Hospital Bag tips?

[DreamedADream1]

I'm having my second baby soon but can't for the life of me remember what I put in my bag last time? Any recommendations/things you couldn't have done without would be so useful! Plus any brand recommendations, I remember using Boots breast pads last time and they just crumpled up in my bra!

I'm the same🤣 I'm due on Monday with my second and still haven't packed my bag 😳 babies is done though! My friend did give me some good advice yesterday, she said take my own tablets as after pains are worse with each child, and doctors take hours to sign off on tablets for you. So I'll be packing my own, she also mentioned witch hazel gel to stop the burning when you wee, I didn't use it last time but I'll be giving it a shot this time, good luck 🙌🏽

Following - currently packing my own..
Keeping it minimal however - went way overboard last time round and the hospital ended up giving out a lot of stuff anyways

Get your DP to pack the bag once you have everything so they know where everything is and don't spend ages rooting through trying to find a hairband.

Boots maternity pads are the best, but get reusable breast pads. I liked Asia's little angels ones.

So far on my list if this helps anyone I have -

Comfy top to give birth in
Comfy clothes for after birth
Jarmies
Underwear
Socks
Nipple pads
Bras
Socks
Charger
Hair bands
Face wipes
Deodorant
Slippers/shoes ( I actually forgot my shoes last time)
Big water bottle ( for labour )
Snacks 😏
Body wash/scrubber
Shampoo/ conditioner although I didn't wash my hair till I got home with my first
Tooth brush/ tooth paste
Period pads
Witch hazel gel
Tablets

I'm hoping half of these I won't need tbh,
I was home 10 hours after giving birth to my
First so didn't need half the stuff I took
But better to be safe then sorry

Also if anyone knows what else to add would
Be a great help.

More drinks than you think you'll need! I drank about three bottles of electrolyte drinks almost one after the other after giving birth as I was so dehydrated - and that was in addition to a fluid IV!

I then had to stay for two nights and it's nice to have something other than water to hand.

Snacks too - I was induced so already in hospital the day I gave birth but was only given one round of toast the whole day and was too exhausted to ask for more. My DP did ask them to bring me a sandwich but they forgot.

I use the Lansinoh breast pads and they're definitely worth the extra cost in my opinion.

Congratulations by the way!

Hand cream and Avene water spray were the two things I used the most as it was hotter than the bloody sun in hospital.

Things I packed which I felt were essential for me were;

• My own pillow from home as hospital ones are useless
• Extra long phone charger as the plug sockets are behind the bed
• LOADS of maternity pads. When you think you have enough, take an extra pack as I had to wear 2 at a time
• Pick and mix, youll thank me later for this one
• All baby clothes packed into individual sandwich bags, ie each bag contained a vest, sleepsuit, nappy and hat. Each bag was labelled with the size so it was easy for anyone to grab when needed
• Extra pack of nappies
• Nursing bra
• A little squash concentrate thing to add to water
• Decent size water bottle, like a chilly bottle as the hospital only have plastic cups
• A nice body wash and body spray
• Cleansing wipes
• Bath towel as the hospital ones are tiny
• Little fan as the wards are gotter than hell

I took pyjamas and all sorts but ended up in a gown after birth because I had a urinary catheter.
I did hugely over pack.
I had loads of clothes and literally wore my PJ's when I was induced then got put in a gown until I went home.
Get your partner to do himself a bag as well and make sure he knows what is in your bag as well so he can find things quickly.

Good luck! I agree loads of drinks (including small cartons of squash) and snacks that you can eat one handed eg cereal bars. Did not need any of the bikinis I packed… second pair of PJs would have been useful too

Snacks! Lovely treats for yourself in case you’re kept in. I had gestational diabetes and went without anything nice to eat for months so packed chocolate, sweets etc but also dried fruit, nuts etc. My pregnancy pillow was great for me but also handy for feeding little one too. AirPods were handy too especially trying to sleep and blocking out the noise if you’re kept in .

Thanks for all your suggestions, feeling much more prepared now!!