

Don't forget your favorite shampoo, soap, wash towel, hair towel and blow dryer. The hospital is not a hotel and you will be thankful you brought those things you can't live without.

Other "nice-to-haves": classical music CD's and CD player, visitor sign-in baby book, empty shopping bags to carry gifts from visitors. Don't forget healthy snacks for both Mommy and Daddy; there are times that you both will get hungry, and meal times may not be around for hours. And lastly before you are sent home, you are given a small load of papers (legal and instructional material) for you to take home, so it may be helpful to bring a folder, large envelope or our Baby Briefcase to this small mountain of papers. 

Nursing Essentials:

NURSING BRA: For you Mommies who are taking on the task of nursing your angels, don't forget to bring at least one nursing bra. Most likely you won't start leaking breast milk until your milk comes in, usually after coming home from the hospital but there are some women who so leak early, so just be prepared.

BREAST PADS: Pack a couple of nursing pads to use with your nursing bra. We carry Bravado! washable cotton breast pads, which are 4-layer absorbent terry-cloth pads with "stay-dry" properties. Not only are these great because they are washable and cost efficient, you avoid having to worry about any fine paper threads sticking to your nipples and getting in your baby's mouth during feedings.

We also carry Smart Choices disposable breast pads.  Our nursing Moms love them and love how thin, absorbent and comfortable they are!

BREASTFEEDING PILLOW: No one every said nursing was easy, so why not help yourself when you can, by using a breastfeeding pillow like our My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow. This pillow brings your baby up to your breast for easier latching on by baby and comfort for both Mommy and Baby. This is our favorit and only nursing pillow!

My Brest Friend pillow also provides much needed back support and promotes good back posture to reduce neck and back tension. One great thing about the travel pillow is its light weight and convenience of having the ability to deflate the pillow for easy packing when traveling and when taking the cover off and putting it on after washing. And unlike foam, this inflatable pillow allows easy wiping and cleaning when spills occur and seeps
through the cover onto the pillow itself. You will find that this pillow is a lifesaver especially during the early stages of breastfeeding.

NIPPLE BUTTER CREAM: Sore nipples are more common than not when it comes to nursing in the first days and/or weeks of nursing, but you don't have to suffer. Earth Mama Angel Baby™ makes a wonderful Nipple Butter Cream, which is an all natural, plant based balm made with organic oils and herbs. It is safe for both Mommy and Baby. Providing yourself with some relief from cracked and bleeding nipples will encourage you to forge on with the difficulties that could arise while both you and your baby learn how to breastfeed. Be patient with yourself and your baby, and don't give up if nursing is important to you.  For immediate relief pick up a package of gel pads for instant cooling relief.

 

Mail order? We hesitate to mail our clothes unless you visited us in Honolulu and are already familiar with the fit and feel of the clothes you would like to purchase. We feel it would be a disservice to our neighbor island customers to mail clothes sight unseen. Yet, we will accommodate you as best we can so please call or email us for more information.