Packing your bags makes it very real! Yes, soon it will be time to go to hospital, the more organized you are the more comfortable your stay will be.
Start collecting what you need, your bag should be packed about four weeks before your expected date of delivery.
The following list is a guide please get the list from your specific hospital.
Your hospital may request that you buy a mother and baby bag from them.
Before admission
• Get authorization from your medical aid.
• Make sure you have booked your bed, filled in any forms needed, in some hospitals you may need to complete a mother book.
• Pay any deposit that is required by the hospital, get this out of the way money is the last thing you want to worry about on the day.
• In preparation for your baby’s birth certificate – make certified copies of both your ID. documents and marriage certificate (if you have one) place them in a plastic folder. Add in a black pen as there will be forms to be filled in during your stay. Pack the folder into your case.
• Make sure you have your hospital authorization, medical aid card and credit card and cash for the hospital café.
labour bag – these are the items you may need during your labour, have them in a small separate bag or on top of your postnatal bag for easy access
• basic toiletries – brush, hair band, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues and lip ice.
• 2 different colour facecloths -one for the face and one for your body
• for massage – baby powder or arnica oil, tennis ball or wooden massage ball
• loose fitting T shirt, disposable panties, socks or leg warmers.
• dressing gown and slipper or slip on comfy shoes
• sleep shirt for after the birth.
• bendy straw- makes drinking easier
• fan – a small electric or hand fan – helps if you get hot
• water spray bottle or refreshing face wipes
• I pod (optional)
• snacks, glucose sweets and a high energy drink
• pack of cards and a couple of magazines in case you have a long labour
For Dad
• Have a change of clothes, toothbrush and deodorant.
• Cell phone with a list of people to call and a group already setup so he will be ready to send out the exciting news. (remember the charger)
• Camera, memory card, with a charged battery, optional – a video camera and tripod.
Post-delivery bag
• “Back to Baby Basics” book
• 2– 3 cotton sleep shirts- need to be loose and comfortable so that your baby can fit inside with you. Front opening so that you can breastfeed with ease
• clothes peg to hold your top up or open for easy breastfeeding
• dressing gown & slippers
• linen savers 6 PLY. x 10
• sanitary towels 2 x packs of maternity pads
• cotton or disposable panties
• 2 feeding bras – you will only need to wear a bra on day three Carriwell has a lovely range of postnatal lingerie
• nipple cream – Bepanthen
• tissues
• breast feeding pillow
• your own pillow if you prefer it – use a colored pillow case to avoid a mix up
• toiletries –make up, soap, shampoo, hair drier.
• large fluffy towel – always nice to have your own
• coarse salt for your bath if not provided (normal birth)
• packets for sending home washing.
• protein snack’s – good for breastfeeding
• 2 pin plug for your cell phone and charger
• notebook and pen
Home-coming bag
• comfortable outfit, shoes and accessories
• baby cloths – nappies, baby grow, vest, receiving blanket and car seat.
Baby’s bag
Pack one of each item that the baby will need daily in a zip lock bag.
• 4 Baby grows
• 4 vests
• Receiving blankets
• 2 x Beanie
• Cotton wool balls
• Wet wipes
• Mittens
• Nail scissors and emery board
• Bum cream
• Baby cosmetics – use a mild pure range
• Disposable nappies- get one pack of Huggies with a cutout for the cord