this is what I've packed - what have I missed?

[mayaknew]

Me:
Pj's x2
Tena pants
Bobbles & kirbies
Deodorant
Shower gel
Dry shampoo
Tooth brush/paste
Dressing gown
Slipper socks

Baby:
4 sleepsuits
4 vests
3 fleece socks
Knit Cardi and hat
3 cotton hats
4 pairs scratch mits
3 bibs
Nappies

I know I need more bibs and I've got a snowsuit my mum bought just haven't got it off her yet. I'm going to pack a separate small bag with clothes for me to come home in.

What else needs to go in?

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I'd take more pyjamas, depending on what you plan to give birth in. If you end up being in more than one night you might want another clean set.

Gosh - things I packed last time that were absolutely not necessary

Lip balm (because I read that the gas and air can be drying on your lips....jeese who cares about your lips when a baby is popping out your fangano)

A book (no way is there time to read a book, before your birth you will be in labour and not really in the reading frame of mind....after your birth you will be obsessed with your baby, and knackered)

Flannel (for my dh to mop my brow. He forgot)

Towel (it will get bloody, use the hospitals)

Things I sent my dh out to get when I was on the ward

Snacks (they give you toast post birth but that was it for 13 hrs)

Arnica (sp?) tablets to help with the bruising

IMO scratch mitts are a waste of time. When they are born their nails are so soft they can't scratch anything. By the time they harden the mitts just fall off. The suits with the mitts sown in are brilliant.

Bibs are also not necessary at this age if your planning on bf?
Similarly if you are planning to bf then nursing bras are the things to bring. The 'A' frame ones and the most modesty preserving ones.

Tena pants sound uncomfy? Big Bridget Jones pants with a high waist (in case of a section - you don't want the waist band rubbing the wound) and the biggest softest mattress type towels for the bleeding.

Moisturiser would be a definite for me.

We took in straws both times for easy drinking during labour. DP made a fab extra long straw of about three of them for me!

I second a blanket for baby. I probably wouldn't bother with a snowsuit as its not recommended for a car seat. Maybe an extra cardigan for layers and then a big blanket over the top. Get your DH to warm the car up so little one won't get cold.

We took a laptop in. Our phones had a personal wifi hotspot thing, so we spent the morning watching bake off on I player and eating dominos pizza whilst waiting to go home!

I second a little travel bottle of nice shampoo and conditioner. You will want a really good shower post birth.

Also a hoodie and some tracksuit for you to go home in. Or something comfy and loose fitting. If you turn up in the middle of the night you won't want to go home in pjs!

Spare pants for your DP. Mine was very grateful for this!

I used the boots own brand distilled stiff to no ill effect. I have 1 stitch for a superficial graze so nothing huge but friends have used it after quite bad tears too. It's up to you, but I found it incredible and it really, really assisted my recovery.

Also, dried apricots will be your friend....

Also, also don't pack any cheese and onion crisps- your DH will end up eating them and stinking throughout labour...

Dummies!

Clean shirt for your dp - they gave mine ds while I delivered the placenta and ds deposited a cwt of meconium all over him

Cleaning cloth, cif and disinfectant wipes for hospital toilets and showers/baths etc. Shouldn't be necessary and their state says nothing for infection control or the standards of cleanliness of those who are in charge of UK hospitals.

I would definitely pack a book/some crosswords or something, I had to rush off to the hospital to be induced, little did I know that as I went in on the Friday evening labour wouldn't start till Sunday morning... Luckily we managed to buy some puzzle books from the shop but that wait was excruciatingly boring. Also make sure you have enough credit/minutes on your phone... People like to call and say congrats (also enough memory on it to take lots of photos of the little one)
Also definitely take more nappies than you need, just in case you need to stay in a couple of days... Plus either wipes or cotton wool for babies bum (I would suggest taking some water wipes as well as cotton wool in case of a rough recovery, trying to get meconium off a babies bum with cotton wool and water when you can barely stand is not fun trust me
Basically just prepare for things to go a bit pear shaped and you'll be more than ready if everything goes perfectly
(don't want to worry you about it, there's just nothing worse than things going a bit tits up and then not being prepared aka not enough nappies for a three day stay when you assumed it'd only be one)

Plastic jug for the first week.

Wee! I mean wee!

callme I think I needed it for the first week at least!

Brilliant advice everyone thanks

I'm embarrassed to say this isn't my first baby and somehow managed to pack my previous bags no bother. Just this time I seem to be struggling. I'm just so.exhausted I'm doing well just functioning

Lansinoh nipple cream also doubles as a fantastic lipbalm. Each to their own, but I was advised to use it before any signs of problems and I feel like it kept my nipples in a better state for longer than it would have if I'd only used it when they started to hurt.

Hair bobble if you have long hair

I know everyone is different but when I had my DS I went through about 8 pairs of knickers! When my waters were broken and having a show etc I just kept changing and binning!just got cheap multi packs from Asda and used them afterwards for a couple of weeks too to save my actual knickers being ruined incase of any spills (sorry gross I know! )

Breast pads if you are breast feeding or not....those babies will leak

If your hospital doesn't supply milk and you are planning to breast feed take back up milk, I changed my mind to bottle feed after the first feed!

Face wipes and make up....dry shampoo, a sponge to wee on! Camera! !

Great tips here. I'm place marking as I'm having #3 in a couple of weeks and have completely
Forgotten what I should be bringing!

A pillow, you'll only get one thin crappy one. Make sure the pillow case isn't white so it's obvious is isn't a hospital one

I struggled packing my hospital bag for baby number 2 aswell. With DC1 the bag was ready to go months in advance. With DC2 I half packed it about three days before and then grabbed the last bits between contractions! and once I'd come back from walking the dog. Still no idea why I took the dog for a walk, by myself, in an empty orchard whilst in labour

Because you are a mum mummysparkle and sometimes that means the "oh the dog needs a walk/child's face needs a wipe/coats need to be done up" part of our brain overrides the holy shit I'm in pain bit!!

Oh also, as well as dry shampoo take some regular shampoo too... Even if its just a little travel bottle because if you have a long labour (especially second stage) you will probably get quite sweaty and want to wash your hair properly, at least the first time (I made this mistake - although I shall admit this is slightly more of an issue during summer births I cant speak for winter) I think you can get very delicate shampoo if you're worried about it getting into stitches etc or just some baby shampoo

Where are the people who need to take their own towels and pillows giving birth surely that's basic provisions ?

The hospital will have towels and pillows.

Some people may prefer their own over hospital ones, but it's not an essential thing to bring.

I'd take about double the number of maternity pads than you think you will need. I went through almost 2 packs in hospital alone!

I'm taking a mug and some teabags...

I was in hospital for a short spell at 25 weeks and the tea was foul (as was the coffee) and I have a feeling that I'll be wanting a decent cuppa and plenty of it.

I'm also taking in my V pillow which just made a bit more comfy last time I was in.

Have you thought about eye masks and ear plugs? Might be worth thinking about especially if you are induced?

Op I don't know if this has already been said but are your pyjamas dark? On my first I had really light colour bottoms and totally regretted it. I learnt my lesson with my second