I still remember how excited I was already when i was kickstarting my 9th month of pregnancy...Though I knew that my lil one was perfect n was calmly waiting for the mentioned due date, I wish the clock cud tick much more faster...was it the curiosity to see my lil angel...or was it the boredom of carrying the weight and the uncomfortableness i was put into...I bet it was the first one :) well, though things were perfect with my pregnancy, i did nt want to take chances and readily packed up my essentials...no one can predict future...so no harm in being ready for anything anytime...nways, u have to get ready with ur delivery essentials one day or the other before ur due date...so y nt get ready with it rite now...This blog is dedicated to Aarthi, a gud friend of mine, who is expecting her baby next month...Hope and pray that she be blessed with the best...Below is the list of things which you might need during your delivery and after child birth...

For Momma:
1. If you are using any massager currently to soothe off ur backpain, then dont forget to add tat to ur packing list.
2. Your camera/videocam
3. Couple of books to read
4. Your dress preferrably nightgowns which has the easy zip option for breastfeeding (You might need this after delivery)
5. Slippers/Socks (Dont forget your socks...You will feel chill soon after delivery)
6. Address/Telephone book
7. Toiletries, which includes ur hairbrush and hairband.
8. Lip Moisturizer
9. Your own pillow(if you want to)
10. Nursing Bra and Pads
11. Sanitary Napkins (usually this is provided in the hospital but juz to be on the safer side)
12. Last but not least, your insurance documents.


For the Baby:
1. Some baby clothes (3 or 4) (You might want to save the best when you bring the baby home)
2. Make sure you get ready with ur diaper bag right away. This would be useful during your baby's first travel in car to home. You should pack it with 3 diapers, wipes, feeding bottle, pacifier (a must - u need this to calm down ur excited baby during his first carride). Don't forget to carry back the extras like thermometer, bulb syringe in your diaper bag.
3. If itz winter, make sure you carry suitable clothing for the baby
4. Blankets (2)
5. Baby booties,cap and mittens (if itz wintertime)

Time to move....Happy preganancy and enjoy your motherhood :)

Have listed this under Parenting/Pregnancy category cos I think itz every Mom's responsibility to teach their daughters about this.....

Many infants and children die each year from choking. These deaths can be prevented if parents and care givers watch their children more closely and keep dangerous toys, foods, and household items out of their reach.

If you are the parent or care giver of an infant or child under 4 years old, follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the chances of choking.
At Mealtime
* Insist that your children eat at the table, or at least sitting down. Watch young children while they eat. Encourage them to eat slowly and chew their food well.
* Cut up foods that are firm and round and can get stuck in your child's airway, such as

• hotdogs -always cut hotdogs length-wise and then into small pieces
• grapes-cut them into quarters
• raw vegetables-cut them into small strips or pieces that are not round

* Other foods that can pose a choking hazard include:

• hard or sticky candy, like whole peppermints or caramels
• nuts and seeds (don't give peanuts to children under age 7)
• popcorn
• spoonfuls of peanut butter

During Playtime
* Follow the age recommendations on toy packages. Any toy that is small enough to fit through a 11/4-inch circle or is smaller than 21/4 inches long is unsafe for children under 4 years old.
* Don't allow young children to play with toys designed for older children. Teach older children to put their toys away as soon as they finish playing so young siblings can't get them.
* Frequently check under furniture and between cushions for dangerous items young children could find, including:

• coins
• marbles
• watch batteries (the ones that look like buttons)
• pen or marker caps
• cars with small rubber wheels that come off
• small balls or foam balls that can be compressed to a size small enough to fit in a child's mouth

* Never let your child play with or chew on uninflated or broken latex balloons. Many young children have died from swallowing or inhaling them.
* Don't let your small child play on bean bag chairs made with small foam pellets. If the bag opens or rips, the child could inhale these tiny pieces.
If you're a parent, grandparent, or other care giver, learn how to help a choking child and how to perform CPR in case of an emergency.


Source: www.kidsource.com