When did you pack your hospital bag? And what on earth did you put in it?

[Babysealion]

DM rang me the other night demanding to know if I'd packed my hospital bag. I said don't be ridiculous DM, I'm only 27 weeks!
She told me it's better to be prepared. I'm 27+5.
When did you pack yours?
And what do I put in it?! I know usual things like nightwear, maternity/breast pads, clean clothes and underwear, toiletries. But what on earth do I pack for the baby?
Oh god I'm so unprepared. I have hardly any clothes for baby yet and no cot or Moses basket!

FOOD!

May I be the first to suggest NOT buying disposable paper knickers? They are, quite frankly crap. Buy some cheap ones from Asda/Primark instead.

The baby needs vests and babygros/sleepsuits, preferably the ones that have the mitten attached that you just fold over. Don't buy mittens because they fall off. Ditto socks- waste of time. Pram suit/all in one winter type thing and hat! Good to go....

Oh, and anytime around 36 weeks, or sooner, to pack the bag. Or just gather some stuff in one place then keep adding to it bit by bit, that way you'll be able to see what you have.

I'm 33 weeks and still haven't done it but I need to get on. I cannot think what to put in it though. My last birth was very quick so I'm hoping for a really quick birth this time as well.

There's no harm in getting some of the basics in there early. Statistically you won't need to, but just say you did.. you'd be grateful! Plus there can often be "surprise" hospital admissions long before the birth. Having a bag ready for you (not necessarily baby or labour stuff - that is safe to leave for longer) with hospital nightwear and toothbrush etc etc wouldn't take long to do. So if you do get unlucky, at least that's one less thing to worry about!

This is the voice of bitter experience talking

And yes - buy cheap BIG knickers, not the paper ones - I second that! And the food. With DC1 I laboured over the hospital dinner time, delivered at 8pm, their toaster was broken and there was nothing else available so I had NOTHING to eat from lunchtime the previous day until breakfast and I'd given birth in the meantime. Thanks, shitty hospital. Well, I tell a lie, I had a bag of dried cranberries in my hospital bag. I strongly suggest packing stuff like breakfast bars as they're a bit more substantial in case of incidents like mine!

Only packed mine at 36 weeks after a scare when baby didn't move one day. DH panicked and started to pack it while I was at hospital being checked. Don't do that to yours, he was a wreck thinking something was wrong but wanting to be helpful!
I was packed a lot I didn't use but I second the comment about pants, I bought some massive ones (full on igranny, up to your eyeball pants!) and they were great for the 1st days after Esp if you need a c-sec.
Take 2 sets of pjs, a book (you may have time to kill if being induced), nappies and wipes for baby along with clothes as mentioned.
Take food too, the meals were ok but you don't get snacks in between and I got peckish a lot!

Lip balm for during labor was all I was bothered about!

had 6 so I can't remember all, probably around 8 months.

I do remember with DS3 it was 2 days after he was due and with DS4 I had an ELSC so just the day before.

for the car:

• lots of coins for parking fees!
• baby car seat

for you:

• charger for phone
• slippers
• box of tissues
• bottle of water (plus any othet food and drink you want)
• maternity pads
• old or disposable knickers
• KITCHEN TOWELS!

it is the best thing to clean yourself with after the birth when you are sore, because of it's absorbency and not falling apart! loo paper crumbles and you can't wipe properly - you'll have bits of paper stuck to your stitches, so painful. trust me on this! fold a piece in half and wipe after using the toilet or dab to dry yourself after a shower/bath. don't flush it down the toilet though!

• clothes you want to labour in (t-shirts and comfy trousers for me, but I always ended up naked anyway)
• clothes you want to wear after baby's born
• dressing gown or a nice warm jumper or cardi
• breast feeding pillow (even if you bottle feed it's nice and comfy!)
• towel and toiletries
• any medications
• a bag for soiled clothes
• warm socks

for baby:

• nappies & wipes
• vaseline - soooo much easier to clean off the sticky meconium poo with this!
• pooper vests
• babygrows & socks (I always put little socks on so the feet of the babygro stay in place!)
• mittens
• blanket/s

I think that's it.

good luck!

I'm 27 weeks and not packed one yet! I had to pack one for myself last week when I thought I might be having an overnight stay. I forgot slippers and glasses, but other than that I just chucked usual overnight stuff in.

Rather than pack one now, I think I'll draw up a list so if I need to pack again in a hurry (or DH does) I won't forget things again.

It'll be some time yet before I worry about packing proper bags.

I packed today. Just have to put joggers and t shirt in for me, and knickers.

i put in:
whole pack of newborn nappies
whole pack of wipes
3x vest and babygros
2x cardigan
going home babygro
3x mat pads the thick ones (didn't take enough last time, just one pack. Ended up staying in three days)
6x ready made baby bottles and formula
hairbrush

I'm 30 weeks on Thursday. Just think the baby will be earlier this time. I'm already measuring ahead a couple of weeks. I cant explain why I think it wont be too long, i just do.

anyway, hth

I did a bag for me and a bag for baby which stayed in the car til she was born.
Things I forgot and asked DH to bring after were flip flops (instead of slippers), phone charger, a small bottle of squash and more clothes as it was so hot on post natal and I wanted to change more often than I thought.
Also good to pack a clean tshirt, toothbrush and deodorant for your other half if he's going to be there a while.

I packed mine yesterday. I am 33+5 but a few of the people on the December thread have given birth early, so it sort of panicked me into doing it

I have two bags, one for me and one for baby

My bag
facewipes
shower stuff + towel so I can have a wash afterwards
few pairs of jogging bottoms + strappy tops
3 pairs of pyjamas + a nighty to labour in
slipper socks +normal socks
cheap massive pants from primark
dressing gown
pair of shoes
maternity pads + breast pads
cereal bars and lucozade tablets for energy

baby's bag
babygros
vests
hats
mittens
cardigan
snowsuit to come home in
nappies +wipes + cotton wool