Maternity Blog & News | New Beginnings
Why These Maternity Bras Are An Absolute Game Changer
Being pregnant can take its toll on you physically, mentally and emotionally, and you may not always be able to help those things. Luckily, what you do have power over is what you wear, and this can make a huge difference to how you feel. Read on to find out how New Beginnings gives you complete control of looking AND feeling good!
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Top 5 Hospital Must Haves
Packing your hospital bag feels like such a milestone, doesn’t it? For me, it didn’t truly hit that I was about to become a mum until I started tossing things into a bag. My partner was not impressed by my last-minute packing (oops). Antenatal classes helped with the basics—like button-up pyjamas for feeding and socks because birthing suites are cold—but what I really wish someone had told me were the actual essentials that made those first few days easier. Here are my top 5 hospital bag must-haves for first-time or returning mummas. 1. Maternity Pads I’ll be honest: I thought big supermarket pads would do the trick after birth. Nope. Postpartum bleeding (lochia) is heavy and lasts weeks, not days, so you’ll want proper maternity pads. They’re more absorbent, longer, and softer—exactly what your recovering body needs. The New Beginnings Maternity Pads were a lifesaver for me: comfortable, the right length, and no stressing about leaks every time I stood up. Stock up—running out in hospital is not fun[1]. 2. Maternity Bra’s One thing I wish I had known earlier: bring at least two maternity bras to the hospital. You’ll need them from the moment your baby arrives, and trust me—they’ll quickly become your new best friend. A good maternity bra offers more than just support; it gives you comfort when your body is changing daily, easy access for breastfeeding, and a little modesty when you’re juggling visitors and nurses in and out of your hospital room. Having more than one also means you’re covered when one gets messy (and it will!). If you’re unsure what to buy, check out our guide on Maternity vs Nursing Bras. It breaks down the difference and helps you choose the right bra for both your hospital stay and the weeks of recovery and feeding that follow. 3. Toiletries/Makeup One thing I wish I had known earlier: bring at least two maternity bras to the hospital. You’ll need them from the moment your baby arrives, and trust me—they’ll quickly become your new best friend. A good maternity bra offers more than just support; it gives you comfort when your body is changing daily, easy access for breastfeeding, and a little modesty when you’re juggling visitors and nurses in and out of your hospital room. Having more than one also means you’re covered when one gets messy (and it will!). If you’re unsure what to buy, check out our guide on Maternity vs Nursing Bras. It breaks down the difference and helps you choose the right bra for both your hospital stay and the weeks of recovery and feeding that follow. 4. Personal Items A few extras made my stay smoother: Thongs for the hospital shower A few outfit changes Muslin wraps for bub Nappies (my hospital didn’t provide them!) A water bottle I could refill easily Dummies (if you choose to use them) It’s not about overpacking—it’s about having the things that help you feel prepared and calm. 5. Snacks Breastfeeding takes a lot out of you, and your body needs fuel. Hospital food can be hit or miss, so I packed muesli bars, crackers, nuts, and fruit. My partner also did the traditional “first meal run”—mine was sushi, and I savoured every bite! Hydration is just as important. Keeping a big water bottle by my bed reminded me to sip constantly (your body will thank you, and so will your milk supply). Hospital bag lists often cover the basics, but these little extras—maternity pads, comfy bras, your own toiletries, a few personal must-haves, and snacks—make a huge difference in how supported and comfortable you feel. If you’re starting to pack, check out our Postpartum Products Collection for recovery essentials that make those first few weeks easier. You’ve got this, mumma.
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Welcome To Motherhood
It is definitely a beautiful rite of passage to go through nine months of pregnancy, then culminating that experience with giving birth to hopefully a happy and healthy newborn. Nine months seems just enough time for you to prepare yourself into accepting that your whole world is about to change. Then all in bubs own time, they arrive and you literally overnight enter into a different world, an entirely new neighbourhood, a community of mums. The only real experience I’d had with tiny babies prior to my own was a few days visiting my sister’s children. As soon as the baby would cry or do a stinker I would promptly hand my niece/nephew and all those larger responsibilities back to the parents. As soon as you have one of your own you realise there is no one to hand them back to, you are all on your own. I remember that first night in the maternity ward after giving birth when my partner had to leave and I looked at them and was like ‘wait, you can’t leave now, I don’t know what I’m doing ’. I cried off and on that first night with a mix of tiredness and achievement but also sheer and utter despair having to now care for a small person, a job that I had only skimmed the manual for. I pushed that ‘nurse assistance’ buzzer a lot that night because I needed some reassurance and I had so many questions. Why am I crying so much? Why is the baby crying so much? Is this the right way to hold a baby? Can you please help me get the baby to latch on? How often do I feed? How do I swaddle and get the baby to sleep? The midwives where like angels and all I wanted to do was to take one home with me for about two months and have them help and share all their years of experience and knowledge. I had stepped into a time in my life where I wasn’t sure I belonged and I was welcomed (ready or not) instantly into the club where no introductions are necessary (there was an obvious "new mother" stamp on my forehead). There were some days when I walked around the mum neighbourhood thinking ‘I’ve got this’, I made new friends and even combed my hair. Then there are the days when it’s all too hard and I do not want to leave the house, allowing my pyjamas to morph into daywear. I’m here to tell you that this new neighbourhood will bring out the best in you and there is just as much learning for yourself as there is for your child. On days when you feel as though it is all too much, bear in mind that it takes time to adjust to new surroundings, to find your feet and feel comfortable in a new environment. So don’t be so hard on yourself and remember the sacred mothers pledge that we all took at the start of this journey… ‘18 years and I get my life back.’For more information about motherhood, visit Afterbirth 101: 8 Things They Don't Tell You! Author: Elise Bradfield @elise_bradfield
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Whether your expecting, postpartum or looking for products to help you through feeding your baby, New Beginnings is here to walk alongside your journey of motherhood.
