What's in my hospital bag?!

As now I'm 37 weeks pregnant we have just few weeks left until we meet out little girl and my nerves started to kick in I thought it's definitely time to pack my hospital bag. 

Thanks to my mum who came to see us in April I have less washing and ironing to do, I actually didn't want to do anything back in April but now I'm very grateful that mum insisted in helping me.

I have browsed different website, forums, blogs with checklists, some of them were more helpful than others, but none of them had quantity of the items I was after. I decided to wait till my next appointment with the midwife (at that time I was around 30 weeks). Few weeks later ( it was a very long wait) she finally gave me the checklist of things I need to bring into hospital. 

Most of the clothing bits and pieces we already had and some of the essential ones for before and after labour we were kindly provided by Mamabloom, they sent me their essentials kit (£27.99): bed mats (pack of 5), maternity towels (pack of 10), disposable briefs (pack of 5), maternity towels (pack of 48), breast pads (pack of 80), ultra thin maternity towels (pack of 12), ultra slim breast pads (pack of 50).

I made few adjustments to the list in red plus a bag for my husband is our improvisation as I thought that he is involved in this as much as I am. 

Mum

• 2 nighties 1 nightie for giving birth, 1 nightie for breastfeeding after birth, 1 vest for pool birth
• 2 feeding bras/good support bra 2 black seamless bras
• toiletries sample packs of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, small soap bar, bath sponge
• dressing gown & slippers long cardigan, disposable slippers and flip flops
• maternity sanitary towels (2 packs) 20 pads
• paper pants are useful of large pants 4 pairs of full briefs
• money for TV/ phone machine
• flannels wet wipes
• socks 2 pairs
• lip salve
• breast pads (15-20 for few days of stay) I'm planning to stay for 1 night so 5 pairs
• hair band
• drinks or snacks
• plain base/baby oil for massage
• big towel
• my own pillow
• my own birthing ball in case hospital ones are all in use
• t-shirt and joggers to wear in hospital
• intimate wipes
• paracetamol
• make up
• phone/phone charger

Baby

• disposable nappies (at least 12)
• cotton wool (pleats)
• 6 Babygro suits 3 in newborn size, 3 in 0-3 months size
• 6 Vests 3 in newborn size, 3 in 0-3 months size
• 2 hats
• Scratch mittens 1 pair
• cardingan
• shawl or similar warm outer clothing for going home in blanket
• muslin cloths/bibs I will be using 2-3 small towels instead
• socks

Dad

• t-shirt
• deodorant/spray
• drinks/snacks
• sample pack of toothpaste/toothbrush
• pants/socks

It seems that my list is even longer than baby's. Do you think I need to get rid off some things or should I add something extra?!

Breastfeeding NHS session and Birth Choices Workshop

Breastfeeding NHS session:

Last week I attended a breastfeeding session in my local children's centre. I was told about this session on one of my appointments with a midwife and I thought that even though I'm reading a book about breastfeeding and can research online it's very important to meet expectant mothers and to talk to a specialist.

At first it was slightly awkward as mums-to-be didn't really talk much between each other and we had to wait for the midwife who was running late. When she eventually turned up I was under impression that she has a very "vibrant" personality, to be honest with you I didn't know should I laugh or should I sit there with a face "what's going on here". Anyway the story is not about her (she turned out to be a very knowledgeable person in the end), so we spoke about:

Benefits of breastfeeding for a child:

- lowers risk of gastroenteritis

- lowers risk of ear infection

- lowers risk of diabetes

- lowers risk of obesity

Benefits of breastfeeding for the mother:

- lowers risk of breast cancer

- helps to lose pregnancy weight

- reduces risk of depression

We were told though that it can only work out if we breastfeed exclusively.

Midwife also showed us comfortable positions for breastfeeding:

- to hold a baby like a rugby ball (can be good for those mums who had c- section)

- a position when a baby is lying on a side and his/her face, stomach and knees facing mother

- to nurse while lying on a side in a bed

In all positions showed we had to hold baby's head with our hand by making a C-shape around the neck, which I felt was slightly uncomfortable for me.

How to express milk by hand:

- to slightly massage the breast

- to use thumb and the rest of our fingers in a C-shape and gently squeeze the area (where texture of the breast feels different)

- if milk doesn't flow to try moving fingers slightly towards nipple or further away

Benefits of using our own expressed milk and/or Lansinoh cream and how it can soothe sore and cracked nipples, feeding cups and syringes as it can be an alternative to breastfeeding in these early days when a new mum struggles with breastfeeding.

Midwife also showed us breast pads and nursing bras, we were told that it is more practical to use washable breast pads and the most comfortable and cheap nursing bras are from Mothercare.

At the end of the session we had Q&A, everyone decided to use their opportunity to ask not just breastfeeding related question but what bothers them the most, but here I will mention only few of breastfeeding related questions:

Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding? Yes.

Do I need to use both breasts for nursing? Yes and no, we need to watch our baby, if we feel she\he might be hungry to offer a second breast.

How do I know that my baby is latched on correctly? We need to check the position of our baby, to place our baby with his/her nose level with the nipple.

Can flat- chested women breastfeed? Yes.

Can I breastfeed in public? Yes, all women are different and some feel comfortable without covering themselves, where as others may prefer to go somewhere quieter and/or cover when breastfeeding.

Can breasts leak when I hear mine or someone else's baby cry? Yes they can, therefore we were advised to use breast pads as it can happen in the public place.

Do I need to burp my baby if I'm breastfeeding? Typically breast fed babies don't need to be burped as much as bottle fed babies, some breast fed don't need to be burped at all.

Why baby can seem drunk after breastfeeding? It is a satisfying look of a well fed baby.

Do I need to avoid food or drink while breastfeeding? No, but obviously be very carefully with the food we eat and watch what we drink.

Birth Choices Workshop:

The first free 2-hour workshop we had last week was more about us all getting to know each other, therefore it is hard to say that I have learnt something new except from learning more about other mum/dads-to-be. Sessions themselves are facilitated by 2 local antenatal teachers, one of them is a student midwife and the other one knows parenting from a practical side.

We have discussed benefits and drawbacks of home and hospital births through a small group work (hands up who likes group works) and generally it was more of a discussion between all of us rather than teachers talking to us.

During these 2 hours we were divided into groups most of the time where we had to guess from pictures what does the baby do (my husband had to show it to the class by using toys, I actually thought that mum do all the job), what does the woman's body do and how can we make the process of birth work effectively.

Our teachers also covered physiology and the role of hormones (Adrenaline stay away!!), dispel myths and talk about our options of where to birth our baby (I think most of us picked hospital anyway).

I can't say that I have learnt much but before we even started antenatal classes I knew that I want to know more about labour and coping skills more. Let's see what we will do on our next paid session.

Breastfeeding accessories Wish List

This Friday it's all about breastfeeding accessories, as you know from my previous Wish Lists I try to find the best options price wise, here is what I have found and think could be necessary as I'm planning to breastfeed. If I miss anything please do let me know!

Breast pads:

1. ASDA Little Angels Breast Pads- £1.00

2. Wilko Mum to Be Maternity Breast Pads 40 Pads- £1.50

3. Mothercare Washable Breast Pads- £4.99

Nipple cream:

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream (40ml)- ToysRUs, Kiddicare, Mothercare £9.99

Nursing bra (I'm a fan of practical things hence only black bras):

1. Emma Jane Seam Free Maternity & Nursing Bra- More 4 Mums £11.00

2. Emma Jane Padded T-shirt Nursing Bra- More 4 Mums £15.00

Breastfeeding covers:

1. Palm & Pond Infant Breastfeeding Cover - Red Cherry Design- Daisy BabyShop £6.95 (variety of other designs)

2. Mamascarf Breast Feeding Scarf Black- Kiddicare £12.50

I didn't mention muslings, nursing pillows as I am planning to use what I have at home as I believe that towels and flannels can be used instead of muslings and normal pillow can be used as a breastfeeding pillow.

Disclaimer: I have a written consent from all brands mentioned to use above pictures.