It’s easy to get carried away when packing your hospital bag. After all, you may be more used to packing for two weeks by the beach, and so a bare minimal hospital bag can come as a bit of a surprise. Childbirth is one of the great unknowns, so you may find yourself packing for a whole host of different scenarios, just in case. What you really need to do, is pack light and pack sensibly. A huge hospital bag bursting at the seams can be a nuisance on the day. Not only will it be difficult to drag up to the ward, but it may also prove problematic when it comes to find particular items in the bag.

Make sure you can justify everything that goes in your bag, you’ll probably still end up taking more than you need, but at least this might keep things to a minimum. Here are five items you don’t need in your hospital bag:

1. Books, magazines and films – ‘in case you get bored’, anything in this category should be taken out of the hospital bag immediately. If you arrive at the hospital in the throes of labour, and leave carrying your newborn baby, you won’t have had time to be bored. The only exception to this, is if you are being induced or having an elective caesarean. Both of these could involve a bit of waiting around, so it’s wise to take your own entertainment.
2. Pre-pregnancy clothes – you may be missing those push up bras, and be desperate to slip back into those much loved skinny jeans, but unfortunately you won’t be leaving hospital in them. After you give birth, you will still have a bump for a short while as your body slowly shrinks back to your pre-pregnant size. You will also still be carrying the extra weight you put on during pregnancy. Take clothes that will allow you to be comfortable after the birth, ideally maternity or loose fitting clothes.
3. A selection of cute baby outfits – newborns sleep most of the time, so you should pack lots of onesies and sleepwear to keep your little one warm in hospital. Cute as the mini cowgirl outfit complete with hat is, your newborn probably won’t appreciate it just yet. Keep your newborn dressed for sleep, or naked so you can enjoy some skin to skin bonding. Bring an outfit for taking baby home, and plan outerwear according to the weather.
4. The baby book – much as you want to note down each treasured memory of the birth, you’re not going to have time at the hospital. Chances are, you’ll be exhausted after the birth and will then be busy adapting to your new role as a mother for the remainder of your stay. Leave the baby book at home, but take a pen and paper with you just in case you do feel the urge to write some quick notes down.
5. Your full make up kit – while you may like a bit of mascara or a touch of blusher, chances are you won’t have time to apply a full face of make up. By all means, take a few of your must-haves, but don’t pack your entire vanity cabinet. Newborn babies take up a lot of time, and you’re likely to be sleeping when not looking after your baby. Your appearance will be far from your mind.

What would you advise expectant parents to leave at home as they head to hospital for the birth?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

It seemed fun when you were pregnant and registering for all that cute baby gear. But now it seems like baby clothes, toys and miscellaneous kid paraphernalia take up every nook and cranny in your house. What can you do to get a hold on organizing all the stuff you’ve accumulated?

Start with the idea that everything needs to have a place, so that there’s a place for everything. Then choose an organization system that best matches your space, your needs, and your own personality.

• Invest in drawer dividers for baby’s dresser: Having a way to separate socks from onesies from pajamas is essential. You can even make your own by cutting down boxes that were destined for the trash (think boxes from cereal or pasta).
• Add some sort of shelving to your child’s room: Not just for books, shelving will give you a place to organize toys, clothes and other baby supplies. Make sure these are secure and out of reach so baby can’t pull items off.
• Baskets and bins: If you have shelving, you want to have a way to store things on the shelf. Baskets and bins of all sorts can keep everything in its place. Buy some larger baskets – the kind that can sit on the floor – for larger items.
• Organize clothes by size: Different sizes in different drawers might help. Or buying some hanging tags to help you keep clothes in the closet divided. If you have lots of clothes that your baby won’t fit for a while, consider packing those away in a bin or box. Switch out clothes with the change of seasons, and have a place for the clothes baby has outgrown.
• Rotate toys: Pack away any toys your baby isn’t ready for yet, and keep a small stash in baskets around the house. This is, of course, easier for young babies. For older babies and toddlers, having a large bin or basket in which to quickly clean up is a great way to help you child learn where toys belong. Toy bin is overflowing? Time to get rid of some.
• Make the most of every space: Place hooks on the wall or the side of a dresser or changing table (removable adhesive hooks are great for this). Don’t forget the back of the door! Shoe pockets are great for storing small items. Under the crib is lots of storage space – you might even add a skirt to the crib to hide the bins!
• When deciding on larger storage pieces, like shelving, make sure it will grow with your child. You’ll be surprised how fast your baby moves from rattles to building block to action figures and Legos.
• Become a labeler: You’ll always know what’s in the mystery bin that got pushed into the far corner of the closet.
• Don’t have a closet? Consider a freestanding armoire, or adapt a bookcase by removing a shelf and adding a hanging bar, even a shelf on the wall with an attached bar could give you a place to hang a few outfits.

What methods have you found for organizing all your baby stuff?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.