Necessities for a hospital bag?

[lakehouse]

This is my second so I should know but last time I had good advice from a friend re things i hadn't thought of and I want to make sure I have all the bits I need. I also know this time that new born is a size so my new arrival won't be drowned in the clothes I bring! So far I have:

• nappies
• baby gros
• maternity pads
• big disposable pants
• bras
• nightie
• pjs
• nipple balm
• arnica
• senocot
• water spray
• snacks
• blankets for baby
• hats for baby
• hair bands
• toiletries

Feels like a lot but there are definitely things I'm missing and some ideas I haven't heard of. What do you recommend??

Panadol

Spare plastic bag for soiled clothes

Food.
For the love of god, take food.

Oh yes to all 3!! Thank you. I knew I'd get helpful advice here 😘

Breast pads
Lip balm
Water wipes/Cotton wool
Light dressing gown/cardigan for you
Flip flops for shower
Bodysuits for baby
Dark towel
Few peppermint tea bags (in case of EMCS for trapped wind)
Face cloth
Tankini top for birth pool
Socks
Hair bobbles
Witch Hazel for stitches

I had my youngest 7 months ago & found having 3 bags helped, one for me, one for baby & a spare bag at home/in the boot of the car with extras for me & baby in the event of a longer stay.
Also loved having my drinks bottle & a squeezy squash thing a god-send as it encouraged me to drink more & it didn't spill.

Why senokot?! just thinking about getting my bag sorted too!

@Katie1962 poo post childbirth is horrific. The softer and easier the better!

@Angelmiracle @TiggeryBear thank you! Good ideas!

@lakehouse oh haha thank you!! 😊

Snacks
Dark coloured towels
Straws
Lavender oil
Something to wear for birth
Going home outfit
Bobbles for hair
Phone charger
💚

I second the spare plastic bag for soiled clothes - I had a lot of bloodied pants

To be honest I didn't take much with me;

For me;

• Two nighties for labour (only used one)
• A nighty for post labour shower (front opening for easy access)
• Toiletries bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, flannel, deoderant) (didn't bother washing my hair and forgot shower gel so used my shampoo instead!)
• Sanitary pads (I didn't bother buying big chunky maternity ones until I got home and needed them soaked in witch hazel - the hospital also kept giving me maternity pads, as I kept bleeding through them)
• Breast pads
• Hair brush and nibbles
• Phone charger (the most important thing in my opinion!) and purse
• Slippers
• Massive black cotton pants
• Clean clothes to go home in (which helped me feel more human)

We packed snacks like cereal and protein bars and also some isotonic fruit drinks from Aldi but we never ate them as we were in the delivery room by 11pm and I was pushing by 2.15am. I did try to eat a protein ball but cried and panicked as I couldn't swallow it in time for my next contraction

For baby;

• Two baby grows (one new born, one 0-3 months)
• A hat
• A muslin square
• A cardigan (for coming home in)
• A few nappies, cotton wool balls and nappy bags (although these were supplied by the hospital also)
• Pre made bottles of formula (although we forgot this - hospital provided!)

Phone charger... you may be there awhile!

Some of those really little, super concentrated squash bottles.

Better than taking in lots of bottles or cartons of drink.

Snacks like mini brioche are great

Big cardigan you can use like a dressing gown

Food. Food. Food.

I had a section though for all 3 births so had to stay in longer. Hence the need for food. I was so so hungry the first time I had to send DH out for emergency snacks!

Paracetamol. It was hours before the midwives got round to getting me any pain relief after the birth.

An extra long charger for phone and I would add a small plastic basket in which you keep all the tiny bits, so they are easy to grab with one hand while breastfeeding and don't make a mess on the side table

Spare T-shirt and boxers for your partner?

Big water bottle for yourself as hospital cups are tiny?

Flip flops for shower?

My hospital was sweltering so light nighties - I actually ended up in my underwear and just pulled dressing gown on for toilet as I was sweating!

Roll on deodorant- I took spray but couldn’t spray in toilets and didn’t want to spray near baby