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What goes in a hospital bag?

11 replies

AlmondFrangipani · 12/04/2013 21:58

First baby and I'm clueless! Any advice would be great! Also how many nappies should u but? Thanks Wink

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mumtolilh · 12/04/2013 23:12

www.mumsnet.com/pregnancy/hospital-bag

mumtolilh · 12/04/2013 23:15

I bought a newborn pack with me (think about 22 in a pack)
Doesn't take up much room
Think I used about 6 in there but you never know...you could be kept in!
Don't forget face wipes for yourself/make up remover & if I could go back I wish I put some disposable knickers in there...trust me they are awful to look at but a great product :)

mumtosp · 12/04/2013 23:15

I had overpacked my hospital bag as I am one of those prepare for the worst kinda people.... so my first advice would be that if your hospital/birth centre is not very far from where you live then only pack the essentials and leave the rest in another bag at home. That way your DP can just bring in the 2nd bag when you need it...

During Labour:

  1. Birth plan
  2. Maternity notes
  3. Something to give birth in (if you're giving birth at the hospital as opposed to a birthing centre then they will put you in a hospital gown... I had taken a large t-shirt that said 'Keep Calm and Push' ;) )
  4. Snacks (cereal bars, dry fruits etc) - didn't end up eating anything !
  5. Lucozade
  6. Hand held fan... you may get very hot

Post Birth:

  1. Maternity pads - take atleast an entire pack (DP can buy more if you run out...)
  2. Big panties or disposable ones (I bought some big ones from primark)
  3. Nursing bra
  4. Something to wear after birth (I needed extra clothes as we were kept back for another day)
  5. Toiletries
  6. Makeup - if you can be bothered...
  7. Clothes to go home in
  8. Nipple cream - in case you get sore while feeding

For baby:

  1. Cotton wool (for nappy changes) ... or wipes if you prefer those
  2. Nappies (I just took an entire pack and that was more than enough)
  3. Nappy sacks
  4. Clothes for baby: vests, sleepsuits, mittens, cardigan (in case cold), blanket (we bought sleepsuits from mothercare which have built in mittens... so I didn't need separate mittens) - take atleast 2/3 pairs of clothes. Also a coming home outfit for the baby - in case you want something special.... we didn't bother
  5. Muslin squares (for feeding)
  6. Car seat

Other stuff:

  1. Camera/Handycam with batteries
  2. List of people to call from the hospital
  3. Notepad and Pen - always handy
  4. Chocolates for hospital staff - No need to pack... DP can buy post birth
  5. MP3 player if you want your own music during labour
  6. Clothes and toiletries for DP
  7. Hand held mirror in case you're having a water birth
  8. TENS machine - I found this very useful

Sorry if this list is too extensive!! :)

HTH...

Crocodilehunter · 12/04/2013 23:16

In mine I put:

A pack of cards/ something to entertain me in case labour was long

The small pack of nappies think you get about 20 in a pack (I had more than enough there but I wasn't there 24 hours)

2 packs of baby wipes (I only put one but meconium is sticky & really hard to clean Grin )

A couple of vests and comfy clothes for baby (something that's just easy for you to whip on and off them)

Blanket for baby

Travel size shower kit

Essentials like deodorant, toothbrush toothpaste (I'd prob pack face wipes & deodorant wipes so you don't have to keep getting up and down to wash because you might feel manky but you'll prob feel too uncomfortable to keep getting up)

Not sure if hospital provided but I took my own bath towel
A box of maternity towels
A few pairs of old knickers
A couple of nighties that were buttoned at the top so I could breastfeed easily
(Formula if you're not breast feeding)
Dressing gown
Slippers
CAMERA, phone charger, iPod etc
Snacks, I found myself eating fruit pastels at 3am (well deserved haha)
A going home outfit for you & baby

I think, that's about it I'll post again if I've forgotten :)

mumtosp · 12/04/2013 23:19

Oh I also ended up taking my own birthing ball as the hospital was taking ages getting one !!
Add dressing gown to that list - not necessary if you can get a private room post birth...

MissLurkalot · 13/04/2013 08:12

Someone recommended a little pot of Vaseline... Not just for dry lips for you but to put on baby's bottom to help stop their sticky poo sticking to their little bottoms too much.

MissLurkalot · 13/04/2013 08:12

Coins for car parking

Wishiwasanheiress · 13/04/2013 08:14

For before baby born - ear plugs and eye mask

For after.....eye mask and chocolate

Good luck and congrats x

Meringue33 · 13/04/2013 08:16

Lots of nice food in case they keep you in. I was in for two days trying to est bf and last meal of the day was served at 5pm!

Cotton tops you can easily undo for bf. Don't get satiny pajamas, they will chafe your nipples!

Make sure the nipple cream you get is Lansinoh or another pure lanolin kind, they are the only ones you don't have to wash off before bf. It hurts like hell at first btw, this is normal!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/04/2013 08:43

I packed the menu from my favourite takeaway nearby but then I know the hospital food was awful and in such tiny portions that I wouldn't have survived post labour and with a newborn to feed. Luckily I was back home in no time and could eat properly Smile

I also took some flip flops and flash wipes for the bathroom.

Original poster
AlmondFrangipani · 14/04/2013 09:00

Thanks all for your suggestions!! Really helpful! I'm going to start collating the stuff so I'm prepared! X

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