Hospital List

What should I take into hospital?

Baby Guides

We are often asked “What should I take into hospital?”, so as a guide we have compiled a baby hospital list for you.

This is a suggested hospital list but speak to your midwife as she may add to it too!

For you:

• A toilet bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and hairbrush.
• 2 towels (hand and bath size) it’s better if your bath towel is a darker shade, just in case of blood stains.
• Sanitary towels, 2 packs of the large absorbent ones, longer length are also useful, NO TAMPONS!
• A loose T-shirt or nightdress for labour that you don't mind getting messy.
• 2 nightshirts or dresses to change into after the birth.
• Dressing gown and slippers.
• 2 or 3 nursing bras if you are going to breast-feed. Buy these 1 month before your due date and go up a cup size to allow for the milk to come in. Soft bras like Bravado bras are ideal to sleep in. If you are not breast feeding, ordinary bras will be fine but your breasts may be larger initially.
• Breast pads – either washable or disposable to soak up any milky leaks.
• 6-7 pairs of pants. Disposable or cheap cotton ones you can throw away after are great as they may get messy. Think about comfort too – try to find big pants that will sit high on your waist in case of an emergency caesarean. They may be passion killers but that will be the last thing on your mind!
• Nipple cream if you are breastfeeding.
• A personal stereo, tapes, CDs, books, magazines, fruit or dry snacks, juice cartons.
• Plenty of change for the phone. Many hospitals do not allow the use of mobile phones in the maternity unit. Your address/phone numbers book.
• Plastic bags to use for dirty washing.
• Comfortable clothes to go home in.

 For baby:

• Most hospitals provide a gown for the baby after birth, however you may wish to dress the baby in your own babyclothes. Remember that they may get a bit messy until you have bathed the baby and try not to overdress them, as hospitals are very warm places.
• 3 or 4 sleepsuits or babygrows – front button ones are easier to put on tiny babies.
• Newborn nappies and wipes/cotton wool balls, we recommend disposables for the first couple of weeks until you are into a routine when you can then look at washables if you want them. You can get Eco disposables which are kinder to baby skin as they don't contain chemicals.
• 3 or 4 vests – envelope necks are easier to put on.
• A cardigan.
• Shawl/blanket to wrap the baby to come home in.
• Hat, mitts, bootees to travel home in.
• Car Seat – some hospitals insist you take your baby home in one.
• Some nappies would be useful too!