Packing your hospital bag is one of those tasks that feels simple until you sit down to do it and realise you have absolutely no idea where to start. Here's our ultimate hospital bag checklist for Australian mums — including the things nobody tells you about.

When Should I Pack My Hospital Bag?

Most midwives recommend having your hospital bag packed and ready by 36 weeks. Babies don't always arrive on schedule and having your bag ready early means one less thing to stress about in those final weeks.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag — For Mum

Clothing & Comfort:

• 2–3 comfortable maternity or nursing bras
• Loose, comfortable nightgown or pyjamas (front opening if breastfeeding - I love the Peter Alexander ones!)
• Robe or dressing gown for walking the ward
• Comfortable underwear — more than you think you'll need
• Compression socks (ask your midwife about these)
• Warm socks and slippers
• Going home outfit — something loose and comfortable, nothing tight around the tummy

Toiletries:

• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
• Face wash and moisturiser
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dry shampoo — a lifesaver
• Lip balm (x2) — labour rooms can be very dry
• Hair ties and bobby pins
• Adult Nappies... trust me on this one!

Other Essentials:

• Phone charger and portable battery pack (if you have one)
• Snacks (sweet treats and Powerade) — for you and your support person
• Medicare card and health insurance details
• Birth plan if you have one
• Pillow from home if you want something familiar
• Airpods 

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag — For Baby

Clothing:

• 3–4 newborn onesies or sleepsuits
• 1–2 going home outfits — something special for those first photos
• Socks and mittens
• Little beanie 
• A warm layer — even in Queensland, hospital air conditioning can be cold

Accessories:

• A beautiful swaddle — this is non-negotiable. Newborns are swaddled constantly in hospital and a quality swaddle is so much nicer than the standard hospital ones. Our Mae & Rae Swaddles are soft, breathable and beautiful enough for all the newborn photos.
• A baby bow or topknot — for those first photos. You'll thank yourself later.
• Nappies (the hospital usually provides these but bring a small pack just in case)
• Baby wipes — unscented for newborn skin
  

The Perfect Hospital Bag Baby Bundle: Our Newborn Bundle — a soft handmade swaddle paired with a matching bow — is the perfect addition to any hospital bag. Beautiful, practical and already paired together. $44.

Things Nobody Tells You to Pack

A good lip balm (or two). Labour is long and hospital rooms are dry. Your lips will thank you.

Snacks for your support person. They're not allowed to leave you to get food at the critical moment. Pack snacks for them too. I lived off Allens Snakes and Powerade through both my labour's!

Dry shampoo. You won't always have time or energy for a proper hair wash but you'll want to feel human for the photos.

A portable phone charger. You will take hundreds of photos and your phone will die at the worst possible moment.

A going home outfit for baby that you'll actually love in photos. These are the photos you'll look at forever. A beautiful swaddle, a special outfit and a gorgeous little bow make all the difference.

Headphones/Airpods. For both of you. Labour can be long and having your own music or a podcast can help enormously.

What NOT to Pack

• Your entire wardrobe — you won't need it
• Expensive jewellery
• Too many books — you won't read them
• Full size toiletry bottles — travel sizes are much easier

How Many Days Should I Pack For?

Pack for a minimum of 2–3 days for a vaginal birth and 4–5 days for a planned caesarean. Have a second bag ready at home with extra supplies in case you stay longer than expected so hubby or your support person can easily grab it if needed. 

Shop Newborn Essentials at Mae & Rae

Everything your baby needs for those first precious days is at maeandraebows.com — from soft crepe cotton swaddles to handmade bows and headbands.

Shop Newborn Bundle →

Mae & Rae is an Australian handmade baby accessories and kids clothing brand. Made with love for your little one.

Winter on the Gold Coast might be mild compared to the rest of Australia, but the cooler mornings and evenings still call for something warm, cosy and — let's be honest — incredibly cute. Here are our favourite kids winter outfit ideas for 2026.

1. The Matching Tracksuit Set

Nothing says effortless winter style like a matching tracksuit set. It's the outfit that looks put together without any effort, photographs beautifully and keeps little ones warm all day long.

Our Little Dreamers Tracksuit is exactly that. Soft, cosy and available in Chocolate Brown and Pink — two of the biggest colour trends in kids fashion right now. The matching set comes in sizes 0–8 and once your little one is in it, good luck getting it off them.

Style tip: Pair the chocolate brown set with white sneakers for the perfect winter day look.

2. The Oversized Graphic Tee

An oversized graphic tee layered over a long sleeve is the easiest winter outfit formula for kids. It's relaxed, comfortable and looks cool without trying.

Our Dreamers Tee is 100% soft cotton with our signature Mae + Rae graphic print on the back. Available in Baby Pink and Charcoal — both perfect for layering over a white long sleeve on cooler days.

Style tip: Layer the Charcoal Dreamers Tee over a white long sleeve with our Stardust Flares for a complete winter look that's warm enough for Gold Coast winters.

3. Flare Pants + Knit Jumper

Flare pants have been having a major moment in kids fashion and they're not going anywhere. The wide leg silhouette is comfortable, easy to move in and looks amazing with almost anything on top.

Our Stardust Flares in Pink and Blue tie-dye are the perfect winter bottom — soft, stretchy and finished with a beautiful scalloped hem. Pair them with a cosy knit jumper for the perfect cool weather outfit.

4. The Full Dreamers Set

If you want to keep it simple — the Dreamers Set has you covered. Our Dreamers Tee paired with the Stardust Flares, available as a bundle for $69.95.

It's the outfit they'll reach for every single winter morning — soft, warm enough for Gold Coast winters and stylish enough for anywhere the day takes them.

5. Layer With a Puffer Vest

For those slightly cooler days, a puffer vest over any of the above outfits adds warmth without restricting movement. Choose a neutral — cream, khaki or black — that works with multiple outfits rather than buying colour specific.

Style tip: A puffer vest over the Little Dreamers Tracksuit with white sneakers is one of the cutest kids winter looks going around right now.

Winter Dressing Tips for Australian Kids

Dress in layers. Australian winters — especially on the Gold Coast — can go from cool in the morning to warm by midday. Layers mean you can add or remove pieces as the temperature changes throughout the day.

Choose soft fabrics. Kids have sensitive skin and scratchy fabrics make for unhappy little ones. Look for soft cotton, jersey knit and fleece fabrics that feel gentle against skin.

Don't forget accessories. A cosy beanie, a soft knit cardigan or a simple hair accessory can completely transform a basic outfit into something special.

Invest in versatile pieces. Choose pieces that mix and match with multiple outfits rather than buying too many single-use items. A great tracksuit set, a versatile tee and a pair of flares can create dozens of different outfit combinations.

Shop Kids Winter Clothing at Mae & Rae

Our full kids clothing range is available at maeandraebows.com with free shipping on orders over $100. We ship across Australia as well as internationally and stock is limited — especially in the popular sizes.

Shop Kids Winter Clothing →

Mae & Rae is an Australian kids clothing and baby accessories brand. Made with love for your little ones.

Finding the perfect baby shower gift can feel overwhelming. You want something beautiful, something practical, and something that feels a little bit special — not just another generic gift card or a packet of nappies.

The good news? You don't need to spend a fortune to give a gift that genuinely means something. Here are our favourite baby shower gifts in Australia under $50 that new mums will actually love and use.

1. A Quality Swaddle — $40

If there's one thing every new mum needs, it's a beautiful swaddle. Newborns are swaddled constantly in those first precious weeks — for sleep, for comfort, for newborn photos, for hospital visits. A swaddle gets used every single day.

The key is quality. A soft, breathable cotton swaddle in a beautiful print is something mums keep and treasure long after their baby has grown out of it.

Our Mae & Rae Swaddles are made from the softest crepe cotton with scalloped edges and come in a range of beautiful prints — from the classic Posy Floral to the warm Choc Moon. They're large enough to get a proper swaddle wrap, breathable enough for Australia's warm climate, and beautiful enough for all the newborn photos.

Why mums love it: Practical, beautiful and used every single day in those first weeks.

2. A Handmade Baby Bow — From $9

Baby bows are one of those gifts that feel small but make a big impact. Every time a mum puts that little bow on her baby girl for a photo, an outing, or a special occasion — she'll think of you.

The trick is choosing a quality bow that actually stays on and doesn't leave marks. Our Signature Bows come in a beautiful range of colours — from soft neutrals like Stone and Oat to gorgeous pinks and violets — and are designed to be gentle on even the tiniest little heads.

If you want to give a little more, take advantage of our Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal across our bow range. Three beautiful bows for the price of two — and still well under $50.

Why mums love it: Pretty, practical and perfect for photos.

3. The Newborn Bundle | Swaddle + Bow — $44

If you want to give one gift that does it all, this is it.

Our Newborn Bundle pairs a soft swaddle with a matching Mae & Rae bow — already beautifully paired and ready to gift. No wrapping stress, no wondering if things go together. It arrives gift-ready and looks gorgeous.

It's the baby shower gift that always lands — practical enough to be used from day one, beautiful enough to feel special, and thoughtful enough to show you really cared.

At $44 it's one of the best value gifts you'll find, and the kind of thing mums genuinely remember receiving.

Why mums love it: Everything they need, beautifully packaged and ready to give.

4. A Topknot — From $10-$18

Topknots are having a major moment in Australian baby fashion and for good reason — they're adorable, they stay on better than traditional headbands, and they work in neutral colours.

Our Topknot range comes in a gorgeous selection of colours and fabrics. Pick one in a neutral like Cream or Stone for a neutral loving mum, or go bold with a print if you know the baby is a girl and mum loves a pop of colour!

Why mums love it: Versatile, on-trend and a statement piece. 

5. A Gift Voucher — Any Amount

Sometimes you genuinely don't know what size to get, what colours the nursery is, or what the mum already has. In that case a gift voucher is always the right move — especially from a brand you know she'll love.

A Mae & Rae gift voucher lets her choose exactly what she wants, in the size and colour that works for her little one. No guessing, no returns, no stress. 

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Baby Shower Gift

Think practical first, pretty second. The most loved gifts are the ones that get used every day. A beautiful swaddle beats a decorative ornament every time.

Neutral colours are always safe. If you don't know the gender, or want to play it safe, soft neutrals — creams, oats, stones and chocolates — work for any baby.

Presentation matters. A thoughtfully wrapped gift feels more special than the same gift thrown in a bag. Our Newborn Bundle comes ready to gift — no extra wrapping needed.

Think about photos. New parents take thousands of photos in those first weeks. A beautiful bow or swaddle that photographs well is a gift that keeps giving every time they look back at those memories.

Shop Baby Shower Gifts at Mae & Rae

All of our products are available online at maeandraebows.com with free shipping on orders over $100. We ship across Australia and also Internationally and our products are also available in selected stockists.

Whether you're looking for a small but beautiful gift or a complete newborn bundle, we've got something for every budget and every new mum.

Shop our full Bundles & Gifts range here →

Mae & Rae is an Australian handmade baby accessories and kids clothing brand. Founded with love, made for little ones.

Welcoming a new sibling is a big moment for little ones. We chat with Little Love Chapters about supporting your child through the transition with connection, confidence, and care.

👉 Explore our collections and find the perfect piece for the little one on the way.

 

Tell us a bit about yourself? Who is the sweet Tahlia?!

I am just a regular every day mamma. I'm 25 years old, married to my high school sweet heart and have a beautiful daughter Summer  who has just turned 18 months.  I am a part time wedding coordinator and part time photographer. I love spending my days off roaming farmers markets, taking trips to Byron Bay and just general adventuring with my little tribe.

What is your new business + how did it start?

Last year I started my own  Brisbane based photography biz called Wylde Folk Studios. I have always loved photography but I really dove into it since I have had Summer. She is my muse and inspiration. It was from the support of friends and family that I really got the confidence to go out and put my passion into action when it came to photography. Its been such a magical ride already, I adore getting to know families and being able to photograph those special moments in time for them to treasure. I have really been focused on family portraits, children, bloggers and businesses the last few months.  

How do you find balance being a working mama?

To be completely honest the last few months have been a total whirl wind of work and motherhood. It is only recently that I feel I have mastered the whole working mamma thing. The biggest help I have found is purchasing a diary, now normally I am the type of girl who buys a dairy uses it for a week and never sees it again ( please don't tell me I'm the only one that has done this haha ). This time its been completely different with so much going on between my two jobs, mum life, friends etc I was finding my mind was all over the place, I felt unorganised and anxious. Its so nice now to be able to see exactly whats planned in the coming, day, week or month right in front of me.  I also make sure I schedule in time to look after myself. Wednesday evening I always have Jesse my hubby take Summer for an hour while I enjoy a long shower, and just bliss out for a while. I also exercise 3 times a week I find this keeps me positive and in a really focused state of mind. Its so important to keep our cups full us mammas because if we are not looked after it makes looking after our loved ones very difficult.

Who or what inspires you?

Gosh I am inspired by so many beautiful people, places and things ( pintrest is super addictive isn't it ). I love fashion my favourite brand would be Spell Byron Bay I have been wearing it for many years and I just feel so confident whenever I put a little bit of spell on. I love travelling and places like Italy and Greece have really inspired me. In regards to my photography style I think as a photographer it really is about trying out lots of different style that catch your eye, experimenting and exploring. I feel I have really fell into my photography style quite early I always come back to my really organic, natural, bright, clear style that I really adore. 

Fav IG mamas or accounts?

So many favourites but heres a few Insta mums I have total crushes on:-

 

 @aliceinhealthyland-

@blossom.and.boheme-

@_dimity_-

@luciademello_-

@melissaambrosini

 

What's in store for your gorgeous new biz? 

I actually have some really BIG, EXCITING things coming for Wylde Folk Studios in the coming weeks but its all a bit top secret for a couple more week, so make sure you check back because Its just so exciting and I cannot wait to tell you all !!  

Instagram @Wyldefolkstudio_ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyldefolkstudio/