10 hospital bag essentials you really need, according to a mama of three

Former Miss World, Courtney Thorpe is mum to 11-month-old, Kennedy and her two step-daughters Peyton, five and Lara, seven.

The TV presenter and wife of star footballer Jarrod Wallace shares with Bounty Parents the top ten things she wished she’d packed in her hospital bag, especially when her daughter arrived six weeks early.

Courtney, also reveals the packing mistakes she made… (HINT: You don’t need white pants after childbirth!)

“I found it really overwhelming and didn’t know where to start when it came to packing my hospital bag,” she explains.

“There are some great lists out there, but your experience is going to determine what you pack. Plus, you really need to be prepared for the unknown, but also remember the shops are nearby.”

The mum-of-three also says whether you’re giving birth early or planning to breastfeed, will also change what you need to pack.

“I knew I was going to be in the hospital for a while, I thought I’d over-packed for myself, but it was Kennedy that I really went overboard with, I’d taken pretty much everything I’d bought for her!”

What does Courtney recommend packing for bub?

For baby

Onesies
“Get some onesies that zip both ways. It makes it so much easier for nappy changes, and only take a few, not 10!”

Swaddles
“A couple is all you really need, and they can always be washed and brought back if you need more.”

Mittens
“I didn’t use ours, but I know how cold hospitals can get, it also helps to avoid bub scratching their face.”

Bub’s going home outfit
“I found this one the most fun to shop for!”

Baby wipes
“I didn’t know about these until I was given a sample pack of WaterWipes Baby Wipes in the NICU and we haven’t looked back since.

Courtney wishes she had packed these items for herself.

For Mum

Button-through tops
“I learnt this the hard way. Learning to breastfeed is hard enough!”

Going home outfit for you
“Buy this in the size you are when you go in, everything swells and if it ends up being too big you’ll feel great about yourself, rather than upset about not getting into your skinny leg jeans.”

Facial wipes
There’s no time for a full cleanse in the morning and evening and with WaterWipes Facial Wipes you can quickly clean your face without worrying about allergic reactions to nasty chemicals.”

High-waisted pants and undies
“Especially if you have a C-section, you never know so it’s the safest most comfortable option either way, say goodbye to the G-string for now.”

Dark coloured pants
“I took all white pants. I’m sure the mums out there realise what an epic mistake that was!”

What’s Courtney’s final and best piece of advice for mums-to-be? “My best tip is one that I only actually read about after my birth. Pack outfits into small bags so you or your partner can easily access them from your bag,” she says.

“After my C-section it was quite uncomfortable having to bend down and get in there, let alone rummage through to find what you need.”