Way back when I was pregnant with Theodore I wrote a blog post about what I was packing in his baby hospital bag but I never actually wrote a post about what to pack in mine! Now I’ve actually had Theodore and been through labour I thought it would be a much better idea to write out an essential hospital bag list with the things I actually used because let’s be serious most first time mums over pack (I know I did!)
I will add, I ended up staying in hospital for nearly a week due to some birth complications so needed a lot more brought up to the hospital than the average mum who can be in and out within 24 or so hours! Anyway, this is my list for a mama’s hospital bag essentials-
Labour
- Maternity Notes
- Dressing Gown
- Comfy clothes (I wore loose shorts and a tshirt as Theodore was due in August so the hospital was very warm)
- Socks
- Birthing ball & pump (if your hospital don’t provide one)
- Lip Balm (hospital aircon is so drying!)
- Hair bobbles & hair brush
- Pregnancy Pillow (I ended up staying in the induction bay over night and having my pregnancy pillow was an absolute god send!)
- Bikini (I laboured in the birthing pool for a while and liked having a bikini for modesty. I bought a string bikini meaning it was easily removed if I needed checked etc)
- Wireless earphones (I listened to hypnobirthing tracks throughout labour so these were an essential for me!)
- Water bottle (because staying hydrated throughout a long labour is so important)
Post Birth
- Comfy nursing bra (x 2/3 depending on how quickly your milk comes in)
- Breastfeeding friendly PJ’s (x 2 again depending on if your milk comes in quickly and you leak)
- Breast Pads (again how many you need will depend on how quickly your milk comes in)
- Lansinoh Lanolin and Multi Mam Nipple Compress’
- Shampoo/ shower gel for that first shower after birth
- Towel (an old, dark coloured one in case of postpartum bleeding)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Black granny pants (I bought a multipack of 100% cotton ones so they were super comfy)
- Maternity Pads
- Comfy clothes to go home in (leggings and an oversized T-shirt were my go to)
- Phone charger! (You don’t want to run out of battery and be unable to take pics of all those special first moments!)
I hope this was helpful if you’re packing your hospital bag and unsure of what to bring. If you’re on baby number 2 or more I’d love to know if there’s anything you did or didn’t bring first time round that you wish you had or hadn’t! You can check out my birth story with Theodore by clicking this link.
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