So you’re packing your bag and you’re reading lots of different lists on lots of sites and getting all confused and before you know it you are bringing more with you for a teeny little human than you brought when backpacking around Australia….
We asked our Facebook fans what their essentials were and here they are;
* Dressing gown with pockets, arnica and earphones
* Witch hazel, pillow from home, ear plugs
* Pillow from home
* Tens machine
* Witch hazel, snacks, arnica, dark towels & camera
* Tea tree oil, slippers and sports bottle (just adding in a note on tea tree oil, a few of our friends on FB mentioned that this can dissolve stitches faster than they should so to be careful when using it)
* Slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste
* Lip balm, eyedrops and ziplock bags
I think a lot of it depends on the hospital you are going to and what they supply or how old the hospital is.
My top things would be;
* flipflops – for the shower after you have the baby
* arnica tablets – the higher you can get the better, def help healing
* pulsatilla – another homeopathic one, def helps with those dreaded blues
* witch hazel/tea tree oil & sports bottle – I had a section so didn’t use in the end but I head this is amazing relief if you have stitches
* the obligatory vests & babygros and hats – you’ll get mixed opinions on sizing, I went with newborn because I figured even if the baby was above the 8lb mark of newborn they are so curled up they still fit unless they are over 10lbs
* Muslins – I used these instead of bibs for the first few weeks because the bibs were all swimming and they are so handy for everything in the hospital, lovely and soft too on new skin
* Little Boo Bibs – if these had been around I would have used them, smaller necks, fleece lined so super soft and absorbent
* SwaddleBoo swaddles – ideal for the heat in the hospital, organic cotton, lightweight, breathable and the sooner you start swaddling the better!
* those big green maternity pads, you’ll find them in your local chemist, yes they look huge but you will need them – your hospital should have them as well if you run out
* Anti-bacterial hand gel, you won’t want to be in and out of the toilet to wash your hands for every feed and nappy change
* Dark towel is a good one for obvious reasons
* prune juice, get someone to bring this in the day after you have the baby, believe me it will make your life easier
* lots of water, the heat is major in hospital and you will be dehydrated
* lip balm, chocolate and a few nice treats to keep you going in the middle of the night
* ID etc to register the birth before you leave, some hospitals offer this service and it’s so handy
* phone charger and camera charger if you have it as well
* something loose and comfy to go home in, oh and the biggest underwear you can find, you won’t quite be back into the usual lacy number yet!
I packed all the baby stuff in a separate bag and left a bag at home with extra pjs for me, vests and babygros and muslins so someone could bring them in if I ended up being sectioned and being there for longer. Just remember you’re not going to the Outer Hebrides for a few weeks, you can get stuff if you run out… Oh and best of luck, enjoy the few days bonding and falling in love with your little squish.x
