Baby HGAT Life

What to Pack in your Hospital Bag (and what I didn’t need!)

October 18, 2018 by HGAT No Comments

Ah, the hospital bag. Something that should be packed from at least 32 weeks but typical me packed it late, very late! But it’s not my fault, just as I thought I had compiled the perfect list, someone would mention something new or an “essential” that I have to pack and hey ho, I would be making a new list again. I’m not sure what I was more stressed out about, the delivery itself or the hospital bag?!

I’m sure all you second, third, fourth or maybe even fifth-time mums out there will be rolling their eyes at how overpacked my hospital bag was. However, I ended up using almost everything (plus I much rather be overpacked than underpacked!) so I’ve made this list for all you mummies to be out there in the hope that it might help you!

I did deliver privately at Lindo Wing, St Mary’s, so my list may differ to what you’ve been given! I also stayed for three nights post birth and delivered naturally.

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WHAT I PACKED IN MY HOSPITAL BAG

FOR MUM

Front opening nightwear – I packed two large and buttoned nightshirts from Primark, easy peasy for feeding
Going home clothes – forget looking like Kate Middleton post delivery! Pack loose fitting clothes (especially bottoms) or even your maternity clothes will do.
Hospital day clothes – loose fitting, comfortable, and easy access for feeding.
Bedroom and bathroom slippers
Socks – although you are super hot during labour, your feet get cold!
Toiletries – decant into travel sized bottles or buy the minis from Boots/Superdrug. Make sure any perfume you pack is very mild smelling as babies aren’t a fan of strong scents.
Lipbalm – your lips become very dry during labour so
Make up – yes, make up. I felt so gross post-labour that I needed to feel somewhat fresh and was glad that I packed this.
Straightener – Probably as unnecessary as the make up but I needed to feel a little more human again and not completely frizzy!
Squeezy bottle – fill up with warm water and squeeze whilst urinating. It helps to alleviate any pain down there post labour.
Breast pads
Nursing bras
Large, black underwears – pick up a pack or two from Primark that are ideally two sizes up.
Nipple cream
Nipple shields – useful if your nipples are cracked
Maternity and birth notes
Arnica cream or tablets
Disposable pants – a complete lifesaver!!

What I didn’t use: maternity pads as I would leak everywhere so I just stocked up on the hospital pads. When I got home, Lady Tena Pants helped me with bleeding and incontinence post labour. Oh Abbas, you lucky, lucky guy!

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

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FOR BABY

Baby vests (x3) – I got the perfect velcro vests from Mothercare that are easy to put on a newborn
3 outfits (sleepsuit, hat, mitten, and socks) – I’d recommend bringing two newborn outfits and one “up to 1 month” size incase baby is a little bigger. A great tip I found was to put each outfit (including a vest), into a labelled ziplock bag (e.g. “outfit for when he is first born”, “going home outfit”) so it is easy for the midwife/birthing partner to grab the correct outfit when baby is first born.
1-2 swaddles
Muslin squares
Blanket – to keep him all warm and cosy!
Nappies and Water Wipes
Car seat – IMPORTANT as they won’t let you home without one! We bought the Maxicosi Pebble Plus.

What I didn’t use: The nappies and water wipes weren’t touched as the hospital provided us with everything needed for changing.

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

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FOR DAD

Call List – names and numbers of people to call, this included cord blood banking, circumcision, and of course, our parents.
Pyjamas
Toiletries
Change of clothes – this included a button up shirt so Abbas could do skin to skin with Aadam.
Snacks – it can be a lonnnnng wait so I packed him a few healthy gluten free snacks like rice cakes and protein bars.
Phone charger

What he didn’t use: he used everything and the call list came in great use according to him!

GENERAL

Humidifier with an essential oil – I think this was the best thing I could have packed in my bag. As soon as we plugged it in, the room didn’t smell like a typical hospital room and I felt instantly relaxed!
TENS machine for labour – you can borrow this from the hospital but we took our own
Cord Blood Banking – we decided to take an extract of Aadam’s stem cells from the umbilical cord blood as soon as he was born and bank it privately. I’m hoping it won’t come in use in the future, but at least it is there if needed.
Water bottle with straw
Portable Speaker – great for listening to duas or music, whatever floats your boat!
Quran – a mini one that we could keep under baby’s bed.
Zam Zam water – to rub on baby’s gums.
Camera – to capture a few special moments!
Something for the midwives – I gave them a box of Patchi chocolates to thank them for dealing with my craziness!

What I didn’t use: the portable speaker as it did not fit into the phone’s headphone jack. I found the TENS machine useless for me during labour unfortunately 🙁 I also completely forgot about the Quran and the zamzam water but at least we did the Aadhan!