Due February 2019: here come the babies!

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New thread ladies. 2 gorgeous bundles have already arrived...

@detachablehoof That’s what I was thinking as I imagine they're bulky and heavy as well

@powkin With PGP and a big bump I have to sit down to get dressed and put my shoes and socks on!

@detachablehoof if it helps, you can get premade formula in larger bottles. You can take one of them and just fill up your normal feeding bottle as and when you need to. Saves trying to guess how many of the smaller ones to take

@Thesnobbymiddleclassone @detachablehoof Would need a steriliser then too though?

Yes I am pretty sure my hospital says they don't have the facilities for sterilising, so to bring the ready made bottles with disposable teats.

@powkin - yes! I seem to drop flipping EVERYTHING too! X

I remember from using the fridge when I was expressing in hospital last time that they insisted on individual pre made bottles of forumula but could provide sterilised bottles.

WRT BF. Personally, if you’re intending to Bf and feel strongly about wanting to try, I wouldn’t take formula with you. DD was in NICU for a week and I managed to hand express colostrum which then went into her feeding tube, with feeding from me established on day 5. It was hard going but I’m glad I didn’t have the option - although it would have been easy to send DH for it. Just my opinion and experience. I elected not to bring it with me as I was determined to Bf but if it makes you feel more comfortable to have it as an option then go for it.

Hospital do provide the disposable bottle and teats which the Aptamil ready ones come in.

For just the formula in the little bottles is £1 each in asda. Much cheaper than 6 for £11.99 if you don't use it.

I've bought 4 bottles of little ready made formula. My midwife made a good point that if you definitely want to breast feed and you fall at the first hurdle you have the milk for back up and may give up easier.

Thanks ladies for all your lovely words regarding my grandad. Hope your all well x

I too have brought the little ready made formula boxes.

I do want to try breast feed and my Mw said if it wasn't going to plan for any reason they do have back up bottles at the hospital for baby and easier to not bring the box you brought as you maybe tempted to reach for the box . But I guess everyone is different :)

I'm planning to BF (and quite determined about it) so I'm not taking or buying any formula. Midwife said that if I/baby were physically unable to breastfeed, then they would supply formula. They just don't supply it I think if you have chosen to FF from the start –but if you've chosen to do that then it makes sense you would bring your own supplies anyway. They make sure baby is feeding before you are discharged, so you won't be sent away with a baby that won't breastfeed and without being supplied formula.

It's funny how things have changed –mum was telling me about when I was born and it was standard to take the baby away to a nursery with other babies. When they brought me back, the midwife told my mum they'd given me some formula as I was hungry instead of 'disturbing' my mum to feed me. My mum was absolutely fuming! She still remembers it 33 years later

Thick question from a first timer here - but what exactly are you supposed to pack in your hospital bag to wear during labour / post birth?! I have no idea what I will feel like wearing or how hot it will be or whether I'll want to be "properly" dressed to go home (I think I probably will). I don't imagine I'll be comfortable to be more exposed than necessary during labour (although who knows!!) so maybe I should get a long t-shirt or nightie? And then some loose PJs for after, and a comfy dress to wear home if I feel up to it?

Ye I agree re the formula - if you want to FF take with you to the hospital, but if you want to BF at all then don't. There's no need, if it's really impossible to feed they won't let your baby starve (well, she says. DS has barely latched, but they were satisfied and let me go home).

I also wouldn't buy any for the house, unless you live quite rurally (I live in a capital city so I've 24 hour supermarkets and smaller shops open to late on a Sunday on my doorstep, so I know if I need formula at any point, I can just buy it).

Also I'll need to buy PJs to wear after the birth as I don't really have any atm. Should I get maternity ones or just buy some stretchy ones in a size or 2 bigger than usual?

@Yakadee - I KNOW!!! I’ve never dropped so many things in my life! I was clumsy before but everything seems to slip through my fingers!

My DH constantly shouts out “are you ok?!” As he hears me groaning trying to force my feet into shoes!

Just had my last session with my last Friday client, the team bought me a little cake. It’s strange having so many ‘last’ things as other than my paid work I’m not sure what I’ll be returning to and when. Sniff!

I've got some cheap nighties for labouring/birth. I'm hoping to use pool so will probably end up in the buff anyway, but I thought I'd take a couple of cheap nighties that can just be tossed away after (I don't wear nighties at home ever). I've got a few pairs of baggy button-up PJs and oversized shirts for at home after so I can breastfeed easily. For going home, I'm just going to take a loose t-shirt (probably one of DP's!), hoodie and some baggy bottoms (and gigantic pants )

@detachablehoof - I've got button down nighties for the birth part (for skin on skin) and big Pjs / leggings for after. I've bought maternity ones as after my son I still had a 'baby tum' for a while x

@powkin - I know! I'm at the point now where I'm just like, screw it, it can stay there! Lol x

My dog has been v useful for when I drop things and can't pick them up!

Nighties for birth and immediately after (catheters with pyjamas are a nightmare) button down everything for BF. Loose, light and stretchy. Light dressing gown.

For going home / getting dressed if I’m unfortunate enough to be stuck in, I have some lounge wear which is basically a posh soft tracksuit!

Oh and by the way. By the time you’re in labour you really don’t care. At all. I know everyone says it and I was worried about it but tbh, I didn’t appreciate it until the time!

@since2016 yes everyone says that but I am certain I will be the exception to the rule I'd like to at least go in thinking I'll have the option to cover my bits when they don't have to be on display!!!!

Just found a handout from my midwife which says I should take 3 nighties or sets of PJs plus an old nightie for labour, or they can provide a gown. Also on the list is towels - glad I noticed this as it wouldn't have occurred to me to take my own towel!

If it one thing i can recommend for your hospital bag its lots and lots of changes of clothes/underwear! I was the same last time as i was this time its so hot in here you sweat you leak milk you leak blood and what ever else so you end up getting changed a lot! Light baggy clothing and pjs also x

Also dry shampoo!!! Regretted not having it last time!

I agree with everything that's been said about breastfeeding. If you are even going to attempt it I wouldn't get any. They won't let the baby starve and it will be too easy to reach for.

In labour I wore a long vest- had a nightie that I was planning to use and throw away but I didn't get a chance to change and didn't really care by that point but don't want to be naked. I got really hot and drank four bottles of lucozade in an hour - I don't even like it. It was August when I had my first though.

Home (and at the hospital for the 3 days we were kept in) I wore a long maternity top and leggings.

Yeah with my son I ended up having birth with my legs in stirrups and like 15 people there! Can honestly say I wasn't bother lol x