Hospital Bag - What the hell do I need?

[LuckySalem]

I've got 2 bags ready to pack, one for baby and one for me.

I've started on the baby's one. Put 15 nappies, some wipes, 3 shortsleeved baby gros and snowsuit (am due 2nd Jan so assuming it'll be cold)

What else do I need for baby bag? Also I know I need nighties, dressing gown and slippers for me, what else?

Cheers everyone

baby bag - cottonwool (they may not let you use baby wipes on newborns). more babygros just in case your baby is pukey/you stay in longer than intended. vests. hat.

for you - lots of sanpro, comfy cheap undies, flip flop type shoes in case hospital bathroom floors aren't brilliantly erm clean. breast pads to deal with leaks (even if you don't plan to breastfeed). some non-perishable food in case you get the munchies at an inconvenient hour. a "going home" outfit plus comfy loose shoes for you (feet can be swollen after birth for up to a week). mindless book/mags in case you get bored whilsts your baby sleeps.

I would take in your own changemat(s) - either a wipe clean one of your own, or pampers disposable type ones - when I was in hospital, it was a right hassle arranging for new sheets after old ones got weed over.

Totalchaos took the words out of my mouth re changing mat.

For you: big knickers or those giant mesh disposable ones that I think the NCT sell.

Cheers total - Forgot change mats, got that in the bag as well so sorted there.
Will see if I can get some more babygros as well. Do you think I should get a slightly cooler coming home outfit for baby as well? and also, hat and gloves yeh? I've got a bit of cotton wool that i've been using for removing nailvarnish, will I need some washing cream or just water with the cotton wool?

Whats sanpro? Will grab a load of undies (I've heard they can get messy?) Non-perishable, you mean like crisps etc? Breast pads I'll add to my list, didn't think of that one. Oh and sanitary pads yeh.
Clothes i'll sort out on the night.

Thanks again Total. Any more for any more?

sanpro was sanitary pads.

just water with the cotton wool.

non-perishables - anything that doesn't need to go in the fridge as you probably won't have access to a ward fridge for your own stuff.

I wouldn't bother with cooler outfit for going home, as a rule newborns end up wearing a layer more than adults anyway iyswim.

ok, brilliant.

I've just won a load of newborn clothes so will see what arrives with that. Also a big bag of clothes off a friend to sort with.

stuff i was glad to have or wished i had -
large bottle of water; cup you can drink from lying down
comfort food for just after birth
earplugs
cosy sox
vaseline (for your lips!)
tens machine
own music - didn't listen to any of it but it was nice to have
good book
one of those triangular breastfeeding cushions
a printout of these pictures on latching a baby on
a card in your purse with all breastfeeding support phoneline numbers on

sorry, i've assumed you're intending to breastfeed, i apologise for that assumption

Choosy!! - You're a star, thanks.
I'm going to print this thread out when it's run it's course and tick stuff off, like my lists!! :-)

Choosy - I'm intended to try to breastfeed, i'm hoping it'll work. Don't worry about offending or anything!

Scratch mittens for the baby, cotton hat (even though maternity wards often have a temperature more akin to a sauna to us, to babies they can seem chilly), nappy sacks for sanitary towels and used nappies alike. (I hated opening the bins in the ward to see badly wrapped nappies in there or worse in the loo). A couple of well-fitting bras are essential if you don't intend to bf.

Toiletries, sponge or flannel, hair ties if your hair is longish.

2ltr bottle of water to drink after the birth in addition to food. The water jugs aren't always replenished as fast as you might like.

Plenty of small change for the phone - you may not be allowed to use your mobile.

There's so much stuff I haven't thought of, like the change and water AND FOOD!!

tbh i took such incredible amounts of stuff and used hardly any of it, but i don't regret a thing- would much rather have it that way round...

Anyone else got any "Wish I'd had's" for the hospital bag?

bendy straws so you can slurp water

lip balm

fresh nighties

lightweight dressing gown

flip flops for shower

nice toiletries

camera

phone

Check with the hospital on pillow supplies. Ours recommended that we took pillows in with us as they never had enough!

I loved the clean flanel in a plastic bag, which we took in the delivery room with us, and which dh used to mop my brow! (We had also been advised to take a plant squirter in for him to squirt me with!!! I nearly killed him when he did! Wouldn't bother with one of those!)

Best of luck

blanket for baby (either to use in hospital or take home in)

Towels for you and baby

I wish I had taken in more nighties _ I thought 2 was enough! PIL had to buy me an extra 2!

I would second the idea of taking more baby grows I was in hospital 3 days and ds was very pukey so had to send for more.

An extra pillow as you are never given enough to sit up comfortably. LOTS of disposable knickers so you can change and feel as fresh as possible.

Loads of pyjamas/nighties!
And don't trust your partner/whoever is picking you up to bring you an outfit to come home in - my mum thought that tiny skinny jeans and massive running trainers would be appropriate, and no top so I had to wear my pyjama top. It made a less than charming ensemble...
I was really bored while ds was sleeping, could have used a good book or some su doku!
Don't forget to take bits and pieces which will make you look (feel) more like a normal person (e.g. a comb and hairbands, which I forgot, leaving me with a sort of blond afro after I washed my hair).
Good luck xx

i'd get long sleeve babygros too. john lewis ones have built in mittens. wrap vests are lovely. a blanket or two for baby. camera and notebook to jot stuff down. Cotton wool for baby. Hat.

For you: something nice to drink, bottle of water, lavendar and a flannel for cold compress just lovely during labour. i bought travel bottles and took all fave toiletries. agree a few nighties. maternity pads or tena lady cos they're wider and nicer stuff. layers of comfy clothes - hospitals can be stiflingly hot but also - partic after birth - you can feel very cold.

I'd take a cardi for baby and lots if wipes for wiping things in hosp

mouthwash to freshen mouth when too whacked to clean teeth.

agree

whoops, was going to say agree about taking breastfeeding helpline nos just in case of need

TBH I would take the absolute minimum for you and bub in with you in one bag and leave another bag packed (or half packed with stuff in piles) at home should you need it. You might only be there for a few hours all being well. Thats not to say you won't need all the stuff once you're home.

Your own pillow is essential though, make sure you put a coloured pillow case on it so it doesn't get 'borrowed'

Some nice smellies - shower gel, shampoo or soap ( I had raspberry body shop stuff - childish but v. nice ). Something that will make you feel human again.

• Lots and lots of spare comfy nickers.