Baby bag for the hospital

[FeeFee832]

Any suggestions for the baby bag for the hospital?! Anything you packed and didn't need?!

Anyone?

For you or the baby? I would suggest a few changes of clothes for you, extra pants and maternity pads. Vests and babygros for the baby, nappies, bibs?
Phone charger for you and your partner just in case.
Toiletries
I packed mine in about 5 minutes before going to the hospital so I might not be much help

Best piece of advice given to me was to pack an emergency bag for your baby. So if things don’t go to plan and you don’t get to meet your baby straight away, they are wearing what you chose.

I had an emergency c-section and had a bad reaction to the drugs I was given, so didn’t meet my baby for over an hour after delivery. I had given the midwife a small bag with a nappy, a babygro and a home-knitted hat and cardigan. That’s what DD was wearing when we met. I was very glad I was prepared.

Only thing I would add to the above is pack a few more vests/sleepsuits than you think you’ll need. I stayed in for 1 night but it took ages to get discharged the next day (was the evening) and dd had been sick over everything!

Thank you! What about things for me?! To help pass the time?

Things i have in mine that might not be on a conventional list are
Protein bars and snacks in case you miss the meal times when admitted to the wards
Books and magazines in case your phone dies or if you have to leave it charging as the plug sockets are quite high on the walls
Things that you like but wouldn't normally get for yourself ie a nice perfume or bodywash to make you feel more human after the birth
Ive got a spray called spritz for bits from Amazon to help with the pain and discomfort after birth
Other than that ive just got the normal things lots of clothes for me and baby in case of a long stay and toiletries and maternity pads and nipple pads

Protein/snack bars/flapjacks for the postnatal ward
Jelly babies for labour
Sports water bottle
Battery pack for your phone; charger with extra-long cable
Nighties as well as PJs in case of C-section
Minimal toiletries (why did I think fuchsia lipstick was necessary?!)
Nursing bra
Muslins muslins muslins
Giant leggings, granny knickers and a decent T-shirt so you can dress your new weird and wobbly body and feel human

Several different sizes of first outfit (vest, sleepsuit) labelled in sandwich bags or something. I knew what was what in my bag but DP didn't. Post unexpected section I was hopped up on drugs and dazed while he panicked and unpacked e v e r y t h i n g to dress a larger-than-expected DD. The chaos followed us onto the ward, and then home.

I didn't need the book, kindle, magazines I packed; didn't need the dressing gown; didn't need loads of toiletries. Keep it simple and leave space in your bag so it's easy for your partner to unpack and find stuff. Glad I didn't bother with a pillow or towel, the NHS ones are fine. Didn't need maternity pads, the ward provided those and mesh knickers.

Totally agree with last post. I pretty much packed the kitchen sink. Was moved between about 5 rooms between arriving at the hospital and getting to the post labour ward and my husband was struggling to carry an overloaded suitcase, dropping bits left right and centre. Pack whatever you need but also take a big IKEA bag to throw everything into when you can't fit it all back in.

Vichy water spray for your face!

I chucked all my stuff in an Asda bag for life
I was in labour for about 14 hours (around 12 at the hospital) I didn't need anything to keep me entertained, I was too busy channelling the pain lol. And I was napping in between contractions and just talking to my husband. I was in premature labour though so might be different if you're hanging around waiting for it to happen, I was kind of hoping mine would stop but it didn't

Definitely pack a few baby outfits. I couldn't quite get used to the baby boy pissing all over himself amd his clothes everytime i changed him. I was so fucked and slow to remember to cover his bits when that nappy came off, we went through so many outfits.

Also 2nd time round i was starved after delivery despite the toast they gave me. My snacks came in very handy.

This is the Vichy water spray.

Keep it in the fridge until you go to hospital. It's fantastic when you're in labour and afterwards when you're hot on the ward.

For yourself I'd take a Kindle, some audio books on your phone, some moisturising cream for your skin as it'll dry out in the heat. You can take some birth announcement cards if you're going to send any. And come on here and show us a photo of the baby! Good luck.

Pack an extra bag with more stuff for you and baby to keep in car but easily grabbable if you end up staying longer than expected. Also as others have suggested separate outfits into bags labelled with size. I was not separated from baby, but still needed my husband to grab things, was so much easier.

I didn't need too much in the way of entertainment, mainly spent time walking/bouncing on birth ball to keep things moving. Then looking after a newborn.

Good luck!

I made the mistake of taking a warm soft brushed cotton nightshirt for after, thinking it would be cosy, and some full pyjamas, the ward was boiling hot!

Quick question that just popped into my head!
For those of us who don't drive can you just take the car seat into the ward with you when you get admitted or would it be simpler to leave it at home and have someone fetch it when its time to go ? Or do they let you leave without one if you don't drive ?

@LucaFritz we walked out with DD in a sling, no one queried it. I would only bring the car seat when you need it, the cubicles on the ward are small and if you have to stay overnight, you want the bare minimum stuff.

I thought it was the law to have them in a car seat or is that just certain hospital policies ?

They couldn't have cared less if we had a car seat (we did but they didn't require it). People can go home on foot, by bus or in a taxi (I'm sure someone said you don't actually need a car seat in a taxi but I would double check that if you are planning that!). If unsure, check with your hospital. Also I was told before that they come out and check you've got them in properly. In the words of one of the midwifes at our antenatal class "we have neither the expertise or time for that!"

@xine15 legally you don't have to use a car seat in a taxi but personally I think that would be very stupid and dangerous with a tiny baby (or any baby).

OP definitely take some food for you and for your birth partner. My husband was really hungry, having missed lunch and dinner, but they don't provide food for birth partners (or you, outside set meal times).

@BeanBag7 I totally agree but they can't not let you go from the hospital just because you are planning on doing something which is technically legal.

I think the "not letting you go without a car seat" thing must be a myth. They can't actually stop you, would you get a midwife physically restraining a postpartum woman to prevent them walking out - I doubt it!

I'll most likely be getting the bus home so I'll just pack my wrap instead of a car seat then! One less thing to lug about. I do think it varies hospital to hospital though so will double check with them