• Non-Toxic Awards
    • The 2020 Australian Non-Toxic Awards Winners
    • The 2020 Australian Non-Toxic Awards Finalists
    • 2020 Australian Non-Toxic Awards Expert Panel
    • Australian Non-Toxic Awards 2020
    • Australian Non-Toxic Awards 2019
    • The 2019 Australian Non-Toxic Award Winners
  • Baby
    • Change Time
    • Bath Time
    • Feeding
    • Play Time
    • Out & About
    • Safety
    • Nutrition
  • Kids
    • Play Time
    • Lunch Time
    • Bath Time
    • Out & About
    • Safety
  • Pregnancy
    • The First Trimester
    • Safety
  • The Home
    • Foods
    • Plastics
  • Toxins
  • About
$0.00
No products in the cart
Go to shop
My Non-Toxic TribeMy Non-Toxic Tribe
  • Non-Toxic Awards
    • The 2020 Australian Non-Toxic Awards Winners
    • The 2020 Australian Non-Toxic Awards Finalists
    • 2020 Australian Non-Toxic Awards Expert Panel
    • Australian Non-Toxic Awards 2020
    • Australian Non-Toxic Awards 2019
    • The 2019 Australian Non-Toxic Award Winners
  • Baby
    • Change Time
    • Bath Time
    • Feeding
    • Play Time
    • Out & About
    • Safety
    • Nutrition
  • Kids
    • Play Time
    • Lunch Time
    • Bath Time
    • Out & About
    • Safety
  • Pregnancy
    • The First Trimester
    • Safety
  • The Home
    • Foods
    • Plastics
  • Toxins
  • About

A Peek Inside My Hospital Bag: The Newborn Things I Can’t Live Without

A Peek Inside My Hospital Bag: The Newborn Things I Can’t Live Without

A Peek Inside My Hospital Bag: The Newborn Things I Can’t Live Without

April 7, 2018 Posted by Emily Baby, Bath Time, Change Time

 

It wasn’t until Isabella was 4 months old that I had my epiphany in realising that just because a product is made and advertised for babies, doesn’t mean it is non-toxic and safe for babies! 

 

Hence, last time I was in hospital having given birth to Isabella, I was happy and grateful to be given all the free baby products that the hospital provided. In an unfamiliar world of baby things, I was looking for guidance and where better to get advice from than the hospital! Unfortunately I didn’t realise that the products available were just cleverly placed free samples by big companies to get me trusting their brands rather than something that was personally endorsed by the hospital. 

 

The trust of these products was so strong as I had it linked in my mind with the hospital that it took me months to actually have a look at their ingredients lists. Hence the wipes, nappies, shampoos and bottom creams I used on Isabella were far from non-toxic.

 

This time around, I went into hospital with my eyes wide open and brought my own favourite products with me. Here’s what I couldn’t live without now that I know it exists.

 

Joonya Eco Wipes

I’ve made no secret of my love for these wipes. They are a larger wipe, come in bigger packs, are non-toxic and have a fantastic snap seal top packet which preserves hygiene.

If you are happy to buy online in bulk (24 packs of 80 wipes) the company offers such a highly discounted price that they end up being almost HALF THE PRICE of the premium, eco wipes in the supermarket! (For your first bulk member order of 24 packs, enter promo code: ‘NONTOX15’ at the checkout for $15 off! This comes out to $3.97 per pack and includes free delivery!)

 

Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream

I don’t necessarily think that newborns need a nappy cream, but I like to be equipped in case a red bottom appears. I didn’t actually end up using this in hospital, but I do use it quite regularly on Charlie now that he is 6 weeks old as he does have sensitive skin and can get a bit pink. One application of this quietens all the redness down and it all goes away. Such a beautiful product. It worked wonders on Isabella too. 

 

Earth Mama, Angel Baby No Scents Baby Shampoo

This is as simple as you get in ingredients and is all organic, that’s why I love it. I don’t think babies need much cleaning apart from with water, but both my babies have had quite a bit of hair which I do think benefits occasionally from a tiny bit of shampoo. I only shampoo Charlie’s hair once a week or so, but this is what I use.

 

Weleda Everon Lip Balm

This was just a little addition for me – not baby. Hospital aircon is so drying and nothing is more soothing and moisturising than this gorgeous lip balm. 

 

Ecoriginals Nappies

These were one of my long-standing go-to nappies with Isabella and I’m back using (and loving) them again with Charlie. I love that they are an Australian company who are really trying to make a great product. The nappies feel soft, are non-toxic and fit well. Their price point is also much better than some of the other non-toxic brands.

 

Thankyou Nappies

These are my favourite supermarket nappy and I brought these to the hospital so I didn’t have to use the Huggies provided. For newborn nappies, I haven’t found absorbency to be so much of an issue as they are being changed constantly anyway. I love that the profits go towards supporting women and children in need. Soft, affordable and relatively non-toxic.

 

SRC Recovery Shorts

 Whilst not essential, these made my recovery after birth so so much easier each time. Having had abdominal separation, I had a lot of back pain in the early days of breastfeeding and these were an absolute God-send to give me some sense of core control when I didn’t have my own. As a bonus, the compression also helps your body bounce back into shape a lot quicker!

 

Frozen colostrum

I had no idea when I was at the end of my pregnancy with Isabella about the importance of expressing colostrum. Luckily, both breastfeeding and the birth went to plan and she was born healthy. This time around, I expressed colostrum into a syringe for 5 minutes each night from 37 weeks and stored them in dated zip lock bags in the freezer.

The reason why expressing colostrum before the birth is such a great thing to do (if you can) is not only does it ensure that your breasts are ready with a supply right away, but also if baby needs to be taken away from you to intensive care or you’re in bad shape after birth or need surgery etc, baby can be fed what nature intended them to have immediately and it avoids the need for formula. Colostrum is packed full of prebiotics to prepare baby’s gut and also antibodies to ready them for life outside the womb.

I ended up with about 10 syringes with 2.5 ml of colostrum in each. Charlie didn’t  need any in hospital, but I have them in the freezer in case he gets sick or he needs antibiotics (or if I do for that matter given they will pass through to him through my breastmilk.) The antibodies in colostrum stay unaffected for 6 months in a cold freezer. An amazing back up to have!

 

I have written much more about baby wipes, bottom balms, disposable nappies, cloth nappies and shampoos etc. If you want to see what other brands I use or find out what ingredients you should avoid.

 

I hope you find this useful and I wish you all the best on your motherhood journey. The newborn period is such a special time. Remember to breathe it in and take a snapshot of your babe- their feel and smell in your arms. Whilst it can be super overwhelming and exhausting, it really does race by in the blink of an eye.

Love Em xxx

4
Share

About Emily

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
Emily has contributed 43 entries to our website, so far.View entries by Emily

You also might be interested in

Pesticides In Breastmilk And Baby Food

Pesticides In Breastmilk And Baby Food

Feb 21, 2016

I've been thinking about an SBS documentary on the 'Secret[...]

Not All Plastics Were Created Equal – Identifying Safer Plastics

Not All Plastics Were Created Equal – Identifying Safer Plastics

Mar 28, 2016

I've become pretty sceptical about plastics in general after having[...]

Sunglasses For Young Children – Why It’s Time To Get On Board

Sunglasses For Young Children – Why It’s Time To Get On Board

Oct 31, 2016

That moment when you realise your 1 year old is[...]

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE

Safe Product Guides

Recommended products

  • Baby
    • Change Time
    • Bath Time
    • Bedtime
    • Feeding
    • Play Time
    • Out & About
    • Skincare
  • Kids
    • Play Time
    • Lunch Time
    • Bath Time
    • Out & About
  • Face, Hair & Body
    • Body
    • Deodorant
    • Hair
    • Face
  • Pregnancy
    • Skin Care
  • The Home
    • Bed Linen
    • Cleaning
    • Drink Bottles
    • Kitchen
    • Lunch time

Your say

“I’ve made so many changes based on your tips – changed our baby wipes, shampoo, sunscreen, mozzy spray… and so much more! I really enjoy reading your articles so thank you!”

Amy M

“Thanks so much for making it easier for us parents to keep our kids away from nasty chemicals!”

Lexie W

“Loving all the info you post!! Thanks for doing so much research!”

Jo G

“I’ve come across your blog and absolutely love it!! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for, having a 6 week old and didn’t want to fill his skin with harmful toxins!!”

Eliana R

Contact Us

We're currently offline. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message

 

  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclosure

 

  • Baby
  • Kids
  • Pregnancy
  • The Home

©2020 · My Non-Toxic Tribe

Prev Next

Sign Up to our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with My Non-Toxic Tribe and the Australian Non-Toxic Awards.

• Access to special discount codes and sales!