hospital bag - have i missed anything?

[xShellyx]

Iv got total baby brain and can't seem to focus! Iv packed my little suitcase and bag last night and wanted to make sure I hadn't missed anything, so here's what I have and I apologize for the list!

4x nighties for me.
Maternity pads and breast pads
Nipple cream
Toiletries (showergel, toothpaste, hairbrush etc etc)
A towel
Fluffy socks
Phone charger
A bag of change just incase
Leggings + top to come home in

5x vests and grows in newborn size
Hooded towel
Pack of nappies and wipes
Socks and scratch mits
Blanket
Coming home outfit
Bibs

I cant remember what I packed with my first almost 4 years ago, but I remember staying in hospital for 6 days and my other half bringing me supplies because I packed for a night or two at most.

Thanks ladies!

I'm going to steal your list -thanks!

Haven't got any baby towels yet -will look for them now.

I got mine from babies r us was £12 down to £5 in their sale. Pack of 3 :)

Just realised, I'll probably need some undies packing hahaha!

Big pants, a packet of sweeties to help your energy levels, an eye mask, bottles of juice

You need some painkillers for your DH/DP and something for him to eat/drink.

A friend of mines DH got a terrible stress headache and had to leave the hospital to go and get some painkillers, which is clearly not ideal.

Whether he has access to snacks and drinks might depend on the hospital but I wouldn't have wanted my DH to have to leave me.

He's packed his own little bag of snacks, drinks and a change of clothes, deodrant etc. He stayed with me for two solid days with nothing, luckily I had two birth partners last time and they took it in turns to fetch a drink etc.

Hes a smoker and worried he won't be able to go for one, he only has 3or so a day, but it helps him keep calm lol iv suggested one of those ecigs so need to see if he's allowed them in the building so he doesn't have to far

For you I'd add water bottles (both for labour and afterwards it can be hard to get hold of it), snacks (for both), painkillers, robe (I found it easier to nurse at first in a robe, especially with tubes in my hands or elbow which made changing shirts difficult), and a fully charged camera with plenty of free memory.

For baby: make sure to take more than one coming home outfit (my youngest was too big to fit into the newborn outfit or hat that his siblings had worn).

Bring lots of savoury and sweet snacks. I was starving after having dd1 and only had a couple of cereal bars to stave off the hunger. Expecting dc2 in June and planning to put a big tub of Pringles in the bag along with some nice choccy biscuits!

Take some babygrows in 0-3 months, my second had really long legs so the new born ones didn't fit

A camera?

Have you packed a dressing gown for you? I'd also add lip balm and mouth freshener spray because gas an air makes your mouth so dry.

For the baby I'd add a cardigan, dummy (personal choice) and car seat, I read on here about someone going into labour while they were out so went straight to the hospital and didn't have the car seat.

I forgot my shower puff last time so had to try and use the shower gel with just my hand and it didn't lather.

Definitely loads of snacks and sports drinks! I'd also take a dressing gown and slippers.

Music/ipod/books/magazines?

Something to wear in labour pool?

Good luck, really exciting time

All brilliant ideas! Will definitely pack a robe, didn't even think about that.

I dont own a camera because my phone has a brilliant cam and iv been told using the phone for pictures is perfectly fine :)

The car seat will be in the car ready for babies arrival as of this weekend.

It is exciting! Although I'm only 34w and at risk of a prem birth, boo!!

If you're going to bf this will be irrelevant, but I forgot with my last 2 to take milk and bottles to feed, both times they frowned at me! This time I bought sma bottles already made. (only bf with my first then had a horrendous breast abcess that needed surgery in the end, put me off bf'ing anymore :-/ x

If you are bf then nursing bras (4-5 die to leaks).

If you plan to swaddle then a couple of swaddling blankets

A baby cap/hat & snowsuit for the journey.

Disposable underwear (not so glamorous but useful for the first three days!) :)

Do they not provide milk anymore? They gave me loads of little bottles for my first.

I still haven't decided how to feed, I'd like to give bf a go but already my boobs and nipples are so, so sore and leaky so the thought of having a baby on them makes me shudder. I'm prepared to do either :)

The two hospitals I gave birth at did supply it but said I should of brought my own really. I had a serious think about trying to bf again with this one but the thought of another breast abcess is too scary, my boob is mangled now lol x

In case you have an emergency section, or have to stay in hospital for longer than planned, you can pack a spare bag at home with extra night clothes for you, and extra clothes for baby. pj bottom for you as if you stay longer in hospital you might have to get up to get your food, or go to baby unit.

Also a hat for baby.

Flip flops.

Isotonic drinks, the still Lucozade was my favourite! I found it really refreshing once in the post-natal ward and it helped revive me a bit more than just water. And lots (and lots) of snacks and sweets.

Also, a Tens machine maybe?

Can anyone give me some tips with taking own milk? Iv found the small ready made bottles but what do I do about my own bottles? sterilizing between feeds etc? Partner suggested taking the small sterilizing tub from my tommee tippee pump and some Milton fluid.

Iv got some still lucazade and some flavoured volvic water for my bag today while out and about, and lip balm! Snacks are sorted, my daughter keeps telling me I need those fish and chip crips/snacks but I think she's just saying that so I buy her some too!

Bendy straws for drinking while head down in labour
Plastic jug fir pouring warm water over battered fanjo during first post birth wees
Painkillers (but for you!)
Stuff that softens your poo
Your favourite chocolate

Best of luck

Tens machine
Frozen Capri sun, heaps of them!!!
At least two packs maternity pads.