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Hospital bag checklist
There’s so much to think about when preparing for your baby’s arrival, it’s easy to overlook your own needs. Here’s a checklist to ensure you have all you need to make your hospital stay as smooth as possible:
Medical records & birth plan: Keep these in your hospital bag so they don’t get lost or misplaced.
Comfortable clothing: Pyjamas or nighties are great to labour in as they’re comfortable and loose, plus a dressing gown and slippers for moving around the ward. Remember your own going-home outfit too – not just baby’s. Stay loose and dark for a comfortable journey back home.
Protective underwear & maternity pads: Big knickers are a must, along with super-soft and absorbent Maternity Pads specially designed for postpartum – normal sanitary pads won’t give you the protection you need.
Feeding support: If planning on breastfeeding, stocking up on the essentials is key to getting a great start to your feeding journey – think Nipple Cream, Breast Pads and Silver Nursing Cups for those first few days.
Snacks & drinks: Choose snacks that will sustain you and give long-lasting energy over instant sugar rushes. Nuts, protein bars and a water bottle will help you through.
Post-birth recovery: A Post-Birth Wash Bottle for those first wees will help take the burn away – also great for post C-section when mobility may be less. If you have a vaginal birth, a Post-Birth Relief Spray will help soothe the perineal area.
Phone & charger: Keep your battery high for scrolling during those early hours of labour, and your camera ready for those first post-birth snaps.
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Preparing for breastfeeding
If you’re planning to breastfeed, here’s a few of our tips to help get off to the very best start.
To begin with, it’s important to make your wishes known to your birthing team. They will ensure skin-to-skin happens immediately after birth, or as soon as possible, allowing your baby to self-attach to your breast when ready. If you can, don’t hurry this important time of getting to know each other before the first feed.
Mastering your baby’s latch is a skill for both you and your baby to learn together. The CHIN method is a handy way to check your latch each time:
• Close: Hold baby close, with their body facing you so they don’t need to turn their head.
• Head free but supported: Bring baby to your breast and support their neck, shoulders and back, allowing them to tilt their head back slightly.In-line: Keep baby’s nose, tummy, hips and knees in-line.
• Nose to nipple: Keep baby’s chin touching your breast and their nose clear. Encourage them to open their mouth wide and direct your nipple towards the back roof of baby’s mouth.
Although breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt, it is normal for your nipple to feel a little tender in the early days - here’s a few products to help you soothe and protect tender nipples.
• Nipple Cream: Smooth on before and after feeding to help protect your nipples through those early days of cluster feeding.
• Soothies Cooling Gel Pads: Your secret weapon for soothing relief when you need more than a nipple cream.
• Silverette Silver Nursing Cups: Called lifesavers by those mums who use them, these silver cups protect and help heal sore nipples.
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C-section recovery
There’s no feeling like returning home with your new baby, but it’s important to remember that you still need time to recover, especially after a C-section. It’s likely that you will still be in pain for the first few days of your return which may possibly last for a few weeks. Stock up on painkillers for your recovery to combat pain and discomfort – paracetomol and ibuprofen are recommended. You’ll also experience vaginal bleeding called lochia which may last from around 4-6 weeks. Avoid using tampons during this time as it will increase the risk of spreading infection to the vagina – Maternity
Pads are your saving grace here.
During a caesarean section, the surgery involves making an incision through several layers of tissue to access the uterus and deliver the baby. After the procedure, your wound will be covered with a dressing while the wound begins to close, keeping infection out. Your midwife will advise you on how to take care of the wound and the advice will be along the lines of:
• Clean and dry the wound carefully every day.
• Keep clothing loose and comfortable, and wear cotton underwear to avoid irritating the wound.
• Take painkillers if the wound is feeling sore.
• Keep an eye on the wound and be vigilant for signs of infection such as oozing of the wound, pain or discomfort, redness or swelling around the incision site.
From 10 days, once your midwife has checked your scar and confirmed no sign of infection, using a C-section Hydrogel Pad can help protect your healing wound whilst providing cooling, soothing relief.
