Packing Your Maternity Hospital Bag

It’s always exciting when it comes to time to pack your maternity hospital bag, as it means that the day you get to meet your new baby is getting closer. Once you hit your third trimester, it’s a good idea to start getting together the bits that you need for your hospital bag, and by 36 weeks you want it ready and waiting by the front door just in case!

But what to pack? If you’re a first time mum or have an age gap between children, packing the hospital bag can be an overwhelming task, with forgetting to pack something being a common fear.

Follow this easy list for the peace of mind of a perfectly packed hospital bag, ready and waiting for action!

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Baby Clothes

Starter packs are the perfect solution when worrying about what baby clothes to pack for your baby. George has a great value £8 starter pack in white, perfect for either boy or girl, which includes all that you need for baby’s first days. In the pack you’ll find 2 bodysuits, 2 sleepsuits, 2 pairs of scratch mitts, 2 pairs of booties and a hat – all in crisp, comfortable 100 per cent cotton.

Blanket and Towels

While hospitals do typically provide basic blankets and towels, it can be nice to have your own. The George Max and Millie hooded baby towel and fleece blanket are soft, cosy and comfortable on baby’s delicate skin. Muslin squares and bibs are also useful.

You might also want to take your own soft towel from home to use after a bath or shower, and a blanket in case you feel cold overnight.

Nappies and Wipes

You’ll certainly need to take nappies and wipes, although maybe not as many as you think as it can take a while for baby to pass his or her first no.2 (meconium), and hospitals recommend using cotton wool and water in place of wipes on delicate newborn skin.

A small pack of newborn nappies and a pack of wipes pus bag of cotton wool balls or pads should suffice – and remember that there will be a hospital shop should you run out of any essentials.

Mummy Clothes

Comfort is key when packing for yourself. You’ll want to be warm and comfortable during and after labour, so jogging bottoms and a t.shirt, or pyjamas are ideal. Pack a dressing gown, slippers and socks to keep cosy.

After the birth, remember that your tummy can take up to six weeks to go down, so you’re still likely to be in your maternity wear for a little while yet. Leave the skinny jeans at home and stick with the elasticated waistbands for now.

You may also find that your breasts increase in size when your milk comes in, so you’ll need a comfortable maternity or nursing bra.

Toiletries and Lotions

Pack a toiletry bag with your own shower gel, body lotion, and whatever else you might need to get you through a few nights away from home. Travel sized bottles are a good idea to save space.

Maternity Pads

Don’t underestimate these. You need proper maternity pads or thick sanitary towels for a heavy flow, rather than the slim sanitary towels available. Pack at least one large pack.

Snacks and Drinks

It’s a good idea to have a little stash of snacks and drinks to hand, to keep your energy up during labour or in case you get hungry or thirsty between hospital meal times.

To Pass the Time

Magazines, an iPod, a kindle, puzzle books – they can all help pass the time during long labours and afterwards while baby sleeps and you recover.

Car Seat

Remember that you need a car seat to transport a baby home from hospital. Make sure that you’ve practised how to fit it correctly before it has a baby in it!

Stick to the above tick list and you’ll have packed everything that you need for a comfortable stay in hospital, for both mum and baby.

(Guest post by Catherine)