 |
| Pregnancy guidebooks that I've bought six years ago is in good use again |
Having given birth before, I have now a little more understanding of what works for me and my baby. So this time, I have worked out a maternity list for my second child which I didn't for my firstborn. Hope this list can help you decide what you want to buy for your pregnancy. Enjoy the list!
PS: Also check out Essential Baby Items Checklist and Hospital Bag Checklist
For Before-birth, I bought/prepared the following:
1. Pregnancy Guidebooks - it's good to be better informed
2. Nursing/breastfeeding Bras - I bought 8 of them in fitting and looser sizes on the 4th month of pregnancy when my breasts swelled up - 4 for outings, 4 for home wear. They are $12 to $20 each.
3. Bra Extender - so you save on buying extra bigger bras.
4. Support Pillows - to support growing belly, aching thighs, hips, back and neck.
5. Stretch Mark Cream - to increase elasticity of your belly skin and reduce discomfort from overstretched skin.
6. Button-down or Zip-down Shirts - great for breastfeeding, no need to buy expensive and frumpy maternity clothes
7. Long Tops and Cardigans - long enough to cover over belly.
8. Stretchy Bottoms
9. Loose Dresses
10. Belly Belt - to extend the waist area of your existing pants, shorts, or skirts - saves lots of money. Can even use way after giving birth - for bloating, bulging belly, beer-belly for men etc.
11. Comfy Shoes - I have one close-toe shoe, one open-toe shoe and one sports shoe for greater support.
12. Ice Popsicle Moulds - I bought 2 from Daiso, $2 each. Helps curb nausea and quench thirst.
13. Mosquito Repellents - to protect yourself and baby from Dengue and Zika virus
14. Protective Mask - for haze periods, deter smoky/smelly air, prevent catching or spreading flu or other virus, esp. when taking care of baby. I bring one in my bag and use it occasionally when I take public transport. Example, when a person near me in the bus keeps coughing or sneezing.
15. Air Purifier with Humidifier - To deter from mosquito bites and stay away from the increasingly poor air quality, we now sleep in an aircon room and thought it would be even better if we can have healthier air to breathe in. The humidifier feature will help keep the air moist, as the aircon air, by itself, can be very dry. Good for people like me who has sensitive nose, dry skin and lips that tend to crack in aircon rooms.
For After-birth, I bought/prepared these:
1. Maternity Pads - For the 6 weeks 'menses' or lochia that occurs after giving birth. Don't buy too much. I only used them for the first 3 days and then switched to normal pads (heavy flow ones) thereafter. Side note: I wear old panties for this period and discard them after my one month confinement. Or you can wear disposable panties if you don't wish to soil your existing ones.
2. Breast Pads - whether or not you are breastfeeding as leaking may occur
3. Nursing Shawl - for privacy while breastfeeding my son, at home (with visitors) or outdoors.
4. Comfy Sleepwear - For lounging at home with baby. I bought a few cheap strappy tank tops with straps that can be easily removed off the shoulders for breastfeeding.
5. Nursing Pillow - To ease your back pain and arm strain and better support your baby while nursing. Update: Initially, I find it too bulky and warm to use in our humid weather. Warm baby, sweaty mommy, plus a bulky pillow, is a very 'heaty' combination! Normal pillow worked well for me. I also used the little support pillows wherever support is needed while nursing the baby. But later, when my baby grew larger when he's around 5 months old (and when mommy is much less sweaty), I find this proper nursing pillow a great aid for nursing. I can finally rest my arms and even read a book or surf the net. It can also provide support for propping up the baby when he's more active and more curious about the surrounding. Best of all, it even can have appropriate toys attached to it (toys included in box) and be used as a support for tummy time among other uses. A 10-in-one pillow indeed (see picture below: ClevaCushion)
6. Nursing Chair - A comfy seat for the endless baby feeds
9. Protective Mask - I'll wear it when me or baby is sick to prevent passing virus to each other since we spent so much close contact time with each other.
10. Gloves - To protect yourself from touching cold water if you ever need to wash dishes or clothings.
14. Thermal Flask and Mugs - To store red date tea.
15. Baby music - I've prepared a music list to play lightly in the background during the 24/7 child-caring months ahead. Classicals, jazz, bossa nova, and other golden old songs, e.g. What A Wonderful World. Good for the baby's development and also to relax the sleep-deprived mommy by creating a blissful and cheerful atmosphere with beautiful music.
PS: Also check out Essential Baby Items Checklist and Hospital Bag Checklist
For Before-birth, I bought/prepared the following:
1. Pregnancy Guidebooks - it's good to be better informed
2. Nursing/breastfeeding Bras - I bought 8 of them in fitting and looser sizes on the 4th month of pregnancy when my breasts swelled up - 4 for outings, 4 for home wear. They are $12 to $20 each.
3. Bra Extender - so you save on buying extra bigger bras.
4. Support Pillows - to support growing belly, aching thighs, hips, back and neck.
5. Stretch Mark Cream - to increase elasticity of your belly skin and reduce discomfort from overstretched skin.
6. Button-down or Zip-down Shirts - great for breastfeeding, no need to buy expensive and frumpy maternity clothes
7. Long Tops and Cardigans - long enough to cover over belly.
8. Stretchy Bottoms
9. Loose Dresses
10. Belly Belt - to extend the waist area of your existing pants, shorts, or skirts - saves lots of money. Can even use way after giving birth - for bloating, bulging belly, beer-belly for men etc.
11. Comfy Shoes - I have one close-toe shoe, one open-toe shoe and one sports shoe for greater support.
12. Ice Popsicle Moulds - I bought 2 from Daiso, $2 each. Helps curb nausea and quench thirst.
13. Mosquito Repellents - to protect yourself and baby from Dengue and Zika virus
14. Protective Mask - for haze periods, deter smoky/smelly air, prevent catching or spreading flu or other virus, esp. when taking care of baby. I bring one in my bag and use it occasionally when I take public transport. Example, when a person near me in the bus keeps coughing or sneezing.
15. Air Purifier with Humidifier - To deter from mosquito bites and stay away from the increasingly poor air quality, we now sleep in an aircon room and thought it would be even better if we can have healthier air to breathe in. The humidifier feature will help keep the air moist, as the aircon air, by itself, can be very dry. Good for people like me who has sensitive nose, dry skin and lips that tend to crack in aircon rooms.
For After-birth, I bought/prepared these:
1. Maternity Pads - For the 6 weeks 'menses' or lochia that occurs after giving birth. Don't buy too much. I only used them for the first 3 days and then switched to normal pads (heavy flow ones) thereafter. Side note: I wear old panties for this period and discard them after my one month confinement. Or you can wear disposable panties if you don't wish to soil your existing ones.
2. Breast Pads - whether or not you are breastfeeding as leaking may occur
3. Nursing Shawl - for privacy while breastfeeding my son, at home (with visitors) or outdoors.
4. Comfy Sleepwear - For lounging at home with baby. I bought a few cheap strappy tank tops with straps that can be easily removed off the shoulders for breastfeeding.
5. Nursing Pillow - To ease your back pain and arm strain and better support your baby while nursing. Update: Initially, I find it too bulky and warm to use in our humid weather. Warm baby, sweaty mommy, plus a bulky pillow, is a very 'heaty' combination! Normal pillow worked well for me. I also used the little support pillows wherever support is needed while nursing the baby. But later, when my baby grew larger when he's around 5 months old (and when mommy is much less sweaty), I find this proper nursing pillow a great aid for nursing. I can finally rest my arms and even read a book or surf the net. It can also provide support for propping up the baby when he's more active and more curious about the surrounding. Best of all, it even can have appropriate toys attached to it (toys included in box) and be used as a support for tummy time among other uses. A 10-in-one pillow indeed (see picture below: ClevaCushion)
6. Nursing Chair - A comfy seat for the endless baby feeds
7. Girdle - To support and tighten belly/womb after giving birth and helps in pregnancy recovery. I bought mine at $9.90 from Giant Supermarket. I've seen $130 ones in other stores though. My hubby and I use it at home as a much-needed back support especially while we are carrying the baby.
8. Sleeping Eye Mask - To help me fall asleep in the day when baby sleeps. Update: I end up not using this as I find it uncomfortable to wear it in our humid weather. I just used a thicker cloth as the window curtain to darken the room when I have the chance to nap in the day. Some people might need this for daytime naps.9. Protective Mask - I'll wear it when me or baby is sick to prevent passing virus to each other since we spent so much close contact time with each other.
10. Gloves - To protect yourself from touching cold water if you ever need to wash dishes or clothings.
11. Herbal Bath - To reduce wind-chill or dampness. Contains ginger and lemongrass. Bought mine from Kiddy Palace at $8.90 per pack (10 sachets).
12. Pails and Water Scoopers - For the herbal baths
13. Cooking Pot 2-3 litres - To boil herbal soups, herbal bath packs and red date tea.14. Thermal Flask and Mugs - To store red date tea.
15. Baby music - I've prepared a music list to play lightly in the background during the 24/7 child-caring months ahead. Classicals, jazz, bossa nova, and other golden old songs, e.g. What A Wonderful World. Good for the baby's development and also to relax the sleep-deprived mommy by creating a blissful and cheerful atmosphere with beautiful music.
 |
| 1. 10-in-1 Nursing Pillow 2. 4 x Sleeping/Home Nursing Bras and 4 x Support/Outing Nursing Bras 3. Bra Extender, Stretch Mark Cream, Washable Protective Mask 4. Girdle 5. Non-DEET Mosquito Repellants (Bio-oil contains lavender and rosemary which can deter mosquitoes) 6. Supportive Office Chair as Nursing Chair. I love the mobility of this chair - can scoot around house to get little things done while nursing :) |
 |
| With a Belly Belt, I save $$ on buying maternity shorts, pants, and skirts. |
 |
| My frozen fruit container and ice popsicle mould. You can make all kinds of ice pops. Milo, milk, tea, fruit juice or mashed fruits (banana, kiwi, or papaya milk), yogurt, mixture of them - whatever you fancy :) |
 |
| Remember: Buy highly-stretchable or oversized tops (sweaters, shirts, blouses, cardigans, tunics). Those that can zip or button down are great for breastfeeding. Also buy waist-stretchable bottoms, leggings, and sports pants or wear your usual shorts/pants/skirt with a Belly-Belt. Prepare comfy and supportive shoes too. |
 |
| Air Purifier with humidifier which reduces viruses, germs, odors, mould, pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, and keeps skin and throat moisturized and healthy. |
 |
| Support Pillows (buck wheat) at $10 each (NTUC, Watsons, street stalls). I used them as 'wedges' and stick them into my back, neck and belly - wherever support is needed during pregnancy. Later, I even use them as support pillows for nursing (e.g. under my thigh or arm) and also used it on my baby as support, protection (from rolling off bed) and security (by putting on baby's tummy). They're really multi-purpose! |
 |
| Maternity pads with disposable panties. Breast pads ($13.90) with nursing shawl ($15). Comfy sleepwear: Strappy tops (take strap off shoulders to breastfeed), shorts, and eye mask. Herbal bath ($8.90 each, Kiddy Palace) with pail and water scoop. Pot with thermal containers to store red date tea. Hand gloves to prevent touching water during confinement (while washing dishes or laundry). |
 |
| Baby music: Playlist for my baby. Will play it over bluetooth speakers to create a blissful atmosphere |