What should I pack in my hospital bag?
December 22, 2011
We’ve been given a few baby essentials lists over the last few months (aka Rat Tat), and a v useful one from the NCT on what to pack in your hospital bag. Having done a bit of cross referencing with friends and BabyCentre’s, here are the things I think we need.
For Me:
- hospital notes & birth plan
- toiletries including lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup (for those 1st photos!)
- maternity pads (have you seen the size of those things?)
- cheap knickers that can be thrown away
- flip flops and warm socks
- button-through nightdress for skin-to-skin (advantage of running my own biz, I’m getting a pre-production sample of our fab new nightie sent so that I have it in time!) Otherwise they’ll be online from last week of Jan, or you could try our 3/4 sleeve nightdress with lace trim (it also has easy breastfeeding access)
- hair bobbles to tie back long hair
- J cloths and antibacterial spray
- flannel/water spray (though not sure how much I want the Bean maker tinkering with my face)
- pillows with old/dark pillow case
- nourishing snacks; cereal bars, bananas, chocolate, dextrose tablets
- 2 large bottles of water, one frozen which will defrost and stay cool, sugary drinks too (currently craving ginger beer and small cartons of OJ)
- straws for drinking
- herbal remedies if you want to use them (‘Natural Healing for Women’ recommends Caulophyllum 30 or 20o to strengthen contractions, Aconite 30 or 200 for fear and anxiety, Carbo Veg 30 or 200 for exhaustion, and Pulsatilla 30 or 200 for weak contractions). Obviously always check with your midwife
- TENS machine with batteries and spares if you want to use it
- breastfeeding bras and breast pads (I’ve just sent my order to the office for our Second Skin nursing bras and Second Skin organic sleep bras)
- dark coloured towel
- hot water bottle
- dressing gown
- ipod/MP3 with relaxing AND uplifting/energizing playlists + charger
For the Bean:
- 3 babygrows
- 3 vests
- newborn size nappies
- small plastic bottle (the kind that you take on holiday) with pure vegetable oil to coat baby’s bottom pre-meconium poo
- 3 muslins
- baby blanket
- car seat (and do a dummy run on how to fit it)
For Him:
- cash for the carpark
- camera (make sure it’s fully charged)
- sandwiches/snacks (don’t want him nipping down 5 floors to the shop because he’s got “low blood sugar”…)
- spare T-shirt
- swimmers if you want him in the birthing pool with you
- wash bag with toothpaste/toothbrush and deodorant
- watch with a second hand, or get him to download the contractions app for his iphone!
- your phone and his phone with contact lists of people you want to notify
So that’s about 3 suitcases then… Let me know if you think there’s anything on here not worth taking, or likewise, if I’ve forgotten something crucial!
2 Comments
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The Amoralia Blog 
Don’t bother with maternity pads/towels – they are so thick and uncomfortable. Just buy the Always Night-time (longer length) ones. Much more comfortable, discrete and do the same job. I’d suggest a book or magazine too, you could be in for a long wait and need some distraction. You also need a coming home from hospital outfit for you – you don’t want to shuffle out in your old maternity clothes or PJ’s do you? Treat yourself to something comfortable and forgiving like the Perfect Palazzo Pants and Wrap from http://www.babeswithbabies.com – they sell lovely clothing specifically designed for breastfeeding and postnatal wear. Good Luck!
A hand held fan – birthing rooms get very hot!
– just a bit of conflict with the previous comment – best to stick to maternity pads as sanitary pads are too absorbent and you might misunderstand your true blood loss and size of clots.