Preparing for Childbirth > Childbirth

Preparing for Childbirth

Baby supplies to prepare before delivery

Check information about safety certifications for children's tools or products. Make sure to request such certifications to be verified when renting such tools or products or buying used items.

Checklist of new baby supplies

출산준비물 목록-용품, 구입 시 주의사항 테이블
Item	Precautions When Purchasing
Swaddles (Baenatjeogori)	The first clothes a baby wears after being born. Considering your baby's skin, choose a pure cotton product with rough or scratchy parts, such as labels and seams, placed outside or without them. (3-4 pieces)
Bodysuits/ Onesies	Clothing worn at one month of age; two-piece baby sleeper with buttons or one-piece garment called bodysuits or onesies are recommended. With crotch snap buttons, it is the most comfortable piece of clothing. (2-3 pieces)
Inner swaddle	Swaddling gives your newborn a feeling of comfort and security and is is necessary when holding a baby indoors. When going out, wrap your baby again with an outer swaddle such as a wrap or sling. (2 pieces)
Baby protective mittens and socks	Newborns often scratch their face with their fingernails while moving their hands. For the time being, it is safe to keep your baby’s hands covered even at home. However, your baby’s feet do not need to be covered separately except when going out.
Bibs	Newborns with underdeveloped stomachs and intestines frequently spit up and vomit. It is necessary when your baby drools a lot or spits up or vomits frequently due to immature digestive function (around100 days after birth). (2-3 pieces)
Gauze handkerchiefs	Can be used for various purposes such as when breastfeeding, sweating, or giving a bath. Choose several soft and absorbent handkerchiefs.
Pillows	Choose one that is appropriate for the size of your baby's head and change it as your baby grows. Considering that your baby will sweat a lot, choose something that is highly absorbent. (Approximately 2)
Milk bottles	Choose a bottle that can be sterilized with boiling water and has a smooth surface that is easy to clean. Even if you are breastfeeding, you should prepare at least 2-3 bottles. If not, you should prepare 7-8 bottles so that you can use them while sterilizing. Put bottles in a large pot of boiling water in minutes to sterilize or use a sterilization machine.
Portable powder milk container or baby formula dispenser	It is very useful to put milk powder in a container that can store single servings sizes when you go out. In addition, if you put the formula in a container before going to bed at night, it will be convenient for night feeds. You'll need several containers when you're out during the day that can make one large container (when disassembled into 4-5 compartments).
Milk bottle brushes	Choose a soft brush or sponge that won't damage the milk bottle. (1)
Nipples	You need to change them by age / stage of growth, so buy only as much as you need. (3-4 nipples)
Diapers	Failing to change frequently may cause diaper rash. You should buy approximately 30 diapers to start.
Thermometer	Buy a digital thermometer or one that measures the temperature directly. The price will be more expensive than a regular thermometer, but it is more convenient. (1)
Baby carrier	When purchasing a baby carrier, check for safety certifications. It is recommended to have a headboard attached to protect the neck and head of a baby who cannot hold up their head. Mesh material is good in summer, and cotton material is good in winter.

Baby bed and mattress

Some parents use a bassinet, but using a larger bed from the start is a safe and cost-effective option.
Check safety certification information: Product Safety Information Center (http://www.safetykorea.kr)
Make sure there are no level bars or step stools that your baby can use to get into the bed
Check the lock and stability before use. Check it even more carefully if using a bassinet.
Make sure the mattress is firm.
Use a tape measure to check the following:
- ① The space between the bars should be between 50 and 95 mm. A gap wider than 95 mm may cause the baby's head to get caught or the baby to fall out of the bed.
- ② The distance between the base and top of the bed should be at least 600 mm. This is important to prevent falls once your baby can stand.
- ③ The gap between the mattress and the sides and ends of the bed must be less than 20 mm to prevent the baby’s head, arms, and legs from being caught.

Car seats for infants and toddler

Car seats must be installed in the back seat of the vehicle. Both left and right rear seats can be equipped with 3-point seat belts.
If a car seat is installed in the passenger seat of a vehicle, the infant or toddler may be subjected to strong impacts from an airbag that deploys in the event of a traffic accident, which can threaten the life and physical safety of the infant or toddler.
Car seats must be securely fastened to the vehicle seat to minimize shaking according to the installation instructions. A loosely-attached car seat can move violently in the event of a traffic accident, causing secondary impacts to infants and toddlers.
Car seats should be selected according to the growth stage of the infant or toddler and installed in the correct direction.
The car seat backrest must be installed at a tilt angle appropriate for the infant or toddler's growth stage.
The headrest of the car seat must be adjusted to a height that sufficiently supports the head of the infant or toddler. Car seats with head restraints that are lower than the infant's body do not adequately protect the infant's head and neck in the event of a traffic accident.
When transporting a baby weighing less than 10 kg or less than 12 months old in a car, the car seat must be installed facing backward.

Items to prepare for hospitalization

Here is what you need to prepare for hospitalization in advance and prepare the necessary items as your due date approaches. For more detailed instructions, please check with your maternity hospital.

Thermal underwear and long socks
Cardigan: Even in summer, pack a thin cardigan.
Nursing bra/pad (extra-large or for mothers) and panties; You will need 2-5 pairs of panties. High-waisted, full-covered panties are recommended to protect an incision for mothers who had a C-section.
Wet wipes/gauze handkerchiefs (multipurpose essentials)
Towels: Can be used to wash, for hot compresses, or for breast massages.
Thin blanket: Required to keep you warm.
Swaddling clothes/inner swaddle/outer swaddle (wrap/sling): For your newborn baby.
Thermos: For water so you don’t have to go to the water purifier to drink water every time.
Abdominal belt: Necessary to support the relaxed back and stomach after giving birth.
ID cards, such as resident registration cards, of you and your partner: Required for hospitalization procedures and issuance of the birth certificate.

(Source: 2018 Parenting Guide for New Fathers )