Well, I’m nearly there.

Baby number 3 is on the way and this time we’re having a little girl! I have made my Hospital Maternity List (because I am a mad planner), and this being number three I am definitely no expert but have some great tips and tricks along the way.

 

In This List

In the spirit of “sharing is caring” here is MY list. I have included some Amazing Brands that I have trailed over the years and found that these products have been the best for me.

In this list you will find practical, fashionable and some modern new inventions.

Whatever your birth plan, it’s important to remember that nothing ever falls perfectly in place. This checklist is a personalised guide designed for you to mould into something that works for you whether you’re having a boy or a girl.

 

Hospital Stay Duration

Based on 4 days stay in the Hospital (the first day you give birth is usually called Day 0), Hospitals provide most baby essentials and a baby gift bag BUT if you have particular things you swear by (like I do) then I have placed a star next to what they provide allowing you to choose if you would want to include your own replacements or go with what’s provided.

 

Your 3 days stay is essential to be able to establish a good connection and feeding routine with the baby. If you are allowed to leave earlier by choice then you will have more than enough here to get you home, clean and feeling as fresh as you can be. If you have complications and need to stay a little longer these provisions will be enough for 5 days but I suggest you have extra underwear at home ready and maybe one set of clothes and prep your support person as to where to find them if they need to bring you more things. This will make it easier on them and faster for you.  

 

Remember you will be tired, be on pain relief, have blood loss and those first three days are vital for you and the baby so the least amount of thinking you need to do about non-essential things the better, this means you can just focus on your baby!

 

Your Bag

Although it would be great to lug around your Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag it is much more practical to pack a small travel bag (carry on size with wheels). I find I can pack everything listed below with room to spare and if I do need to swap cars or go anywhere it is so easy.

If your waters break naturally, you will usually arrive at the Hospital and your support person will wheel you to the maternity ward so the more practical you bag is the better for them also preventing them from having to leave you to go back and get it from the car.

 

Mini Me

There is no reason for you to drag around all your beloved cosmetic products. There are amazing Mini versions of most products with travel size options and beauty sachets.

Even if you aren’t feeling yourself on the inside, packing a few things that make you feel like you’re not just a “feeding machine” can give you the pep you need when relatives or friends pop in to visit and congratulate you & your beautiful bundle of joy.

I have included my mini versions OR substitute travel versions close to my regular essential regime and where you can purchase them from as well.

 

Maternity Hospital List 

Mama Clothing

• 2x Tops Breast feeding friendly
• 2x Pants Casual & high waisted
• 1x Shorts High waisted
• 2x Dresses Breast feeding friendly & flattering
• 1x Cardigan/ Jumper
• 1x PJ Set breastfeeding friendly
• 1x Socks
• 6x High waisted briefs
• 2x Maternity feeding bras
• 1x Compression recovery Shorts SRC
• 1x Slides/ Sandals
• 1x Trainers/ Casual Court Shoes

 

Accessories

• 1x Sunglasses
• 1x Headband
• Hair lackys & clips
• Journal
• Pen

 

Maternity Essentials

• 2x 10 pk Pads Libra Maternity extra long with wings *
• Disposable breast pads Medela
• Hydrogel Breast Discs Rite Aid
• Nipple cream Lansinoh
• Lucas Papaw cream
• Breast shields Medela

 

Beauty Essentials

• Face wash Clinique mini *
• Face Cream
• Body wash Clarins mini *
• Makeup wipes
• Deodorant mini
• Makeup (travel essentials)
• Shampoo/ conditioner or dry shampoo minis Living Proof
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste

Extras

• Icy poles (double use for cold packs/ swelling or pick me up sugar)
• Feeding pillow (not essential)
• Tea/coffee your favourite 
• Mario Badescu face mist

 

Tech Things

• Phone
• Camera
• Chargers
• Speaker (for music while having baby)

 

Baby Things

• 1x Announcement Outfit
• 6x Bodysuits Wilson & Frenchy and Jamie Kay
• 3x Singlets
• 2x pants with feet
• 1x pants without feet
• 1x Dress (going home outfit)
• Nappies Huggies (usually supplied by the hospital) *
• 1x socks
• Wraps (usually supplied by the Hospital) *
• 2x my own muslin cotton Cam Cam Copenhagen
• 1x swaddling double blanket Camomile London
• 2x Dummies Bibs (these are great if you have a good supply of milk and are feeding regularly, I don’t recommend giving a dummy if you are having difficulty breastfeeding as the sucking motion from your baby acts to stimulate and bring in your milk)
• 1x Dummy chain Lunas Treasures (don’t leave a dummy chain in your baby’s crib alone, follow the safety instructions)
• Headband/ beanie
• Cradle cap formula Egozite
• Sterilising tablets Milton
• Milton Portable mini steriliser (just pop the dummy in with a tablet & water and voilà)
• Sudocrem *
• 1x cuddle toy/ soft soother toy

 

My Much Loved Brands and Why;

• Milton The easiest sterilising tablets to use, no boiling water or large litre buckets
• Sudocrem Great as a barrier cream, use as a secondary cream to prevent wetness after a primary cream (see Lucas Papaw)               
• Bibs Beautifully crafted fashionable BPA free natural rubber dummies not. Gigantic for newborn babes giving plenty of room for their airways to breathe
• Lunas Treasures certified handmade wooden dummy chains and organic wraps and swaddles
• Huggies Perfect fit and comfort plus an indication line for when the nappy is soiled meaning I don’t have to “strip” the newborn baby unnecessarily all the time.
• Medela I use this pump later on down the line but this brand is amazing, the disposable breast pads are thin so you do not have the outline of them when wearing sheer clothing and this will save you so much washing! Also they have the foresight to make them individually wrapped so you don’t have to waste one of a pair if you only have a leak on one side.
• Rite Aid Life savers in the world of cracked or sore breasts. If you have a touch of mastitis or any pain from feeding pulling these straight out of the fridge will alleviate you instantly.
• Lansinoh I suffered from a very hard time feeding Romeo and this cream was the only one that was safe while breastfeeding as well as taking away all the pain of chapped nipples. It is a miracle cream. If you’re planning on breastfeeding pack it.
• Egozite This is a very sensitive oil which allows cradle cap to fall off on its own, as you shouldn’t touch the baby’s soft part of its scalp.
• SRC These compression shorts are very supportive, both during and post pregnancy. I would use them the day after having the baby or for short periods of time to assist in circulation and support.
• Lucas Papaw Cream This catch all cream is a family favourite of ours. Read the list of its uses on the packet to see why but I rarely go anywhere without it. There is no substitute for the true brand, a tiny amount goes a long way and although other creams are included in the essential baby bags given to mothers this cream is known by nurses everywhere not just as a barrier cream but as an actual healing cream meaning this should be your first point of call for chafing, cracked skin, burns, nappy rash, cuts etc and then a barrier cream should be applied like Sudocrem. We never suffered from nappy rash as kids because my mother applied this cream at every change and I have done the same for my children and gotten the same results.

 

TIPS 

• When I pack I take essentials that have a similar colour pallet and can be used/ worn more than once.
• All clothing is wearable for sleep as well as day with only one outfit that is less casual. 
• I pre-was with baby wash all my clothes and the baby's clothing so that there are no scents or perfumes that can cause a reaction to the baby's sensitive skin. 
• I iron all my clothes and spray them with an anti bacterial spray. then let them air dry before packing them. this illuminates odour especially if you are packing your bag at the 26 week mark as recommended by most APPs and Books.
• Fold all of your belongings and pack them in order. So as a set you should have underwear, your first outfit together. aside you should have your Childs clothing and your spare underwear.
• If you're in to twinning with your baby lay your outfits out together and take a snap to remind you- then if you feel up to it its easy to get that look ready. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, yours and your Child's health is your number 1 priority. These photos can be helpful if you want to make an "announcement photograph".
• The icy poles I bring are hydrolite, this helps with electrolytes, exhaustion and can double as freezer packs (sometimes the wards are so busy and if you're in pain it feels like you're waiting a lifetime) you wont run out of ice this way.
• Try your best to sleep when your baby is asleep. The better rested you are the more you will be able to be tentative with bubs.
• Give family and friends a specific time window to visit. Nominate a close relative to spread the word. this helps to eliminate your partner having to text and call everyone and then they can use their energy to help you especially if you already have kiddos.
• Tell your partner a signal to help round up visitors if you need a break so that they can politely let people know when you need a rest. This can help if you have a big family or group of friends.
• Try to have a complete shower every day. Depending on how hard the birth is you may not be up for standing and baby could be difficult as well, pack and use your makeup wipes to feel fresh, dry shampoo for your hair and enjoy your new bundle of joy!
• Don't forget to have a few people snap pics of you and baby together- Mums are always the last in pics and although you may not look glamorous, these are memories you will want to cherish for the rest of your life. Ask your partner or a close relative to take a couple of photographs of you with the baby and do not use a flash (baby's eyes are brand new and too sensitive for flash).