Getting organised at home
Knowing everything is organised at home is great for reducing stress:
- Do a supermarket shop before your due date so you’ve got all the essentials
- If you can, make and freeze a few meals for when you come home
- Make sure your partner knows where everything is, in case they have to take extra things to hospital
What to pack?
Your hospital bag
- Front-opening nighties or baggy t-shirts for breastfeeding
- Dressing gown
- Breast pads and bras (nursing bras if breastfeeding). Remember your breasts will be bigger than usual
- Slippers
- Disposable knickers/old pants
- Flip flops to wear in the shower
- Washbag and toiletries
- A towel
- Maternity sanitary pads
- Cash for food and phone calls (you can’t usually use your mobile in hospital)
- Magazines
- Baby books
- Healthy snacks and drinks
- Comfy, baggy clothes for going home in
Your labour bag:
- Birth plan
- Maternity notes or card
- Old nightie or t-shirt (to wear when giving birth)
- Wipes and face spray
- Lip salve
- Socks
- Water
- CD/Tape player/MP3 with headphones
- Book or magazines
- Camera/video camera
- List of names and phone numbers of people to tell the exciting news
Your baby’s bag:
(Make sure you wash all clothes beforehand using a non-biological detergent.)
- Four sleep suits
- Four cotton vests
- Newborn nappies and cotton wool
- Blanket
- Hooded baby towels
- Scratch mitts
- Clothes for the journey home: cardigan, coat, hat, socks, mittens
If you are going to bottle-feed, some units do not provide baby milk. Ask beforehand and be prepared to take some with you.