Hospital bag

[Nicky1306]

Hi,

I am starting to think about packing my hospital bag, or at least buying the stuff to go in it! So far I have:

Hospital bag

Breast pads
Nursing bras x2
Knickers
Sanitary towels
Pj's
Dressing gown
Shower gel
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hairbrush
Hairbands
Shampoo
Conditioner
Kindle
Lip balm
Socks
Towel
Change for parking
Phone charger

Baby

Nappies
Baby grows
Vests
Nappy cream
Cotton wool

What have I forgotten? X x

Here are some ideas either to pack now or just before you leave...

Hat for the baby
Maternity pads rather than sanitary pads
Baby blanket
Drinks/snacks
Something to wear when you go home
Camera
Hospital notes
Disposable knickers

Hope that helps

Blackcurrant squash in a small bottle (undiluted). Water in jugs on the ward warm up fast and tastes horrible without squash.

Sports cap bottle to drink from in strange positions! V useful when lying down post CS.

Good luck!

Nipple cream if you're planning on breastfeeding!

Take in some loose comfortable clothes for padding about in during the day and to wear when you have visitors - far nicer than being in pj's.

also take in moisturiser. i took in cheap knickers from primark as far more comfortable than paper disposable ones.

some snacks as hospital food can be a bit horrible and at some point after the birth you will be starving.

I'd definitely pack lansinoh if planning to breastfeed.

I also took an ipod and istation as I wanted to listen to music (but you might not want that)

It's so exciting!

I would have a pillow on hand I case you have to stay in. I didnt sleep hardly during my 3 night stay in hospital with dd1 but dp bringing my own pillow did help me have a few naps during the day.

Eye mask, for sleeping (wards with lights on = no sleep for me)

Take some snacks like cereal bars just in food is rank or late

Small fan & flip flops/slippers.

Scratch mitts. I thought they were useless until DS2 scratched the face off himself.

Oh & a nice anti bac handgel like Carex if you have sensitive skin,the hosp gel & soap brought my hands out in a really bad rash. This time around I'm going to take a spare bag so I can send stuff bk with DH that I don't need-last time I was in for a week & had so much stuff around my bed! Good luck with it all :)

Best advice I had for labour was to put a 3/4 full sports water bottle in the freezer, topped up with water when leaving for the hospital. Lovely cold water all the way through labour, just keep topping up with tap water. Fab!
I packed loads but had a quick labour and didn't need 90% of it. Will take less this time round and have an extra bag in the car in case it takes longer.

I gave birth in September and wrote these notes if we have another.

Hospital bag (after labour)
Nightgowns (front opening)
Nursing bras
Tena Lady pants
Maternity pads
Breast pads - normal & hydrogel
Breast shells
Compresses (MAM & Lansinoh)
Codeine
Paracetamol
Ibruprofen
Aloe Vera Lube
Lansinoh cream/Kamillosan cream
Lansinoh latch assist
Moist toilet tissue
Sanitary bags
Anusol HC
Flip flops
Toilet bag
Phone & charger
Ecover hand wash & hand cream
Pillows
Lactulose

Hospital bag (labour)
Cold compress
Swim suit top
Camera
Misting spray
Food
Birth ball
iPod & docking station
Straws

Hospital bag (baby)
Babygrows
Vests
Nappies
Bepanthan
Sudocrem
Shawl & blanket
Muslins
Hat & Cardigan

All the best xx

A couple of small baby hats and a coat or snowsuit to take the baby home in.

Witch hazel pads for your down below if having a vb. Put some in a freezer bag with your name wrote on and then keep them in the freezer on the ward.

Thanks for all your replies, so I now have:
Hospital bag

Breast pads
Nursing bras x2
Knickers
Sanitary towels
Pj's
Dressing gown
Shower gel
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hairbrush
Hairbands
Shampoo
Conditioner
Kindle
Lip balm
Socks
Towel
Change for parking
Phone charger
Camera
Notes
Drinks/snacks
Bottle of squash
Nipple cream
Slippers
Antibacterial hand gel

Bump

Nappies
Baby grows
Vests
Nappy cream
Cotton wool

The only things I would add op is make sure your pyjama bottoms are dark coloured. I bled quite heavily after all my births and leaks/accidents can happen.

I was ravenous after labour and as the food in hosp was rank I took food in. And ate the lot! Bananas, choc bars, granola bars, belvita biscuits, haribos. And take a few bottles of drink too. Room temperature water and gross tea was the only thing they offer in hospital, and they like to make sure you can pass plenty of urine before they'll let you come home ime. So you'll need to drink plenty. (Though hosp usually quite warm so you wang to drink anyway) a flask of tea off visitors is a godsend too if you're in long enough for visitors. And some homemade sandwiches off visitors too!

I took paracetamol in with me too. Mw can give it you there, but just so i wasn't waiting around for it. (After labour)

Good luck!

Huge knickers, I had to get some cheap 3 sizes too big as was so uncomfortable and swollen after birth, I couldn't bear my normal size.

Thanks for all your replies! Been out this morning and got most of it, can't find Kamilosan ointment anywhere though.....anyone know if they still sell it? X x

Agree with Stargirl, I took 2 bags & left one in the car for DH to bring up after Dd was born. I'd also include a couple of plastic carrier bags to put any 'soiled' clothing in.

Also make sure you leave any additional stuff (eg extra nappies, baby clothes) in a very obvious place at home in case you need a longer stay & have to send DH for more supplies.

I got Kamilosan from Tesco, but think they do it in Boots. Tbh, I found Lansinoh much better and only ver used that once I tried both!

Kamilosan is softer and easier to apply, but fragranced an has to be wiped off every time baby feeds. Whereas Lansinoh is more like a grease, but doesn't have to be wiped away.

Thanks mamij , I can't use Lanisoh as I am allergic to Lanolin, used Kamilosan with dd (never wiped off though!) and didn't get so much as a cracked nipple, I'm hoping it works again!
Tried Tesco and boots this morning but no such luck, shall keep hunting x x

Hi Nicky - not sure how to link (m.boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/Kamillosan-Ointment_1672/#un_jtt_addtohome_hidden) but Boots do it still.

If your local doesn't sell it, Boots online will delivery to your local store for free (if you spend over £20 I think).