If you’re expecting a baby, then packing a maternity hospital bag will no doubt be high on your to-do list.
But just like trying to find the right pram or car seat amongst all the different brands, deciding what to pack in your maternity hospital bag – and what to leave at home – can feel overwhelming, particularly if it’s your first baby.
First up, it’s a good idea to check what your maternity hospital provides.
Depending on where you’re birthing and whether it’s in the private or public system, you may need to pack newborn nappies, wipes and/or other items. Your hospital will have a list that you can access on their website. This often includes essential items for you, too, such as toiletries and any medications you might be on.
But there’s quite nothing like creature comforts and tips from mums who’ve been there. We asked the Mama Tribe community for their absolute maternity bag must-haves and these are the ones that came up time and time again:
10 must-have items to pack in your maternity hospital bag
1. Items for labour:This will very much depend on personal preference. Items can include anything from hair bands, lip balm, jellybeans, water spray for your face, Gatorade, a playlist cued to Salt-N-Pepa (or something more soothing!), a heat pack and a TENS machine.
2. A pillow from home: If you didn’t have this on your shortlist, you’re not alone. And yet many mums who’ve spent time in hospital after giving birth say that having their own pillow makes a big difference when you’re recovering from birth.
3. An extra-long phone charger: Whether you’re planning to share your baby news far and wide and will be busy replying to well-wishes, OR you want to scroll while you’re up doing your 2am feeds, a phone charger is a must.
4. Disposable postpartum underwear: Look, it’s as glamorous as it sounds, we know. Postpartum underwear are practical for managing post-birth bleeding. They can also be a more comfortable alternative than regular undies in the early stages of recovery. Take a look at these ones from Bubba Bump.
Some mums, however, prefer buying regular black undies a couple of sizes bigger than what they’d normally wear.
Disposable underwear is rated by our Mama Tribe members as a top item to pack in your hospital maternity bag
5. A cute ‘going-home’ outfit:Taking your baby home from hospital is a huge milestone – and one you’ll almost certainly want to document. Pack a cute ‘going home’ outfit for you newborn for this special occasion.
6. Maternity bras or feeding singlets: If you’re you planning to breastfeed then you’re going to spend a lot of time with your boobs out. Thankfully, there’s a great range of maternity bras and feeding singlets available at different price points. You’ll find these make the clasping and unclasping just that little bit easier! It’s also a great idea to pack shirts, tops or a dressing gown you can easily open or unbutton for that precious skin-to-skin time.
7. Snacks: Many new mums describe feeling ravenous when they start breastfeeding their newborn baby, and hospital food doesn’t always cut it…
8. Noise cancelling headphones and an eye mask: Maternity wards can be noisy, busy, places. You’ll also be trying to nap at odd times of the day. So pack an eye mask in your hospital bag (and thank us later).
9. A peri-bottle: A what now? We’re so glad you asked! A peri-bottle essentially helps rinse the perineum with warm water after you give birth. Many mums will wince remembering the first time they needed too pee after pushing out a baby. A peri-bottle helps take the edge off somewhat. Had a c-section? The peri-bottle can be godsend if you can’t lean over to wipe yourself. You can also use it for cleaning your incision to avoid the wound becoming infected.
10. Books/magazines/movies: Depending on how long your hospital stay is and how settled your baby is, you may not read a single world or catch a single episode of the show you’ve been streaming. But it’s good to be prepared either way…
For more handy items for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond, take a look at our members-only offers from Bubba Bump inside Mama Perks.
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