If you’re pregnant and becoming a mum for the first time, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the number of products marketed to new mums. 

When one Shire-based mamma-to-be reached the point of needing to buy maternity clothes for the first time, she took to the Mums of the Shire Facebook Group. Kasey asked our community what she really needed to buy when it came to both maternity and postpartum clothes, and also what the must-have items are to pack in your hospital bag.

Below are the combined answers of more than 30+ experienced mums who helpfully volunteered their knowledge.

Maternity and post-baby clothes

 When it comes to maternity wear, you don’t want to go over-the-top because you really don’t end up getting a whole lot of use out of it. Here are the items that our community members suggested as the most necessary:

•         Any loose clothing – doesn’t need to be maternity wear
•         T-shirt dresses
•         Button up nighties
•         Leggings
•         Breastfeeding tops/ singlets
•         Clothes with buttons
•         Nanna undies… or men’s undies! (Good for maternity pads)

Where to buy maternity/post-baby clothes:

•         Until We Meet
•         Angel maternity (Aussie)
•         Bfree Australia
•         Bonds
•         Boohoo
•         Cadenshae (NZ)
•         Cotton On
•         H&M
•         Jeans West
•         Kmart
•         Peachy Mama maternity (Aussie)
•         Ripe (Aussie)
•         Susan’s
•         Triumph (breastfeeding bras)
•          The Iconic (has a few of the above mentioned brands in one place) 

 

Hospital bag essentials

According to our community, these are the things you shouldn’t head to the hospital without! Don’t panic too much though, chances are your partner or a friend can bring you anything not needed in the actual delivery room.

Depending on the kind of birth you have, in most cases, you will spend between two to five days in the hospital. Bear this in mind when packing.

You should really have one bag for yourself and a second bag for the baby (though one may fit inside the other).

 

For you:

• Headphones/earplugs (labour wards can be loud!) and/or white noise machine
•  A brush and hair ties
• A sarong (easier than something with sleeves if you have an IV)
• Loose, elasticised pants or skirts
• Breastfeeding-friendly/button-up tops and a cardigan or zip-up hoodie
• Warm pyjamas and bed socks or slippers – hospitals are always cold!
•  A night light – so you can avoid turning on bright hospital lights during those late-night feeds
• Extra-long phone cord charger or power bank – don’t forget your phone on the day as well.
• Toiletries including deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, nice soap or body wash- peppermint scents will help refresh you!
• Lip balm and makeup – to help you look better than you feel!
• Eye Drops- for tired eyes after the first couple of long nights.
•  Lots of maternity-sized pads or Depends disposable undies
• Breast pads- for leaky boobs
• Nipple cream – Lansinoh is a great one.
•  Large water bottle

 

For your baby:

• A breastfeeding pillow – feeding a tiny newborn without curving your spine involves holding them up to your boob. A good breastfeeding pillow wraps around you and is firm so both you    

• Newborn nappies, wipes and nappy bags 

• Swaddling cloths/wraps
• A dummy (just in case) 
• Singlets and socks – if it’s hot, your baby may only wear a nappy and singlet most the time in the beginning
• Zip-up onesies – short or long-sleeve
• A going-home outfit suited to the season

 

Want to capture those precious first days together in the hospital or at home? Or maybe the meeting of siblings for the first time? Then another must-have item for your list is a professional photographer like Sasha Faint Photography. 

Good luck on your home-stretch into motherhood, our community is here to support you every step of the way!