Top Things to Prepare for Baby When You’re Pregnant

Author: Shannon Miller

4) Have Medical Supplies Baby-Ready.

Here’s some medical items you’ll need to buy and familiarize yourself with (ask your doctor if you’re unsure of how to use something!).

• Thermometer (not a mercury one) and lubricant such as petroleum jelly. A rectal thermometer gives the best temperature reading for newborns. In addition, you may want to consider the Vicks forehead thermometer. It rated very highly in Consumer Reports for taking accurate temperature. Every mother at some time needs to check for fever, but doesn’t want to wake the baby. This is a solution for that need.
• Rubbing alcohol to help clean the umbilical cord stump.
• Cotton swabs for cleaning gently.
• Saline drops to help relive baby’s stuffy nose or even saline nose wipes.
• Suction bulb for nose.
• Infant nail clippers.
• An ointment to put on the baby’s bottom with diaper changes to prevent diaper rash.

Source: March of Dimes Newborn Care Pamphlet, March of dimes Foundation, 2008.

For more info on Pregnancy and Newborn Education, check out more motherhood articles from Shannon Miller Lifestyle, or go to March of Dimes.