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You hear everyone going on about packing your hospital bag. The list is as long as my arm of the things you should include. This usually consists of about 5 bags worth of things, most of which you won’t use!
Then, there is the other end of the spectrum, the minimalist hospital bag. These lists aren’t really designed for comfort, more for practicality.
I’m hoping that you will find my list of essentials a good mixture of the two. Many of the hospital bag lists I have found are only really applicable if you live in the US. In the UK we are expected to provide pretty much everything and they are quite reluctant to give you anything in any great quantity. Although, if you do forget something or have to rush in, in an unexpected manner, then the midwives will provide as much as they can for you.
This is what I have packed in my hospital bag and have packed a lot less than I did last time around. I have also included links to most of the things I have packed in my bag.
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I have split the lists into mini-lists to make things easier for you when packing your hospital bag.
Clothing
- 1 old nightdress or just an oversized T-shirt for labour (you will probably want to throw this out afterwards)
- 1 pair of loose-fitting PJ’s, preferably with a button-down top or a nursing tank top if you are planning to breastfeed and dark-coloured bottoms.
- BIG knickers, you know the kind, high-waisted, full brief, granny knickers. I would just grab a couple of black packs from somewhere like Asda and chuck a pack in the bag. Just in case of leaks. These are good for holding the maternity pad in, comfier than disposable knickers and will be suitable if you end up having to have a C-section.
- 1 pair Warm socks with grippy bits. Your feet can get cold during labour and the waiting around bit. These are good for just moving about the room you’re in.
- Dressing gown or a hoody. Like with the socks, you’ll want to stay warm and comfy. A zip-up hoody would be more practical
- 1 pair of normal socks, for going home in
- 2 nursing bras or sports bras. This is dependent on whether you are going to breastfeed or not. Just make sure they are comfy and not too tight.
- Loose-fitting clothes for going home in, you can leave the hospital in your PJ’s if you want to. Normal clothes might make you feel slightly more human though.
So, that is literally 9 things, and 5 of those things take up so little space and at least one of them will go in the bin. That you should not need a family-sized suitcase already!
Post-natal Care for your Hospital Bag
- 1X pack of maternity pads/ night-time pads. You want as much absorbency as you can find. You may think that having a whole pack is a bit overkill, but honestly, it is always to have too many of these than not enough.
- 3 or 4 pairs of breast pads. You probably won’t need all these pairs as your milk doesn’t ‘come in’ properly until roughly the second day, but you don’t know if you’ll have to stay in hospital or not.
- 1X pack of Haemorrhoid wipes. Even if you don’t have them, these are a bit nicer than toilet paper. The witch hazel in them can also help any itching you may experience.
- ‘Spritz for Bits’from ‘my expert midwife‘ this is a spray especially for your intimate area if you have suffered from a tear, episiotomy or stitches or grazes. It contains lavender, tea tree and witch hazel. Is anti-fungal, antibacterial and a pain reliever. This can also be used on your C-section wound as well. I have never used this product before but will include a link for it, as it may benefit some of you mummas. UPDATE: Since having my baby girl, I can honestly say that this stopped all kinds of itching and stinging. Honestly, this is worth it!
- ‘No Harm Nipple Balm’ is the same range as Spritz for Bits. I thought I would give this a try as in my previous pregnancy I used lanolin and found it horrible, I also used a Mothercare own brand one, which was a bit too lightweight. I also liked that the product clearly states its safe for the baby and no need to remove before feeding. Nipple balm is good for chapped lips as well as a barrier cream for Bubba. UPDATE: this is great, for your nipples, your lips, baby’s bum. It’s good for all. It’s a lot thinner than most nipple balms, this means you need much less of it. The pump on the bottle also means you can apply it one-handed, which is also handy!
For post-natal care, there is not a hell of a lot we can do to shorten the amount of time it’s going to take and what we need is very basic really. As long as you are as comfortable as you possibly can be after pushing a small human out of an even smaller hole.
Related: Breastfeeding Essentials you Actually Need.
Toiletries for your Hospital Bag
In the toiletries list, I am including things in my hospital bag in the hopes that I have the energy left to want to do things like, brush my teeth. In the event I don’t have the energy left I will include cheat things such as mouthwash. So this list may be larger than others. It also covers me if I have to stay overnight or for a couple of nights like I did with my son. I bought all of these in travel size to save on space.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
It’s amazing how much more human just brushing your teeth can make you feel.
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Dry shampoo.
You may be desperate to have a shower, or you may just want to freshen up your hair a bit before visitors arrive. Either is fine, but I like to be prepared for either and if I have to stay overnight.
- Body wash
- Soft sponge or scrunchie for washing.
- Deodorant
These may not even get used (the deodorant probably will), but you have the option to have a wash if you are able to and are not too sore. I got a pack of these Jack Wills body wash pods for Christmas and thought they would be perfect for my hospital bag. The scrunchie will 100% be thrown away when I get home.
I always use ‘simple’on my face, as I’ve found it’s the only thing that doesn’t dry my skin out or make it really greasy.
I love the ‘Soap and Glory’range. Its smells amazing and always makes your skin feel great. I always get lots of it at Christmas time, so the travel-sized things are from then.
Cotton wool pads are a handy thing, for removing make-up, to applying cream or having something a little softer to clean a sore area. Hair ties and clips! Take as many as you can find, you do not need your hair annoying you while your pushing that Bubba out. As long as I have a nail file and nail clippers because I don’t want to get a catch on my nail and then worry about scratching baby. A chapstick may seem like a funny thing to plonk on the end of the list, but with all the breathing you’ll be doing (yes, more than an everyday amount HAHA) your lips can get really dry.
All of my toiletries fit into 1 average-sized bag.
You can choose to take your own towel as well if you wish. Different hospitals will give you different things when you ask for a towel. Sometimes it may be a large towel, other times it may be the size of a hand towel. If you have a feeding pillow, then pop it in the car rather than your hospital bag, this can then stay in the car until your little one is born
Also, take your birth plan (if you are using one) and your maternity notes. That is a very important, last thing in the bag you need to remember.
Packing your hospital bag is a nervous and exciting time. It means that it Is nearly time for your new arrival to…well…arrive! Don’t fret if you forget something on the day. It will all be ok.
Don’t forget your freebie!
Have you packed a hospital bag before? Did you find you packed waaay too much, or so little you missed some creature comforts? Share your story with us below in the comments.
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