[mibi]

I would add Lasinoh cream for the nipples if planning on breastfeeding and possibly some haemorrhoid cream. My hospital provided the haemorrhoid cream last time, but it took ages for the pharmacy to deliver it to me!

[sam_gamgee]

I always take some framed photos of my other kids - as newborns as well as current ones. It's always interesting for the "Who is she / he like" discussions and I'm sure it makes the other kids feel special when they come in to see me.

Fantastic idea!

Also, for the fridge - a slab of brie and selection of cold meats for mum post-birth.

[SingleSweetPea]

Also, for the fridge - a slab of brie and selection of cold meats for mum post-birth.

- love it Brilliant idea!!

[Mimmibecca]

Great list! It's my third baby, but I still got plenty of refresher ideas.

2 things I would add to the list are:

-Feme Pads

These are fablous pad shaped cool packs that can go in the fridge or freezer for relief down there after birth. They have disposable gauze covers too. You keep them in the fridge or freezer and just pop one on top of your pad. They provide SO much relief and are much more comfortable than what the hospital provides. I bought mine from the UK years ago, but they can now be bought online from Mothers Direct in Australia.

-Siblings Hospital Bags

We pack a backpack for each sibling which stays at the hospital throughout my visit with little treats and things for them to do while visiting (in addition to seeing the baby of course, but DH likes to stay for a long time each visit). SOme things we put in them are new colouring books, sticker books, pencils, twistable crayons, comic or childrens magazine etc.

[Abbygirl]

Awesome idea with the siblings backpacks, we'll definitely organise one for DD now!

[fozzer]

My best 4 items came from my mother who brought them...the rest of the items on page one are pretty standard, clothes, pads, but the Below really "helped me" and were def not thought of during preg.

1. Lansinoh - nurses always tell you that breastfeeding only hurts if its not done properly. CRAP, you need to toughen up your nipples and almost all first time mums have painful breastfeeding experiences at until the skin thickens, its common nature. Mine only hurt for 3 weeks but lansinoh cream prevented my nipples from cracking keeping them mositurized and soft. I used them 2-3rd day in the hospital onwards - this cream was a godsend.

2. Prunes - my mum brought some prunes, which was great especially after I was paranoid going to the loo after a vaginal birth with grazing. These def made going easier. Only really used it the first time, then felt comfortable after that.

3. Ural - I didnt get stitches but had grazing on labia/s....ural was also a godsend, without it, it would sting like mad.

4. Water bottle - Everytime i needed to wee, i would get an empty water bottle, filled with warm water so when i went to the loo i would pour this down at the same time. Took the sting out entirely. This and ural worked well together.

Hope that helps

[mum to b]

What a fantastic forum...I am a first time mum and didn't have a clue on what I should be packing, so thankyou for all the useful info.

I will certainly be asking the hospital what they provide....I do like the idea of providing my own babies clothes, and taking a water bottle with the pop lid.

[KeiraKeira]

Ha ha thats a long list, i just got my little suit case out it is on the bed and trying to also workout what i need to bring for hospital bag.

Surely our mums didnt have that much to bring with them when they had us lol

The revised list.

A note: This list is not to be seen as a "you must have all these items or you won't survive" type list. It is more a suggestion of things you may want to consider when packing. I recommend going through the list and just including what you feel necessary. Quantities are also just suggestions.

Many don't want aromatherapy for example, or are planning a very short stay in hospital. It's purely a guide to help with the mental strain as it's quite daunting.

Check with your hospital for a list of what is supplied. Many provide little gowns for the baby and nappies for example as well as plenty of nice warm blankets and almost everything you need to care for baby during your stay.

Paperwork:

- Ante Natal Card
- Hospital Information
- Several copies of your birth plan (if applicable)
- Private Health Insurance details (if applicable)
- Cheque for Excess (if applicable)
- Medicare Card/Details
- GP's details

For Mum during the birth:

- Lip Balm - lips can become dry and chafed during labour from heavy breathing. This may offer some relief.
- Massage/Aromatherpay oils for during labour.
- Soothing Music of your choice for during labour, and CD player if hospital does not supply.
- Something comfortable to wear ��" I.e. a loose T-Shirt or nightie (something you don’t mind throwing out in case it gets ruined).
- Something to put on afterward
- Extra Pillows
- Beanbag if preferred (check with your birthing hospital)
- Lollies or lollipops to suck on.
- Watch with a 2nd hand or a stop watch to time contractions
- Hand Mirror if you want to watch the head crowning and baby being born (or speak to your birthing hospital about mirror availability).
- Something to wear in the bath if you’re shy
- Heat packs, massage tools etc. to help with pain relief or other items such as a TENS machine if you’ve hired one.
- Cool pack. Can be nice on the forehead and better than wet paper towels.

For Mum after the birth:

- 2 - 3 Nightie/Pyjamas
- Slippers/Socks
- Bathrobe
- 2 - 3 Nursing Bras & Tops
- 2 Boxes Breast Pads
- 8 x Underwear - It pays to have some old ones in the bag that can be thrown away in case of staining in the days after birth.
- Maternity Pads - At least 2 packets - your partner can always bring more if needed. (Some also prefer incontinence Pants - Not good post Caeser though)
- Toiletries - such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, hair bands, make up, deodorant, Liquid Soap, Moisteriser, Lanisoh.(Nipple Cream), Hairdryer (wonderful for drying yourself completely and gently.
- Eye Glasses/Contact Lenses - if worn.
- Face Washers
- Towel
- Day clothes - bear in mind that you will be sore so loose fitting clothes are the suggestion.
- A roll or 2 of your own SOFT toilet paper - You are bound to be tender and don't want to be using something hard and scratchy! Or Some prefer Flushable Wipes.
- Water bottle with a pop top squeezy lid to clean your bits in the shower
- Breast Pump - in case there is a need to express. The hospital should have these, but some women prefer certain brands and may prefer to use their own.
- Plastic bags for dirty clothes.
- Tissues.
- Metamucil & Ural.
- Multivitamins and any other medications you may need.

For Partner:

- Snacks for during and after labour - It can be a long time between meals for Dad so pack some snacks that he can nibble on whilst you are in labour.
- Panadol - some Dad's suffer from stress and tension headaches when watching their partners in pain and often hospitals won't give medication to fathers so it can be handy to have some in your bag.
- Money for pay phone - or a charged mobile phone to make birth announcement calls.
- Swimmers in case he wants to join you in the shower or bath
- Change of clothes in case you're there a while and he wants to get cleaned up

Extra's:

- Address Book
- Video Camera, extra tapes and charger
- Normal camera with extra batteries or charger
- Snacks for when you are back on the ward.
- MP3 player or equivalent
- Journal/Notepad - to keep notes of the things you may forget in the haste of everything.
- Magazines and books - for reading when baby is sleeping (if you are not!)
- Wallet - if wanting to purchase from snack trollies, canteens, or Pay for the use of TV or telephone. Be careful about leaving money in your room when unattended, or simply make sure hubby has money with him each time he comes!
- Pen for filling out paperwork, and Thankyous if you feel up to it.
- Mobile phone and charger (if allowed)
- Your own Pillow/Doona.
- Box of Chocolates and thankyou Pressies for Midwifes.
- Sports drink for during the birth

For Baby:

- 4 stretchsuits
- 4 singlets
- 4 pairs socks/booties
- 4 cardigans (depending on season)
- 1 cellular blanket (for going home)
- Scratch mittens
- Nappies & Wipes (some hospitals provide them, discuss this with your hospital before you give birth.)
- Cotton Wool
- Going Home Outfit
- Bunny Rugs
- Toiletries - Baby Bath stuff. Baby Shampoo. Baby brush and comb. Massage Oil.
- If bottle feeding, check if you need to supply your own bottles and formula.
- Nail scissors for baby
- Warm hat

Car:
- A correctly fitted Australian Standards Approved Car Restraint

[Nut]

LoL, well it is only a guide of things to consider, not a set in stone "you need all these things".

For me I did not need anything in the paperwork list. On the for mum during labour, I wore a fitted singlet and undies and I had my hand bag with lip balm in it and some fresh clothes for after.

I think I had most of the stuff on the after list but that's really just clothes and toiletries. No bath robe, no face washers, no towels.

Had snacks, clothes and some toiletries for DH. All the cameras and chargers. For baby just a few onesies and wraps and the going home outfit. And some nappies.

So less than half of that list I had with me. It's definitely only a guide.

[theweehaggis]

I highly recommend a SHOWER CAP. For both labour and after. Our maternity unit only had showers on offer for labouring mums to be.. ended up with wet hair throughout labour which was not plesant.. then again after bub is born you may need to have several showers a day for both hygine (stitches etc) and sanity.. and using a hairdryer in a busy ward is not ideal! I have give all my friends who are due this advice and all habe said it was something they didnt think of but something they used!