Hospital bag, what & when?

[Freeasabird58]

Sounds silly as i have a list, and you read it everywhere, but what do people really back, and by which week?!?!

I packed LOADS - everything anyone suggested.

In the end I think I only really needed the snacks (for you and birth partner); lots of big knickers, maternity pads and nighties; nursing bra; wash bag; mobile phone and camera. During labour I didn't need much and afterwards I was only in for a night so didn't get round to reading books or doing much at all except looking at my baby!

You will need stuff for the baby too, including a hat, vests and baby gros as they wrap them up warm for the first 24 hours.

Think I packed at 34 weeks.

Good luck!!!!

lip balm! lip balm! lip balm! was my must have last time. i am 29 weeks and itching to get packing although cant for another 4 weeks as the hospital bag is also my holiday bag!! i packed far too much last time and although i stayed in for 5 days after a section and dh had to bring extras there were things that i just didnt need, or need as many of anyway. im going to pack a small bag this time in anticipation of a successful vbac delivery with another larger bag for a long stay waiting in car just in case. baby doesnt need much just the basics. i found with a long start to labour i got through a few pairs of jogging bottoms due to several gushes of waters so will take an extra 1 this time. also fruit and puzzle book/magazine
good luck hope all goes well :)

When are you due? the hospital gave my friend a list for summer baby clothes and one for winter baby clothes (i.e made of wool) depending when it's born, although blankets can be added/taken away. Everyone says scratch mitts are a bit useless and always fall off, but they might pop out with long nails so take baby nail clippers or a file? And make up a bag of extras you may need if you happen to stay in longer, and leave it the car or somewhere someone can bring it in.

Remember towels, dark-coloured if possible incase they get ahem bloody.

I packed when I was in labour, although had everything to hand

Also, mobile phone/list of numbers so you can ring/text with the happy news!

A can of 'magicool' for cooling down in labour or even on the ward where it is baking hot!

as little as possible. By my fourth can confidently say it all fits into small holdall for me and DC. You don't need half the stuff that people suggest.

Hairbands! Face wipes and snacks. Hospital canteen are closed at night and are expensive.

I also packed all the wrong clothes for my little girl. She was 6lbs 11oz but seemed so small for the clothes I had packed. 0-3 months are way too big for any newborn. Newborn and New baby differ from shop to shop.

I would suggest baby grows for Newborn's . You'll probably have loads of lovely gifts from people once you know the sex.

I packed at 37 weeks. It wasn't a chore and took all of 30 minutes

Hope this helps

I've just posted the below list on another thread so C&Ping it here as well.

This is based on my experience of having packed so much stuff last time that I ended up giving birth with nothing at all with me since I had to get to hosp in labour on my own and the damned bag was too heavy to carry - doh! This time I have packed a separate SMALL emergency hospital bag in case I need to get to hospital quickly/on my own...

Emergency essentials:
cash (for taxi or parking), hospital notes, small pack maternity pads, small pack nappies, small pack wipes, 2x ready-to-use formula filled bottles, 2x baby vests, 1x sleepsuit, 2x BIG granny knickers, tracksuit bottoms and long-sleeved t-shirt.

I am 31+5 wks, btw.

If you are thinking of bfing you could also pack the numbers of your local bfing counsellors.

The staff on the wards are usually great but many haven't bf themselves and many are also stretched to the limit so if you are having problems you may have to wait a long time to get help.

Try your local group of La Lache League, NCT or ABM for details of your local bfing counsellors.

They also run many local groups that you can start attending even before you have your baby.

Good luck

What kind of bag did you all use for your hospital bag???

ps. changed name.

I just used a weekend bag for me and LO. Our local hospital provides towels but not nappies so the most bulky item was the nappies for LO.

I also put some flash wipes in the bag as I'd heard the bathrooms can be a bit grubby, however they were fine the both times I was in.

I always take a cheapy sponge that i bin after first bath/shower (can be ummm messy) and also stick in some plastic carrier bags for OH to take home and wash dirties!!

I also put in pen and paper to make OH a list of what i need bringing back in, it is impossible to expect him to remember everything if he is sleep deprived and excitely telling everyone the news!!!

Loads of massive maternity pads.... its amazing how quick you go through them in the first few days and it is awful to run low!

I took some wet wipes to use as toilet paper felt too rough and sore iykwim.