my essentials list (My Version of the List)

Member Name: barbie84

Product:	My Version of the List
Date:	23/03/09 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: be prepared

Disadvantages: your guaranteed to forget something, dont stress someone can bring it in for you

Preparing a hospital bag for you and the new arrival is as stressful as actually giving birth in my opinion, with my first daughter i stressed for weeks over what i needed to take with me and still found i had forgotten things i needed and had things i didnt need in there.

For the baby.
a blanket or shawl, the hospital do provide these but they are not very nice ones and it is always nice to have your own

nappys, i took 2 packs of nappys in with me as you need to be prepared to be there for a few days if you have complications or a c section

cotton wool, you will need this to clean babys eyes at bath time and to change babys nappys as they dont like you using baby wipes on new borns delicate skin

baby grows, you will need at least 4 changes of clothes a day so take plenty of these in with you, vests aswell

bibs, if you are bottle feeding, i didnt use mine as i breast fed

scratch mittens, they are a night mare to keep on but will stop your baby scratching there own face

Baby wash and a wash cloth for bath time, the hospital provide the bath and you will need a baby towel to dry the baby

hat to keep baby warm

Car seat and coat for baby to go home in

for mom you will need
all your basic toiletrys as none were provided at our hospital, shampoo, shower gel, hand wash, conditioner, deoderant, etc

Underwear, big nickers and the older the better as they are likely to get very messy

lots of maternity pads, i would take 6 packs for a 3 day stay

breast pads, weather you intend to breast feed or not you will need these and your bras to put them in

night clothes, nightys are better

clothes to get dressed into in the day, something comfortable and loose fitting

Slippers and house coat

camera, phone and money

A little extra item that i havent seen any one else mention is that i took a bottle of cordial pop in with me as they provide you with a jug of water only other than meal times and it gets very warm in the maternity wards so you get very thirsty and plain water isnt very nice especially as it is always warm

Summary: i have to do all this again soon