Hospital bags - when to pack?

[kayleesmithy]

When should I start packing? I'm due April and will be induced.

And what should I ABSOLUTELY pack?

I’m due in 3 weeks (although probable section in 2 weeks due to a breech baby) & will be packing mine tomorrow when my DD is at nursery! I’ve been really chill about this second but suddenly started flapping last week after a night of really uncomfortable Braxton Hicks.

I spent all last week running around buying the essentials, washed all the clothes from the loft & popped to Primark yesterday for cheap, post-birth clothes!

Having done one birth, my essentials would be:

Baby

•Nappies
•Water Wipes
•Nappy Cream
•3/4 x Sleepsuits
•3/4 x Vests
•A hat (my hospital are very instant on hats!)
•2x blankets (different warmth’s)
•Couple muslins
•A little teddy to pop in the cot for any photos (and then remove obviously)

You may need more or less clothes depending on how long you stay in, how much your baby spits up, any poo accidents etc. But don’t overpack. Your other half will be going home each night & can pick up anything you need! I packed a second bag of baby essentials (more nappies, more clothes, more blankets) & it just stayed in the car boot for my OH to grab if needed! But just meant you aren’t cluttering around your hospital bed where you won’t have a lot of space, especially when visitors arrive.

For you

•A toiletries bag - mini shampoo or dry shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, face wipes, deodorant
•Hairbrush & bobbles
•Makeup if you feel inclined (I didn’t wear any, I was too knackered to care 😄)
•Maternity pads (loads)
•Breast pads
•Nipple cream
•2x PJ’s/Nighties for after labour
•Whatever you want to wear in labour
•Sweatpants/Leggings
•Baggy T-shirt’s (I found hospital warm)
•A jumper
•Big pants
•Socks
•Bra
•Headphones
•Ear Plugs (the ward is noisy at night)
•Charger

Again, have a second bag of clothes/pants in the car if needed. Obviously you do bleed quite a lot, so always the chance of accidents!

I'm due end of April and already sorted my bag, just in case anything happens and need to have my stuff ready.

I will put baby's together next month, but most of the stuff it's in the drawers just ready to be placed in a bag.

With DC1 I'd started packing and planned to finish when I started mat leave at 38+3. However I ended up packing at 1an after my water broke at 38+1! Meant I forgot a few things, most importantly, an outfit for me to go home in! Ended up in PJ's

I bought most things by 35/36 weeks. However still sat in bags until about 38 weeks! I was probably just not being very organised, but I was also reasonably confident my mum/husband could sort it out quickly if needed, and waiting to pack the bag gave me a bit of something to do. 39 weeks now and no sign of baby being here! It's hard because you need to be prepared in case it does come quite early, but you may also feel like you don't have much to do when it most likely comes late.

I had my first baby at 32 weeks and had nothing packed, so I made sure with my other 2 everything was packed at 29 weeks just in case. There was seriously no need though as my middle child came at 37 weeks and my youngest came at 39 weeks lol!

What to pack if planning on formula feeding?

Rachael321 hospitals generally don't let you wash/sterilise bottles etc so you'll need to pack the bottles of pre made formula. You can get specific newborn sets of most brands which come with a pre sterilised small test you screw on the bottle. You might like a tight fitting, non-whites bra too and cabbage leaves to manage the discomfort when your milk comes in.