Since I am getting rather close to giving birth, I thought I would share with you my packing list for my hospital bag.
I really enjoy watching these kinds of videos on YouTube myself of late, so I thought I would make one of my own.
NOTE: We’re aiming for a Birth Centre delivery attached to a Hospital, using Hypnobirthing, and with a mindset towards low waste.
As such, we’re hoping to use reusable options such as cloth nappies and cloth nipple pads, for example, from birth – however we understand that may not be possible due to the unpredictable nature of birth and the early postpartum days.
For Mum:
Maternity Notes and Birth Preference/Birth Plan
Clothing to wear in labour
Fluffy socks/slippers
Nursing bra
Pyjamas
Clothes to go home in
Dressing gown/robe
Postpartum Pads (I’m using reusable cloth ones which I have packed in a wet/dry bag)
Nipple Pads (Again, in my case, reusable ones with a wet/dry bag)
Lavender and water face mist
Lavender Essential Oil
Toiletries – I’ve packed lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, face moisturizer, nipple balm and coconut oil
Snacks
Water bottle
Wallet
Phone + Charger
Camera + Charger
Hypnobirthing Meditation Tracks and Relaxing Music
For Baby:
Baby’s first outfit and nappy in a separate ziplock bag (A little trick we were taught at our Hypnobirthing course to make baby’s first dressing simple and easy for everyone involved)
2 more outfits for baby (vest and sleepsuit)
Cardigan and Warm Hat
Swaddles
Nappies – We are bringing a day’s worth of cloth nappies plus wet/dry bags to store them in. We also have an “emergency” pack of biodegradable, disposable nappies and wipes, which will stay in the car and only be brought out if needed
Baby wipes – Again, we’re going with the reusable cloth option with a spray bottle of water to wet them with
Hand Sanitizer
Nappy Cream/Coconut Oil
Car seat
Baby Blanket (To stay in car, only to be brought in with the car seat when it’s time to return home)
*Dan, my fiancé and birth partner, will be packing some toiletries for himself and a spare change of clothes as well