After a relatively straightforward birth with Elle, I ended up back in hospital because she was jaundiced and had to have light treatment therapy. Totally unprepared and naively thinking we’d be sent back home, I pretty much had nothing with me. So here’s the list of things I really wish I’d had – just in case anyone fancies being a little more organised than me.

Comfy Layers – leggings, PJs, loose shirts, baggy t-shirts, a cosy cardigan and a nice pair of socks. Don’t forget that you will still be feeling pretty fragile post birth and hospital wards can really vary in temperature. Plus if you’re breastfeeding you’ll need access to your boobs pretty much constantly.

Magazines & Books – there’s usually no wifi or TV in hospitals, so make sure you have something to keep you entertained. I asked Matt to bring Elle’s baby book in so I could start writing that which was nice.

Food – this may vary from hospital to hospital, but at ours free meals were only available to breastfeeding mums. (Unless you are the patient of course, rather than your baby). So make sure you’ve got lots of snacks or someone to fetch snacks for you as you won’t want to leave your little one while you go to the cafe.

Flip Flops – for the shower. TMI alert – I was in a lot of pain from breastfeeding, so I wish I’d had a bikini top to stop the water running over my nipples too.

Toiletries – nice ones, because you’ll really need something to make you feel better, even if it is just for 2 minutes while you shower.

Pain Relief – like paracetamol or arnica to help bring down any bruising. My midwife actually advised me to take paracetamol, because I was being a trooper and not taking any – I definitely felt better once I started.

Maternity and Breast Pads – I literally mean hundreds – you really don’t want to run out and I honestly cannot stress how many of these you will go through. If you’re still on the maternity ward then they usually have some you can have if required, but if you’re on the children’s ward, chances are they won’t.

Eye Mask for Sleeping – let’s face it, you’ve got a newborn baby and you’re on a hospital ward, so you probably won’t be doing much sleeping, but at least having a eye mask will mean you can get some rest, even during the day.

Did any of you lovely lot have to go back into hospital? Do you have anything that really helped you to get through that time? Any gorgeous products that made you feel human again post baby? Any top tips for visiting new Mums in hospital that you wish people would adhere too?

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts! x