As strong as that nesting instinct is girls, when it comes to packing that hospital bag of yours you need to show some restraint. I know us mums-to-be are excited, (generally speaking it’s us that read all the books and magazines, visit the forums everyday at work when the boss isn’t looking, attend the antenatal classes and listen to the world and their mothers stories and ‘useful ‘tips) but, and this is a big but, is it actually going to be us getting the bits from the bags? Not at first it ain’t – we’ve got bigger things on our mind!

The funniest times for me as a midwife are usually with the dad after the baby is born. More often than not, Dad has just spent the last 12 hours standing beside you, twiddling his thumbs and feeling pretty useless. They have felt the overwhelming relief, exhilaration, astonishment and adoration as they have watched you give birth to a beautiful baby so when the midwife asks him to reach into your labour bag and pass out a nappy he’s relieved to think ‘at last something I can do!’ That’s when the labour room quickly turns into something out of a ‘Carry On’ movie as he passes the midwife the pack of giant sanitary towels you’ve put in there. After spilling the contents of your carefully packed bag on the hospital floor and finding the nappies, he’s now rummaging around for clothes for your baby. He never played with dolls as a child so how is he to know that the sleep suit is the one with the arms and legs and the vest the one without?

So, let’s rewind this story to 4 weeks prior to the big day. It’s a great idea to spend a quiet afternoon together repacking your bags, making sure he knows what’s what and about the hidden side pocket with your lip gloss in!

 Becky’s essential hospital kit:

Cheap Knickers, pop to any of the well known supermarkets and buy yourself a few ‘belly warmers’, they’re as cheap as disposables but do a much better job of holding that sanitary towel (another essential – bring in a big pack) in place.

Boo Boo Bottom Butter; babies pass a poo called meconium for the first few days which is a thick sticky tar, much like marmite. If you cover the babies bottom with this natural bottom butter the meconium is much easier to clean off and doesn’t stick to your babies delicate skin whilst the bottom butter nourishes and protects.

Cotton Wool, babies bottoms are far to delicate for wipes at this stage.

Boo Boo Velvet Hands, before and after you visit the loo, every time you change a nappy and countless other times you’ll be washing your hands, this hand cream is like velvet in a tube and perfect for popping in your change bag.

Flip Flops, maternity units have to be kept very warm for all those babies under 24 hours old that haven’t yet learnt to regulate their body temperature, flip flops are perfect to wear in place of slippers and wont matter if they get wet coming out of the shower.

Baby Clothes, 3-4 vests & sleepsuits, a hat and a ‘coming home’ outfit.

Nightdress, keep it loose and light weight, it’s very hot so you’re not going to want things clinging to you.

Toiletries, just because you’re in hospital doesn’t mean you can’t stick to your daily routine and showering with your Boo Boo Silky Soft Body Wash (Be sure to avoid your boobs when washing for the first couple of days and only use water because that little bundle of yours needs to be able to smell where the food is so we don’t want anything masking your scent) and following with your Soft & Creamy Body Smoother is a great way to remember to look after yourself.

Snacks, hospital food is far from gourmet so packing some healthy snacks is a great way to keep your energy levels right, dried apricots and brazil nuts are perfect for this.

Camera, charged and ready for action, so many new parents  forget this most important item and this time after a babies arrival is so precious your really want to capture it.