With your due date coming up, things are starting to get exciting. It’s an amazing time, but it’s also the best time to start preparing yourself. This means getting together all the essentials you’ll need during labour, birth and after your baby’s born. Aim to pack around 33-36 weeks into pregnancy.
Wondering what to take? Have a look over the list we’ve compiled below. You might not need everything, so it’s simply about choosing what’s right for you.
For Mum – for the birth and during your hospital stay
For your baby
Your birth plan
A camera and fully charged mobile phone and charger
A loose t-shirt or nightie you can wear during birth
Two sets of sleepwear suitable for breast feeding during the hospital stay (e.g. pyjamas that button up)
Dressing gown
Cotton underwear in navy or black x 10
Two or three nursing bras
Socks and/or slippers
Breast pads – at least two boxes
Maternity pads – at least two packets
Clothing to wear home – make sure they’re loose and comfortable
Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste, liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, deodorant, lip balm, nipple cream, eye drops and any medications you’re taking
Reading glasses or contact lenses
Towels and face cloths
Tissues
Your favourite snacks and drinks
List of people to call after the birth
Some nice things to have
Massage or aromatherapy oils
Music (on phone or iPod with speakers)
Extra pillows
Breast pump for expressing if you would prefer to use your own (hospitals do provide)
Plastic bags for dirty clothes
Magazines or a good book
Journal and pen for recording baby’s feed and sleep times
Wheat pack or hot water bottle
Ear plugs and eye mask
Car capsule for the trip home
Sleepsuits x 6
Bodysuits x 6
Socks and booties x 6
Hat/beanie x 2
Scratch mittens
Cardigans x 4 (if cool weather)
Outfit for the trip home
Blankets
Swaddling blankets
Muslin cloths x 6
Cotton wool
Wipes and Nappies – most hospitals will provide these, but best to check just in case
Here you will find information on Anmum, parenting and our products.
Breast milk is the best nutrition you can give to your baby. It's full of everything a baby needs to grow and develop in a healthy way. It's important that all mums, including breastfeeding mums, look after themselves too with a healthy balanced diet.
However, breast feeding may not come easily to all mums. We know new parents are on a journey, and we want to support this with science-based information, whilst not discouraging breast feeding.
If you're considering introducing infant formula, we understand that is a really tough decision and it's important to discuss this with your midwife, doctor or nurse first. A decision not to breastfeed, or to introduce partial bottle feeding, could reduce your supply of breast milk and be a difficult decision to reverse as well as an added cost to your family budget. If you do choose to use infant formula, always follow instructions for use carefully, as unnecessary or improper use may make your baby sick.
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