I would bring a fully stocked diaper bag (see list below)

Diaper bag (for in-town trip, no need to overpack):

5 diapers
3 disposable changing pads (the same kind the pediatrician office uses - they are actually adult diapers but they are great, especially on these yucky public changing table  - you can just throw it out instead of having to put it back in your bag)
1 change of clothes (onesie and socks in the right size - remember to keep up)
1 swaddling blanket (many uses); one non-disposable diaper as burp clothes
1 well -stuffed travel wipe container (a poopy diaper can be a "10-wiper", so keep that in mind)
1 meal (I used the 2 oz Enfamil nursettes - they make nipples for them- take 2 nipples)
1 clean binkie (if you use them, we didn't)
1 roll of diaper bags to dispose or carry when there are no other options (they are like dog poopie bags)
2 empty ziplock bag

You do not need imo medications of any kind (unless you know your baby needs it at the time). In the continental US, most people are never too far from a pharmacy! or bibs at first (you can use a wipe)

+ a blanket (stroller type) for the baby (it is cold in the hospital at night - you can put it safely on the lower half of the body on a swaddled baby). Newborns often have trouble regulating temperatures on the cold side.

+ 2 onesies + 2 pairs of socks + 1 beanie: this is only for the way home (except the socks maybe). Hospital provides tee shirts and beanies usually.... trust me, you will have plenty of occasions to do laundry later. Also, the baby is examined often by the docs, so even a onesie can be in the way

+ Baby nail files: absolutely essential. Babies are born with longer nails and  I was too chicken to cut them but the files work great. I didn't like the idea of mitten (one more thing to wash or lose), and we never needed them.

Other: hospital will provide formula if you don't breast feed, including enough of these great nursettes for the way back and beyond.

Hope this heps!

I dont' want to be rude to anyone here, but I happen to be a vaccinology and influenza expert (I also have graduate training in immunology). The seasonal influenza vaccine would not provide an protection against the so called swine H1N1 influenza virus, but people who got the seasonal version may have felt a false sense of security (or they may have been part of a more at risk population to begin with), and therefore may not have been as careful. I admittedly did not read the articles quoted in an ealier post, but no, getting vaccinated for one flu doesn't make you more inherently susceptible to getting another, it might make you less likely to wash your hands as carefully.

On the general topic of vaccinating children, I would like to appeal to parents to look at pictures of folks affected with polio, tetanus, etc. While some people will, on rare occasions get bad reactions (not including autism, this link has been debunked a long time ago), one cannot compare the risks... and if you base your decision on the fact that some of these diseases have pretty much disappeared, the reason for their disappearance is widespread vaccination. If increasing numbers of people do not vaccinate, and the number of people who are immunosuppressed or immunodeficient in the general population keep increasing, these diseases will come back... so vaccinating is not just a matter of personal protection, it is a matter of public responsibility (what a concept, I know..). Vaccines are some of the safest, surest ways to protect oneself from terrible diseases.

btw, in case I need say this, I do not profit, either directly or indirectly, from vaccines. Needless to say my baby is getting vaccinated for all that is recommended and on time.

Hi there,

I also work full time (I have a 4 month old son), and we have been implementing Your Baby Can Read since day 1 (litterally). While it may be slightly different from the Little Reader (we will start on that when he is 7-8 month old and really starts making progress recognizing words), the principle is the same, as far as being diligent showing the multisensorial materials. I have a nanny, she has a schedule that she has to follow (we show the video twice a day - I do the first one early morning, she the next after lunch- , and during a 3rd session - about 4PM, she shows books and flashcards). As long as you trust someone to do it, it is not complicated. you just have to make sure that this is interactive (i.e. she doesn't plop your child in front of the videos without adult participation), but it is less of a problem with the little reader because you have to be there to forward slides. The night before, I set out the exact material I want her to use for the next day. On the week-ends, we focus on books, so he gets a break from these.

In general, with the nanny, I limit the availability of implements that are more for baby-sitting (like bouncers, bumbo seats, etc) and that decrease the need for one on one attention and don't do much for physical development.

I hope this helps.. please don't hesitate to recontact if you need more info