Hospital bags help for mum and baby....

[LG1979]

Hi ladies, this may end up a long post but could you take a look at my list for my baby bag and my bag and tell me if I'm missing anything? It looks a lot but it's not really when they're in their bags.

Baby bag:
Babygro/vests - 4 first size and 4 up to 1 month
Sleepsuits - 4 first size and 4 up to 1 month
4 Bibs
4 pairs first size socks
4 pairs of scratch mits
3 hats
1 jacket (for coming home)
2 blankets
1 shawl
1 teddy (for cute pics)
20 size 1 nappies
Pk of wipes
Nappy bags
Cotton wool pads
Talc
Sudocream.

Mummy bag:
Tankini (for birth hopefully)
Old nighty ( if not in birthing pool)
2 pairs pjs
Dressing gown
Slippers
Big Pants
Nursing bras
Socks
Pk of breast pads
Maternity towels x 20
Toiletry bag
Chapstick
Hand fan (incase it's a really hot room)
Flip flops (been advised to take for in shower)
Bag for dirty clothes
Fruity sweets
Coming home clothes
Phone chargers
Brush
Hairdryer

I can't help, as I'm pregnant with my first. Just hopping on to gain knowledge from others!

Best wishes for the birth

All I would say is take more knickers and bras than you think you'll need, I tend to go through one set every 12hours!

Maybe pack a separate bag for DH to bring next day so you're not constantly rummaging for stuff.

Also a couple of muslins might come in handy - they might not, but if you do need them, you don't want to be wiping up sick with a blanket!

Snacks, lip balm, nipple cream if you're breastfeeding.

Thanks trilbydoll. I'd forgot to add that I also have a couple of over the shoulder muslins. I think for the knickers, I have about 8 pairs in and 4 bras. Was gonna get hubby to bring in more if I end up in for any longer than normal.

I hadn't thought I'd need the nipple cream in the first few days? Better get some just incase! :)
I have snacks and chapstick in. :)

Don't think you'll need bibs...
If you've got sleepsuits do you need socks? Sleepsuits have integrated feet usually,

I have sleepsuits with feet, forgot that I might not need socks for those. I'm due at the end of June so thinking (hoping) the weather will be pretty warm so thought I'd have wee socks in just incase we just had a romper suit on at any time.

I never used talc,so would say that's unnecessary. Also don't think you will need bibs.

Good to know, might take out those if they wouldn't be needed then.

Agree with others that you won't need bibs or socks for baby, or talc (not recommended for babies at all as they can breathe in the powder).

Take a dark coloured towel for yourself. And snacks!

Good luck.

I was going to suggest ditching the talc. I don't think they recommend it for babies anymore as bad for their chests?

I'd also suggest another nightie. I ended up with a section and nighties are better for scar, pjs might rub. I had 2 nighties which was fine - one to labour in, one for after.

bag of change for parking (if your driving to the hospital )
book/ mags with a pen - just in case your in longer than you think .

Double or even triple the maternity pads, double the pants. Seriously. I was using two pads at once and still changing knickers every couple of hours.

Also - hairdryer?!?

Ok, so need to add in to take a towel for myself, more maternity pads and pants, and add another nighty.
Remove talc, bibs and socks?
The hairdryer is in the hope I get to blast my hair dry after a shower, otherwise I may look like a blonde Diana Ross!! lol

Yep, perfect plan - make sure the towel is dark coloured too, as a pp said. Preferably one you're happy to throw away.

As for blow drying your hair, no harm in hoping!

Also, do you need to take in a soft towel for baby, wasn't sure if they give you the towel for bathing baby?

I took in a towel, but they ended up giving me one, as I was too out of it to tell them where it was when the healthcare assistants were bathing DS.

I'd take one for the baby - if you don't end up using it then its not a problem.

Great, thanks for all the advice ladies!

Yes, definitely ditch the bibs, socks and talc. I think that's quite a lot of clothes for the baby too.

But more knickers and pads for you! Dark towel is a good idea. You might want to consider a feeding pillow, and even your own pillow for you. I hate hospital pillows!

Good luck!

Oh and I think scratch mits are a waste of time too, but each to tm their own on that one!

I think the sleepsuits with integrated scratch mits are better than the separate ones which look cumbersome and usually fall off.
Just my opinion but I think 8 sleepsuits and 8 bibs is excessive! I think I took 3 of each (and ended up only using 1 as we had a 3 hour discharge). I know you might be in longer and therefore will need more but you could leave some in a separate bag at home/in the car to be brought in if necessary?

Earplugs and eye mask - postnatal wards are noisy! I also had a huge bottle of water which I really appreciated. Definitely take the Lansinoh if you're planning on BF'ing. And if you have a spare bit of space, squeeze in some nice hand cream. I washed my hands a lot.

And baths for baby... Unless you're in for a long time I'm not sure you'll need to bath the baby at hospital.

I would only take one small size clothing . And return the others. Up to one month is only 3-4 weeks wear, when do you expect baby to wear newborn and up to one month? Keep newborn and change the up to one month for 0-3 months. The up to one month is just a market ploy seeing as newborn and 0-3 should more than cover that size.

Ditch bibs, ditch talc ditch socks

Just one pair scratch mitts ( they don't recommend you use much now as prevents baby finding own touch and grabbing out)

Just one blanket or shawl don't need 3 in total.

No jacket, impossible to squeeze babies in them. Just cardigan and wrap them in the blanket/ shawl. Return any jackets you bought for under 6 months.