Huggies Hospital Bag Checklist

HOSPITAL BAG

CHECKLIST BRAND

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It might feel like you have been pregnant forever, but the final weeks before giving birth can fly by in a whir of excitement and last minute plans.

It’s a great idea to prepare as much as possible. As every experienced parent will advise you, when your baby is on its way it’s all hands on deck. There won’t be too much time to think about which shampoo to pack for the hospital or where the spare batteries are.

Make sure you have your bag packed and ready to go at least two weeks before your due date.

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Here’s a list of things you may want to pack ready for the big day Essentials for Labour

CAMERA WITH CHARGED BATTERIES/CHARGER Pack a camera, spare batteries and charger as well. If your phone fails, you’ll have a backup.

PAPERWORK Make sure you have your Medicare Card and private health insurance details if relevant. Your doctor’s details and any other healthcare information.

MUSIC Save your favourite music onto your phone. Make up a playlist to choose from.

BIRTH PLAN Make some time during your pregnancy to write up a birth plan. Speak with your maternity care provider about how you’d like your labour and baby’s birth to be supported.

CONTACT NUMBERS Ensure you have all your key contacts saved in your phone.

PHONE AND CHARGER A fully charged phone is indispensable for calls, texts, and photos.

A WATCH Pack a watch with a second hand or second counter, to time contractions.

WATER BOTTLE It’s important to stay hydrated during labour, but check with your maternity care provider about how much you can drink.

COLD/HEAT PACKS Most hospitals provide hot/ cold packs. But if you have a favourite, take it with you.

STRESS BALLS We’ve all seen women squeezing their partner’s hand during contractions or

the big push. Pack a stress ball or a tennis ball to take some of the strain. They can also be used for back and foot rubs.

MASSAGE OIL Massages during labour can be very helpful. Speak with your parter about massage options which could help you to manage contractions.

SPARE CLOTHES You’ll need to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes during labour and after you have given birth, as well as clothes to wear if you go for a walk.

ENERGY DRINKS Energy drinks of fruit juice can be refreshing options to help stay hydrated during labour.

SNACKS Pack some light snacks to help keep your energy levels up during labour. Though first, speak with your maternity care provider about eating during labour.

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PJs Pack some PJs or comfortable, loose clothes for the time after your baby is born. Make sure any tops have easy access for breastfeeding.

SLIPPERS/SOCKS If you go for a walk to the bathroom, gift shop, café, or even just down the hall, it will be handy to have something comfy to slip your feet into.

If the weather is cool, you might also like a dressing gown for another layer.

SHOWER PACK Take all your own toiletries with you. Include shower items e.g shampoo & conditioner, body gel, loofah, moisturiser, hair brush, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, makeup. You may want to take your own towel and pillow as well.

Next Day Necessities

MATERNITY PADS Pack some maternity or ‘heavy flow’ pads for the first few days after your baby’s born. Lighter flow pads can be used once you’re not bleeding so much.

MATERNITY/NURSING BRAS & BREAST PADS Maternity bras are ideal for breastfeeding. Pack some nursing pads as well, they’ll help to absorb milk leakage.

SPARE CHANGE Pack some change for refreshments and magazines.

BOOKS/MAGAZINES, A NOTEPAD, & PENS PLASTIC/WASHABLE BAGS For taking home dirty washing.

“GOING HOME” CLOTHES You’ll be pleased if you’ve packed a nice outfit for going home.

For Your Baby HUGGIES® NEWBORN NAPPIES

A BLANKET OR LIGHT WRAP

HUGGIES® BABY WIPES

GOING HOME OUTFITS pack two, just in case

CLOTHES singlets, jumpsuits, socks

CAR RESTRAINT suitable for a newborn Huggies® Hospital Packing Checklist

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Handy Hints

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Pack some underpants which you’d be prepared to throw away.

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A water spray bottle can be invaluable for cooling down Pack ear plugs if you tend to be disturbed by noise when sleeping.

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Hospital pillows are not known for their luxurious plumpness or high thread count. Take your own pillow and take a spare pillow case if you like the smell of your own laundry.

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Pack some dry shampoo and wet wipes. It’s nice to be fresh for visitors but sometimes getting out of bed and into the shower isn’t possible.

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If this is not your first child, you might like to give your other child/children a little gift from their new brother or sister.

This is a nice introduction to the newest member of the family for older siblings who might be feeling a little bit left out.

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FOR YOUR BABY

NEXT DAY NECESSITIES

ESSENTIALS FOR LABOUR

Checklist Paperwork

Cold/heat packs

Birth plan

Stress balls

Contact numbers

Massage oil

Phone and charger

Spare clothes

Camera with charged batteries/charger

Energy drinks

Music playlist A watch

Snacks Extra absorbent maternity pads

Water bottle

PJs

Spare change

Slippers/socks

Books/magazines, a notepad, & pens

Shower essentials Maternity pads Maternity/nursing bras & breast pads

Plastic/washable bags “Going home” clothes

Huggies® Newborn Nappies

A blanket or light wrap

Huggies® Baby Wipes

Going home outfits – pack two

Clothes – singlets, jumpsuits, socks

Car restraint suitable for a newborn.

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