Hospital bag(s)

[mylittlenugget]

So I'm currently planning what to put in mine and baby's hospital bags. Mainly as I'm bored but I'm also being nagged to do it by family members.
I've had a search to find other threads and think I've got everything but can anyone check if I've missed anything please 🙏 I will be sorting the items into further bags (short stay and long stay) as I'm aware I don't want to have to carry loads of stuff in, take up loads of room and then not need it because I have a straightforward birth and go home quickly.
Not on the list but will be taken with me is a pillow and a nursing pillow as well.

I wouldn’t bother with scratch mitts, I’m not sure I know anyone who has ever used them. Most sleepsuits have them inbuilt.
But wow that’s pretty comprehensive, looks good!

Take a snacks /squash in case you have a night birth and the vending machines don’t work (or your partner can’t get to them). Something to easily keep your energy levels up during (or most likely after)

The sleepsuits do have them in built but as I'm due mid summer I was planning on packing short sleeved clothing for the day and thought the baby might still need to keep her hands warm?
I've planned for 8 sport lucozades, a few packs of things like fruit gums and haribos as well as crisps and cereal bars, would that be okay or would different types of food be better?

I would take more nappies, even if you just leave them in the car, and wouldn’t bother with a changing mat. I’d also suggest some dried fruit to avoid constipation!!

On the shortsleeved outfit issue, I had my first baby in the middle of the 2017 heatwave and the midwives insisted on long sleeved sleepsuits, and a hat at all times, so they might be the same in your hospital.

Thank you! Hadn't thought of possible constipation!
Did the midwives want baby in sleepsuits all the time? I understand they need one extra layer to us but I thought a vest bodysuit and t shirt and leggings with socks and scratch mitts would be suitable? If it's sleepsuits all the time I can take a lot of stuff out the bag which makes getting through the bag easier and could make more room for more nappies
I'm packing baby's stuff in the travel bag I will be using when I go out with her so I don't mind having the changing mat in the bag anyway, even if it's just to lie her on something sanitary rather than on the bed

I had a summer baby and midwives wanted vest, long sleeved sleepsuit and hat too. They were most insistent! So I'd save the outfits for home to be honest. My advice is take more maternity pads than you think you'll need and nursing tops if you are going to give bf-ing a go (I stupidly only had nursing friendly nightwear so in the day struggled!)

I only had short and long sleeved rompers/sleepsuits in my bag, as well as vests. Honestly, you won’t want to be mucking around with lots of different tops/trousers/socks/mitts. My DC pooped and puked through 5 outfits on the first day, so make life easy for yourself and just have sleepsuits type things.

I'll get the outfits and mitts out and put some more sleepsuits in thank you!
A lot of my maternity stuff is nursing wear too, and I'm planning on wearing vest tops and t shirts with a lowish neck as well so hopefully that should work.
Thank you everyone for commenting, any other advice would be really appreciated, especially as I'm sending my partner to buy things tomorrow so pointing out anything I've missed off my list which will probably need to be bought would be really appreciated

Mobile charger, and I took a power bank too. Nappy cream, I can recommend Bepanthen. Cotton Wool pads are much better than balls or a roll by the way, it doesn’t stick to their skin when using pads, and you can buy extra large ones that are great.
I would also take with you the numbers for breastfeeding helplines. The midwifes don’t always have the time to help. I found it really useful to have read a book about breastfeeding before I had my first. The womanly art of breastfeeding is good, as is The Food of Love.
Good luck and enjoy your newborn!

Forgot I put sudocrem in the bag! Thank you for the recommendation though I'll get DP to buy some tomorrow.
My mum insists roll is better and that midwives won't let me use anything else? But then she last had a child over a decade ago so it's probably changed since then.
Thank you!

No! take a changing mat!!! I couldn't get out of bed so had to put my mat on my bed. Not sure there was anywhere else I could have changed a nappy anyway!

And I didn't use my ear plugs at all - didn't want to not hear her crying (which I fell asleep through anyway through complete exhaustion.

Also I didn't see flip flops for the shower on your list (but might have just missed it). And a towel!

The midwifes and health visitor told me babys shouldnt wear hats indoors only outside and my babys were born in november and february.. pads are definitely better than roll and the midwifes didnt bother about what i used in hospital? Its your baby. I used water wipes and dipped them in warm water at the hospital.

I'm not expecting to use ear plugs but every thread I've seen and every website I've gone on has said to take some so I figure better to have them and not need them than not have them and not be able to get any.
I do have towel on my list and I'm asking SIL if I can borrow her shower shoes, just forgot to put them on the list. Definitely can't stand showering in the same place as hundreds of other ladies without something on my feet 😬

I used the huge muslin swaddle things - found them really handy for covering him and lighter than a blanket. Also a drink bottle with a straw, for easy sipping

Yes those are what I mean what I've put Muslin squares, I thought a blanket would be nice too as it's what they're going to have with them every day until they get to around one or maybe older.
I have one of those bottles on me at all times anyway so I haven't put it on the list as it isnt going in the bag

I don't think you have toothbrush or toothpaste on there do you?

That will be going in with the wash set but good point I didn't think to put that on there to check off! I've even bought a new toothbrush and tube of paste ready 🤦‍♀️

Magazines/book
And plenty of snacks- i was starving after a long labour and delivery!

Thank you! I have been meaning to get back into reading during maternity leave so will make a pile of books I want to get through and put some in the bag ready.
Really appreciate how helpful everyone is being thank you!

Not for in hospital but buy some badedas bubble bath for when you get home.... was recommended by a midwife when I had my first baby, I've had 5 babies and used it after every one. You'll feel sore, this stuff is magic x

A dark towel

Ouch that badedas stuff is expensive but I'm sure worth it so it's on the shopping list!
Think DP is getting jealous I'm spending so much on "myself" so I've put new socks for him on the list
Will he need anything to bring with him? Because we're getting multipacks of cereal bars and crisps and loads of sweets I figured he could just share that and there's a Sainsbury's a two minute walk from the ward if he wants a meal deal. I guess a change of clothes maybe? If I end up being in labour overnight would he need pyjamas too? He's stayed with me in hospital before and just slept in his clothes in case he needed to go anywhere with me at short notice so he could do that again? Feel bad for not thinking about him but at the same time he's not pushing a child out of a small hole in his body so I don't feel that bad

They never offered him a blanket last time actually so I'll put one in for him

I brought baby socks when my first was born and they said sleepsuits/rompers with feet attached are much better for very small babies as there's no elastic around the ankles to cut circulation - plus then they can't fall off! I won't be taking socks for number 2, due August

I'd never thought about the elastic being too tight thank you! Thankfully have been given lots of suits with feet and mitts attached so that makes life easier!