My hospital bag essentials

My hospital bag essentials

It's so hard trying to remember everything you need in your hospital bag, I've done it 3 times and still forgotten something. 

I've made a list of my essential items that i needed to give you a bit of help and my product's i found useful on and around the big day.

* Nightwear - i put a large nightie in for the main event, something you don't mind throwing away because it WILL get dirty! I had one with a large round neck so baby could be put on my chest for skin to skin and feeding.

I also put 1 pair of pj's in and another nightie because you don't know how many you'll go through with all the vomiting/poonami/blood situations.

* Big knickers! Big old comfy ones!! I went to Primark and they had a pack of 4 for £2 so i just bought 3 packs about 3-4 sizes bigger because with the after pains you don't really want anything tight around your waist. I found the disposable ones rubbish on my first, they were just way too uncomfortable, at least paying £2 for 4 you don't mind binning them if you need to.

* Maternity pads - personally, i think you need to buy the proper maternity pads not ones for your period.

* Something to wear home - something comfy, nobody is going to be back in their normal clothes coming out of hospital, you will probably still have a bump! On my first i packed jeans to come home & ended up leaving in pj's!

* Toiletries - shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, face wash/wipes, deodorant.

* Breast pads

* My expert midwife 'spritz for bitz' - i found this AMAZING!! Its a soothing spray for down there to help with the sting & promote healing, It contains lavender, tea tree and witch hazel so it's antibacterial.

I used to spray it generously onto the maternity pad before i put it on and it really helped, and i healed much quicker so great if you have stitches. You can use it on c-section wounds too!

* Lip balm - if you're like me & the gas & air is life you may find it dry's your lips out, so i always make sure i pack one just in case.

* Change of top for birthing partner - more often than not your birthing partner is going to be there with you all through labour which could be a long time, so i put a top in for Jamie, luckily because by the end he was a ball of sweat too.

* Snacks - i packed a few snacks and bottles of water. 

* Cooling spray 

* Phone charger - make sure you have battery for lots of cute pictures of your bundle of joy.

* Maternity notes - DON'T FORGET THEM!

FOR BABY

* Plenty of newborn size vest's and baby grows - take into consideration again any sick/poonami situations.

* Bibs & muslin cloths - pack a few in case baby is quite sickly.

* Nappies

* cotton wool/wipes - They say to only use cotton wool and water on newborn babies but the extra sensitive wipes are good too, i used water wipes as they are 99.9% water so extra gentle on new sensitive skin.

* Coming home outfit - I loved going shopping for all my boys coming home from hospital outfits, remember a hat and coat/snowsuit too.

* Milk - if you plan on bottle feeding, check with your hospital or birthing unit if you need to bring your own. Mine supplied most brands of ready made milk in disposable bottles but if they don't you will need to pack milk & bottles too.

* Car seat - your baby will not be allowed to leave hospital without one so make sure you have it ready.

Most of all, enjoy it!!

 It' so exciting knowing that when it's time to pack your bag it's nearly time to finally meet your baby, i started mine at about 32 weeks and made sure everything was in and it was waiting near the door from 37 weeks. 

If you have something to add to this list i would love to hear about it in the comment's.

Good luck! 

                    Speak soon

                                           Kellie xx

https://myexpertmidwife.com/collections/all/products/spritz-for-bits?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkK_qBRD8ARIsAOteukApUCV_sLyw9CykLb67TtUPm5Os7vebQife7sNhC47KhjKI54XGN04aAjoaEALw_wcB