Getting ready for the big day is essential. Lulla-buy has put together a list to help you pack for your time in hospital when you welcome your newborn.

Your baby could arrive early, so it’s worth having your baby hospital bag packed and ready (besides last-minute items like your toothbrush) between 32 and 35 weeks. The Lulla-buy list will help you prepare everything you will need for yourself and your new baby. Also, check with your doctor or hospital as they may give you a hospital hamper of goodies on arrival, but you may want to add some of the Lulla-buy suggestions.

Your length of stay in the hospital will impact how many items you bring. On average, moms who have a natural birth stay in hospital a night or two and moms who give birth via c-section stay in hospital for three or four nights. Check with your doctor what their and the hospital’s procedures are.

You won’t be able to pack everything immediately, so we suggest making a list to keep with the bag of the last minute items you’ll need to add e.g. toothbrush, toiletries etc. so that when the time comes you know exactly what else you need to add and don’t forget anything. Make sure it’s in an easy to get place (and tell your partner where to find it) as you head out the door to welcome your newborn.

Admin and Documentation:

It is possible that home affairs might come to the hospital which you are birthing at to register the birth so have the following on hand; ID copies for you and your spouse, marriage certificate (if applicable). To help along with the admin of the hospital side make sure you have; medical aid card/details, medical notes/letters needed for the doctor (if applicable) and pre-authorisation details. Some hand documents to keep with you would be any antenatal class notes or handy hints and your birth plan.

For Mom: 

You want to be comfortable during your stay with your newborn so make sure you pack the following: nightgown, slippers, socks, comfortable PJs (loose fitting ones that open up in the front for breastfeeding and dark colours are recommended), comfortable underwear (suitable for maternity pads), 2 maternity bras (no underwire), maternity pads, hospital panties, linen savers, breast pads, nursing cover (optional), feeding pillow (optional). Going home clothes, loose fitting pants if you have a c-section, you don’t want to agitate your cut. Loose fitting shoes in case your feet are swollen. It’s a good idea to take a drawstring bag or plastic bag for your dirty clothes.

Toiletries:

Don’t forget your general toiletries, these will probably be a last minute pack so it might be worth keeping them packed in your toiletry bag in your bathroom in case someone else needs to grab your stuff for you when the time comes. Additional items to remember are; face cloth, face wipes, moisturiser, tissues, dry shampoo, lip ice (your lips can get dry with all the breathing), hair bands, contact lenses or glasses (if applicable), massage oil and nipple cream.

Extras:

Chargers for your phone, and entertainment etc. an extra-long cable is a bonus! Twin plug, entertainment & earphones; books, kindle, laptop etc. you might be waiting a while when you’re not in active labour. Refreshments, snacks and cash for the vending machine as well as a water bottle. Don’t forget some lactation bars or extras if you want to use them.

For the baby:

These are the general guidelines, but rather have too much than too little. In most cases the accuracy of the size of your baby is not always 100% so we suggest taking 2 sizes of clothes incase your little one ends up being a lot bigger or smaller than the clothes you packed. 4 Sets of newborn clothes, several socks/booties/hats, 2 receiving blankets and 1 fleece blanket. An outfit to go home in, take into account the weather. Burp clothes, swaddles, nappies (about 12 nappies per day), bum cream, wipes, aqueous cream, cotton wool and Vaseline (especially for the FIRST POO) and 1-2 dummies (round latex dummies are best for newborns as they mimic the shape of a nipple).

And for the birthing partner:

Phone, camera, batteries and chargers. A change of clothes. Something to read or watch during the labour as it could take a while.