Hospital Bag - done to death but please tell me if I missed anything?

[LittlePeaPod]

I am having a CS and consultant says i will be staying in for at least two days. Please could you let me know if I have missed anything? maybe I have gone overboard

My Bag:
-birth plan & pregnancy medical notes
-books, mags, news papers etc.
-breast pads
-dressing gown - what kind? Light weight or warm?
-pyjamas, nightdress (front button) and slippers
-disposable panties or cheap cotton panties
-pillow and feeding pillow
-nursing bra (one cup size larger than pregnancy or get measured at 38 weeks)
-healthy snacks and sweets/crisps/juice and bottled water
-cane f clothes
-laundry bag for dirty clothes
-hair bands, hairbrush, soap, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, make-up, tooth brush, toothpaste and dark coloured towels
-maternity sanitary pads
-pad/pen to write down notes/feeding ties etc.
-phone/camera careers etc.

Baby's bag:
-6 front button all in one any grows
-6 muslin cloths

• 6 bibs

-4 cardigans -6 hats, mittens and socks -car seat -water wet wipes -nappies, nappy cream and apply bag -Aptamil ready made baby formula - 2 starter pack (in case BF goes wrong) -infacol for feeding -snowsuit for going home in (winter baby) -3 swaddling/baby blankets -soft toy/comforter for our DD

DH bag:
-book, mags, papers etc.
-change of clothes
-list of contact numbers to let people know when she is born
-camera and battery/charger
-lots of loose change (parking/snacks/sandwiches etc.)
-toothbrush

Lots of good advice already, but I'd leave the infacol out.

I must start making a list of my own...

I used (and will be again soon!) travel sized toiletries to take up less space in my bag - I have some naice molton brown ones I liberated from a hotel just for this sort of thing! I've also got a mini tin of dry shampoo in case I cba to wash my hair and baby wipes for me to use for freshening up.

I used breast pads from the start last time as I was leaky from about 30 weeks, and continued to leak until DS was about 6mo - Lansinoh ones were the best IMO

Also marking my place

Unhealthy snacks!

Maybe pack your toiletries in a hanging bag. I had a section and struggled in the bathroom as there wasn't a shelf anywhere near the shower. Would have been really useful to have been able to hang up my shampoo as bending down was bloody painful.

I didn't realise that baby shouldn't be in a snowsuit in the car seat. This is my 3rd, but my first winter baby. I've packed a snow suit in my hosp bag but will take it out now, I have put a blanket in too but will pop a few more in the car seat for when we grab it.

Realised I haven't put clothes to go home in either! shall be leaving the hospital naked at this rate haha.

You've inspired me to make my list, thank you.

I was advised that arnica tablets and cream were really useful for reducing downstairs bruising. It works marvels when you've dropped something on your foot so makes sense to me.

Recommend packing bag with DP so the he knows where things are avoids the 'can you get me x y z' ' ' which bag where is it?' Conversation.

I was so pious re snacks so much dried fruit and nut stuff but what I wanted was wotzits and chocolate

I was in 5 nights following my EMCS (felt like forever!). I sent DH for my feeding pillow on the 2nd day and found it really helpful as kept the weight of the baby from 'pulling' on my scar. This time I will def put in the car

I also treated myself to some hot milk cami tops to wear with pjs and a nightie - they have an internal support shelf so no need for a bra at night and those clips they have on nursing bras so you can stay quite covered up which I liked on the ward. Loved them! For me lansinoh and breast pads were essential too. And nice toiletries - by day 2 I felt so Ming!

Finally - I know people are saying you won't have time to read once baby here (agreed!) but if you are elcs you might have a bit of a wait before you go down so no harm in taking something to pass the time! DH can always take home in the evening to get it out the way

Ps you can get an app to track your feeding times if that might be easier than paper and pen?

Do you need bottles as well as formula (if you're taking formula)?

I'd definitely recommend taking own toiletries and towel (I took a burgundy bath sheet).

Also didn't know about snowsuit. Took DD1 home in hers.

And another thank you for inspiring me to get sorted - 34 weeks and haven't thought about it yet! Think I had a bag packed from about 28 weeks last time.

Good luck LittlePeaPod, I remember you from the January antenatal thread (I was under name yonionekanobe) but couldn't keep up with speed thread moved!!

I had time to read post section. They tend to sleep a lot in the first 24 hours. DP and I watched several episodes of Broadchurch together on the iPad.

Lockers are tiny. Get dh to bring stuff in as you need it. There is no room in hospital.

I had my hairdryer.

Kindle.

Nighttime bras are brilliant, I had two. Very comfy

We had to take own towels and flannels.

Slippers in a dark colour , floors are not that clean

After a Cs with first baby I didn't bleed as much but used maternity pads across the scar it protect it. Definitely get cheap cotton pants. It's so hot in hospital that disposable ones will be soooo uncomfortable.
Take your own pillow please. You only get two and you want to be nice and propped up when you are sitting.
Take changes of nightie for you due to sweatiness!
Arnica tabs worked wonders for bruising.
Lots of change if you want to watch tv in hosp.
Deffo take the laxative! If poss take stool softener rather than senna. You don't want to have to do any straining at all!
I've just had dc3 and I forgot to pack maternity pads and cotton wool to clean his bottom in the labour bag rather than just having it in ward bag oops! The hospital won't provide too much stuff for you, you deffo need to take cotton wool for cleaning bottoms.
I read somewhere that Vaseline on the baby's bum will help you to clean the meconium nappies. I wish had done that, it it very sticky.
Very very best of luck

Don't know if already said but take mint tea bags and/or trapped wind treatment eg Windeze or Rennie Deflatine. Trapped wind after abdominal surgery can be excruciating. I had a caesarean last week and got it very badly. It gets trapped right underneath your wound which can really, really hurt!

Big pants that pull up to your belly button are essential too, normal pants sit right on the scar.

Clothes for going home in - see above. Maternity jeans/trousers etc, even with a stretchy band, will dig in to the wound site - try a dress instead.

Stock up on painkillers for home if the hospital doesn't send you home with them.

Your own pillows x2 - hospital pillows are pathetic and need supplementing. Also useful for feeding.

Real camera! Don't rely on mobile phone for a camera because you'll be in theatre and they're unlikely to let you use one in there.

Lansinoh cream essential.

Don't forget knickers.
like I did

I'd also forgotten how wonderful Fybogel is, you have it as a drink and it (look online for the proper explanation) helps you pass a poo very easily, great if you have had stitches. I didn't find out about it until I was back at home after DC1, I took it into the hospital with me for my following DC's.

Thanks again for all the great tips/advice.

Jolly like the hanging bag for toiletries. I hadn't even considered the who,e bedding down to get toiletries when showering.

Artandogo I will be getting the lashes and eyebrows dyed, thanks for that.

Cordial great idea on the packing bag with DH. For an extremely intelligent man his normal really useless with anything practical so that's a good idea in our case

Shropshiremummy. If you take formula, you don't need to take any bottles. You can get Pre pared formula that doesn't require any prep/sterilisation/heating... See link to the ones I am taking www.boots.com/en/Aptamil-1-First-Milk-Liquid-Starter-Pack-from-Birth---Ready-to-Feed_1262721?CAWELAID=1340727420&cm_mmc=pla--google--Boots+Beauty-_-Beauty+-+PLAs&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&cagpspn=pla

MetallaEstMater how are you keeping? Well I hope. Yes I remember you from the January thread too. I too haven't been on the thread for a while

Thingsthatobump # the forgetting your knickers.....

Can't remember who recommended travel size toiletries - thank you for that. Never even tossed my mind. And also thanks for everyone that's

What sort of things would i need to take if planning on bf and should i take some bottles of pre prepared formula incase things don't work out?

I'm quite a discreet person, and was wondering what sort of clothing, shawls etc could help me bf unoticably as with dd4 the mws kept pulling my curtains back and i felt very exposed to other womens visitors. Do i need special bf clothing or is there any ideas others have on cheaper bf wear?

Tia x

Pumpkin I am taking a really light shall for BF in case the curtains are withdrawn by MW. I am also taking formula just in case but I am taking pre-prepared formula that doesn't require any prep/sterilisation/heating/bottles etc... See link to the ones I am taking www.boots.com/en/Aptamil-1-First-Milk-Liquid-Starter-Pack-from-Birth---Ready-to-Feed_1262721?CAWELAID=1340727420&cm_mmc=pla--google--Boots+Beauty-_-Beauty+-+PLAs&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&cagpspn=pla

Thankyou Littlepea that makes it easier

A sleep bra (like a stretchy crop top but with feeding clips) might be more comfy for when you're sat around in bed wearing pjs.