My List for Labour, Hospital and Beyond!

[AliB]

Hi all

There are plenty of people asking the question, 'what do i need to buy for baby''? So I thought I'd share MY ULTIMATE LIST!! I am lucky enough to have a very organised sister who gave me her list, and I have been tweaking it over the past 4 months or so. I really hope it is useful for somebody!

Note: This list is not for everyone, it is my ultimate list and would need lots of tweaking to suit you! eg I'm using disposables... a bassinet (that was added to the list when I scored a $22 one off ebay complete with mattress and 2 sheet sets)... grobags... etc.

HOSPITAL

Labour Bag
Antenatal card
Birth Plan
Preg notes; birth skills book
Birth skills kit bag
birth ball
massage tool and/or tennis ball
massage oil
aromatherapy oils
Birthing wrap
Spare shirt to give birth in; singlet and yoga pants
Warm Socks - grippy x 2
Cheap undies pack
Heat pack
Tissues
flannels
face spray bottle
Lip balm
scissors and emery; toiletries
Hair band/ties/bobby pins
Maternity pads
Books / Magazines
Ipod / cds
Snacks and drinks for me and RH
Sweets
Telephone Numbers
Phone and charger
Camera and charger
water
Money
Paper and pens

My Hospital Stay
Nightie; pjs;
tshirt/yoga pants/long sleeves
Bras
Breast Pads
Dressingown
Slippers
All Toiletries and hand cream;
Dark hand towel
Hairbrush
Maternity pads
ear plugs and eye mask
lansinoh nipple cream
antibacterial gel
Soft loo paper and/or toilet wipes [thanks ladies!]
Tissues
Birkenstocks
Going home outfit
Travel clock
Hair dryer and straightener

For Baby's Hospital Stay - Nappy Bag
Hospital says "During your stay we provide all clothing, nappies and wraps for your baby"
muslin squares
baby wash cloths
baby wipes
Outfit to take baby home in
Wrap / swaddle
Scratch Mittens
hat
2 first size nappies

HOME

Maternity Pads

Sleeping
Cot
Mattress
Mattress protector - for cot
Fitted Sheets - for cot
Flat Sheets - for cot
Cellular cot blanket
Wool cot blanket
Bassinet
Bassinet mattress
Bassinet sheet
Mobile and other nursery decorations
Baby monitor
Room and bath thermometer
Lamp/Night Light
Grobags

Bathing
Baby Bath
Hooded Bath Towels
Soft Sponges and/or wash cloths
Sorbolene cream
Nail Clippers
Ear Buds

Changing
Changing Table
Change Pad
First Size Disposable Nappies
Nappy Cream - Sudocream
Baby wipes - big box and travel packs
Nappy sacks
Nappy wrapper bucket - TommyTipee Sangenic
Bin
Reusable wipes
Small tomato sauce bottles x 2
Nappy or dirty clothes bucket
Baby Toiletries
Cotton Wool wipes

Clothing
Hats
Singlets
Sleeveless bodysuit
Body Suits - long sleeve with feet
Body Suits - short sleeve
cardigans
cotton socks
Shawls and wraps and blankies
Scratch mittens
Bibs

Breastfeeding
Nursing Bras
Breast Pads
Breast Pump
Muslin squares
lansinoh nipple cream
Rocking chair
Packet of cloth nappies

Bottle and beyond
bottles, teats & caps - Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature
Microwave Steam Steriliser
High chair

On the Move
Car seat
Head hugger
Stroller with basinette attachment
Rain cover, sun cover etc
Baby Carrier
Changing bag with mat
Baby view mirror
Car sun screen mesh
portacot
Mummy hook for pram

Misc
Ear Thermometer
Amolin washing detergent
Bouncer seat (loan)
Play mat/Baby gym (loan)
Swing seat (loan)

[*LittleMissSummer*]

You know what, i am printing this list out. This has EVERYTHING i could ever want or need.

Thank you and im glad that i inspired you as this will help other ladies.

[amberj]

Nice list!

Can I suggest you add really nice soft loo paper to your list for your stay at hospital. The hospital paper is usually not so great, and your bits will LOVE nice paper!

[tubbles]

Thanks so much for your list!! I have been trying to write one all day and so far all I have his "Pram, Car Seat, Carrier, Nappies"

Nice list!

Can I suggest you add really nice soft loo paper to your list for your stay at hospital. The hospital paper is usually not so great, and your bits will LOVE nice paper!

Love it!!!
I know I really have to add this to my list! I might go grab a bag and chuck it in there now so I don't forget (although, I'll probably forget which bag I put it into)

[Mummato2]

Nice list!

Can I suggest you add really nice soft loo paper to your list for your stay at hospital. The hospital paper is usually not so great, and your bits will LOVE nice paper!

[~Hestia~]

Can I suggest adding some flushable toilet wipes for your hospital stay & for at home? I used them for probably the first week or so. I couldn't have handled toilet paper!!

[AliB]

Cheezel would you believe that my sister had them on her hospie list and I took them off as I'm not a fan of such things normally!

PMSL at all the ass-wipe related advice though! I guess that means the list is pretty comprehensive!!

[Amaunet]

I am just working my way thru your list and offering my two cents
Feel free to take or ignore any advice

I used the flushable wipes in the shower to clean around my stitches....etc and could then flush away...they were awesome!

For the actual labour I found I used very little of what I took in - lip balm, hair band...(definitely didn't do any reading LOL) thats about it - I definitely overpacked for this part.

My fave mat pads were the poise incontinece ones - lovely and long n soft for the first few days. Then the prper mat pads- the ones with wings - purple pack I think - really long (libra?)? HATED the kotex ones in green pack - they felt really "hard" and were very uncomfortable...

I LOVE my angelcare monitor (detects movement/breathing) definitely gives peace of mind to an anxious mummy - one of my best purchases

I loathed the disposable breast pads - so itchy n yuck - wish I'd bought some from Maz (BB member) who does lovely reusable ones (they are on my wish list for the next bub!)

For breastfeeding I bought a stack of cheap singlets (in pretty colours) which I wear under all my tshirts etc - it means when I lift my top to feed - I pull the bra cup n singlet down and my tummy stays covered (it also covers my now ENORMOUS cleavage in low/v neck tops and gives a nice layered look) n cheaper than specialised bf tops

Don't bother with an ear thermometer - they are worse than useless - I could never get an accurate reading - even when DS had a temp of 39.2!!! I use a cheap underarm digital now - much better (A nurse and doc have told me the ear ones are hopeless)

AND buy lots more than 24 sposie nappies - you'll need em!!!

Hope you find some of this useful - otherwise just file under useless advice

[Amaunet]

Oh - forgot to add - will you have to share a bathroom in hossy? If so I'd take some thongs for the shower - having a baby is a messy business - for days afterwards if you get what I mean...

[TeniBear]

I just stole some of yours to put on my "list of things to reply with when someone asks what I want for my baby shower" I'll be back later to steal more when I make my own Labour/Birth/Beyond list

[archigirl]

Wow - forget my suggestion of the babies galore catalogue or target - awesome list and also all the other suggestions!

Thanks for that - saved on my computer and my mum's for future reference!

x archigirl

[AliB]

Gals I'm glad it will come in handy. I couldn't have managed without my wonderful sister's list to start my off

Controlfreak thanks muchly for your comments, very helpful!
- You have sold me on the flushable wipes!
- I know what you mean about not using half the stuff you take in, I can imagine that's the case. I certainly won't panic about lip balm if I go into labour before I have my bags packed!!! LOL
- Incontinence pads - interesting! I think I have 2xlibra and 2 x kotex pad packs. I researched this (how sad am I!!] and found there were people for and against each so I thought I'd split the difference. But I hadn't heard of incontinence pads recommended - will keep in mind.
- I'm not so anxious (although that will surely change!) so just getting a regular digtial monitor (Oricom 200) as we have a 2 storey house.
- I have maz's website bookmarked already! But will start with disposables (Pigeon brand seems to have good reviews!!! Sad!)
- I'm a fan of layering, so the singlet idea is a great one.
- Ear thermom - yeah I've heard that. It was a gift so I'll see how it goes; will trial it against my existing digital thermom.
- More than 24 nappies hehe you are right, that will last about 2 days! Don't know where that figure came from!! Have deleted the number from the list I guess my sister's original idea was that bub might fit the next size up so don't get too many of the first size - she's in London so things might be a bit different there, but I note that Australian Huggies in second size (Infant rather than newborn) fit from 4kg.
- Oh and I'm going private, hence my own bathroom YAY - so no to thongs, and yes to such ridiculous luxuries as "Hair dryer and straightener"!!!

[Skitten Pig]

Thankyou to all that helped with this list - it is the BEST!!!

CF - Is there a link where i can view the pads from Maz? and the angelcare monitors - can you tell me where i can get one of those from pls...

[~Hestia~]

Skitten Pig - I've never seen the Angelcare Monitor in the large retail stores like Target etc. But have seen them in places like Babytime, Motherworld, Baby Bunting & Baby Essentials. Also try a google search because the baby shops online also sell them.

[Amaunet]

I bought my Angelcare Monitor in Target - its the cheaper version with just one sensor pad - but works great

You can find Maz in the BB Marketplace not sure how to post links OR look under maz in the member list and the link is in her sig!

[HollyC]

That is a lot for labour! I guess it is good to be prepared though. We only had my camera with us I think. The only thing DH went back to the room to get was a jumper for him. They kept the delivery rooms really cold because birthing women get hot.

I also second the singlet tops, or the singlet maternity bras. Something to pull up and something to pull down. It made feeding in public so much more comfortable when I could be well covered. Esp my stomach.

I noticed muslin squared for feeding. Are these small ones for burp cloths? I used hand towels for DD as she would bring up quite a bit of milk after feeds and needed something more absorbent (cloth nappies also work well). The large muslin wraps are also good for putting over your shoulder and bub for privacy or to stop bub getting distracted and pulling off.

What is the dark hand towel for?

[Hahamama]

Oh my gosh you are so super organised, well done! I'm very impressed and hope that I'm doing that well when I'm at your stage! I don't know how you've found the brain function to accomplish that, my grey matter turned to mush and dribbled out my ears months ago!

Thanks for sharing your list, think I'll use it as a template for my own! Gotta love BellyBelly and stealing other ladies' ideas!!

[AliB]

Hi Erin thanks for that, glad it's useful!

I think a list like this is a good starting point for your own research, like ...

* do i really need a bassinet?
* do i really need a change table?
* what shall i bath the baby in?
* what will I want during labour?
etc

HollyC thanks so much for your comments.
* Yeah it is a lot for labour. I guess every time I read something I get another idea of something I might want!
* Muslin squares for feeding - yep just for throwing over for a bit of privacy/reduce distractions, or for laying over a pillow if you're at somebody's place.
* As for burp cloths, I have been given some small ones but will probably use these for general bathing/wiping as they wouldn't cope with more than a dribble! the cloth nappies are for if we need "something more absorbent" as you say!
* Dark hand towel LOL you girls are good at finding the odd items on the list! That is another hang over from my sister's list.. in London she had to supply heaps of her own stuff for her and baby.. she had 'dark hand towels' as well as bath towels on the list, I deleted the bath towels but thought hey it wouldn't hurt to have a hand towel in the bag 'just in case'.