Check over my Hospital Bag list?

[kizzle]

I'm 24w pregnant today, so I have started to put a couple of lists together of things to pack in my hospital bags.

Would someone mind checking these over and maybe adding something I haven't thought of?
Or the opposite - something I've written down that I really won't need.

Thanks for any advice ☺️

[Seeline]

Make sure you take food/drink for your DP. They won't necessarily want to leave oyu to keep popping out for stuff. It can take a while....

[mummy80317]

Hi,
Some body wash and a lufer for a shower after you've had baby...that first shower after you've given birth is amazing. Lots of maternity pads....I had a c section and found that putting a pad on my section scar stopped it from rubbing. Nappy sacks/cotton wool balls/ maybe pack a couple extra sleep suits and baby grows just Incase. Hope this helps!

[kizzle]

I've got snacks, drinks, change of clothes and basic toiletries for my DP in case he needs to freshen up underneath the baby's list but I cropped it out of the photo because it had his name on it 😂

[kizzle]

Are we ok to use body wash/shower gel after birth?
I read somewhere that anything scented or bubbly would irritate downstairs so it said just warm water and pat dry? That's why I didn't add it, but I will look for an unscented sensitive wash.
I totally forgot about nappy bags! And yes will pack a couple extra clothes for baby, 3 of each was just a guesstimate

[mycatloveslego]

My only additions would be an empty plastic bag to put dirty clothes in and a can of dry shampoo for the after birth photo.

[kizzle]

Thank you, these suggestions certainly help!
I honestly don't know how I forgot dry shampoo! I can't live without the stuff 😂

[mummy80317]

You could get fem fresh or un scented one?. And maybe some moisturizer?

[kizzle]

I'll have a look for an unscented one. I can't wait for the first shower or bath after birth already!
I'll add moisturiser too.

[MamaHanji]

Take a pillow and a blanket

The hospital I gave birth in is one of the top 3 maternity hospitals in the U.K. And they couldn't even find me a bloody pillow. And the blankets are awful and I was freezing.

Microwave heat pack incase you have a back labour like I did!

Music. iPod and docking station. Make yourself a playlist of music to help you stay calm and focused.

[jobrum]

I would leave out the hair straighteners! Drinks. Energy drinks or something else refreshing. Dark towel for showering after, nothing light.

[mycatloveslego]

Just remembered dextrose tablets for a boost of energy were useful the first time!

[Shelby1981]

Leave out the straighteners! Nighties for after in case of c section/catheter. Earplugs/eye mask if you end up going in for induction as its noisy/light and may take a while. Pillow in a colourful case so you know which one is yours. Big water cup/bottle as they give you a tiny beaker, and straws for drinking during labour.

[kizzle]

I forgot about a pillow, nothing like home comforts ay.
I've decided I will leave the straighteners and just add dry shampoo. Dry shampoo saves everything! 😂
Energy tablets are on. I'm gonna get to hospital with a suitcase I think!

[BakerBear]

Straightners not needed
Make up not needed
Ipad not needed

Take..

Slippers
Sanitary towels
Pre made formula as some hospitals dont provide it and breastfeeding may not work out.
Towel
2 bags for dirty clothes

[fizzingwhizbee]

I don't think you need a towel for your baby as they won't be having a bath in the hospital

[fizzingwhizbee]

Also - they tend to fling scratch mitts straight off. You're better off packing the babygrows that have mitts built into them

[Shelby1981]

Sorry just saw you've got straws on your list!

Maybe take a travel changing mat, I just assumed there would be somewhere to change the baby but there wasn't, so we ended up changing him in the cot but as we were new to it we kept having to ask for a clean cot sheet! (And then learnt to take the sheet off and just change on the mattress as it was wipe able)

[kizzle]

Thank you for all of your suggestions.
My sister suggested I take a towel for the baby as at her hospital she didn't want to leave until she had been taught to bath baby properly.

Thanks bakerbear, I have most things on that list ☺️

I will add a dark coloured towel also.

[kizzle]

Formula and travel changing mat added

[eternalopt]

Looks alright to me with additions already suggested, save for the "leave out iPad". Definitely take iPad. I was kept in for four days. Downloaded programmes and headphones saw me through the constant night feeds!!

[eternalopt]

Oh, and with bras, got stretchy soft night bras if poss - best for sore boobs that change size hourly as the milk comes in!

[mycatloveslego]

Change for parking/vending machines!

[Semaphorically]

You might want a hook thing (I had one like the pic) with a little bag so you can hang stuff close to you (phone, spare nappy etc) and not have to get into your main bag constantly in the night.

[Semaphorically]

If your hair gets in the way a lot, stash multiple bobbles around the bag so you can easily find one. Also lip balm, I could never find it when I needed it. And make your DP pack the bag so he knows where everything is!

[kizzle]

I have plenty of bobbles, grips and lip balm on my list. I get dry lips at the best of times, never mind during a potentially long labour in a stuffy hospital room in August! 😰
I'm definitely taking my iPad, even if it's just for the games I can play while waiting for things to start! Also to quiz my DP on baby stuff 😂
I'll look out for some stretchy bras aswell, softer the better.