Hospital bag?

[Gabbslou]

Hi everyone! This is my first pregnancy and I'm starting to think about my hospital bag and getting it ready. I have a rough idea of what I need such as a few baby outfits, a couple of comfy pjs for me and an outfit for going home, nappies and wipes, car seat, breast pads and nipple cream. Have I missed anything major or have I covered the basics? Any tips or things you wish you knew or had while in hospital? Thank you!

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Hello, this thread is a little old; for up-to-date recommendations, take a look at our hospital bag checklist.

purple I took two LARGE hold-alls, my normal handbag (which isn't exactly small either) and my pillow in with me - I rocked up to the ward at three am with enough stuff to see me through at least a week in Spain Although naturally that wasn't enough because we ended up being kept for six days...

lol thanks! Any reason you chose hold-all opposed to suitcases?

Because I was trying incredibly hard to not take everything I own, mainly But also I was adamant that it would be easier to have a separate bag for me and the baby (The reality being that my poor OH just ended up carting two massive bags instead of a nice, wheely suitcase)

I love the idea of putting the clothes baby wil need straight away in a small bag for the other half avoid rummaging throughout the bag. I also really like the idea of getting him to pack the bag too. It's never even occurred to me that he wouldn't know where things are. I've packed the bags about 6 times now so even I would get stuck on where bits are.

I'm leaving the snow suit and thick blanket in the car seat ready for when we are ready to come home as they take up so much room in the bags.

This thread is great! I have written everything down... looks like I'll need a massive bag!!

When did you all get your hospital bags ready??

I've hadn't mine ready since around 30 weeks. I personally don't think there's a aright or wrong time to have things ready. So many people are quick to say "that's too early to get a cot" or "you don't need your bag ready until 37 weeks". Do what makes you happy xx

I did mine at about 39/40 weeks, but I knew, just bloody knew(!) my baby was going to be a stubborn little bugger and hold on to 42 weeks when he was evicted.

And he did.

I did baby's at about 30 weeks, and I did mine at at 36+3, I can remember the exact day quite easily because I was convinced I was in labour. Everyone else is been telling me I didn't need to worry about doing mine so early so I kept putting it off by wearing vest tops and pj shorts that I'd put by for the bag.... Naturally I actually WAS in early labour and all the things I'd carefully planned to take with me were in the bloody washing machine...

I know you don't want to take loads of stuff but there was a jug in the toilet on the delivery ward and it was heaven! Poured luke warm water down there everytime I went to the loo so it didn't sting and washed me a bit. So if you can fit a jug or a big bottle in for this reason then do.

Also second having the baby's outfit in a little bag all ready. Had vest, babygrow, hat and nappy all together and that was helpful.

Take tiny baby, newborn and 0-3 months vests and sleepsuits with you. I was convinced I was having a 9lber so expected to have to use the newborn or 0-3 month one but he was only 6lb so we had to quickly get the tiny baby outfit out instead, was glad we packed one.

Is it ok just to take a full on wheely suitcase? We don't have a car, so shoving everything into one bag sounds better than husband juggling lots of small bags. But will they think we are mad if we show up with a case?

Nah, bung it all in and wheel it in easily! Just make sure you keep an outfit for baby in a place where it's easily accessible

Any one know what clothes I would need for a March baby please? First timer so absolutely clueless! Have read the above posts regarding sizes. Do you take the going home outfits in the 3 different sizes (tiny, new born and 0-3)? Would like to know how many of the different sizes to take? And which items? Thank you

Shameless bump!

Such a useful thread.
Even though this is DC2 I'm preparing for, it's easy to forget those minor things that make life just a bit more comfortable!

In addition to everything above, my saviour was a simple old face cloth. I was able to soak it in cold water to put on my neck in the car up to hospital, bite on it, suck on it (grim I know, but it helped) throughout labour.
I was then able to get DH to give it a good rinse for me to have a clean down with afterwards in bed after being bedridden for over 24 hours due to spinal block & catheter and not able to have a proper shower.