To ask what you really need in your hospital/baby bag?

[summerskittles91]

I imagine this has been done a million times, but just looking for tips on items you really wish you had packed in your hospital/baby bag or items that ended up being really useful.

Started packing mine, and having consulted a million lists on google I don't actually know what I really need.

Any tips would be fully appreciated!

did anyone mention nappies for the baby?

Disposable adult nappy type pants/knickers ( granny nappies) that are meant for incontinence were so much better than maternity pads. Just rip them off when you arr done

Make sure all the baby grows have those fold over scratch mitts. Next ones do and jojomamanbebe. So much easier than separate mitts which just fall off.

Primark nightie - the one with the button down front. I think half my postnatal ward was wearing it.

An organised bag of toiletries. With my first after being up for 48 hours I remember rummaging through my case for a toothbrush etc, so the next time I had a little bag of tooth brush, mouthwash, face wash, shampoo. Oh and a little sponge for sore bits. And Lansisoh cream if your Breast feeding! Good luck

A book / kindle. So much waiting around (NB failed induction followed by C-section stay)

Lip balm, something to tie or pin your hair back, face wipes, snacks for afterwards, loose socks or shoes in case your feet are really swollen

I gave birth on the hottest day of the year in August. The one thing I could not have done without was my handheld fan!! DH was under strict instructions not to move away from me with it. In fact I think I about screamed blue murder at him when he said he needed to go to the loo and nearly walked off with it!!!!

sports bottles filled with water and then frozen. As it defrosts you can drink the water. I had DS4 and DS5 in June and it was lovely having properly cold water.

Incontinence knickers! At least for the ride to the hospital if your waters have broken and great for the days after the birth. No need to worry about leaks like with maternity pads. And straws, brilliant

Also spare clothes for your DP- DS's first poo went everywhere including DP. Even more needed for a VB where obviously things can get a bit messy.

Most of what's below came from primark
Button Down nightie - (skin to skin/if bf/easier than pyjamas in case of catheter )
Big knickers -
Warm socks.
Soft sports bra type crop top. (Rather than maternity bra's/easier to whack a tit out without fuss)
Baggy/comfy trousers - jersey material so could be worn as pj's or to go home.
Couple of strapped tops (h&m do my nice quality maternity ones. )
Baggy jumper/cardigan - for covering up when visitors arrive/ for wearing home.
Slippers/cheap flip flops

From boots or superdrug or wherever
Water wipes.
Maternity pads.
Maternity puppy pads (much easier if you have a section/have a catheter in)
Flannel (multi purpose. Cold on head during labour. Used to wipe face etc after)
Wash bag - shower wash, GOOD QUALITY LIP BALM (I'm shouting that because I went through a metric fuckton of gas and air and my lips were insanely chapped the evening/ day after) brush/comb, bobbles.
I took ear plugs/sleep mask (never came out of the bag, I was in one night)
Nipple cream if bf , I hated lansinoh (it's horrible and sticky) and had one called Bennett nipple cream which I much preferred.

Baby
Water wipes are much easier and you've got these already.
Nappies
Baby bundlers (marks and spencer, SO much easier)
Few vests. (Like pp said, put in freezer bags with a label, up to 7 lb, upto 10 lb etc. Vest/babygrow/socks (for hands if no integrated scratch mitts)/nappy.
Blanket for in car seat. (Also, hat)
Familiarise yourself with car seat, they're tricksy as balls!

Towel
Charger
Plastic bag.
Earphones.
Snacks. Everyone says for during labour/your Dh. I was sick with every contraction and couldn't stomach anything while labouring, bugger your Dh, YOU need snacks for after! You may not get fed on the ward.
Fizzy lucoazade. Not the isotonic one. You need the sugar.

I had an EMCS after 30 hours labouring and was in 24 hours from operation to being discharged. DS is nearly 9 weeks old.

Good luck! Hope it all goes well!

A water bottle/jug to pour water over your bits whilst you wee! Helps with the stinging post stitches!

Place marking as I'm currently 30+4 but plan on getting everything in soon so I don't need to worry about it closer to the time. Definitely going with the idea of 2 bags, one for labour and one for after. Already picked up some 90p flip flops from primark for in the hospital, and a £5 primark big tshirt nightie for labour

Hair bobble
Ear plugs (you really need these if you are in overnight)

A couple of big comfy pillows (hospital ones are flat and rubbish).

Overpacked both times too but other than lovely first outfit for baby- most important- black leggings to go home in (several pairs),cosy soft jumper to wear home, loads of huge thick sanitary pads (Tena ones) , lots big pants (but multi packs one size up from Primark) and lots thick snuggle socks. I went to Boots & Primark and got everything I needed (bar the babies outfit!) even my hospital bag hold-all was Primarni

Lip balm.

Hairbrush.

Slippers for shower.

Dark dressing gown.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions - I will be stocking up on maternity pads/pants and underwear for sure.

Just a quick question about water wipes - I read reviews on amazon and a lot of people are saying they're now a smaller pack and smaller wipe size and apparently not as good? Anyone got any opinion on this? I have a pack of pampers sensitive as the reviews for water wipes put me off a bit. I've got some cotton wool too but much prefer the idea of using wipes.

I will be hitting Primark this weekend for sure! I have a baby change bag, just need a holdall for myself now.

Do you have an Aldi near you? They do a newborn wipe which is great and only 59p a pack! Would highly recommend!

Re.wipes OP- you'll realise the best ones are with the solid plastic opener tab rather than just the flimsy sticker peeler to open it- the sticker soon comes off/doesn't close and your wipes soon loose moisture. Co-op do great ones with the solid plastic opener, as do Boots ...most supermarkets now offer them.

Drinks - water, and I took a 4 pack of lucozade sport, isotonic drinks are supposed to help with energy levels during physical activity and replace lost fluid through sweat. I drank every single one ha ha.

Thick maternity pads, I took 30 and used most of them in 3 days. It feels fresher and cleaner to change them more regularly even if they aren't full.

Lip balm - gas and air, panting etc really dries your mouth

Travel size toiletries - unscented mild soap/shower gel
If you have a tear or stitches it might sting a bit

Slippers - a size too big, and easy to slip on, not boot style. Your feet will swell a lot, but you will need something on your feet when walking around the ward and to the loo etc

Black knickers, a size too big, big brief style. Lots of them. Won't show leaks and comfortable to fit pads in. Incase of emergency section you won't want anything resting on the scar.

A few baggy tshirts and leggings/comfortable bottoms. Lots of thick socks.

Comfortable bras, no underwire.

Loose cotton dress incase of catheter

Favourite snacks, crisps, sweets, chocolate etc. You might be stopped from eating or not feel like eating before but after you will be grateful for snacks!

Bobbles

Face wipes

Magazines/book/kindle incase you get stuck on an induction ward

Chargers

DP should have their own bag, snacks, change of clothes and underwear, book etc. My DP was with me from about 10pm one night till 8pm the following night. He was so glad to nip into the toilets and wash his face and put clean stuff on.

Baby bag
-nappies
-wipes

• ready to use formula with teats, even if you plan to breastfeed

-several babygros and vests in a mix of newborn and 0-3 sizes -Muslim cloths -hats -mitts -socks -feeding bins

They spit up and projectile vomit quite often at first so don't under estimate how many changes of clothes you might need!

www.aldi.co.uk/newborn-extra-sensitive-wipes/p/066660044066900

Bottle with a straw or packet of straws
Sweets/snacks
More knickers than you think you'll need
Spare socks & perhaps slipper socks
Clothes/pjs you can layer up
Dry shampoo
Baby wipes for you as well as baby
Spare bobbles if you have long hair
Blankets for baby
General stuff for baby (pack an extra vest and sleepsuit than you've accounted for).
Nappies

A mini changing mat. As you have to change babies nappy on bed or cot and the first one is grim.

My hospital had disposable pants - best things ever. If you can find any of those, they are better than dark ones. When half a pot of strawberry jam slides out of you with no warning, you won't want to wash them!

I would say the essentials are:

Babygrows
Nappies
Blanket
Pillow for you (hospitals never have spare pillows!)
Snacks
Drinks
Chargers
Entertainment - books or ipad

FOOD.

After my DD was born, I was starving. I was presented with a soggy cheese sandwich, the size of a postage stamp So my DH ended up spending a small fortune in the shop on edible food.
I gave birth to my second baby at home, so was tucking into a Chinese takeaway a few hours after he was born