Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Hospital bag

45 replies

MissEverdeen · 11/06/2013 07:39

Ive packed mine as there are hundreds of lists online for what I will/might need but what about baby?!
So far I have:
3 body suits
3 vests
3 pairs of mittens
3 hats
1 coat
2 blankets
1 small pack of nappies (first size)
1 pack of baby wipes
Will I need anything else? Is this enough/too much?
Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ElBombero · 11/06/2013 07:41

A muslin cloth. I never went anywhere without one

Kittenkatzen · 11/06/2013 07:41

Sorry nothing to add but wanted to mark place as I need to do this soon Smile

Jollyb · 11/06/2013 08:41

Doubt you'll need 3 hats and mittens. They're unlikely to get dirty being at the 'top end'. I'd be tempted to put in another body suit and pack of wipes .

Remember if you are in hospital longer than expected your partner/family can bring things in. Make sure they know where everything is though - you don't want to end up with 3-6 month baby grows!

We took a few pampers disposable changing mats in and found them really useful. We reused them a few times.

Longfufu · 11/06/2013 08:49

Sounds about right, I agree with jolly you prob won't need that many hats and mittens. Think I took some cotton wool as well.

You'll also need to bring your babies car seat.

MrsBri · 11/06/2013 09:14

If you're taking wipes, make sure your hospital will let them use them. Ours used to be cotton wool and water only until a couple of months ago. Now the ONLY wipes you can use are Johnson Extra Sensitive (thankfully on offer in Tesco right now, so we picked up a few packs for ease).

I think I have about 6 sets of baby gros / sleep suits in our bags.

We also have a couple of pairs of socks plus one pair of bootees.

Original poster
MissEverdeen · 11/06/2013 09:51

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Wickedgirl · 11/06/2013 10:06

I have also packed bibs as my last baby swallowed meconium and kept bringing it up and needed several outfit changes as a result. It's a lot easier to change a bib rather than a sleep suit.

I am also taking muslins as they are fab for everything.

If you are bottle feeding, you might need to take formula and bottles too?

Littlemissexpecting · 11/06/2013 10:17

I've also got 2 muslins packed, some cotton wool, nappy bags and a few more vests and sleep suits (6 in total but 2 different sizes).
Did you mention a blanket?

cupcake78 · 11/06/2013 10:27

I've got cotton wool, wipes, Vaseline (get it on baby's bum before 1st poo and it makes it so much easier to get off), many nappies, 3 muslins, 5 vests and babygrows. A couple of blankets and hats, a cardigan.

My bag is packed for a weeks arctic expedition Wink

ElBombero · 13/06/2013 22:35

Surely the hospital can't tell you if you can or cannot use wipes? Id like to see them try

justhayley · 13/06/2013 22:46

Cotton wool
Muslins
A cardigan

Xx

Clca · 13/06/2013 22:47

How many weeks do you think you should have your hospital bag ready by? Im currently 32 w. Sorry to jump on board your thread op.

TrudyW · 13/06/2013 22:57

My hospital kept telling me off for putting on son in a hat! Kept saying I would overheat him and what not!

Your bag sounds fine, I just used cotton wool and water instead of wipes for a while but that's just personal choice.

MrsBri · 14/06/2013 07:10

ElBombero, the hospital can and will tell you whether you can use the wipes as the baby is in their care while it is there.

We have bought the wipes we are allowed to use. It isn't too much of an issue.

SoupDragon · 14/06/2013 07:20

I don't think you'll need two blankets.

jammiedonut · 14/06/2013 07:24

Some sort of barrier cream (Vaseline/sudocrem), cotton wool, Muslins and some ready to use formula bottles (boots do starter packs that are excellent). Even if you are planning to breastfeed as I did its good to have the bottles as it shows you have a means of feeding baby if your milk takes a while to come in or baby isn't interested in feeding for a while, and hopefully you'll be home quicker! Probably won't need 3 hats or mittens but if you can bring a variety of sizes for babygros & vests as ds looked ridiculously in his baggy trousers when we got him home (very long but thin baby!).

jammiedonut · 14/06/2013 07:25

Clca I had mine packed from 34 weeks (was intending to have it ready from 30 but never got round to it!)

knittingirl · 14/06/2013 11:01

Clca all my hospital stuff has been together in a box since I was 27 weeks. At some point I'll put it in a bag but I figure worst case the box can just go in the car :) I did it so early because I was struggling with anxiety a lot and it really helped to have things like that sorted.

For baby, I just have about 3 babygros, 3 vests, a handful of nappies, a blanket, a cardigan, small pack of baby wipes, vaseline. We live about 10 mins from the hospital so I'll just send dh home if we need more of anything. I intend to breastfeed so am not taking (and actually not buying) any bottle feeding stuff, again, if we need it then tescos is open 24 hours and I don't want a lot unnecessary stuff around.

knittingirl · 14/06/2013 11:01

Oh, and a couple of muslins.

Splatt34 · 14/06/2013 11:42

I would take a minimal amount but put the other newborn/0-3 sleepsuits and vests in a separate bag in an obvious place or.in the car. that

Splatt34 · 14/06/2013 11:44

oops feeding and writing!!!

way your partner can find them easily. i was only in for 12 hours this time and only needed 2 vests and 2 sleepsuit

josiejay · 14/06/2013 11:51

I did a separate little going home bag for me and baby - (containing my clothes, change of clothes and spare nappy for baby and her coat) and popped it on top of the carseat in the boot for DH to bring in when it was time to go home. Saves you dragging it all in one huge bag from (possibly) antenatal, to labour ward, to postnatal, when you don't need it yet.

Teaandflapjacks · 14/06/2013 12:58

I need to do this soon too. I would add on the food front (very important!) - chocolate, cereal bars, juice cartons etc. You don't know what time you will be out - and you may be ravenous without being able to get hold of anything to eat. I have been told by lots of new mums take a couple of packs of stuff - like maltesers or M&M's, and some chewy bars, and a 3 pack of juice. If you don't need it - so much the better, but at least you have it. I was also told that mints are a great idea in case you are stuck in your bed and cant be bothered to brush teeth - but breath tastes horrid. Also load up your kindle, or have an easy book to take with - I think an ebook reader is a great gift - turning pages with a baby and book a mare.

I also don't know if you need a coat - since you will layering up and have blankets, cardigan etc - a thickish cardi is maybe more useful? xx

lurcherlover · 14/06/2013 13:23

Hospitals have blankets. Just take one to bring baby home in.

Def only one hat, but lots of vests and sleepsuits!

Make sure you've got flip flops for the shower...

Ezza1 · 14/06/2013 13:31

A soft hand/baby towel can be useful.

I cannot believe hospitals stipulate which brand of baby wipes is acceptable or ban them altogether!