How much of everything do I need in hospital bag?

[Frillsandspillsx2]

I'm due in December so finally starting to gather a bag together.

Due to testing positive for GBS I know I will be in for at least 24 hours after my baby is born so it won't be a case of a quick discharge.
With this in mind I'm just wondering how much to take as I thought it was best to plan for a longer stay to make sure I have everything.

It's my first baby and in all honesty I have no idea how many vests, sleep suits or nappies I will need.

Not to mention maternity pads/breast pads although I'm not overly worried about this as my mum said she will sort that for me and she tends to go overboard with any sort of sanitary item.

I thought I knew how much to take in regards to baby items but I've found myself staring at piles of things not having a clue if there's enough.

I know to take vests, sleep suits (they have built in mittens so I don't think I will need extra), a couple of hats, I have a cute fleecy blanket to take for him and i have a couple of newborn dummy's although I'm not sure whether I will use them or not, bibs and nappies.
Oh and a pram suit type thing as it will be cold (for on the way home)
I think in terms of items that's everything.. (Please tell me if there's something I've forgot) it's just the quantity of each item.

Thank you!

I'd pack two bags one to take in initally and then a second that is on stand by just incase you are in longer than the 24 hours your expecting. In bag number one i'd take for baby:
4x sleep suits
4x vests
2x hats
pack of nappies
water wipes

For me:
two sets of pj's and at least one nightie incase of C-section and not wanting anything around stomach.
Lots of granny pants in dark colours incase of pads leeking
fav. shower gel/shampoo for afterwards
Pack of big mat. pads really nice squashy onces ( I find first couple of days I want to change them every hour or two)
Snacks
Drinks bottle with a sports top for easy drinking during and after when (if you are going to) trying to establish breast feeding.
Bottle of squash ( i get bored of drinking water)

Then very similar in bag two so if needed, DH or DM can just bring that bag in and kind of do a swap taking home the bag of stuff that's been used ifyswim.

Hope everything goes well for you

I've packed about 8-10 nappies per day (I know I'm in 3 days minimum)
Not sure how big baby will be (got caught out by this last time!) So 2 newborn vests and 2 newborn sleepsuits per day, plus I chucked in a tiny and a 0-3. Someone can bring in more if newborn doesn't fit.
A pack of pads (20 ish I think) the hospital has these but again I can get more brought in.
Handful of bra pads as I never needed them last time.

I don't think you'll need bibs or snowsuit unless you're walking / public transport home - they shouldn't wear one in the car seat. Blanket and hat should be enough if you're getting the car home.

Thank you!
I like the idea of an emergency bag on standby in case the stay is longer. I don't live that far from the hospital anyway so it won't be difficult.

It all feels a bit more real now!

I'd say probably around 6 sleepsuits and vests, I think I packed 4 or 5 but got through all of them due to lots of mucousy sick in first 24 hours, plus leaky meconium nappies. Depends on the baby I guess.

I'd also say if you're travelling back with a car seat, the baby shouldn't wear a padded pram suit as they aren't safe (straps won't be tight enough to body) and it could over heat in the car, so you'll be better off with a fleecy suit and blankets on top of car seat straps while outside.

I'd err on the side of more baby clothes. Had lots of sick (including bloody sick - nice failed vampire move there!) and nappies are an acquired skill!

Whole pack of newborn nappies as well, partially as easier to bring in packs.

1 decent size pack of pads (both types) should be enough - I switched to night time STs pretty quickly - silk unscented were more comfortable than the maternity pads for me. Did not need breast pads in hospital for the colostrum stage.

Bring a straw for labour. So much easier than even a sports bottle for quick sips between gasping on the gas and air.

My hospital bag was humungous but better than being under supplied - carelessly gave birth Sunday afternoon so no shopping options for quite a while - baby too small for newborn clothes so just looked swamped!

Yes to bringing lots and lots of baby clothes. With dc1 we got through so many thanks to baby sick. I was in for 3 days and dh had to go home to do lots of washes in that time.

I would plan 3 changes a day. DS was born in the morning and we went home in the evening the same day and he was on his third, and last, change!

Nappies - just take the whole pack if you can fit it in, or about 10 a day.

I wouldn't bother with breastpads unless you start leaking colostrum in the last weeks of pregnancy - milk doesn't come in until day 3, and there's such tiny amount of colostrum at first that it's unlikely to leak. I would put them into "longer stay" bag. But do pack lansinoh if you plan to bf!

At least 2 packs of 10 of mat pads. My waters broke first, so I started using them before I had a baby!

As others said, you don't need a pram suit if you are going home by car.

definitely remember multiple pyjamas/nighties for you in case of excess bleeding (you) or sick/poo from the baby. It's so valuable to feel comfortable and clean yourself.

Otherwise, second what most others have said.

Good Luck :) (I'm December too)!

Thank you so much everyone!

In regards to the pram suit I was thinking of just getting a fleece one, it's not padded like some I've seen its just like a thick fleeced all in one - is this ok for the in car seat?

I wouldn't use any all in one suit tbh in a car. Our car always warms up fairly quick so it's better having just a blanket on top and hat so they can be easily removed so they don't overheat.

If you end up with stitches I wouldn't use any normal sanitary pads for a while as they have that gel stuff in them that sucks up all the moisture. They can dry your stitches out and become really sore, as I learnt on DD.

I think a fleecy suit would be fine, it's just the padding that can be unsafe in car seats. The thing to remember for keeping tiny babies warm is layers rather than padding. So a vest, sleepsuit and cardy with a blanket on top is good choice for being outdoors on a cold day, and unlikely to get too hot in car with blanket removed. Also remember if you fold blanket in half it counts as 2 layers.

Don't take loads. It's a pain. There's not much storage and bags in the floor are an infection risk.
My dh visited twice a day so he brought stuff and my parents went out for "tiny baby" stuff when the newborn sleep suits were too big :) (ds was 6lb13 so not even that tiny really).