Packing hospital bag - baby clothes?

[surreygirl1987]

I'm just packing my hospital bag and feel a bit stupid as I don't know how much baby stuff I'll need.

So far I've packed three vests (one newborn, one 1 month, and one 0-3 months) and three sleepsuits (again, the three different sizes). I've also packed three hats and one pair of scratch mitts. Is this ridiculous? Do I need to pack lots more? I'm estimated to have an 8 pounder but who knows really, so I thought a variety of sizes would be good.... but maybe I haven't packed enough?

That sounds ok, I had abotthat and I had to stay for 5 days.

I'd maybe pack more stuff in a second bag to leave in the car in case you have a bit longer stay. Extra clothes and pads for you, extra outfits and nappies for baby. And snacks!

I'd say pack a couple of outfits per day is fine. The weight ranges on the sizes are quite accurate so I'd go for up to 1 month size if you are expecting a 8 pounder. Dd was 8lbs 10oz and was in up to 1 month for a few weeks.

I was in 2 nights and used 4 outfits for dd including what she wore home.

Unless you have a gigantic baby you’ll probably find that the 0-3 month clothes are a bit big - if it were me, I’d pack a lot up ‘up to 1 month’ things. And maybe a little cardigan or blanket for when you leave the hospital or if you want to go out for a stroll.

Sorry to jump on your thread with a probably stupid question... But I am just about to start buying clothes. We don't know if we are having a boy or girl so we want to buy a good amount of neutral stuff for first 3 months and then we can buy more. No doubt we will get gifted stuff too. In most places I see tiny, newborn or 0-3, only a couple of places do up to 1 month. What is the difference? Is up to 1 month between newborn and 0-3 or is it the same as either of them? Is it best to get lots of up to one month rather than newborn or 0-3?

I’d pack two vests and two onesies for every day you’re expecting to be admitted for. I changed dd every morning and then before bed while we were in hospital- mainly just for practice for me dressing a baby!

I’d pack two of each size rather than one personally because if you have a large baby who doesn’t fit in the newborn clothing, they will only have one outfit and if the 0-3 is too big, same issue. If you have a normal straight forward delivery you should be out after a day but it doesn’t always go that way sadly so you should be prepared just in case. The second bag in the car is a great idea.

In my experience (of only 2 babies)
Tiny - really only for babies born less than 7lb
Newborn/up to one month - about right
0-3 months - really 4/6 weeks - 3 months.

Sizes vary a bit between manufacturers (and babies).

I’d try and work out if you think baby will be long or not rather that weight. DD was 8lb 15oz so on the bigger side but she is so long that she didn’t fit in any of the up to 1 month stuff that I brought. We clearly didn’t engage brain as we are both over 6ft so she was never going to be short and wide was she?! 😂 Squeezed her into the vests but had to send DH/DM for 0-3 sleepsuits as she just wouldn’t fit in the ones I had brought length wise. If they’re too big they’ll always grow into them but I wouldn’t bother with smaller stuff too much because if you’re anything like us they’ll never wear them and you end up giving them away. Number wise I took 3 short sleeve vests and 3 babygrows. My top piece of advice is take twice as many maternity pads as you think you need- when my waters went (I was induced) they had me put pads on so I’d already used half a pack before I’d even had the baby!!

Up to 1 month is a new thing imo - it is between newborn and 0-3. It is good if you have big babies like me as newborn is too small and 0-3 too big. I would not take 0-3 to hospital I have had 3 big (9lb ish) long babies and this was still to big for all of them. I think 3 baby gros & vests is good - someone can bring more if needed for a longer stay.

Thanks for the advice! My husband is 6 foot 4 and I'm almost 6 foot myself so I should probably bear that in mind! I'll pack an extra little pile of clothes to make sure I have at least 2 of each size. Phew! Thanks a lot :)

I was in 2 days with ds and we went through heaps! Poor dp kept having to grab more clothes when he came each morning!

I think we took 3/4 vests and the same with sleep suits. Dp then ending up bringing extra stuff and my parents grabbed a few small size stuff from the shop on the way over. We were expecting an 8lber and he came out 6lb.

Ds took great pleasure in peeing, vomiting and generally covering both me and him in fluids, so take a little extra. No one wants to sit in milk vomit cloths 🤢

I bled loads, so plenty of pads and clean pjs/underwear etc. I found the Ward baking hot, so just ended up really sweaty and sticky, which attributed to me needed extra clothes.

Gosh! Okay I might just take the lot! We've bought 12 vests and 12 sleepsuits (variety of sizes) and I thought that was plenty before now! Might just put the lot in the extra bag in the car