Hospital bag - question on how much stuff to take. PLS help a clueless 1st timer..

[PinkMartini]

So I've been reading up on all the MN tips and tricks from hospital bags from old threads but one thing I'm not sure on is QUANTITY of stuff.

I appreciate this is prob a "how long is a piece of string" question.

My worry is I'm in Central London and will be going to hospital by cab so can't keep a whole pile of various bags in the boot of the car.

I've got travel size toiletries etc but I don't want to turn up looking like I'm moving into the ward. Especially as I'm pretty sure that this hospital has a fairly high "kick you out" rate.

So how do I know how many breast/maternity pads and nappies etc to take? do I really take the box of THIRTY breast pads in?
And all 28 Pampers?

thanks in advance
Clueless In London

[MamaG]

I would take all the breast pads in (and get more in at home) - my breasts were like dripping taps and your nipples can get sore if you don't change your pads often enough. Re nappies - maybe half the nappies - your DP/DH can bring more in if you need them, I assume?

Don't do what I did and take some pre-pregnancy jeans in, to wear home, thinking that they'd fit after the birth

[Tommy]

IIRC, I didn't really use the breast pads until I got home anyway as my mik hadn't come in. Babies get through about 6 or 7 nappies a day at first so you can work that out or get you partner or someone to bring in more after you just take in some to get you through couple of days or so.

Maybe 3 vests and 3 baby gros

cotton wool to chnage nappy

changes of clothes for you - comfy maternity things but don't worry too much about this as you can get someone to bring them in later as well

wash stuff for you and towels - good idea in travel size

maternity pads - although they might have some available - I think this varies with hospitals

When I had DS1, I took a mountain of stuff with me - it was embarrassing but I cut down with DS2 and had D3 at home to save me the bother!

[MrsPhilipGlenister]

My one piece of advice would be to take more baby clothes (vests and bodysuits) than you think you'll need. Following ham-fisted nappy changes (which yours will be, understandably) your new baby will soon be expert in weeing out of the side of its nappy and will soak every outfit in record time!

By the same token, take plenty of nappies.

[notnowbernard]

Ooh, MamaG... I would say no way to 30 b pads... mine didn't start leaking until the milk came in (day 3)... then they were more like geysers than breasts

[MamaG]

Ah yes, my creaking brain has just reminded me that I was in for a week with DD, hence the multiple breastpads!

OK take about 10

[notnowbernard]

a camera

list of phone numbers of people you'll want to tell

disposable pants

sanitary towels +++++

[Lulumama]

2 or 3 nighties, and a light dressing gown for you and slippers. one clean outfit to go home in, a maternity one !

travel sized toiletries a good idea, a face cloth, and a dark bath towel

6 pairs of knickers , you might bleed heavily and you want to keep fresh ! big granny pants , pure cotton. and 2 bras

[tassisssss]

Presumably your partner will be visiting each day? Get him to bring top up supplies of breast pads (you may not need till day 3 - enjoy not needeing them as you may need them for MONTHS!), nappies etc. You will need more maternity towels than you will believe (sorry!) but you'll want to switch to regualr towels with wings asap.

You will probably end up going home in maternity clothes!

don't worry about taking too much though, i always take heaps (and I left when dd was under 4 hours old).

i like to take my dressing gown. i was cold last time and it's lovely to have something to snuggle into afterwards. Also take snacks for you and your partner.

Good luck!

[Belgianchocolates]

I'd say take an handful of breastpads, I never needed them at all with ds1, even though I BF him for 19m. So not everyone needs them.
Old big pants (about 5) OR a box of disposable pants.
Proper maternity pads (i.e. not the ultra slim kind): 1 pack
Nappies: half a pack.
Cotton wool to change nappies, if you want wet wipes take a full size pack (1 good poo and that travel size pack will be gone)
3-4 vests and baby gros. If you find that by the end of day 1 you have ran out of clothes you can always ask your DP to bring you some more.
2 baby hats (the one put on baby's head @ birth will get dirty and 1 to go home).
2 nighties, don't just take your PJ's if things don't go to plan you might end up with a catheter or something and you'd end up having to wear a stylish hospital gown.
1 pair of slippers
Dressing gown
Travel size toileteries are a good idea.
1 dark or old towel (although hospital can provide you with their own towels for that first wash for yourself and will provide you with towels to wash baby if needed)
1 new maternity outfit to go home in.
Camera
Some change for the payphone if needed.
A book or magazine for before baby is born
Leave your jewelery and other expensive unnecessary things at home.

[Belgianchocolates]

just re-read: didn't mean that you had to go out and buy an new maternity outfit: I meant clean!

[maxbear]

I've never needed breastpads either, apart from a couple of times in the first week or two. I took far too much in with me the first time round and was too knackered to sort it out when I got home so it sat in the bag in the bedroom for about a week. Second time had a homebirth but packed an emergency bag. T'was tiny with about 3 nappies, a change of clothes for me and a few bits and bobs. There will not be much space in the hospital so don't take any more than you have to and try to have a you bag and a baby bag and send as much home as possible once you don't need it any more. Also make sure that you take plenty of snacks, all those calories that you will lose giving birth need to be replaced.

[Kathrynrt]

Well when I went in both times, there were masses of maternity pads available in the delivery suit and maternity ward so I wouldn't worry about taking too many of those (but don't take the slim ones, bigger the better for pads) I came home with far more than I went in with! I didn't need breast pads until my milk came in 3 or 4 days after giving birth so wouldn't bother with those either. Disposable knickers are so uncomfortable I found a pack of 5 cotton pants for £2.50 in tesco so a couple of packs of those are far more comfy and cheap enough to throw away. 1/2 a pack of nappies will be fine, change of clothes and a couple of outfits for baby. I agree about taking snacks you'll need the energy and the most I got from hospital was tea and toast after I'd delivered!!! Also I bought the cheapest nightie possible for delivery, again so it can be thrown afterwards (less washing and less to bring home with you). You shouldn't need to take any more than 1 bag in and unless there is a problem and you have to stay more than 2 nights you just won't need much. Don't forget if there is something you have forgotten for the baby I'm sure the hospital will have something they can give you. Good luck

[Twigy]

Take a few flannels - lovely and cool on head

Some boiled lollies- i wasnt allowed to drink so these dipped in water were heaven to suck.

A lip balm

Some tea tree and witchhazel cream - for your lady bits helps with healing and is soooo lovely and cool

Pack 2 bags
one to do you for the day, few nappies, pads etc

The other with more nappies, pads, old nighties etc. Or tell your partner were everything is.

I didnt expect to stay in hospital but had to stay for a week. DH couldnt find anything at home so had to get my friend to buy everything!!!!!

[PuppyDogEyes]

so hard to get it all in one bag...

I mansged to squeeze everything into a large holdall bag, this is what i took:

2 nighties (one for labour, one for after shower)
5 old/disposable/cheap knickers
1 nursing bra (didn't wear a bra most the time)
hair brush and bands
1 pack of sani pads and 10 breast pads (bp's didn't get used though)
flip flops for bathroom and shower.
toothbrush and paste (small size, or half empty one!!)
10 nappies
4 baby grows
4 vests
blanket and hat for baby going home going home
camera

hand towel for baby's first bath.
1 flannel for cooling you down in labour.
towel for yourself

wear clean clothes in to hospital and then change to nightie when you get in, so you can wear the same outfit home. maybe take a change of comfi trousers in case your waters break.

i didn't use a dressing gown, i just changed into fresh nightie after shower in the bathroom. and used my hoody (the one i wore into hospital, to go into the dining room for lunch.)

take basics, or items that have multiple uses, such as...

a shower gel and shampoo in one, (used for body, face, and hair)

one cream for hands, body and face.

small vaseline for lips, baby's bum, nipples when breast feedimg.

babywipes for baby and you (to freshen up after changing a pad)

food for after:
big bottle of water, or flavoured water, small bottle of lucazade (energy boost)
dry fruit, soreen, choc bar, crisps.

straws - to drink from at all angkes, during labour.

write important numbers on paper rather than take a address book in.

a magazine.

eye liner pencil & blush & (already mentioned) vaseline -for when i left the hospital & photos.

i put baby's stuff in a seperate plastic bag inside my bag, so it didn't all get mixed up.

take a plastic bag for dirty clothes, washing to take home.

if you need extra's someone can bring them in for you.

think thats everything!!!! HTH

[PuppyDogEyes]

wow! that was a long post

[Sheen4272]

I have seen some disposable maternity briefs on the mothercare website, does anybody recommend these or should I just buy some cheap knickers?

[Glammama]

My folks bought me some of these for a joke birthday present (haha) and I must say they seem quite comfortable. Actually I tell a lie, my folks bought me these weird ones from mothercare that are like disposbale but apparently can be washed up to 44 times!!! I wouldn't bother with paper knickers though, just use ones you intend to throw away after, but they must be comfy.

I found out yesterday I'm having a section in 2 weeks due to breech baby and it has just occurred to emthat I will have to take 43765 outfits for babyglam. I could ask DP to bring some more in but I think he's going to be busy enough with 7 year old DD and the hordes of family intending to descend on us.

[Glammama]

just occurred to me that (sorry)

[babylove21]

IMO i think disposable knickers are a load of knickers. scratchy itchy never fit right.
places like Primark sell V cheap packs of cotton knickers, cheap enough to compete with the cost of the throw away types and way more comfortable.

[JFly]

Thought I'd just buy primark/m&s knickers, too, but got them home, washed them and found they didn't fit me. Figure I'll still have quite the bump after delivery, so I guess lesson is to buy bigger than you think you need. Or try on before you buy....
And if you have c-section, I would imagine would need really high-waisted ones so they clear your stitches??
I've been told to bring my own pillows and towels (oh, and that's at Chelsea & Westminster), too, so that means I'm bringing a big duffle bag to the hospital! But I'm one to be prepared, so probably end up taking too much.