Hospital bag - am I missing anything?

[Lalarosex]

I am trying not to overpack but also don’t want to miss anything important. Any advice appreciated!
here’s what I have packed

Mine

• Frida mom disposable underwear
• maternity pads
• toiletries inc spritz for bits
• peri bottle
• breast pads
• nursing bra
• 1x set long pyjamas (honestly planning on leaving in these!)
• oversized tshirt for labouring
• swimsuit top for pool
• 1x tshirt & cycling shorts
• maternity notes and birth plan
• lucozade and snacks
• flip flops
• iphone charger
• portable fan

baby

• 3 newborn vests
• 2 newborn sleepsuits
• 1 0-3 sleepsuit
• socks
• hat
• scratch mits
• 10 nappies
• muslin cloth
• wipes
• instant formula
• going home outfit
• blanket

At least double the amount of stuff for the baby. You'll need more than you realise, particularly if you're in any longer than you are anticipating. I literally packed for one night and we were in for a week and it was a nightmare having to try to tell my husband what to bring/remember exactly what was where at home.

Snacks! A variety.

Your own pillow, for comfort.

What do you need cycling shorts for?
my babies didn’t wear 0-3 until they were 5-6 weeks old. Buy some nice newborn sleepsuits. Believe me you will cherish those photos forever.

take snacks and energy drinks. You won’t get food and labour can be long. I needed lucozade after my first.

Lots! And also for your birthing partner. You don’t want them to pop out or pass out!

if you are planning to breastfeed, don’t pack formula. 10 nappies w a newborn can last about a day, pack more!

Banana bread for your DH to feed directly into your mouth, piece by piece, as you snuggle your baby. I never got my tea and toast but this is one of my strongest memories of the day DD was born!

In all seriousness, we were told to take a yoga mat and pillow in case DH ended up having to sleep in a chair/on the floor. He ended up using it for two nights before he got a reclining chair.

dressing gown
toothpaste

0-3 clothing is a shout! My little one ended up needing a canula and the bigger sized clothing was a god send!
Make sure you pack enough pads too!
Good luck x

I've nothing to add to the list, except to suggest getting your partner to pack the bag and tell him what you call each item - means he knows what you're looking for and where it is, so won't churn through everything looking for it!

I took a portable speaker for both of my labours, I played my music throughout. Also a tens machine was very helpful. Not sure if it comes under your toiletries but a hair brush isn't on your list

Also depending on how you plan to feed the premade formula bottles with teets, hospitals don't provide formula, well most don't. I exclusively pumped but they wouldnt let me leave without baby feeding from a bottle and obviously my milk didnt come in for 3 days.

Definitely your own paracetamol/ibuprofen as they take ages post birth.

more maternity pads than you’ll think you need as I went through them like crazy!

a nice fluffy towel for the post birth shower, hospital ones are so rough.

also more nappies than you’ll think you need lol my second pooed every half an hour for about 8 hours!

I'd take a long teeshirt / nightie as well as pjs. I couldn't wear trousers after birth. I had a catheter in after both my vaginal births (for 2 and 10 days respectively). And I understand it's more usual after a section.

Maybe different hospital policies? My midwife told me they had formula if I needed it.

I wish I'd had a chargeable nightlight with me. I got a gift of a little usb night light after I got home but it would've been really useful in hospital at night. As it was I kept having to put on the one over the bed (to get baby latched on etc) and it was far too bright and disturbed her too much.

Paracetamol/ Ibrupofen. They’re so busy that it’ll be easier to have your own and not have to wait.

Bin bag for the clothes you wore in labour

My babies went straight into size 0-3 so I think it's good to have one just in case
Some more clothes for you and baby in the car in case you need to stay longer.

This is terrible really unhelpful advice. Absolutely take in some pre made formula, even if you plan to breastfeed

Nappies
Vaseline
Long phone charger
Big big pants.
Maternity pads you might not get on with disposable ones
Water bottle with straw

Agree with knickers, the disposable ones are the opposite of comfy. Suggest to ‘invest’ in some granny knickers from Primark. I took one pack of black high waisted and one pack of lower waisted ones.

Think about organising some spare items at home - things like pyjamas/nighties, pants etc and also some extra sleep suits for baby then leave them somewhere your husband/partner can easily locate them. I ended up in hospital for a week and needed more changes so had to try explain to him what else I needed and where it was. It was a real hit or miss!

This!!!

And baby wipes to help freshen you up

@Tonight37 strongly disagree if OP is passionate about bf it's bloody hard , she doesn't need temptation

it is not. Nobody I know who is serious about breastfeeding packs formula.
Absolute worst case hospital will have it. If you want to breastfeed, you need to persevere. Yes it’s hard. I have done it and had mastitis and all sorts of issues.