Hospital Bag Essentials for expecting Mums

If you are here, Welcome and Congratulations if you are reading this because you are expecting!

I just gave birth to my second baby in November 2024. I gave birth to my first baby during the covid-19 pandemic during lockdown. I have created a Hopsital Bag Essentials list for expecting mums. So let’s get reading!

• Your Birth plan and a notebook with important information like any medical information or medications staff should know along with important contacts. Example: Your GP, emergency contact’s, Midwife, any important contacts you know you need.

• Comfort Items from home. Example: Bluetooth Speaker (don’t play it too loud that it travels into other birthing rooms), oils, a comforting pillow, blanket, stuffed teddy (anything you know you will need to help keep you as relaxed as possible)

• Bottles of water

• Healthy snacks

• Lip Balm, Moisturiser

• Normal toiletries. Example: shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, any necessary self care products you know you will need

• Hair brush and a hair band, shower cap if you like, soft headband is also a option

• A Perri Bottle - I didn’t have this the first time, but I did the second time and I found it very helpful. A life saver for post partum recovery/self care.

• Soft, loose fitting clothing, same for your pjs

• Comfortable next size up underwear

• Maternity pads - you will need these, because after you have given birth you will naturally pass a lot of blood clots while you are staying in the hospital. Don’t be surprised or grossed out if the staff ask to see your pad after you have changed it. It’s normal for them to check that you are passing healthy amount of clots.

• Nipple pads - once your milk comes in you’ll need these to protect your bra and clothes form milk leakage.

• Hydrogel breast discs. These are amazing to smack on your breasts after feeding the baby. Instant relief.

• Lactation massager - this helps your milk come in while you are statying in the Hopsital. Some mums can struggle with their milk not coming in or not being able to get baby to latch. This can mean you may need to stay an extra night or so to get the help you need from staff before being released.

• Nipple Cream - Trust me you will want to have this handy in case. Think of it like you need your lip balm because your lips are so dry and crusty and they crack if you over stretch your lips or open your mouth to eat.. its like that for your nipples but can be worse also tender from being fed on. This may not be the circumstance in the Hopsital for you, but its better to be prepared. I used Medela which you can purchase from Big W & Woolworths.

• A box of Panadol - keep it in your bag while you are there, you should only need to have some towards the end of your stay when you are getting ready to leave in case you need to take any Panadol while you are leaving until you get home. Keeping in mind the last time you have taken any pain medication from the hospital. Yes Panadol is safe. Don’t take Nurophen (you can ask them this question before you leave).

• Pick out your going home clothes, still needs to be something loose fitting. You decide but don’t overdo it.

That should be about everything you need for your hospital bag, I know your probably thinking but what about baby’s stuff? That’s okay because I have made a Baby Hospital Bag blog you can read, because I recommend using your baby bag for your baby’s hospital stay. You can read it here: https://kimfemearth.wixsite.com/femearth/post/what-to-pack-in-your-baby-s-hospital-bag