What to Put in a Hospital Bag for Baby

past Polly Logan-Banks | Medically reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior Midwife and Team Leader | July 2019 |

It's never also early to gather together all the essentials yous'll need during labour and birth and for after your babe is born. Even if you lot're not planning to accept your babe in a hospital or birth centre, y'all may need to become in unexpectedly, so try to have a purse packed past the time y'all're about 36 weeks meaning.

Hospitals vary in their policies near what you are allowed to bring with you when you have your infant. Y'all may desire to have a few items from home, such as your own pillows, to make the environment more personal. But be aware that hospitals can exist short on space.

If you want, pack two bags: one for labour and the hours immediately after your baby is born, and another for a stay on the postnatal ward.

If you're driving to hospital, y'all could leave the 2d bag in the auto. If you have a straightforward nascence, you may leave hospital on the aforementioned day (HES 2011) and non need the second pocketbook at all.

Your hospital handbag checklist: what you lot should pack for labour

• Your birth plan and maternity notes.
• Old nightdress or T-shirt to wear in labour. It will probably get a fleck messy, and then don't purchase anything specially to wear in hospital.
• Dressing gown This volition be useful if you cease upwards pacing infirmary corridors in early labour. Y'all'll probably also want ane on the postnatal ward. Hospitals can be very warm, so a lightweight ane may be better. A night colour or a busy blueprint will assistance to hide any stains.
• Backless slippers that are easy to go on and off. Flip-flops work well, too.
• Socks Believe it or not, your anxiety can get cold during labour.
• Massage oil or lotion if you lot would similar to be massaged during your labour. You lot might likewise like to invest in a massage roller or similar aid, and so your birth partner can massage you for longer.
• Nascency ball. This tin can help you to notice different positions in labour, and may also assist y'all manage the pain of contractions. Check whether the hospital has the correct size for you. If not, take your ain. Recollect to bring a pump so your nascence partner can inflate it for you.
• Snacks and drinks for during and after the birth. Nigh women are able to consume and drink during labour, and information technology can help to go along your energy levels upwardly. The hospital will have food and drink available, but yous may prefer to pack a few things that y'all know you like. Choose carb-packed snacks that requite slow-release energy to go along you going. Fruit, unsalted basics, crisps, cereal bars and popcorn are all skillful options. You may also want some mints or boiled sweets to freshen your mouth. Also pack a few isotonic sports drinks, which are great for giving yous a boost when you lot demand it most.
• Things to help yous relax or pass the time, such equally books, magazines, or a tablet. You may also want to download some fun and distracting apps on your phone to go along yous occupied during early labour.
• Lip lotion Your lips tin can dry out quickly on a warm labour ward, particularly if you're using gas and air.
• Hairbands or a clip. If you have long hair, yous may want it tied upward.
• Pillows. The infirmary might not accept enough to make you actually comfortable. A C-shaped pillow can give yous actress support when breastfeeding your baby.
• TENS pain relief machine, if you are planning to use one. Some hospitals and birth centres do take them though, so bank check with yours first.
• Music. Create a playlist of upbeat and/or soothing tracks to distract, at-home and inspire you during labour.

Should I wax or shave?

Is it a good idea to shave or wax your pubic pilus before giving nascency? Notice out in this short video from our midwife.More labour and nascence videos

What should my birth partner pack?

What shall I pack for after the birth?

• A going-home outfit. You lot'll need loose comfortable clothes to clothing while you're in hospital and for the journey habitation. Information technology will have a while for your tummy to go down, and so you'll probably still need your maternity clothes when you get home.
• Handouts well-nigh how to get breastfeeding started from your antenatal classes or appointments, if you lot plan to breastfeed. If y'all have a contact card for a breastfeeding counsellor or specialist, take that with you also. You lot could also bookmark our breastfeeding for beginners commodity, plus these benefits of breastfeeding to help keep you lot motivated.
• Nursing bras Bring 2 or three if you plan to breastfeed.
• Breast pads You'll need these fifty-fifty if you don't plan to breastfeed, equally your breasts volition notwithstanding produce milk after the birth.
• Motherhood pads Bring a couple of packs.
• Nightshirt or T-shirt. Front-opening shirts are useful in the early days of breastfeeding.
• Toiletries. Decant these into smaller bottles, or buy travel versions, to save on space in the postnatal ward. You may prefer to cull unscented versions, so your baby can get used to your natural scent. Include all your regular toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap or body wash, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and moisturiser. Face up wipes are bully for a quick pick-me-upwards. Also pack your hairbrush and any other accessories yous think you might want to get set up for those early pics of you and your baby. The hospital or nascence heart will probably accept towels. They can be quite threadbare, and so yous may adopt to bring your ain, only information technology'southward not something you need to worry most if you're short on space.
• Old or cheap knickers, or disposable knickers. Don't bring your all-time ones equally they volition become messy. Big cotton knickers can exist useful if yous terminate upwards having a c-section, every bit they won't rub your wound.
• Arnica cream. Although there's no conclusive prove that it works, some women report that arnica cream helps to reduce bruising and helps the healing process. Check with your midwife earlier using information technology, and don't apply the cream to broken pare. It's best to avert arnica tablets, especially if you're breastfeeding, as we can't be sure they're safe to accept, and in that location'due south no proof they work.
• Eye mask and earplugs, to aid you sleep on a brightly lit, noisy ward.
• Cotton wool wool. Your newborn'due south peel volition be very delicate, so many experts recommend using cotton wool and water for nappy changes at offset, rather than baby wipes. If you lot exercise choose to utilize wipes though, opt for ones that are gratis from alcohol and fragrance.

What should I pack for my infant?

More than ways to prepare for your babe's nativity

• Check out these 15 ways to get ready for your baby's inflow.
• Accept you seen our preparing for birth videos?
• Become the inside scoop past reading what other parents wish they'd known earlier the large day.

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Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a corking interest in producing prove-based content. Polly is passionate virtually ensuring that every child gets the best kickoff in life.

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Source: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/what-to-pack-in-your-hospital-bag

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