What to Put in a Baby Hospital Bag

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

It'due south never as well early to gather together all the essentials y'all'll need during labour and birth and for after your baby is born. Even if y'all're not planning to have your babe in a hospital or birth centre, yous may demand to become in unexpectedly, so try to have a bag packed by the time you lot're about 36 weeks pregnant.

Hospitals vary in their policies about what you are immune to bring with you when you accept your infant. You lot may want to take a few items from home, such as your own pillows, to make the environment more personal. But exist enlightened that hospitals can be short on space.

If yous want, pack two bags: i for labour and the hours immediately later on your baby is built-in, and another for a stay on the postnatal ward.

If you're driving to infirmary, you lot could leave the 2d bag in the car. If you accept a straightforward birth, you may leave hospital on the same day (HES 2011) and not need the second bag at all.

Your hospital bag checklist: what you should pack for labour

• Your nascence programme and maternity notes.
• Former nightdress or T-shirt to wearable in labour. It will probably get a fleck messy, then don't buy anything specially to wear in infirmary.
• Dressing gown This will be useful if you end upwardly pacing infirmary corridors in early labour. You'll probably also want i on the postnatal ward. Hospitals can be very warm, so a lightweight one may be amend. A dark colour or a decorated pattern volition help to hibernate any stains.
• Backless slippers that are easy to become on and off. Flip-flops piece of work well, too.
• Socks Believe it or not, your feet tin can go cold during labour.
• Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during your labour. You might also like to invest in a massage roller or similar aid, so your birth partner can massage you for longer.
• Nativity brawl. This tin can help you to find different positions in labour, and may also help you manage the hurting of contractions. Check whether the infirmary has the right size for you. If not, take your own. Recollect to bring a pump so your birth partner can inflate it for y'all.
• Snacks and drinks for during and after the birth. Most women are able to eat and drinkable during labour, and it can aid to go on your free energy levels upwards. The hospital volition accept food and drink available, but you may prefer to pack a few things that you know you like. Choose carb-packed snacks that give boring-release free energy to proceed you lot going. Fruit, unsalted basics, crisps, cereal bars and popcorn are all adept options. You may besides want some mints or boiled sweets to freshen your mouth. Also pack a few isotonic sports drinks, which are bang-up for giving y'all a heave when you need it nigh.
• Things to help you relax or pass the time, such as books, magazines, or a tablet. You lot may besides want to download some fun and distracting apps on your phone to go along you occupied during early labour.
• Lip balm Your lips can dry out quickly on a warm labour ward, specially if you're using gas and air.
• Hairbands or a clip. If yous take long hair, you may want information technology tied up.
• Pillows. The infirmary might non accept enough to make yous actually comfortable. A C-shaped pillow tin can give yous extra support when breastfeeding your infant.
• TENS pain relief motorcar, if you are planning to employ ane. Some hospitals and birth centres practise have them though, then check with yours first.
• Music. Create a playlist of upbeat and/or soothing tracks to distract, at-home and inspire y'all during labour.

Should I wax or shave?

Is it a good idea to shave or wax your pubic hair earlier giving birth? Find out in this curt video from our midwife.More than labour and birth videos

What should my birth partner pack?

What shall I pack for after the nativity?

• A going-home outfit. You'll need loose comfortable clothes to wear while you're in infirmary and for the journey home. It will accept a while for your tummy to go downwardly, and then you'll probably still demand your maternity dress when you get domicile.
• Handouts about how to become breastfeeding started from your antenatal classes or appointments, if you lot program to breastfeed. If you have a contact carte for a breastfeeding counsellor or specialist, take that with you lot also. You could likewise bookmark our breastfeeding for beginners article, plus these benefits of breastfeeding to assist continue y'all motivated.
• Nursing bras Bring two or three if you plan to breastfeed.
• Breast pads Yous'll demand these even if y'all don't plan to breastfeed, as your breasts will nonetheless produce milk after the birth.
• Maternity 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 choose unscented versions, so your baby can get used to your natural scent. Include all your regular toiletries, such every bit shampoo, conditioner, lather or trunk wash, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and moisturiser. Face wipes are great for a quick pick-me-upward. Also pack your hairbrush and any other accessories you lot think you might want to get ready for those early pics of yous and your babe. The hospital or birth centre will probably take towels. They can be quite threadbare, and so you may prefer to bring your own, but it's not something you demand to worry about if you're short on space.
• Old or cheap knickers, or dispensable knickers. Don't bring your best ones as they will get messy. Big cotton wool knickers tin can be useful if you end upwardly having a c-department, equally they won't rub your wound.
• Arnica cream. Although there'south no conclusive bear witness that information technology works, some women report that arnica cream helps to reduce bruising and helps the healing process. Check with your midwife earlier using it, and don't use the cream to broken peel. It'southward all-time to avoid arnica tablets, especially if you're breastfeeding, as we tin't exist certain they're safety to take, and there'south no proof they work.
• Eye mask and earplugs, to help you sleep on a brightly lit, noisy ward.
• Cotton wool. Your newborn's skin will be very fragile, so many experts recommend using cotton and water for nappy changes at outset, rather than baby wipes. If you do choose to use wipes though, opt for ones that are free from alcohol and fragrance.

What should I pack for my babe?

More ways to prepare for your baby's birth

• Check out these fifteen ways to go ready for your baby's arrival.
• Have yous seen our preparing for nascency videos?
• Get the within scoop by reading what other parents wish they'd known before the large 24-hour interval.

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Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a neat interest in producing show-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best offset in life.

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

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