Packing a bag for the big day...

[Bellyrub1980]

Another common thread I think but at 35 weeks it's just becoming relevant to me! (I can hardly believe it!!!)

What things do you recommend packing, all suggestions great fully received! For me, DP and the baby :)

Don't pack the kitchen sink!

Honestly some of these lists are huge! You never know plan at hospital so you can end up ( or dh)dragging several bags or forgetting one as you move from one area to the other.

I took one holdall with shoulder strap both times. Plus handbag.

Within holdall seperate mesh bags ( like ones from muji). So baby clothes/ muslin/ few nappies and wipes etc in one, another with my things ie change of clothes/ few maternity towels etc. Then one with all the spares ie rest of baby nappies/ maternity towels etc.

Ie Think I just put 5 nappies in baby bag for immediate use, and another 15 in ' spare bag'. Means if dh needs to get baby first change and nappy, he isn't rummaging through what seems like hundreds of nappies! That bag was at bottom of holdall.

Holdall meant dh could sling over his shoulder and carry car seat with baby in out at same time. I could carry handbag.

In handbag had valuables as often cupboard to lock is tiny. So phone/ iPad/ kindle/ money/ lip balm etc can be easy access but locked away when needed.

I packed two nursing dresses and leggings to wear and to go home in and was pleased as made me feel normal and look good in photos (vain!). In dark navy and black.

Don't take a white blanket in for baby as likely to get lost amongst other things, so something more distinct is better.

That's great advice! Cheers! Is it worth taking nipple cream??

Yes it is, and haemorrhoid cream. Also don't underestimate the number of maternity pads you'll need. I thought I had more than enough, but had to beg some extra from the hospital.

Yes I took some. But very little other toiletries. Bathrooms there and your comfort straight after mean quick shower/ wash of hair to freshen up is enough. So just a gentle mini shampoo/ wash in one . Burts bees baby one is good.

Had lip balm, hand cream, and basic eye makeup in handbag, but always do anyway ( all mini versions)

Will we need to take baby bath gel for the baby? I understand the midwives often teach you how to do a baby bath there. Do they supply the soap and towels for that?

I wear very little make up anyway. But might take it just incase I'm feeling vain for the photos!!

Usually babies only need water to wash :) cotton wool would be a good idea though.

Ok lovely!

Take some baby oil and put on babies bottom as soon as possible (first nappy change) as it makes those early poos much easier to clean off.

I also used my hot wheat bag a lot (I wasn't allowed to use a real hot water bottle in case I burnt myself).

Baby washed in just water ( and at home in just water most the first year)

Hi op

For myself several t shirts and pj bottoms two bras several knickers

Three nighties

Deodorant

Nipple sheilds a must

I brought free samples from magazine of moisturiser and shampoo etc to save space

All in one powder compact and eyeliner

Toothbrush and paste

Headphones for radio - I'm not a techno person

This time extra paracetamol and colpermin

Arnica tablets

I brought the samples of baby wash and one baby towel

Newborn nappies and water wipes

Eight vests and gro's two hats

One blanket

Lots of pads

Towel for myself.

Hair dryer brush thing.

Most important camera and batteries !!!

Great lists there!! Cheers!!!

I'm just starting to pack mine 35+2
So far I have...
Two nighties
Slippers
Dressing gown
Bikini top (water birth)
2 nursing bras
Maternity pads
Big pants
Socks
Going home clothes (jogging bottoms and a hoody!)
Dry shampoo
Makeup wipes
Hair brush
Hair bands
Toothbrush + paste

Planning to add
Bottled water
Sweets
Nipple cream
Disposable pants
Mini shower gel and deodorant

For baby so far I have some vests and some baby gros,a few Muslins, blanket and nappies

They never taught me to wash DS1, that's something the midwife would usually show you once you're at home

My bag is done and in the boot as I had threatened preterm labour last week which spurred me on!

Bag
Giant nightshirt
Dark pj bottoms
Vest
Bra
Few pairs of giant black pants
Tankini (planning waterbirth)
Towel
Maternity towels
Slippers
Small toiletry bag - deodorant, lipbalm, showergel, shampoo, toothbrusbh and paste, hair grips.and bobbles, wipes
Baby vests x3
Sleepsuits x3
Cardi and hat
Baby swaddle muslin
Dummy
Wipes and nappies and nappy sacks
Bag of pistacchios
Cereal bars
Book
Phone charger
Cash
Notes
Mini sma bottles

Then separate for collection afterwards - car seat, fleecy pramsuit, outfit for me

Maternity pads, maternity pads and more maternity pads!! And some snacks- so important to keep you going..

Dry shampoo is very handy

Straw incase of c section

Thanks for all the above! How many maternity pads roughly? Enough for a change at every wee? Like a heavy period? Or are we talking more than that?

I would say 12 per 24 hours. To allow you to change every hour at first if you want/ need to, and gradually spaced out. So take 20. 5 on hand with toiletries, other 15 at bottom of bag for later. Dh can bring in more if your in longer than 2 days

Think I used 8 -10. Both times in for 18 ish hours after the birth. So had plenty spare incase in longer/ bled more.

Ok that's great, cheers for letting me know. Out of interest (stupid question probably) do women still bleed after a c section? Not that I'm having one but this baby is currently breech so.....

Yes you do still bleed after a section. Although mine was not heavy at all. It was just like a regular period for a few days and then lighter than a period for another 4 weeks.
Any pj bottoms you take try to get dark colours and if you're going to be in more than a couple of days take breast pads as you might leak milk on your bra. Mine was like rivers haha.

Water wipes for nappy changes are so much better than faffing with cotton wool and water. They don't have the chemicals of usual baby wipes, so are fine from newborn.

I was shocked at how much I bled after my EMCS - way more than a heavy period. I felt most cheated

If I was doing it again, and I hope to be, I'd have one bag of stuff I needed in labour and immediately after the birth, and one of 'ward stuff' that DH could get from the car.