First time mum, so many questions!!

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Eeeeek2 · 02/12/2018 15:01

Didn’t set up perfect prep/steriliser until I needed it but did read instructions before I was sleep deprived so I knew how they worked.

34 ish weeks bag packed but reviewed again at 38 weeks to remind myself of what was where.

I wasn’t planning on bottle feeding but breastfeeding didn’t work out with first baby. Sent husband to supermarket for box of 6 pre made and sterile bottles to see us through until we got home and could sterilise and make with powder etc.

Hospital bag second time around was small hold-all with 2 food bags with one baby outfit/nappy in each. (More in car for if when needed.) 2 nighties, pack of pants, pack of maternity pads. Clean clothes. Baby wipes, 4 nappies.

Supply of extra stuff left in car incase needed; 5 vests, 5 babygrows, pack of nappies, pack of maternity pads.

Thesearmsofmine · 02/12/2018 15:05

1; when did you set up your perfect prep machine/steriliser ect (put it in the kitchen, try it out) and when did you start to sterilise bottles/dummies?

I never had a perfect prep, I sterlised bottles once hone from the hospital.

2; for hospital bags when did you have them packed by? What did you pack them in?

About 35 weeks, clothes, huge pants, maternity pads(loads), toiletries etc

3; quantities for the hospital- how much of stuff did you take? Like clothes and nappies? And did you open a pack of nappies to put a few in the bag? How far in advance did you do this? And how many bottles/formula did you take and when did you sterilise them to put in the bag?

I took a premade pack of formula bottles, you can buy them in boots.

I took enough for a night and then packed a second bag for DH to bring in if we needed to stay any longer. So 2-3 vests and bodysuits, bibs, hat, about 15 nappies etc

Thesearmsofmine · 02/12/2018 15:07

My most helpful tip is to pack yours and babies bits in separate bags, so if you are unable to get things out yourself post birth your DH or midwife can without having to go through everything.

SoyDora · 02/12/2018 16:14

36 weeks with baby number 3.

I BF so didn’t do any of this, but I thought bottles were only sterile for 24 hours after sterilising?

Started packing my hospital bag this morning (36+2). Will probably be finished by next week.

I think I took 3 long sleeved vests and 3 sleepsuits with my last 2. Didn’t stay in hospital overnight with either so only used 1 but will pack 3 again just in case. I think I packed around 5-6 nappies. DH knew where everything was at home in case he needed to bring more of anything in.

I used a large weekend type bag. Nappies etc won’t get dusty in a bag.

Jackshouse · 02/12/2018 16:19

1; when did you set up your perfect prep machine/steriliser ect (put it in the kitchen, try it out) and when did you start to sterilise bottles/dummies?

Not until I bought them when DD was 6 weeks old.

2; for hospital bags when did you have them packed by? What did you pack them in?

packed at 36 weeks

3; quantities for the hospital- how much of stuff did you take? Like clothes and nappies? And did you open a pack of nappies to put a few in the bag? How far in advance did you do this? And how many bottles/formula did you take and when did you sterilise them to put in the bag?

you will need to take the pre-sterilised made up single use starter kits with you to hospital if you are ff. Bottles only stay sterile for 24 hours and there will be no where in hospital to make up bottles.
if you are traveling to hospital by car then you can put extra nappies and stuff in the car.
make sure DH knows and has actually listened to where the extra clothes for you and baby and nappies are at home in case you end up staying longer.

blackcat86 · 02/12/2018 16:28

We don't use a perfect prep machine but DH set up the steriliser before we came home and ran the extra bottles and dummies through it.

I had my bag packed at 32 weeks with enough clothes for me for a few days and options that would be comfy for labour and a c section (so nothing that cuts on your middle). I had about 5 changes of clothes for DD in various sizes. Similar for nappies. I planned on breast feeding so had a couple of sterilised bottles and ready made formula bottles with me. In the car I had 2 packs of nappies, more bottles, formula and baby clothes. At home, I'd made a draw of maternity clothes so that family could easily go in and top us up. I'm really glad I did as we ended up spending 9 days in hospital.

ItIsChristmasTime · 02/12/2018 16:36

1; when did you set up your perfect prep machine/steriliser ect (put it in the kitchen, try it out) and when did you start to sterilise bottles/dummies?

The Perfect Prep machine is very easy to use. You don’t need to set it up or try it out before your baby is born. Bottles etc only stay sterile for around 24 hours so there is no point doing it before you leave the hospital. My best advice, assuming you are formula feeding from birth, is to buy the ready made bottles that come with sterilised teats so are ready to use.

2; for hospital bags when did you have them packed by? What did you pack them in?

At 31 weeks, I think you should have your hospital bad packed. You can always amend it over time but you could need it at any time. It’s worth having one bag for you and one for your baby. There are loads of online lists of what to take and your hospital will probably advise as well.

3; quantities for the hospital- how much of stuff did you take? Like clothes and nappies? And did you open a pack of nappies to put a few in the bag? How far in advance did you do this? And how many bottles/formula did you take and when did you sterilise them to put in the bag?

As above, you can’t sterilise bottles too far in advance so buy the ready made and ready to use mini bottles (they come in pack of six). It’s a good idea to have a bag to cover you and baby for 24 hours and then have back up bags your husband can bring into hospital if you are staying longer. I also think you might well find you’ll get through an entire packet of nappies during your stay so just putting a few in will leave you short. I would have three or four entire outfits (vests and sleepsuits) for every 24 hours you are in.

Exhaustedmummy1811 · 02/12/2018 21:28

I'm on baby number 5 and have never taken bottles/pre made with me they have always been provided at the hospital

SoyDora · 02/12/2018 21:31

Entirely depends on the hospital Exhaustedmummy1811. I BF but from what I’ve been told my local hospital doesn’t provide formula.

mortifiedmama · 03/12/2018 06:18

1; when did you set up your perfect prep machine/steriliser ect (put it in the kitchen, try it out) and when did you start to sterilise bottles/dummies?

I sterilised once I got home. I didn't steriliser dummies. I ended up breastfeeding so didn't have a perfect prep.

2; for hospital bags when did you have them packed by? What did you pack them in?

Last time I started packing at 28 weeks and finished at 38weeks, as I was in labour! I don't recommend that and this time I've started at 30 weeks and plan to be finished at 33.

3; quantities for the hospital- how much of stuff did you take? Like clothes and nappies? And did you open a pack of nappies to put a few in the bag? How far in advance did you do this? And how many bottles/formula did you take and when did you sterilise them to put in the bag?

Newborn nappies are tiny so I took a whole pack. Plus babies poop a lot, so you could need 10 or so a day.

Bottles won't stay sterilised for long and most hospitals don't have facilities to sterilise or make up bottles so take pre-sterilised, pre made ones.

mortifiedmama · 03/12/2018 06:20

As for clothes for baby, I took in about 5. All totally drowned tiny DS so DH had to buy some tiny baby clothes on his way to the hospital the following day! I didn't have a sicky baby so only needed 2 outfits a day.

FoxgloveStar · 03/12/2018 07:18

No bottles or formula taken to hospital as I BF. Bottles and formula or donated breast milk was provided to those who couldn’t or didn’t want to BF.

Mostly packed by 35 weeks. I had a small hold-all for me, a backpack for the baby stuff and backpack for stuff for OH. I had separate sections in my bag for things I needed pre and post labour.

I took quite a lot of stuff. 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits, 20 nappies, lots of pants and pads for me. Again aside from the clothes, nappies, disposable pants, pads etc were all provided anyway. I was in hospital for 4 days and needed little else bringing from home aside from food supplies. Make sure your OH knows where stuff is at home that you might need in the case of an extended stay.