For labour
- Your support person / whānau
- Lip balm (this can be your lanolin nipple cream)
- Massage oil
- Warm socks
- Pillow with a coloured pillowcase on it
- Snacks for your support person
- Energy drinks – coconut water, nougly, kombucha
- High energy foods – a nut mix with some chocolate and dried fruit i.e. prunes or figs (this will help with bowels the next day!)
- Music of your choice on your own device + speaker
- Phone charger
- Toiletries, including 2-3 packs of maternity pads, hair ties, your usual medications
- A wheat pack or 2 for back pain (you may also use this in the baby’s bed once you get them home) maybe arnica and rescue remedy
- Maybe clean clothes for your partner if they intend to stay at birthcare
- Your big comfy favourite t-shirt to labour in or a sarong/wrap
For your ongoing stay in hospital
- Remember that you will be breastfeeding so clothes that open down the front or separate at the waist are recommended
- A supportive breastfeeding bra is also essential and appropriate
- Shirt and trousers, skirt or dresses, lava lava; summer wear as the hospital is warm
- Feeding bras / singlets and breast pads, your old underwear, jandals (for wearing in the shower)
- Nighties or pyjamas, lava lava, dressing gown
- A nipple cream, nipple nectar (the nude alchemist) or lasinoh/medela – lanolin based
- Family can bring in food for you, uber eats will deliver to the hospital also
For baby
- We provide nappies
- 4-5 onesies, stretch and grow, cotton / merino singlets, booties and hat
- Wraps, soft clothes to wash baby’s bottom with
- Going-home clothes such as a woollen hat, all-in-one, booties and jackets / cardigans
- A blanket for the journey home. We encourage new parents to buy blankets made of breathable material such as cotton or wool. Avoid polar fleece blankets
- CARSEAT for baby. This is always required for transfer and/or discharge home
Libby x
