Hospital bag- what do you wish you took?

[Peppaismyhomegirl]

I've done this before, I really should
Know but my mind has gone blank and I'm to frazzled to think, so,
What do I need? Aparently the after pains are bad on your second?! Someone also told me stool softners?! Anyone got some tips for me? So far I have tenna lady pads and baby grows

Shampoo, conditioner, a nice shower gel and a comb! I forgot to take any of these items and didn't get a chance to sort myself out for 2 days due to influx of visitors & tongue-tied baby permanently attached to boob.

Change of clothes for birth partner & food/drink. Pants you don't care about. If planning to BF, clothes & bra that will support feeding.

Several outfits for mother & baby... baby in various sizes (scan estimates can be WAY off the mark)

Good luck!

Definitely flip flops for the shower.

Our hospital said to use cotton wool balls and water for changing nappies - I did this for the first few days with DC1 - quickly abandoned that for wipes - and I'll only be bringing wipes when I go in to have DC3.

Nappy bags are handy too for disposing of dirty nappies.

Newborn soothers. I didn't use these with DC1 until he was a few weeks old but then when I discovered how effective they were I was sorry I hadn't used them earlier. I'm not sure would they interfere with feeding - but if you just need to calm the baby down while you're doing something you would be glad of them.

A dressing gown in a dark colour for going to the bathroom or shop - you feel a bit exposed afterwards if you're bleeding heavily and there's people spend visiting others on the ward.

Lots of underwear - I had to change a lot because there was quite a bit of blood to pass afterwards.

Lots of maternity pads.

Food! I gave birth at 4 pm. Dinner was served on the ward at 5.30 so I missed it as didn't get transferred until 9pm. I was given a lunchbox with a sandwich, crisps and orange juice but that didn't really hit the spot, nor was it going to sustain me until 7.30 am breakfast after 2 days of contractions and vomiting everything I had eaten.

Change for the vending machine. I had a raging thirst for fizzy drinks.

My dd was born in the summer but it was a random cold day so she was in vest and babygrow.

If you're planning on taking a blanket make sure it is a colourful one. I know a couple of friends who's lovely white blankets went walkabout as they got mixed up with the hospitals blankets.

Plastic Carrier bags for dirty clothes.

Tena/always incontinence pants. Bloody (literally) marvellous things, my friend recommended them to me. No leaks at all and super comfy if you end up needing a section.

A decent sized mug!! I had a planned C section (breech) and so was in for a couple days. Really needed a decent sized mug of tea, not with those tiny thimble mugs they give you which were crap

And a water bottle you can keep on topping up, again the jug and cup thing was a pain to get to after the c section, a bottle i could tuck down next to me

Pile cream! And those Andrex moist tissue wipes!
I'm taking tena pants as I've Been told their much comfort and drier than mat pads.(currently packing my bag! )
I've got so far
Flannel, toothpaste, mini mouthwashe. Toothbrush. Body wash. Hair ties. Hair brush. Mini fan. Moist toilet wipes. Pile cream.

Nightie.
Slippers
Light dressing gown
Black comfy joggy bottoms.
Loose t-shirt / jama top for after.
Going home clothes.
Big black pants

Baby will have
10x Nappies. 3x Vests. 3x Baby grow. Water wipes (easier than cotton wall and water- midwife friend reccomend led them) hat. Muslin. Going home outfit. Light blanket.

Snacks I'll pack nearer the time.

Placemarking

A big fat pillow!! Preferably the triangle one to help support baby. I was so weak after birth and the pillows were inadequate.

A warmer dressing gown! I got the shivers and shakes and the room is got stitched in was freezing!