Hospital suitcase bursting at the seams

[Itsmyarmsthatarecold]

I’ve packed my hospital suitcase ready for the big day which is bursting at the seams.
Can you have a look and see if I’ve missed anything or taking things I might not need?
2 x pjs
2 x nighties
2 x nursing bras
5 xpants
Baggy clothes for going home
Slippers & flip flops
Dressing gown

Maternity pads, breast pads, toiletries (shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, face wipes, moisturiser, deodorant etc) nipple cream

Nature valley bars & nairns biscuits

6 x babygrows
3 x baby vests
1 x baby cardigan
1 x scratch mitts
1 xsocks
1 x cotton hat
1 x Wooly hat for going home
2 xblankets
2 xmuslins
Nappies

All this has literally filled a case!

Split into three:

Bag for you (labour + 24 hours)
Bag for baby (24 hours)
Bag for if you’re in more than 24 hours?

(So I don’t think you need that many pjs and nighties and bottoms, for example)

Oh and you need chocolate and if highly recommend dried apricots for a snack, for the fibre.

Well, you won't need all those PJ's/nighties. If you end up staying for longer than a day or two, someone could always bring more in for you. Slipper s OR flip flops. You don't need both (I'd just take flip flops). You won't need two baby blankets either. Do take a hair bobble if you have long hair though! I forgot and my hair drive me bonkers!

Oh and the same number of vests and babygros for baby.

I think you can reduce.

2 x pjs - just take 1 pair. only used afterwards
2 x nighties - one might get dirty if using in labour so 2 good
2 x nursing bras
5 xpants
Baggy clothes for going home
Slippers & flip flops - dont take slippers. floors not super clean. keep so clean when home. flip flips only.
Dressing gown - dont take big one. too hot and large. only a thin type, or take a long cardigan instead.

Maternity pads, breast pads, toiletries (shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, face wipes, moisturiser, deodorant etc) nipple cream

Nature valley bars & nairns biscuits

6 x babygrows - you need same number of vests and babygrows as they wear together. would take max 3.
3 x baby vests
1 x baby cardigan - take two incase vomit on one
1 x scratch mitts - dont need these at all. babies need to feel their face and yours to learn texture etc. nail file any sharp nails.
1 xsocks - why? the babygrow will cover feet
1 x cotton hat
1 x Wooly hat for going home
2 xblankets - one only.
2 xmuslins
Nappies

Like a pp suggested, I took 3 bags

One rucksack with labour and immediately after stuff in (snacks, tens machine, hair brush, hair band and bobble, portable speaker etc and baby's first outfit in a little bag so DH wouldn't mess it up.)

One small suitcase for first day after the birth with clean nightie, pads, toiletries, more baby clothes, water bottle for drinking and a water bottle for, erm, using while going to the loo.

Then a third little suitcase for an overnight stay which just had more of suitcase 2s stuff in.

I had all mine in a case and all of baby's (6 babygros vests and bibs all needed we were in 4 days) in a small changing bag (it was a free one from Boots which was fantastic).

I’d imagine the hospital provides a lot of baby stuff?? Mine told me there’s no need to bring anything for baby unless you specifically want to so I’m just taking a cute hat with ears, one babygrow and one warm outfit for going home. I even packed an empty tote bag in case you get free samples/supplies to take home.

I also packed some non-prescription medicines like anti-bloating tablets, ginger sweets, fennel tea and paracetamol. Basically the same stuff I’d take with on a short holiday. I know hospital staff can be extremely rushed so in case I’m only feeling slightly unwell I’d rather use my own meds than have to bother them about it!

Everything does take up a shocking amount of space! I considered taking an ipad+charger or book but there’s definitely no room left for that.

I packed loads of different bags. I had one with the essentials and others for if we stayed in that were left in the car. We were in hospital for a week the first time so needed most of the bags. We had one for DH so he didn't need to worry about getting clothes for himself whilst worrying about us as he didn't want to leave.

2nd time we did the same procedure. Was home after 24 hours so used hardly anything... but! Had plenty of things already organised for the rest of the week!

Definitely take your own paracetamol, ibuprofen, maternity pads, piles cream (really) and lactulose. Apparently these are like rocking horse shit within our trust as they are so much cheaper to buy.
Also lip balm and energy drinks.

If you re not currently booked for induction or c-section then you can drastically cut that down. In the UK you will usually be discharged about 4 hrs after birth and you'll be going in when youre in active labour.

Nightie for labour
PJs for after
2 pairs of knickers
Maternity pads
Hair brush and a couple of bobbles
Lip.balm
Wash stuff - shampoo, soap, toothbrush etc
nursing bra
Clothes for going home

Baby:
Nappies
Bottles and formu la if your using it
2 x baby grows Hat
2 x vests
Blanket
Hat

Snacks
Chargers
Phone
Book/magazine/kindle

If you want to have extras just in case of a longer stay, keep them in the car boot so your partner or family can get them for you.