What kind of hospital bag?

[hipstercat]

Probably overthinking this, but hey ho, FTM.

I've read several threads where people giggle at others going into hospital with big suitcases, that they just took a small bag with the essentials and you don't need that much. But now that I'm gathering those essentials (according to Mumsnet, NHS website etc.) I just can't see how it would all fit in one bag, not even a suitcase.

Two packs of maternity pads and a pack of nappies already fill up most of my hand-luggage sized wheely suitcase! I'm probably going to have a c-section so will need quite a few nappies, pads and baby clothes I imagine if I have to stay multiple nights. Plus all the other stuff on the lists like snacks, nighties, a book, flip flops, a towel, cotton wool, a few toiletries, mint tea... let alone big items like a dressing gown or a pillow.

Are people just saying they brought one bag but forgetting about all the loose items they took separately in carrier bags or something? Or do they just bring like 3 nappies and hope they're home really soon? What did you pack everything in? I live an hour away from the hospital so can't really send DH home for more stuff...

"I live an hour away from the hospital so can't really send DH home for more stuff..."

but if he's visiting you every day he can bring / take things as needed? If you do happen to run out, you'll be fine, they'll have pads, spare robes/nighties etc at the like at hospital if you run out, also there's shops on site.

So I only took enough stuff for 1 nights stay and still had 3 bags.

1 bag - for newborn stuff
1 bag - snacks & drinks & labouring stuff
1 bag - change of clothes and wash stuff

Organised it that way so it was easy to find everything and will be doing it again that way. They were all small bags, easily all carrried by DH.

What I shall be doing differently this time is packing an additional suitcase, in case I need to stay for a few further nights in hospital as I did with DS. DH didnt want to leave my or DS' side as we had sepsis and was in a pretty shit way. So my DMum had to rummage around in our home to find things to bring back for us. Although she obviously didnt mind doing that, I know she would have found a few awkward things that I keep in my underwear drawer and plus it would have been nice to automatically have what I wanted rather than what my mum deemed suitable. Anyway, this additional suitcase will either live in our car boot or be left in our hallway to easy for my mum to grab if need be.

yes just one small bag and my handbag was fine- granted though I didnt have a c section so wasnt in for days and days. My husband though brought stuff in later the day i gave birth and my sister that evening.

Keep a bag of nappies and water wipes in the car (dont faff with cotton wool).
2/3 baby gros, the hat the mittens
for you: your notes, a charger, toiletries bag, pjs, underwear
wear your flip flops into the hospital
snacks and teas you can get in the hospital.

depending on how many days you are in for your husband/family can take away the dirty clothes and bring in fresh ones for you and the baby.

2 bags- one for before birth one for after, and keep a bag of nappies in the car, no need to take it all in at once!

Your dh brings stuff in daily as you need it. Don't bring it all day one. There is just a very small bedside locker, that's it for most people.I had a large wardrobe bizarrely but I was in for a month so had my own en suite room.

I used one of those small wheely hand luggage suitcases which was handy- it meant that instead of rummaging through a bag, everything was easily visible when it was open. I was in for two nights (straightforward birth) with both dc, so had 2 x leggings, t shirts etc.

I put all the baby’s stuff in the change bag so it was kept separate and easy to find mid change.

I managed to get what I needed in one small suitcase.
Got travel size toiletries, 2 x nighties ( with front buttons for easy breastfeeding brought from Asda ) and pj bottoms for comfort, a think dressing gown silky texture because hospitals are too hot, I took bed socks with grips because less room needed in case, 3 baby grows 10 nappies some cotton wool and a pack of pads 3 pairs of knickers , maternity bra and a few pads for boobs encase milk came in ... that would have got me through 2 nights if needed... also had I pad with down loaded movies and sweets / snacks ... and a change of clothes ... it would do for a couple of days? Babies don’t get much in the way of milk first few days so they don’t dirty clothes that quick ... well mine didn’t and he was such a sicky baby / still can be ... I had 17 baby grows in one size because I couldn’t wash and dry them quick enough otherwise 😂😂 ... and husband can re top you up and take dirty stuff home ... but take what makes you happy ... I was a first time mum too ... and it’s such a daunting thing it’s. Great to have as many comforts as you need ... so exciting that your little one will be here soon , my little guy is 6 months ... it all goes too fast ( well the 2 months was a blur ) but the last 4 months have been the best... congratulations new mummy to be x x

I know what you mean, I'm packing for a csection next week and so far have two hand luggage sized bags- one for baby and one for me. Plus husband still needs to pack his. I'll keep an extra pack of nappies and pads in the car. I'm packing as though I'll be staying 2 nights, and debating whether I'll need day clothes or whether I'll just stay in my nightie all day..

I've split it to make it easier for Dh. Labour bag to use for at home and then can take to hospital if I transfer (planned homebirth). When it gets closer he can pop and get baby's change bag. If I need to transfer and stay in he can pop and get overnight bag from the car. All are small rucksack sized.

I had a small wheelie suitcase with stuff for me and a small-ish duffle bag with stuff for the baby (I could have got away with less as only in one night but I didn't know that at the time). Most of my case was a big fluffy dressing gown and slippers, but it was Christmastime so very cold! What I found was I didn't have nearly enough snacks so make sure you have enough!

I am just in the process of sorting my bags and read a good tip on a group I am on. I bought little ziplock bags and putting a full outfit for baby in, vest, sleep suit, hat, nappy, scratch mitts labelling first outfit, going home outfit etc. Last time I had a section and I remember telling DH to put the case into the bed as he was getting it all wrong

I've got a cabin bag for labour (and a food/snack bag) and just after, a second one to put in the car with stuff for if we have to stay more than 24 hours or so, then a 'going home' backpack with the car seat which is basically just a fresh change of clothes for me and the baby. And then there's a second food/supplies bag for life to top things up as needed. So I'm hoping to only have one bag on the go at a time but there's lots of bags in total!

I took a small suitcase and a change bag for the baby. In the car was another bag with more nappies/pads/clothes for all of us in just in case.

I am taking a cabin-size suitcase and a rucksack style changing-bag.
I've used packing cubes to organise it all. To make it easier for DH to find what I need.
The changing bag is full of sweets, flapjacks, pringles, ribena, sports flask, couple bottles of lucozade. It has lots of handy pockets which I've filled with things for labour and things id like easy access to. Phone charger, lip balm, hairband and bobbles etc.

Inside the suitcase -
I have a packing cube for labour stuff like bikini top for pool, old vest for out of the pool, cheap thin dressing gown and slippers.
I have another packing cube for hospital stay clothes - underwear, pads, pyjamas, comfy clothes etc.
Toiletry bag.
I have a packing cube with some baby stuff but I'm not taking heaps. This probably won't fit in the suitcase! But is small and light to carry.

I'm not taking whole packets of pads or nappies. Just a handful from the packet. I'll just leave extra in the car boot or make sure they're easy to find at home if I have to send someone to get more.
Also got some cans of coke and extra snacks in the car boot.
Also leaving a couple of towels in the car too, I've been told the hospital will provide towels. So im not packing my own, but they're there iin the car if I need them.
Good luck! Xx

Will your husband be driving?
Bulky things like packs of nappies and maternity pads you could take some in your bag and leave a supply in the car.
Also extra clothes for both of you could be left in the car.
I was unexpectedly in for 4 nights so needed much more than I'd optimistically packed for!

We had 3 bags. Not everyone's DH goes home - my hospital allows dads to stay in a recliner on the ward. I had a mini suitcase for me with toiletries, clothes, 2 nighties, pads, snacks, kindle, the baby's changing bag with clothes, nappies, wipes, blanket, hat etc. And my DH's small bag with change of clothes, toothbrush, deodorant, more snacks.

I gave birth the night I got there and had 2 nights in, so we used every single item!

I’m finding it hard to pack too not knowing how long we’ll be in - it’s a 6 hour round trip home so husband won’t be popping back for extras! I’m sure some people will be judging my mega hold-all, but oh well! Better to be prepared I suppose :)

I took a carry on sized suitcase plus a hold-all type bag. I’d skip the dressing gown, especially for a summer baby as it will be boiling. You can go home in what you wear to the hospital since they’ll have you change into a gown once you arrive. I knew I was staying 3 nights so took 1 nightie for day 1 as you’ll have the catheter in for a few hours after, then pyjamas for the next 2 days. Definitely take travel sized toiletries. I didn’t bother with snacks or magazines as you can always send DH to the hospital shop and also you probably won’t feel like eating much after a section. You could keep some extra stuff in the car too in case you have to stay longer than expected.

Oh yes, no dressing gown. I went to hospital in a long thin cardigan which doubled up as one. I would have bled all over the nice new dressing gown I had bought for mat leave!

I’m worrying a bit about this - DH doesn’t drive and it’s 2 buses to get to the hospital. We will be arriving for planned c section by bus and so need to have everything with us for me and twins for a potential couple of weeks stay (friend had hers at 34+5 and was in for 13 nights post delivery so using her as a benchmark). DH likely to be working while we’re in hospital so, anything I might need needs to be easily portable for him on public transport and storable in whatever staff room space they have.

Actually, I’m not looking forward to it as I don’t eat a lot of hospital food so expect I’ll need my own food as well!!

A Wheely case is manageable on buses- I can't imagine you'll have room for two weeks worth, he could take away dirty and bring back clean in a small case though!

I've two bags packed - one has 3x vests/babygrows, nappies, wipes, hat. Joggers and vest top and nursing bra, pyjama bottoms, nightie with buttons. Breast and maternity pads, tablet and headphones.

Second bag has more clothes for both of us which someone can collect if needed - lucky not to be far from hospital though.

We had three bags. The changing bag full of baby's stuff, a rucksack with mine and DP had a bag with snacks etc.

When I had to stay in longer, he just brought me more stuff when went home and when we needed more baby stuff, he nipped to the 24-hour Asda nearby.

What size clothes is everyone taking for the baby? No idea how big he'll be so clueless as to what size clothing! Currently got a selection of newborn, 0-1 and 0-3. Suppose we can always leave these packs in the car and DH can pick up the appropriate one.

0-3 is massive on a lot of newborns. Anything from 5-7lbs may need tiny baby but my 5lb8oz DS just wore too-big newborn til we got home.