Prepping a hospital bag is an exciting milestone for mums-to-be, as it means that the wait for your new arrival is nearly over!
With lots of advice out there and hospital births being a different experience in 2020, Boots UK has partnered with popular pregnancy brand My Expert Midwife and co-founder Lesley Gilchirst to help mums-to-be feel 100% ready for this life-changing hospital stay.
Here’s some suggested items to pack:
Your Bag
- A change of cosy clothes that will ensure you feel comfortable
- A towel to use when you have showered
- Take a lightweight dressing gown as hospitals can be warm
- Five pairs of underwear
- Three bras which are comfortable and supportive
- Three sets of button-down pyjamas for skin to skin bonding and breastfeeding
- One pack of maternity pads
- Drinks and snacks such as coconut water, bananas and boiled sweets
- For sore nipples and even dry, chapped lips, take some nipple balm
- To help calm and relieve anxiety during labour, a calming spray or oil
- Comfy labour clothes and flips flops
- A toiletry bag containing all the basic toiletries such as toothbrush and paste, a flannel and deodorant.
- Help sooth your perineum with a Perineal Recovery Spray
For your Baby
- Five sleepsuits, if you’re expecting a very small or very big baby go for the size up or down.
- Five bodysuits with short sleeves in the warmer months and long sleeves for when it is colder
- Eight nappies in size 1. If you’re expecting a very small or very big baby go for the size up or down
- Three muslins
- One woollen hat
- One blanket
- Nappy balm, opting for a lanolin-based product and applying before their first nappy will help remove that first poo
- Cotton wool pads, to use with water