Packing Your Hospital Push Bag - Babyshower Ireland

Are you packing your hospital push bag soon? I am here to help!

First off, if you are wondering what a ‘Push Bag’ is, it’s your maternity bag that you have packed and ready to go with you to the hospital full of the essentials to help you during your time spent in hospital. We have put together the essentials needed to help you, as they say ‘It’s hard to know what to expect when you’re expecting.’

I found packing my Push Bag a great experience, it meant I was coming near the end of my pregnancy and I felt if I stayed prepared it made me feel a little more relaxed.

So here we go ….

For Mummy-to-be:

Shampoo & Conditioner (bring travel size products of all toiletries)
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Moisturiser (hand, body and face)
Hair Brush, Clips and Band
Deodorant
Shower Gel & Soap
Lip Balm
Facecloth or Facial Spray
Flip Flops for Shower
Light Cotton or PJ’s or Nightdresses (separate loose nightdress for labour)
Cheap but Comfortable Underwear (Bridget Jones style! – try get high leg ones, mini briefs will sit too low and high legged underwear is more comfortable)
Couple of pairs of non slip socks
Cosy Slippers
2 x Pack of Maternity Pads
Breast Pads
Nipple Cream
Makeup (some people might pop into you so you might feel comfortable to have some light make up handy
Phone & Charger
Few Small Snacks (at the last minute I threw in some lollipops, I don’t know why but I was so glad I did!)
Magazines or Book (I find the adult coloring books are very relazing, just don’t forget colors!)

For Baby:

Sudocream
Cotton Wool
Disposable Nappies
Nappy Bags
2 x Soft Baby Towels
Scratch Mitts
2 Cardigans
5 Babygrows
5 Vests
Hat
Warm Blanket
Car Seat (approved and in the car for when leaving)
Warm Baby Suit

For Daddy:

Spare T-shirt
Phone & Charger
Deodorant
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Comfortable Shoes

Some mothers are only in 1 or 2 nights and others could be in 3 or 4 nights, everyone is different. If you feel like you might have a packed a little too much and have a case ready for a 3 week holiday in the Algarve, then leave some bits laid out at home and easy to find so someone can bring to you if needed.

Extra Tips:

Why not pack your baby outfits into food bags and label them. Include a nappy, vest, babygrow and hat. This way, you or whoever is with you wont have to search too hard for anything.
I brought a few small thank you cards and pens on my second time in hospital. The first time I was there giving birth the nurses were absolutely amazing and it was always in my mind that if I went back in to give birth again I would leave the nurses who looked after me a little thank you card.

Recently over on our Facebook page we got a question in from an expecting Mother who wanted to know of some bits and bobs that Mummies wished they packed before heading in to the hospital, that are not the usual answers. Here are some of the answers: Dressing Gown, Dark Pj’s and clothes not white, slippers, baby nail scissors, Spare plastic bag to send home dirty clothes, heat packs. One women said she brought her own bed pillow which does sound like an amazing idea.

I have tried to make things as easy as possible so here is a little Hospital Push Bag Checklist just for you! Print it off and keep it close by when packing your bag!

If you have any question that you might like some advice from other Mummy readers then contact me today

Wishing you the best of luck during your pregnancy x