Hospital bag - how many of each item?

[hospitalbagfrenzy]

I'm due our second soon and I'm not sure if I'll be having a VBAC or C-Section. Therefore I'm not sure how long I'll be staying in

I have all the items but I'm struggling to know how many of each to pack. Can you help?

Things like:
Nighties /nightwear
Tena pants (disposable)
Breast pads (not planning to bf)

Vests
Baby gro
Nappies
Ready made formula cartons
Blanket (will 1 be enough?)

Everything else will just be one item really?
toiletries
nappy cream
small packet of cotton wool
packet of wipes
going home outfits for us both
hat and cardi for baby
flip flops

Anything I've forgotten??

I have 2 nighties, 2 sets of pjs & a dressing gown.
I am not taking tena pants but Ive got 2 packs of 3 granny panties so 6 pairs and 30 maternity pads.
Ive got one pack of breast pads (planning to FF from the start)
Ive got a pack of 3 vests in first size and a pack of 3 in newborn.
A pack of baby grows the same as above, 2 hats (one is tiny baby as usually these are huge).
2 Packs of ready made formula although have been told I probably wont need this much.
A pack of 24 size 1 nappies
and Ive got 1 cellular & 1 thick blanket.
As youve said one of everything on your bottom list although I am taking 2 hats, I am also taking snacks (crisps, chocolate, squares bars, cereal bars etc) and a pack of 6 bottles of water (am a water snob)
Best of luck x

You as well thank you!

Was also going to say snacks and drinks. As there’s a possibility of VBAC I’d suggest getting a couple of multipacks of a flavoured water or energy drink (by energy drink I mean like Lucozade Sport, which is an electrolyte drink, most supermarkets have their own brand versions). They’re especially handy because of the sports cap so you can squeeze drink into your mouth (and drink without easily pouring all over yourself), and it’s a little bit of a boost to your energy levels. Also, if you use gas and air you can get a really dry mouth very quickly so regular squirts of water/liquid are hugely helpful. In my first birth I got through 8 bottles (4 litres) before DC1 was born, this was over the course of about 7 hours. I managed to get through 3 in an hour with DC2 (had a very quick labour with him!).

It’s also handy having bottled drinks for a stay, even if they give you a jug of water it can take ages for a top up/refresh.

You can also get pre-filled disposable formula bottles, you open the bottle, screw on the teat and they’re single use (90ml). I think they’re usually about £8 for a box of 6. You may not fancy them/want the added costs or prefer to use your own bottles, but mentioning them as I found it so useful. No need to come home with dirty bottles to sort, and I used them for night feeds for a few days just to help ease into readjusting to night waking.

I’d take 2 or 3 baby vests and sleep suits, in case you have a long stay or a poo/sick incident.

And best of luck and enjoy

I'm also packing mines went to superdrug for essentials, is 6 nappies enough I'm having a c sec? And a pack of 10 maternity pads or more is better?

I feel like I need a huge suitcase there's so many things lol

Flip flops....a must xx

Thanks @beforeihit30 fab advice re drinks!

I've bought hipp
Organic ready made formula but
It doesn't come with a teat unfortunately. I think I saw disposable
Bottles
In mothercare though so I will
Check them
Out

Glad I could be of help!

Also, Hipp starter pack at Boots. I use Hipp as well, didn’t know about these (or maybe didn’t exist?) when I had DC1 but was so handy when I had DC2! Will also be getting a few for DC3 due later this year. If your local Boots doesn’t stock them you can order online, and if it’s convenient you can get them ordered to your local store (I did that previously as you need to spend a fair bit to get free home delivery, but delivery to the store is free and I pass Boots regularly).

I don’t work for Boots or Hipp I am simply easily impressed by formula options these days

@littleraindrop15

With my c section ended up being in for 5 days so needed a lot more stuff but, I would say I used 5-6 pads a day (wasn’t bleeding super heavily just wanted to change them every few hours for feeling of own hygiene)

You will need a lot more nappies than 6...my baby went through a nappy every couple hours.

@le42

Thank you so much 😊 will get packing!

@beforeihit30 ah thanks!!

You could also pack a bag for labour + a day or so, and a top up parcel at home for your DP to bring in if it looks like you are staying longer- you can send back some laundry at the same time (pack some plastic bags!)