Please help me and my long suffering mother to pack my hospital bag

[McPhee]

At the moment it looks like I'm going on a two week package tour I don't really want to be the talk of the ward with my entourage of luggage

What did you take which was totally necessary.

And what did you take which was totally useless.

Everything I took was useless... Gave birth in my tunic top wailing that I wanted my nightie and new lip balm.... Eventually opened bag when I was ready to dress DD.

In all sincerity the lucozade sport was amazing afterwards.

I took one holdall and kept it light by:

Buying travel size toiletries,
Emptying breast and maternity pads out of packet into my wash bag,
Taking a small carry pack of nappies,
Buying a really light weight dressing gown,
Packing yoga pants and t shirt instead of pjs and going home clothes.

I should add I wasn't there long before she made her entrance.... Wish I'd used some of the things in my bag at home instead of 'keeping them for when we are at the hospital'!

Can I ask you approx how many maternity pads you took. I have a mahoosive bag of them from mothercare. Surely I'm not going to need the whole bag am I? My sister seems to think they are provided at the hospital

Baby wipes for you to use as toilet paper. You'll thank me :o

Take lots of maternity pads. If you're kept in for any reason you might well use the full box.

Maternity night shirt for giving birth in
Shampoo
Toothbrush + paste
Light weight dressing gown
A few nappies
Vest and babygrow
Jacket for baby
Baby blanket
Minimal make up kit - powder, blusher, mascara.
Hairbrush
Couple of maternity pads
Wore the clothes I'd arrived in to go home - don't make the mistake of thinking you'll be able to wear anything other than baggy, comfortable maternity clothes afterwards!

Didn't: listen to any of the music, read any of the magazines, eat any of the snacks, drink any of the juice, use the baby towel, dress the baby in the special 'going home outfit', wear any of the clothes I packed for me to go home in, use any of the rest of the things I'd packed!

Remember you're unlikely to be there more than 24 hours and in that time visitors will have to go home and can come back with things you might need.

I was actually there less than 12 hours and not overnight.

Best wishes with everything :)

I was under the impression that baby wipes was a no no, and cotton wool was used. So I've put them in now for me and my arse. Thanks

I'm going down the list now.

Shit this is getting scary

I took a pack of 10 maternity pads.... I ended up staying a second night to establish breastfeeding so DH just bought me another pack in the next day.

There was a little 'pack' on my post natal bed of a couple of maternity pads, a few nappies, an extra bed mat and a knitted baby hat so I dare say I could have asked for more but I preferred to use my own.

There is a good list here: Everything but the kitchen sink

Good luck!

I got given a huge supply of pads from the mlu so my pack went
Unused!

I was in for four days in total (induction, took nearly 24 hours before I was transferred to delivery, then 48 hours on the ward after the birth)

Dressing gown was useless. Bought a special lightweight one but the place was like a tropical sauna and I was hot just in my nightie.

Maternity pads - I got through loads in the first few days as I was using two at a time for two days. Definitely take a 24 pack. If you get hospital ones they are bigger and better, but they expect you to pack your own really.

Breast pads - didn't need these, milk didn't come in till my first day at home. Totally useless, I'd just take a few in case, not a box!

Daytime clothes for visiting hours - was glad that I packed some trackie bottoms for when people came round.

I packed massive amounts of knickers but this was not necessary. I got through about two pairs a day.

Nice facial cleanser - I was very glad of this. I got DP to give me a mini facial during labour!

Didn't need the two baby blankets I packed as hospital was very hot and the hospital blankets were lighter.

Didn't pack enough baby vests - don't underestimate the newborn poo.
Packed too many sleepsuits - it was too hot for them and anyway skin to skin is better.

Didn't eat most of the snacks. Definitely did not get round to doing much of my puzzle magazines!

At no point did I even think about applying make up.

Thanks everyone, I think we're almost done

eek!!

If its any help, I have packed:

• a bag for me. This bag is a bit bigger than I'd be allowed to carry on to a plane & includes some snacks, drinks, towel (hospital towels were tiny & scratchy), PJs, going home clothes, wash bag (inc basic make up) etc);

• a bag for the baby which is the size of a small piece of hand luggage. As well as all of the baby stuff (nappies, cotton wool, vests, babygros, hats, cardi, blanket), this includes a nightie, pair of knickers with maternity pad, a flannel & some shower gel for me to use immediately post birth;

• a pillow

• a widgey breastfeeding pillow.

In the boot of the car will be more nappies, snacks & towels which DP can be sent out for if necessary.

I was really glad of taking two pillows from home with me. Hospital seem to only provide one pillow per bed and I was so glad of the added comfort.

Yes, yes, yes!
To some leggings and a T shirt. We ended up staying in because DD wouldn't feed and you just feel ridiculous in night clothes when your not ill.
It's just far more comfortable in front of everyones visitors to be dressed and far more empowering when dealing with the staff. (I did rather want to go home as their BF advice wasn't helping.)

Good idea to put some stuff for me in babys bag!

Flip-flops - or other rinsable footwear. Sorry to lower the tone but postnatal toilets and showers (and even wards!) are not always the nicest places underfoot .

Good tip artifarti. I will heed your warning and find me some protective footwear