Hospital bag essentials, baby essentials and when can you start using yoga ball?
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Your newborn will sleep well in their bedside tank thing (or on you) so no need for white noise/ bouncer. I didn’t even use half the stuff i packed, but here are the essentials I can think of - Take a few pairs of PJs, massive water bottle, snacks you can eat with a very dry mouth, lots of snacks for birth partner, maternity pads & Frida mom disposable pants, eye mask & earplugs, your own pillow, nappies & barrier cream, a few baby body suits and sleep suits (hospitals have blankets), Bluetooth speaker, hair ties. You can start the yoga ball whenever but you’ll be sick of it by the end of your pregnancy!
You can use the ball whenever you want
I must have packed and repacked my bag at least a dozen times 😂 But besides the essentials like clothes for me and baby, personal hygiene products, snacks, phone charger, some of the things that for me are important but maybe would slip your mind are definitely essential oils (I like lavender bc it calms me), coconut or olive oil (to soften me down there and also to lather on baby’s bum to help with cleaning the first poos) and heating pad/ warm water bottle to help with cramps/ contractions Oh and also maybe a cute little welcome sign or something along those lines to take baby’s first photos with :)
Hospital bag - from the top of my head: peri wash bottle (portable bidet), supportive comfortable bra, nipple cream, snacks, and drinks No need for white noise, a bouncer/chair is handy to place baby(ies) in when cooking, eating, showering etc but I didn't use it much tbh. I used a yoga ball right from the beginning, probably around 12 weeks, so use it whenever you want!
- You will need mummy nappies whether you have natural or a C section. I used the frida boy shorts which was a god send in the end because I had a c section and they went above the scar so they didn't rub it. - Maternity pads for your discharge - the lil-lets ones were pretty good. - Big Bridget jones knickers and get black ( just in case!) - roomy PJ's again black is better just in case - if you want to breast feed you want everything to be front opening - Tesco did some really nice PJs they were black with white piping and they do a matching nightie
- water bottle with a straw lid I got so thirsty and that way you aren't faffin in labour. - I didn't eat much but I know a lot of people take snacks - but definitely snacks for your birth partner - your own pillow definitely - travel sized shower stuff - your first shower post baby is bliss. - hair bobbles and brush -phone charger with a super long cord - nipple balm - I liked the no harm nipple balm by my expert midwife - doubles as a really good lip balm For baby - baby grows, vests, socks, plenty of nappies and wipes I ended up taking loads of stuff for a natural birth but ended up having an emergency C so never used it.
Hospital bag for me I packed: - 2 sets of pjs (just incase) - Disposable knickers (instead of pads) - Shower gel/ shampoo and conditioner - Dark towel - Hairbrush - Hair ties/hair grips - Toothbrush/toothpaste - Roll on deodorant - Slippers - Going home outfit - Phone charger - iPad - Lip balm (absolute life saver after gas and air) - Snacks/lucozade sports Baby I packed: - Going home outfit - A hat - Blanket - Pack of nappies (size 1 but I ended up needed size 0) - Cotton wool (midwives don’t like you using wet wipes on newborn) - Sudocream/vaseline (incase she ended up with a sore bum) - 6 muslin cloths (used every single one as she was a sicky baby) - 6 vest (newborn and 0-3 month but we ended up needing tiny baby) - 6 sleepsuits (same as vest needed tiny baby) - 2 different type of dummies You may also need to provide your own ready made milk with the disposable teats but some hospitals provide them already so ask your midwife x
Just in general: I wouldn't bother with a white noise machine I use an Alexa and Spotify - that way you can use it after when they no longer need it and it can be used for other stuff aswell. I found getting my LG didn't use hats really but everyone is different. The mustela cream, foaming shampoo and frida baby cradle cap brush set were amazing for helping my LG cradle cap and super gentle I like angel care bath seat and hooded towels are a must - so cozy and convenient
Hey! Congrats on expecting twins, that's so exciting! Hospital bag essentials for twins could include extra clothes for you and the babies, snacks, toiletries, and maybe a comfy pillow. Baby essentials like a white noise machine, baby bouncers, and a yoga ball can be super helpful. Since you've been active during your pregnancy, using the yoga ball should be fine, but it's always good to check with your healthcare provider just to be safe. Keep up the great work with staying active!
I took adult diapers (I used these well into being post partum), pads you can turn into iced pads and witch hazel to put onto them, a hairbrush, your favourite shampoo and conditioner, and your own pillow from home.