My List for Labour, Hospital and Beyond!

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)

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.

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! :D

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"

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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! :D

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:clap: Love it!!! :ROFL:
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)

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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! :D

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:rofl:

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!!

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!!

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:p

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...

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 :D

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!:clap:

x archigirl

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"!!!

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...

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.

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!

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?

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!! :clap:

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'.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! Go Ali!!!!!!!

Geez just when I thought I had everything organised LOL!!!!!!!!!! How long did this take to compile, 9 months? You should write baby books!

Hey Phynna :lol: yeah it's quite a list. I have freely admitted to pinching most of it from my sister!!

But it would help if I'd actually got everything on the list!! Most gaps are in the labour list - eek. And I haven't placed one thing in one bag for labour or hospie, it is making me panic when our fellow belly buddies are kicking off in as little as 2 days!!! Hee hee (Nervous laughter!)

I'm sort of lucky that I don't have to pack bags being a home birth girl, but it really does make checking that I have everything tricky! I can't stand making messy piles here and there, so everything is still in linen closet, bathroom cabinet, baby room, underwear drawer, etc. Really does make the double-checking difficult LOL!

On another note, going to the earlier mentioned maternity pads, has anyone tried the tena lady undies? I HATE wearing pads with a passion, can't even stand panty liners, so I'm wondering if maybe the disposable undies were a better option? Though too embarrassed to buy them unnecessarily to investigate further!

the labour part does look a bit long. i packed heaps of stuff and didnt use any of it. we didnt even think to use the camera the nurse had to ask us if we wanted pics lol.

Hi Sassy

The first half of the labour list is because I've been preparing / going to classes for a drug-free birth, and the methods I'm using requires loads of accessories!

Other stuff is just in case or things I'll need in my hospie bag anyway (eg toiletries, big undies).

And for every person who says "you don't need X", there is somebody who'll say "I couldn't have survived without X!!". Because of all the reading I've done, my list has grown and grown.

That's funny that you had to be reminded to take pictures!!!

A

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On another note, going to the earlier mentioned maternity pads, has anyone tried the tena lady undies? I HATE wearing pads with a passion, can't even stand panty liners, so I'm wondering if maybe the disposable undies were a better option? Though too embarrassed to buy them unnecessarily to investigate further!

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If you do use them, please give an update on how they went. I also hate pads with a passion.. so if this could be an alternative, and works well, I'll be happy to use them! Even if it does mean I'll have to face the cashier with them :redface:

What are the sauce bottles for?

Hey Cheezels

That was a suggestion at our antenatal class that i liked. Put a squirt of sorbolene and some water in a small sauce bottle and shake, use it for nappy clean up and/or bath time (instead of lotions and potions). Empty and refresh every couple of days. Also read on BB that people have had good results with chamomile tea for nappy clean up to prevent nappy rash so thought i'd get 2 bottles :)

Hey phynna and tubbles... I don't even want to do a google for those Teena undies to see what you mean!!!!?

Look from all I read you want biiiig sofffft mattressy pads that you can wear 2 or more at once, slip in a frozen popsicle, etc...! I'm not a pad fan normally either but I've got the mattresses and a packet of cheap granny undies (floral!!!!) ready to go! I know when I had a D&C for polyps I found that pads were the go, lots of blood and nice to be able to keep changing each time you go to the loo.

I saw an ad for Depend disposable undies (I think). They will send you a free sample if you fill in the info on their website. I think I might do this. I reckon you would only need a couple. My loss slowed down really quickly, but was heavy to start.

Thick pads are the way to go. The thin ones are useless to start with. And tampons are not recommended at all!

So I think I'll have to print out your list Ali. It has just hit me how close to my due date I am! I'm starting to remember all the things that I forgot I needed last time!

I agree with the incontinence pads, i used them after having both my girls because they are bigger and feel nicer and i also think it is worth taking something to read or anything to entertain yourself (even if you dont use it) only because when i was having my second baby we had to go to hospital as soon as my waters broke (due to complications id had with DD1) and for the 3 hours before my contractions started DF and I were sooooo bored. No tv or anything and we could only walk around the hospital for so long. It was only lucky that someone has left a magazine in the room so we had the mega cross word to work on to try and pass the time before DD2 made an enterance.
And its nice to have something to do when all the vistiors have gone home, bubs asleep and you dont feel like sleeping (i had DF bring me more magz everyday i was in there)

Oh, another thought. If you already have a breast pump then take it to hospital. They can help show you how to use it. I was pumping after feeds to try and get my supply up and for top up feeds.

That's good advice thanks Holly, I do have the pump.

(And thank goodness the topic has changed from incontinence pads!! :lol:)

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If you do use them, please give an update on how they went. I also hate pads with a passion.. so if this could be an alternative, and works well, I'll be happy to use them! Even if it does mean I'll have to face the cashier with them :redface:

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I forgot to report back till now...
I got a free sample sent out from the website, arrived in a plain, non-labelled envelope thankfully! As we had bubs just before 1am, the following sleep suited the undies, though they were horrible to wear, they were huuuuuge, but the massive immediate flow just after birth was well enclosed, I hate to think of the mess otherwise!
BUT I am glad I had the pads, as I never want to wear them again! In fact I might just risk the big mess next time, the undies were really truly uncomfortable, and plasticy, now I know how disposables must feel like for babies YUCK!


Ali.....how much stuff on your list did you use in hospital? :p Or forget to use in all your excitement!!!:dance:

Hi Phyn!

Well... the labour bag was excited unpacked in the birthing suite, all the birth skills stuff (balls, shakers, etc), snacks, toiletries,CD plugged in, mags laid out. I changed in to my sexy birthing wrap and put on my grippy sox (great idea from someone else - those bathroom floors ARE slippery in sox, and it was freezing in there).

I then settled down for an hour with the gels on. I was pretty pleased that I had all the gear in that labour bag as we were looking to be there for hours and a painful labour was likely to be in store due to bub's position! I felt like I had al the bases covered.

But as you know, not long after, the phone call came to say "Emergency caesar under GA required NOW!!". We had barely finished packing the stuff away again (transferred some stuff to the hospie bag, such as bra and undies, pen and paper, additional toiletries, and book) suddenly the staff were there with the trolley and theatre gown and stockings.

As for the hospital bag, I think I used everything in it, even little washers and came in handy. Lip balm was useful in hospie due to drying out of the air con. Basically I wouldn't change a thing next time :)

Was that a wrap? I thought it was just a black dress! Nice!

You're so organised! I wish I had've had that organisation with my labour, I went wrong in anticipating the promised slow start! I know better next time!

:rofl: Did you seriously use a hair dryer AND straightener in hospital?

Limeslice, nah I didn't take either with me... I'd completely lost interest in how my hair looked by the time I was 2 weeks overdue!!

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:rofl: Did you seriously use a hair dryer AND straightener in hospital?

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oooh the hospy where i had DD had those mini hairdryers...used mine everyday...on my stitches!!!! :ROFL: it was sweet bliss to dry them that way after a shower lol!

Thanks so much for posting this list. I was just thinking today that I should start to record all the things I will need to get hold of but I wasn't sure where to start. This has given me a great starting point!

:bump:

Love this list. thanks for sharing what we need...

this is so handful and gives an idea where to start.

Thanks heaps.

Ric