Hospital Bag - What am I missing/what don't I need?!

[SilentAlarm]

Due our first baby in December and starting to think about my hospital bag... I've come up with the below after a million Google searches but wondering if I'm missing anything or if I'm packing anything completely ridiculous? Opinions welcome!

I'm thinking of having one small bag (maybe even just my normal handbag!) for the easy access stuff, and then a small suitcase for the rest of it (aside from the birth partner stuff which they can sort out themselves!)

For Labour/Easy Access
Maternity notes
Birth plan
Nighty for labour
Phone
Earphones
Lens wipes for glasses
Hand held fan
Water spray
Wash bag: Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, lip balm, hairbrush, shower gel, deodorant, face wipes, body wipes, flannel, shampoo, conditioner and hair ties

For Mum
Maternity pads
Large knickers x 5
Towel x 2
Dressing gown
Slippers
Flip flops (in case of shower)
Nipple cream
Nursing bra x 2
Breast pads
Nursing pyjamas/nighty x 3
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Make up bag/perfume
Comfy leaving hospital outfit

For Baby
Babygrows (5 x newborn, 5 x 0-3m)
Hat x 2
Nappies (10 x size 1, 10 x size 2)
Nappy bags
Cotton wool balls
Baby wipes
Blanket x 3
Muslins x 5
Cardigan x 2
Pramsuit x 1

Birth Partner
Snacks
Drinks
Cash
Change for vending machine/parking meter
Change of clothes
Wash bag: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, wipes
Book
iPad
iPad charger
Phone
Phone charger

I would take a towel. I had my first shower on labour ward and they provided one. But had to use my own on maternity ward as they didn't have them

Also I'd have spare baby clothes someone handy for someone to fetch just in case. My canula was taken out and I bled from my hand over the contents of my bag in particular all the baby clothes. I had to ring my mum and ask her to fetch more from my house although the hospital provided some in the meantime

Straws! Gas and air made my mouth really dry, and I was thirsty. But there is no way you can hold a cup of water during a contraction... But your partner can hold the cup of water and just point the straw at your mouth 😃

How is a pram suit a useless item can hardly take a winter baby outside without one and a normal jacket would leave their lower half exposed to the elements even in a sling

I would suggest getting rid of lens wipes (unless you really use them a lot).
Could you do without mouthwash? Maybe shampoo and conditioner too, unless you are staying in are you likely to wash your hair or just tie it back?
Could you just use the face wipes on your body rather than taking 2 packs?

I agree with not using your own towels. Destroy theirs, you really won't want to keep them. Also dressing gown, it will likely be really warm. Personally wouldn't bother with slippers either, I'd just wear the flip flops or fluffy socks/ normal shoes.

Probably won't need nipple cream for a couple of days, so only useful if you're staying in. Same for breast pads, milk doesnt properly come in until about day 3.

Also agree with less pjs and more comfy clothes like tracksuits/ lounge pants.
Will you bother putting makeup on? I know I cba but I rarely wear it anyway. Wouldn't wear perfume, allow baby to smell you.

Baby I would add vests, and take less 0-3m stuff. You also are very unlikely to need size 2 nappies. But I would still take 20, just all size 1.
Cotton pads are better than balls, less fluffy. You probably don't need 3 blankets, one should do, maybe a spare just in case of mess. Pramsuits arent practical either because they arent safe in car seats.

I would add baby scratch mitts and socks. And snacks/water bottle for yourself.
Agree with packing a second bag for if you're kept in that can be left in the car ir somewhere at home for partner/ family to bring if needed. The space is quite small in the rooms.

Some people have said it's too much but I think it's all perfect. We ended up spending a week in the hospital after so used all of that stuff plus more! Better to have extra then not enough in these situations. Or a spare bag in the car boot with extras just incase doesn't hurt good luck!!

More giant knickers, snacks for you and a giant water bottle with a straw

I've had 3 babies and stayed in 1 night with each. With my first DH had to go home and get me more pjs/joggers as I kept bleeding through them. With my second I didn't need most of the baby clothes as I stayed in the night before and not after. With my third I had just the right amount of stuff. There's no real way of knowing what you will or wont need.

Agree that 1 blanket is plenty. I just used it for the car seat as at our hospital they provide a blanket. The only other thing I would add is food and drink. I took orange juice, flapjack, fruit, chocolate, crackers, cereal bars and soft drinks. It helped enormously post birth when for breakfast I was given one weetabix and was ravenous. DH then came with homemade porridge.

I always took my dressing gown as tbh yes the ward was hot but during the day it wasn't really and plus it was nice to just relax in comfort like I would at home, I also would take soft lounge suits or pyjamas I only took one pair a white pair and bled straight through them 🤦🏽‍♀️

People saying you won't need all the pj's, I bleed through my pad and pj's while feeding DS at 3am so I was greatful I atleast packed 2!! Also if you (touch wood you don't) had to have an emergency c-section you're in there for days.

So I would pack one pair of those pj's, the other towel and one 1 nursing bra and stick it with a few knickers ect in the boot for your DH if you need more.

Secondly wouldn't bother with dressing gown (the wards are soo hot, I never used mine) 1 cardigan for baby, 1 blanket. Maybe fluffy socks instead of slippers? I mostly used the flip flops to save space.

I also for the days I got kept in was thankful for a t-shirt and joggers I could wear and feel a bit fresher in, so maybe you could shove them in the boot bag incase.

I stayed in hospital for 4 days (very large PPH and a blood transfusion) and despite being a chronic overpacked I used about 20% of what was in my birth bag. By all means pack stuff that you think you might like but don’t be surprised when you don’t use them!

If you end up having an epidural or spinal block surgery like I did after the birth, you will need something to wear that allows easy access to the catheter and for the medical team to monitor your blood loss. Jogging bottoms are useless in this situation so would recommend at least one nightie. Get a nursing one so you can still breastfeed! Also cold apple juice in a cool bag was incredible afterwards. 20 nappies would be the absolute minimum I’d bring in case of an extended stay. If you’re tall or your DP is, pack more 0-3 clothing than newborn. Our little one was a very long boy and was too tall for newborn clothes after a day! It’s worth packing an ‘in case of emergency’ bag with extra clothes for you and baby so if you do have to stay, you can easily get someone to pick it up and they won’t get the wrong things.

@LucaFritz the vast majority of people will leave with baby in a car seat so just a blanket and hat required. You can’t use a pramsuit in a sling or car seat - the only way it would be useful is if you were leaving with baby in a pram to walk home (unlikely) and even then, blankets are far easier.

Why can't you use a pram suit in a sling it keeps them warm and insulated. I'll be taking my baby home on the bus in a sling in his pram suit in the middle of January

You shouldn’t ever use a pramsuit with a sling. It stops their hips from sitting in the frog leg position and also leaves them at risk of overheating (as they will get your body heat plus however many layers of sling fabric). You should dress them in normal indoor clothes plus a hat and socks/booties if their feet are sticking out. If you baby wear a lot then a babywearing coat is a good idea. But please don’t use a pramsuit. And make sure you adhere to the TICKS guidelines.

ergobaby.co.uk/blog/winter-wearing-tips/

www.sheffieldslingsurgery.co.uk/2014/11/10/snowsuits-scarves-slings-and-safety/

Some very loose trainers or Ugg type boots for coming home, you very often get swollen feet & ankles after giving birth.

I would add a pillow with a coloured pillowcase ( so it looks different to hospital linen). In my hospital they said people stole the pillows from the labour ward (!) and they were in short supply. It also really helps with feeding to get the baby in the right position. You will need vests, only 1 hat and 1 blanket. A little toy is good. The baby gets familiar with it and it is comforting ( buy two and keep one in reserve, in case you lose it).

I prefer those granny incontinance knicker/nappy type things to maternity pads which are bulky and uncomfortable. Then just rip them off and out a new pair on when you are done with them.

As someone else has mentioned I would make sure you have at least a couple of nighties as well as/instead of pjs. As a PPs have said, the wards tend to be very warm. I also needed a spinal and forceps which meant I had a catheter, which just wouldn’t have been practical with trousers. I would also take nipple cream. I only stayed in 2 days with my second but due to feeding problems/tongue tie my nipples were already painful by the time I got home!

I think it's mostly covered but I'd double the amount of pants and drop the perfume and the iPad. The book is a good idea though. I was in recovery for 6 hours after I had ds1 and was asleep for most of that and DS was in SCBU so a book distracted DH for a bit.

I'll be taking my baby home on the bus in a sling in his pram suit in the middle of January

Sorry to go a bit OT but have you checked that with the hospital @LucaFritz? Our hospital only discharges if you are being collected by car and the baby is in a car seat. A bus is not a great place for a brand new baby and their brand new immune system.

Amazing list OP, I think you have it cracked. The only thing I would add are energy lozenges, they helped me in the pushing stage. Good luck OP it’s such an exciting time, I loved every minute.

I have t read all replies but I would pack two sets of things for you and for baby. One for best case scenario where you're kept in for 1-2 days and another which you can leave in the car or at home if not far away in case you have complications. For various reasons we were kept in for FIVE days (!) after DD was born and I'd only packed a couple of each item. I had to send DH home got more clothes for me, for baby, more muslins, etc. It was quite stressful trying to explain to him what everything was and where (he didn't really know what maternity pads, breast pads, nipple shields etc were!).

Sorry to thread-jack, but I've also found this post really useful for packing my hospital bag!

Re the big knickers, which style do you go for? And how many sizes larger than your pre-maternity (still my current size as they sit under bump, so probably not ideal post birth) size do you go?

Definitely more pants! I was told to keep a pad in (so needed pants to keep it in place) but my waters kept periodically gushing and flooding everything.

I used my cotton dressing gown and slippers, but there’s no way you need easy access to shampoo and conditioner.

Really surprised by the people saying you don’t need nipple cream immediately - I very definitely needed it a few hours after she was born while we were trying to get the hang of latching correctly.