Hospital Bag Essentials
- Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, hair brush, hair band.
- Towel
- Your own Pillow. It’s comforting. Just make sure you have a colourful cover on it to distinguish it from the hospitals.
- Flip flops for the shower. The best hot shower you will ever take is after giving birth
- Comfortable nursing bras and nursing pads.
- Maxi pads and underwear that is comfortable and okay if ruined!
- A bathrobe, nightgown or two, slippers and warm socks.
- Bamboo button down nightie for easy breastfeeding post-birth.
- - Comfortable clothes to go home in. Rollover trousers and nursing tops are ideal for comfort and precticality
- Favourite book or magazine.
- Lip balm. Lips get dry during labour and you may not be allowed anything to drink.
- Mobile phone and phone numbers. (Don’t forget your charger)
- I-pod filled with your favourite songs.
- Camera and/or video camera.
- Slippers and socks
- Cooling water spray or a hand held fan,
- A watch to time contractions -
- Extra money for the cafeteria or snacks.
- Eyeglasses, even if you wear contacts.
- Arnica tablets - help to aid recovery post-birth
- Car Seat.
- 2 going home outfits for baby.
- Nappies
- 2 receiving blankets.
- Picture ID, insurance card and any other hospital paperwork you might need.
- Your birth plan, if you have one.
Hospital Bag Checklist
Okay, you’ve got three weeks until your due date, the nursery is set, grandparents are on their way and you’ve stocked up on nappies but have you thought about what you’ll need to take with you to the hospital? If you’re like many soon to be mums, you haven’t really thought about it or you just don’t know what to take because you don’t know what to expect. Some hospitals might provide basic items for you and the baby so you might want to find out what these are before you start packing. You also should probably have your bag packed by the time you’re 36 weeks along since you could go into labour at any time after that. You might also consider taking 2 bags, one for labour needs and one for after the delivery and baby items.
