Welcoming a new life into the world is simply beautiful! Although we are certain that your past few months have been eventful, know that the experience of giving birth is made much easier when you are sufficiently prepared for it.
After having set up a nursery, having taken care of baby-proofing the entire house, stocking up on any form of baby food you might need, and buying a whole wardrobe full of baby clothes - you might think that you have checked off all the preparations you can do before the baby arrives. However, you are forgetting about one very important thing - the hospital bag!
As D-day approaches, the importance of having a well-thought-out hospital bag becomes increasingly evident. In this guide, we will make a checklist of the things required for a hospital bag that will allow you to deliver your baby safely and keep you comfortable too. Let's take a look at all the eco-friendly choices that can be made to ensure that not only will your baby be comfortable but it will also be sustainable. From eco-nappies to reusable nursing bags, let’s make sure everything in your bag has a positive impact.
Mum’s Comfort and Care
Comfy Clothes:
The easiest task to tick off on this checklist would be your outfit for the hospital. Choose clothes that you feel comfortable with and are able to move in. You should also keep two outfits ready – one for when you are in labour and the other for when you are in recovery. Usually, you will be given a hospital gown to change into, but it is always good to be prepared in case of any emergencies
Toiletries/Creams:
Another thing to check off would be all the toiletries you may need. You will not be able to tell just how long you will spend in the hospital for the delivery so it is always good to be prepared with a small set of toiletries that will help you freshen up. For this, we would recommend packing travel-sized toiletries.
Some entertainment
As mentioned before, you really don’t know how long it could take for the delivery so it is always good to keep some form of entertainment packed. This can be a good book, a couple of games, or even some downloaded movies. Don’t forget to take your charger with you!
Eco-Conscious Baby Essentials:
The next thing on the checklist would be some baby essentials for when your baby is given to you.
Eco-Nappies:
The most important thing here is the eco nappies. It is always good to have several of them on hand since you are not sure how long it will take until you are back home. Eco-nappies are also the safest option for your baby as it is not only gentle on the skin but it will also reduce the risk of exposing your baby to any unknown irritants.
Some baby clothing:
Along with the eco-nappies, it is important to have some amount of organic baby clothing. Now you may be wondering why your baby will need clothes when it has just been born but this is for when you leave the hospital to go back home. It will serve as protection from any external irritants while making sure that it doesn’t expose your child to any unsafe chemicals.
Make sure to add in some snap-wraps as well so that your baby’s nappies will be secure.
Nappy Wipes, Nursing Pads and Muslin Cloth:
Of course, if you are taking nappies you will definitely need to take some nappy wipes! We recommend taking biodegradable nappy wipes as they will be the safest option for your baby's sensitive skin.
You should also invest in some reusable nursing pads as they will prove to be useful once you start breastfeeding your baby. Take some muslin cloths as they have multiple uses and they are always useful to have on hand.
Wellness and Comfort:
This is an important part of the hospital bag checklist. Here we discuss what should be added to make sure that the well-being of the mother is prioritised.
Birth Plan
You might have heard people advising you to have a birth plan in place for when you go into labour. In case you are confused, let us go over what a birth plan is. A birth plan is a summary of your preferences when it comes to any situation that may arise when you are giving birth. This includes what position you prefer to give birth in, what pain relief works for you, and who you would want with you in the hospital room. This document is what your medical team will refer to if any issue arises and this is why it is so important to discuss it with your medical team beforehand.
Comfort items
The process of giving birth is quite painful and uncomfortable so make sure that you take anything that can give you some comfort or calm you down. This could be your favourite pillow or blanket or even any scents. Aromatherapy is known for having scents that help you calm down.
Water and Snacks
Make sure that there is enough water and snacks in the bag. You will be sweating a lot so it is important to stay hydrated and to eat enough to keep your blood sugar up. Taking your own bottle with you will also make sure that you purchase water while at the hospital and then throw it away.
Baby's Clothing and Swaddle:
Now that we have covered what clothes should be taken for the mother, let’s take a look at what should be packed for the baby. After making sure that you are carrying enough nappies and wipes, you should make sure that you have the clothes. Make sure that the clothes you pack are made of gentle and organic fabrics as they are soft and easy on the skin of a baby.
Keep warm hats and socks as well since the hospital can get quite cold and you don’t want your baby to feel it. It will also give your baby an extra layer of security.
Perhaps the most important part of this - the swaddle. Make sure that the swaddle is made of a material that is soft and breathable. You would have already learnt how to swaddle a baby before you go to the hospital but it is essential to make sure that the material used is good for the baby.
Postpartum Care:
Once you have had the baby, the mother’s body will not be in the best condition. Here are some things you should add to the hospital bag that will help you at that time.
Maternity pads:
After you have given birth, it is likely that you will still be bleeding. These pads will help make sure that this blood is soaked up properly as they are much more absorbent compared to normal period pads.
There are multiple options of biodegradable maternity pads available so please make sure to pack these as they will help with the bleeding.
Nursing bras:
As soon as you have given birth, your breasts will feel sore and heavy due to them changing to accommodate breastfeeding the child. This is where nursing bras can help. Not only will they provide support for your breasts as they become heavier with milk, but they are also extremely comfortable. There is also the benefit that they make your breasts easily accessible which is ideal for when your baby needs to be fed.
Lanolin-free nipple cream:
This is one of the most important things to keep in the bag. As you start breastfeeding, you will notice that your nipples will be feeling sore and dry all the time. Oftentimes, the skin around the nipple will be cracked as well since the baby is constantly feeding and this makes it so painful.
Nipple cream will make sure that the skin around your nipple is kept moisturised which helps reduce the pain. Make sure that the cream is lanolin-free which means that it is safe for mothers to use even while breastfeeding.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, this blog will help you pack a bag that will cover most of the emergencies that you might face when you go to the hospital for the birth of your baby. In case you are missing some of the products mentioned in the blog, like the eco-nappies or the snap-wraps, head on over to Little & Brave to stock up! Our Baby Bundles come fully stocked with all the eco-friendly products we offer!
You can also take a look at our blogs where you can find more advice for parents who are looking to make their lifestyle more sustainable and eco-friendly!