What to pack in hospital bag?

[Lsquiggles]

I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and am due on June 18th with a baby girl

This will be my first baby so I'm curious as to what I really need to pack in my hospital bag? There are so many articles online that I'm overwhelmed, so I'd love some advice from those of you who have given birth and know the essentials to bring!

I'm due 24/6 with my first baby - hello!
I haven't started my hospital bag yet either but watched quite a few YouTube videos of bloggers and what they put in their bags. We live less than 5 minutes from the hospital so not too worried!

A lot less than they make out! Unless you live in rural Scotland or similar you won't be far from home so your partner/friend/family can pick things up

For you:

• nightie or two (if you're BF, one you can easily flop a boob out of)
• slippers or comfy socks
• water
• energy drinks
• phone charger
• snacks
• maternity pads (take a fair few)
• few pairs of comfy knickers
• shower gel/shampoo/conditioner
• towel (you will very likely want a shower!)
• hair ties
• going home clothes (if different to you're going in clothes haha)

For baby:

• a couple of short sleeved vests
• a couple of sleepsuits in a couple of sizes incase newborn doesn't fit
• a cardigan (can't have them in a coat in a car seat)
• a hat
• nappies
• wipes/water wipes
• if you plan to FF a couple of bottle of ready made formula
• a blanket or 2

I think thats it! Obviously adjust it to suit yourself as what some think is necessary others won't!

Maybe a couple of nursing bras /comfy bras
Toothbrush
Dressing gown
Dummies (not always a necessity -but just in case)

And dont forget your maternity notes!

Along with all the standard stuff:

1. Tena lady pants (aka adult nappies!) soooo much more comfortable and secure than maternity pads. No leaking, no worries, no having to have hospital sheets changed. I recommend them all the time.
2. Possibly fybogel/Sena/prunes to assist with the first post birth poo?
3. Head phones and / or ear plugs

I really regret not packing my bag properly, went into early labour, so first advice is to get it ready and make sure your birth partner knows where it all is too. It was pretty frustrating waiting for DH to find exactly where I had packed the sweets!

Secondly, I wish that I had a 2nd bag packed and kept in the boot (or at least the stuff organised at home ready for a swift pick up) that contained enough stuff for me and baby for at least a few days in hospital.

Sure, DH could have gone home and picked up the stuff but he really didn't want to leave me and DS so my Mum had to go to ours and rummage through our stuff... I know exactly what she would have come across too

My top tip is lip balm, my lips dried out so much so was relieved when I remembered I had that packed somewhere.

A makeup YouTuber called Sharon Farrell posted a v funny (but useful!) video of what she packed in her hospital bag and her thoughts on it several months after giving birth. I quite enjoyed it.

Due date twin! :)

Oh this video is making me laugh so hard PCohle ! Thank you for sharing that.

I do think I am one of the few people who feels like they didn't pack enough but that was for the post birth stay really!

Big black towel for the post birth shower and flip flops in case the shower is a bit grim. Easier to slip on than slippers for walking around too if you are sore.

Mum
-LIP BALM & NOTES
-Night dress to give birth
-Pyjamas or comfy clothes for after
-Clothes to go home in (something that fit when pregnant not before
-4 pairs big black underwear
-Comfy/nursing bra
-warm socks & 2 pairs for after
-Flip Flop
-Old towel

-Toiletries.. 10 Pads, Shampoo/Conditioner, Body wash (Sanex), Sponge or similar, Make-up wipes, tooth brush/Paste, hair brush /bobbles,-LACTULOSE !!!! (Stool softener), Lavender essential oil (for the bath)

-Snack & Drinks (1 of those ‘Squash’d juice to add to water)
-Phone Charger
-Hair tool if wanted.

Baby
-Nappies/Wipes
-3 baby grows
-3 Vests
-Something to wear home,Hat,mittens,socks.
-Dummy & Milk (if needed) OR nipple cream
-Blanket
-Carseat
-Muslim squares / Swaddle blanket (if wanted)

Pack spare bag with extra for you & baby incase needed.

If you know there is a nearby Boots that you can send your birth partner to then 2 packets of pads and about 3 incontinence sheets will be enough. Pack the second packet and another sheet in bag two which stays in your car. Otherwise in your second bag make sure you have pad packets 2 and 3 in it, and the rest of the packet of incontinence pads

Also take paper knickers. Much easier to chuck them away when you leak. I found I was the same size but other women find they need a size or two up. So take a bigger size regardless.

Also put baby's outfits in small bags in their bag. So put together a vest, baby gro/sleep suit and hat.

Oh I never used cardigans for my newborn

I say this on every hospital bag thread, but everyone needs to know: water bottle with sports cap so that you can pour water over your bits during nervous first toilet outings. Sports cap is easier but even if you only manage to get a cup of water into the loo, it's still worth it! Lifesaving.

As others have said...

lip balm (or if planning to bf, just get lansinoh as it doubles up),
phone charger (with long cable ideally),
flip flops (better than slippers - maternity ward bathrooms are GRIM),
ear plugs,
hair bands,
drinks with straws (easier in labour),
own pillow (with recognisable case so you don't forget it)
brick thick maternity pads
Breast pads (even if not planning to bf you will leak)

Plus the obvious!

My lists may be crazily over the top to some people but I will reuse the same bag for weekend trips with all the same toiletries etc so I'll just keep them packed.

I also think it's better to be safe than sorry, just incase you need to stay in longer hope this helps :)

Me
Toiletries:
⁃ shower gel
⁃ Shampoo/conditioner
⁃ Toothbrush
⁃ Toothpaste
⁃ Deodorant
⁃ Dry shampoo
⁃ Face wash
⁃ Face pads
⁃ Toner/moisturiser
⁃ Face wipes
⁃ Lip balm
⁃ Inhaler
⁃ Olbas inhaler
⁃ Make up
⁃ Hairbrush
⁃ bobbles
⁃ Breast pads
⁃ Maternity pads
⁃ Nipple cream
⁃ Nipple sheilds
⁃ Plastic bags
⁃ Tucks

Clothes:
⁃ Labour outfit
⁃ Bikini/flip flops
⁃ Leggings
⁃ T-Shirts
⁃ Pyjamas
⁃ Dressing gown
⁃ Maternity bra’s
⁃ Knickers
⁃ Socks
⁃ Fluffy socks
⁃ Going home outfit
⁃ Jumper

Other:
⁃ Maternity notes
⁃ Phones/chargers
⁃ Purse
⁃ Laptop/charger?
⁃ Portable charger
⁃ Speaker
⁃ Headphones
⁃ Earphones
⁃ Flannel
⁃ Lights/battery candles
⁃ Eye mask
⁃ Snacks
⁃ Lucozade sport
⁃ Cool spray
⁃ Towel
⁃ Gaviscon
⁃ Paracetamol
⁃ Any medication

Baby
Clothes:
⁃ Onesies
⁃ Vests
⁃ Hats
⁃ Socks
⁃ Mittens
⁃ All in one coat
⁃ Muslin
⁃ Coming home outfit
⁃ Booties

Other:
⁃ Nappies
⁃ Water-wipes
⁃ Changing mat
⁃ Nappy cream
⁃ Formula
⁃ bottle
⁃ Dummy
⁃ Teddy
⁃ Blankets
⁃ Milestone card

Partner
⁃ Car seat
⁃ Wallet
⁃ Cash for parking
⁃ Phone/charger
⁃ Spare outfit
⁃ Underwear/socks
⁃ Jumper
⁃ Shorts/vest
⁃ Deodorant
⁃ Lip balm
⁃ Headphones
⁃ A book
⁃ Food
⁃ Snacks
⁃ Drinks/water bottle
⁃ Pillow
⁃ Blanket
⁃ Sliders

gosh i am 30 weeks and not thought about this lol i have not even bought my overnight bag.I am having my second child and all my small suitcases need replacing.

When i went to the hospital with my first what really helped was isotonic sports drinks .Having some comfy clothes leggings was nice as i felt uncomfortable after woulds.

last time i packed

comfy clothes
pjs suitable for nursing
dressing gown
hair brush
toiletries(unscented)
maternity pads
baggy grandma knickers
snacks
nursing pads
medical notes
sleepsuits
vests
nappy's
wipes
blanket
cardigan

Snacks.
I ate everything in sight the date after my first birth!

Cheapy flip flops for in the shower.

@lizzie336 I love your list - you are my guru!!

Mars bars. I can't remember what else I packed given my youngest is now 21yo but I do remember the Mars bars. I was ravenous afterwards and they were like nectar. I have never enjoyed one so much since.

I'm only 27+2 so hasn't thought much about hospital bag yet but there's a lot more than I'd thought

Put spares of everything in the boot of the car so DH can restock your supply if needed. Means you get the right things rather than relying on someone else to pick out pads, nightie etc.