What to put in hospital bag

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

I can't remember what I put in last time round (5 years ago)

Have 2 bags

Me-
Maternity towels
Breast pads
Towel
Change of clothes
Shower stuff

Baby-
Nappies
Clothes
Wipes

What am I missing?

Food food food! I was only in for eight hours and ate my own bodyweight in rice cake, dried apricots and jaffa cakes!

I've packed:
Maternity towels
Witch hazel (apparently very soothing when applied to a maternity towel)
Lots of big knickers that I can dispose of
High energy drinks and snacks
Breast pads
Towel
Clothes for the birth and dark clothes for after the birth
Flip flops for shower
Slippers
Dressing gown
Hair bobbles to get long hair out of my face
Vaseline to avoid dry lips
Make-up so I don't look too terrible afterwards
Hot water bottle to relieve back ache
Tens machine
Phone charger, phone, camera will be packed at the the last minute

For baby
Clothes of various sizes
Nappies
Wipes
Bottles of ready made formula in case we can't BF

Probably I have far too much

A lip balm is going to be the first thing I pack, hospitals are so dry and hot. And some diluting juice too as the water always tastes weird out of their jugs.

For You
Face mist/spray. Evian does one, but you can also buy one of those empty travel containers with spray nozzle and put water in it.
Flannel or a sponge (useful in labour)
Lip balm
Big comfortable knickers
Slippers
Rubber flip flops (for showering)
Alice band to keep your hair away from you face
Fully charged camera
Dressing gown
Magazines/book
Tinted moisturiser

For Baby
Cotton wool
Blanket for going home

food, and more food.

and lots of pants.

Some form of entertainment if you're likely to be in there a while. Also food. If you give birth in the middle of the night they'll want you to hang around until after breakfast and you'll probably be starving.

3rd bag for if you are kept in for a couple of nights - food, pjs, baby outfits, extra nappies, magazines, etc. I didn't use anything that I'd packed for labour but had unexpected c-section and was glad I'd had some bits ready at home for DH to just grab. He was also sent out for extra big pants from m&s and fresh fruit.

Well worth checking what the hospital provide. Mine provided towels, maternity pads, nappies and cotton wool.

I took far too much. Might be worth having a second bag packed in the car for if you are in longer. I was home 7 hours after giving birth but ended up back in so having a second bag was really handy.

Essentials:
Big, comfy pants - a couple of sizes too big
Water in a sports cap bottle
Vaseline
Very comfy clothes for post birth.

Check with the hospital whether you can take chargers and so on.

Primark does a great range of nightwear with buttons down the front which would be useful for if you hope to BF.

Wow, thanks for the replies ladies.
Have big pants,
need Vaseline.
Must remember dressing gown and slippers.

Can definately take chargers.
Tens machine should be attached to me when I go in.