What's in my hospital bag and something about breastfeeding. Chill!

I need to start packing my hospital bag. At week 27, I was administered Dexamethasone to boost the development of the twins’ lungs. This is apparently essential in the case of twin pregnancy as premature birth is common. I was also administered the same shot when I complained of frequent contractions in my earlier 2 pregnancies between week 30 and 35.

Frankly, as a 3rd and 4th-time mum, I don’t have the same excitement I felt as in the previous pregnancies. I was previously conscious of my food intake and drank an avocado milkshake every day. Definitely no coffee, which was my favourite beverage. This time round? No avocado milk shake at sight, I am having my daily caffeine shot instead.

Nonetheless, I have to do what’s need to be done. Sharing my list of items to pack into my hospital bag, I am assuming that I will undergo a caesarean procedure, which involves a 3-night stay, plus 1 day of spare clothing for just in case.

Packing list

For the babies :

Swaddles for going home;

4×2 sets of clothing for the hospital stay and going home

front-tied cotton tops

mittens and booties

beanies

The hospital will provide diapers and milk formula. Please double-check with your own hospital.

For mummy:

3 pairs of socks to keep my feet warm;

towel and toiletries;

4 sets of front opening sleepwear.

– I am going for sleeping gowns as pyjama pants may irritate my wound after the surgery;

– front opening to facilitate breastfeeding

Thick Cardigan as the hospital is cold.

1 pair of slippers;

Thick sanitary pads to absorb heavy bleeding after birth;

Abdominal binder for after surgery use to encourage earlier ambulation and alleviate pain;

– Ensure that the binder is brought along into the operating room and get the nurses to put on the binder for you immediately after the operation.

– I have bought this binder which is strongly recommended by my family members. Not available for sale online, you can only get it from Guardian Pharmacy in Mount Elizabeth.

3 nursing bras;

1 set of loose clothing to wear home;

breast pump to start inducing milk

panties but I will be requesting the hospital to supply the netted disposable underwear. It is stretchable and very comfy.

Something about breastfeeding

In my last 3-week hospital stay, I encountered many mothers who were not confident with breastfeeding. They all told the nurses the same thing – they would try to breastfeed. However, they could not produce “enough” milk when it came to the actual feeding, and all freaked out. All requested the nurses to give formula milk in the end.

I am definitely not an expert in breastfeeding and failed miserably when I tried breastfeeding my first-born. Being a highly-strung baby, my son had no patience to latch. My supply was low all the time, never beyond 30 ml per manual pump, and it lasted for less than 3 months. My hands were tired from the manual pumping, and each side took 20 mins. It was a tough and lonely journey, to be squeezing my breasts in the middle of the night consecutively for a few weeks. I felt miserable and useless, a common mix of emotions felt by mums who cannot breastfeed successfully.

When my second child came along, I was determined to get it right and splurged on a Medela hands-free electric set. Mine, it worked wonders! I started pumping from day 4, and my milk supply gradually increased. It was an easier experience since the 30-min pumping was hands-free while I was busy catching up with my Hong Kong dramas. My breasts turned sore from the 3-hourly pumping, but it was worth it! My milk supply gradually built up, and I breastfed for 8 months!

Hang On!

New moms, the point here is that it takes 1 to 2 weeks to build up your milk supply naturally. For the first few days, the newborn will be sleepy and does not need much milk. Chill and hang on as long as the baby is putting on enough weight! Of course, supplement with baby formula if you deem necessary. But as long as your baby latches correctly and regularly, or otherwise you pump regularly, that is every 3 hours if your baby is not latching at all, your milk supply will build up. And even if it doesn’t, it is okay. It does not make you a less qualified mother. Parenting is a lifetime journey; it is not just about breastfeeding.

As for me, fingers crossed for the twins since it’s 2 times the requirement this time around. I will try my best too! I hope it will be an easy feeding journey for them and me.

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