Whats in YOUR hospital Bag?

[sweetchilli77]

Ladies, ive packed, unpacked packed unpacked :(

I have the basics that i need for me and baby, however this is my 1st time so not sure if ive missed anything....also, I'm using a cabin style suitcase for both me and baby but recently been reading up on mums having separate bags? What do you recommend.

I currently have for baby:

2 sleep suits with added mitts
3vests
1coming home outfit including hats
Newborn nappies
Dummies
Milk will be added as I'm breastfeeding.
wipes
Muslins

For me:
2 pairs of black PJ bottoms
Old PJ top
Breast pads
maternity towels
toiletries

Will add snacks, nots and charger last minute.

Anything else you advise or would change, do you think a small suitcase is ok?

[sweetchilli77]

Milk will be added as I AM NOT breastfeeding that was meant to say

[NerrSnerr]

A pack of big black granny pants. I'd probably pack more baby clothes too. Maybe also a nightie just in case you need a catheter.

[Coloured]

Saw MW today and she reminded me to pack my own towel which I'd forgotten!

[HiMyNameIsUnknown]

I agree to adding a nightie incase you need a catheter. Also kindle/books/magazines or camera.

Hospitals are very dry so in your toiletries I suggest hand cream and lip balm

Best of luck!

[BelleEsme]

I've also got a couple of nighties and longer length vest tops for if I get the water birth I want. Also lots of big black knickers. Slippers and lightweight dressing gown. Towels and a flannel.

[BabytoBoris]

Nursing bra?

[BabytoBoris]

Flip flops to walk to shower?

[BelleEsme]

Oh yeah and 2 nursing bras and going home clothes. Just to add I have baby's things separate in his changing bag. I've packed 4 babygros and vests (including first outfit and going home outfit), 2 cardigans and a blanket that I will probably keep in the car seat for home time

[TeaTeaTea]

A light dressing gown (I bought a cheapy one thinking if it got messy then i could throw it away) - it was SO HOT once in delivery room that I stripped to pants and bra. The dressing gown gave that slight bit of coverup when wanted to walk out of the room without having to fully dress.

Water bottle that you can sip from or a straw - I didn't drink enough but if had been force-watered by DH sure I wouldn't have led to being put on a drip.

Couple pairs of granny pants - the type that hug your tummy.

Other than that i took a small suitcase and used very little in the end. I took nothing to read but then didn't go into hospital until Active Labour and by bedtime I lay there staring at DS until exhaustion took over. :-)

[ILikeSalmon]

The hostpital provide the milk

[friends123]

Cotton wool? Instead of wipes I've heard.

Socks, lipbarm and knickers for you.:)

[Bluebelltulip]

Blanket

[sweetchilli77]

Thanks ladies, some good tips.
ILikeSalmon My trust doesn't supply the milk, only bottle and teats so prefer you to bring your own.

I forgot all about big knickers...

Hopefully have a couple of weeks left yet but you never know.

[DuggeeHugs]

Big knickers and also disposable knickers (best used with a nightdress). As a rule of thumb, at least twice as many maternity towels as you currently have packed.

Lucozade, change for the snack/parking machines and a big, comfy cardigan.

[haveacupoftea]

Just taking one bag and its half packed at 30 weeks. At the minute I have:

22 size 1 nappies
Cotton wool
Water wipes
5 sleepsuits
5 vests
Blanket
Going home outfit
Hair bands and grips
Dark towel
Feeding nightie
Breast pads
Travel shampoo, shower gel
Toothpaste & brush

Still have to add snacks, hairbrush, dressing gown, couple more nighties, going home clothes for me, maternity pads. But at least most of the basics are covered.

[findingmyfeet12]

Maybe a couple of plastic bags for any soiled or wet clothes that you want to keep separate from your clean things?

[helenfagain]

Shoes that you will be able to get on in the event that your feet swell up like balloons!

[CaipirinhasAllRound]

I say this whenever I see a thread like this, take a pack of those moist toilet wipes which will be a god send if you have stitches

[TiltedNewt]

Ooh would that not sting?

[Deedee3311]

Definitely more baby clothes. The runny newborn poos get through so many sleep suits and vests. A pack of water wipes to wash baby down after they're born, some barrier cream for changing. Blanket for baby, little jacket for coming home.

[MrsMessyBottom]

37+6. Packed one small suitcase (just small enough to class as hand luggage on flight).

Bath towel (because hospital ones are awful)
x2 button up nighties that I wouldn't mind chucking afterwards (Primark currently have great birthing nighties)
dark dressing gown
slippers
cotton lounge wear for going home
x5 pairs of granny pants
maternity pads
breast pads
nappies, wipes and bags
cotton wool balls
x3 sleep suits and x3 vests
going home outfit for baby including jacket, hat and mittens
x2 cellular baby blankets
although hopefully BF I've brought a feeding bottle and a couple of bottles of ready-made formula just in case
toiletries which i decanted into small travel bottles which I'll just bin afterwards
Kindle and charger

My handbag is stocked with phone chargers, camera and my hairbrush lives in there for the moment, so I don't have to worry about gathering up extra bits and forgetting something.

Still have to stock up on isotonic drinks and cereal bars (MW insisted that these were essential).

[PonderLand]

Definitely slippers! I bought some little slip on ones from Asda.

[marmitecheesetoast]

I've got in bag for me:

Tankini top for birthing pool
Baggy tshirt style nightie for labouring in if not in pool
Hair bands, clips etc
Big towel (apparently you only get tiny towel so was told to bring a big towel if planning to use birthing pool)
Fan
Cooling mist water spray thingy
Aromatherapy oils
Cheap lightweight dressing gown that can be thrown away if need be
Nursing nightie
Nursing vest top and big baggy PJ bottoms
Massive granny pants
Maternity pads
Breast pads
Basic toiletries
Flip flops
Plastic bags for dirty/wet clothes
Music, snacks, notes etc will go at the time
I also still need to put in a coming home outfit me - thinking my maternity joggers and a baggy top, plus need to add a nursing bra.

In bag for baby I've got:
~20 size 1 nappies
nappy cream
5 vests
5 sleepsuits
2 Cardigans (although probably only need 1?)
scratch mitts
2 of the thinner hats for in the hospital
1 knitted warmer hat for way home
2 blankets

[marmitecheesetoast]

Oh and also for baby water wipes and face clothes (Was told by NCT teacher damp face cloth the best thing for shifting meconium!)

[sweetchilli77]

Brilliant ladies, Thank you so much.
Some great tips , and i can get these bits over the weekend.

Didn't even think about wipes for cleaning baby, i thought midwifes washed them down or we bathed them? Am i a bit naive?

Good idea about the dark towel too!

Im 35 week and feel so much pressure and heaviness that i keep thinking i may go a bit easier (although i have no clue as never been in bloody labour hahah)