Time For Hospital

Hospital Bag Checklist

For Mum

Documents and Paperwork

• Your birth plan and maternity notes
• Pen, paper/notebook

Clothes

• An old nightdress or a T-shirt to wear in labour
• PJ's or nightgown ( one that opens in the front if you're planning on breastfeeding )
• Robe or dressing gown; lightweight as hospitals are typically warm
• Plenty of comfortable underwear
• Warm socks
• Slippers or flat slip-on shoes
• Breastfeeding bras
• Clothing for trip home: make sure they are roomy and comfortable
• Casual clothes with front opening tops for breast feedings (don't expect to get into your pre-pregnancy clothes straight away, take loose fitting or materninty clothes)

Toiletries

• Toiletry bag - hairbrush, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, deoderant, toothbrush, toothpaste
• Lip balm
• Face cloth/ face spray
• Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during your labour
• A hair band if you have have long hair 
• Eye glsses ( contact lenses may need to be removed prior to a C-section )
• Contact lenses and accessories
• Plenty of maternity sanitry pads
• Absorbant breast pads

Additional

• Medicare card and/or private health insurance company card
• Camera and/or video camera - with batteries/charger
• Snacks and drinks for you while you are in labour
• Things to help you relax or pass the time, such as music, books, magazines 
• List of important phone numbers - family, freinds, older children's carers/school
• Change for parking, snacks and phone ( mobile phone use is not permitted in most hospitals )
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes
• Clock 

 For baby

• Sleepsuits or growsuits ( at least 2 per day in hospital plus some extras )
• Baby blanket.  Take a thick, warm one if the weather is cold.  Summer babies will also need a blanket
• Bunny rugs
• Nappies ( plan 10 per day for breast feeding babies ) 
• Hat or cotton beanie
• Muslin Wraps. Most hospitals and midwives will recommend that newborns are swaddled in breathable muslin wraps.
• Singlets or bodysuits ( two per day in hospitals plus some extras )
• Socks/booties ( one for each day in hospital plus some extras )

To keep newborns warm, ensure they are wearing hats, mittens and warm socks and booties. They can also be worn over growsuits for additional warmth.

• 2 x going home outfits ( in case one is soiled )

   Ideally a growsuit, hat, jacket and booties

• Wipes or cotton wool balls
• Face washers
• Baby towel
• An infant car seat.  Some hospitals won't let you leave by car without one