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!

Lip balm. Saved my life as gas and air dries your lips really badly!

I took just about everything I could so that included:
baby vests and grows ( quite a few as you don't know how long you might be in for )
socks, mittens and hats
nappies
cotton wool and wipes ( I used cotton wool and water for nappy changes and wipes were for me )
muslin cloths
breast pads
maternity pads
disposable knickers ( they were great )
plenty of food and lots of drinks
night shirt or front buttoned nightie ( good for breastfeeding )
deodorant
hairbrush
blankets
magazines/books
earphones
change of clothes for going home ( comfy things like trackie bottoms and loose tops/jumper )

About a zillion pairs of pants. I had my waters broke as I was induced and they had fancy monitors which meant I could walk around, which was great until I soaked through all my pairs of pants in about an hour! I also found those lucozade tablets really good (for DP too) and lipbalm and jelly babies.

straws, it can be hard to drink out of a cup while on your hands and knees, I was glad to have straws.
light weight nighty/pjs. Friends of mine have found maternity wards really hot.

Like most have said more underwear, pjs and pads than you think you may need
Phone and charger( so you can update mumsnet!!)
Book
Magazines
Food
Moisture cream
Lip balm
Water and other drinks
Lollies but don't take chocolate as it gets bloody hot on the ward
Sense of humour, all dignity is lost. Be prepared to be prodded and probed or for your baby to be. Be open minded . Things don't always turn out the way you want.
Rest when you can.
Tissues
And bag you can put washing in and rubbish in
Are you expecting to stay in long? Are you looking at having visitors all the time? If you do have visitors limit them to 2 at a time. I had very few visitors and found it very hard when the lady opposite had loads of people in and I was trying feed ds and baby blues kicked in. Was very hard.
Good luck

Baby bag:

• nappies
• folding nappy change mat, if you have one
• water wipes, forget cotton wool these are far better. Warm them in your hands before using on the baby
• babygros, vests, hats, cardi/pramsuit, thin blanket or swaddle to wrap them in.
• muslins

Birth bag

• Hospital notes
• Glasses/contact lens case if you use lenses
• Hairband to tie up hair
• Comfy T shirt or something similar to give birth in
• Snacks/drinks - fruit is good

Honestly don't bother with playlists and all that, 9 times out of 10 it doesn't get a look in.

Post birth bag

• Lots and lots of comfy pants and bottoms
• Maternity pads, lots - Natracare are good
• Small plastic cup to tip water over you when you wee, stops stinging
• Arnica pills to help healing
• Chocolate hobnobs (good for milk production )
• Phone charger and earphones
• Maternity bras
• Breast pads - the lansinoh ones are very good
• BF friendly tops if planning to BF (low stretchy neck or button up)
• Big cardigan and flip flops for walking around ward
• Towel and usual toiletries
• Plenty of food - unless someone can bring you supplies
• earplugs/night mask - if you are a light sleeper like me

Bear in mind that your DP/DH can nip off and get stuff so don't worry about the post birth stuff too much.

I know I shouldn't have but I packed my own painkillers on my second born after waiting 4 hours for 2 parcetomal.

Oh yes I did that too Eve.

Snacks, snacks, muslins, change for the car park, snacks

How many nappies would people recommend packing for a MLU? (I will have an additional backup bag in the car for if we ended up being transferred to hospital and staying in longer than anticipated).

Newborns typically ten a day - so honestly I'd take a normal sized packet as it helps keep them together.

They have s remarkable habit of pooing as soon as you change them, so five changes can be ten nappies

Thanks MrsHathaway

Lots of big pants (dark coloured), changes of pyjamas and face flannels - you can use these damp to keep you cool or as a mini towels. Very useful.

Also, a very mild/non-perfumed shower gel for your first shower/bath afterwards - you don't want anything that might sting.

And instead of one of those massive fluffy dressing gowns, I found a thinner cotton wrap/open cardi much more useful and comfortable as a cover up: hospitals are very hot inside even in winter and you won't need the bulk.

Keep supplies of nappies, maternity lads, clothes etc in the both of your car so your partner can stock you up when they visit. Don't rely on them to get the right things 😜

woo waterwipes is a brilliant idea! I'll have to remember that this time.

another thing I've just thought is I might take a pack of those potty training pads, the ones the hospital used were good but they were too busy to change them often enough.

And get some cheap but comfy slippers - and throw them in the bin on your way out.