Hospital bags

[Stargazer87]

I've just started to get my things ready to pack a hospital bag for myself and baby and I'm starting to panic a little! What size bags are you all using? I was going to take a cabin case for me but just my towel nearly fills it! 🤣Also how many of each item are you taking? Any good checklists out there or recommendations? Feeling really out of my depth! 🙈

@Stargazer87 😂🙈 I’m so glad it’s not just me! I’ve packed a cabin case for me and I’ve packed my changing bag for baby because there’s no way I was fitting everything in both 😅 in my area, once your partner leaves after baby is born they’re not allowed back in at all until it’s time to pick you and baby up, and they can’t even drop off supplies so I’m struggling with what to pack for such an unknown length of stay 🤷🏻‍♀️
Also interested in knowing quantities for everything though because I’ve gone with “how many can I fit?” 😂🙈

*everything in one

I have the same worry, my husband won't be allowed back in either so how do you know how long to pack for?! 🙈

I packed a towel with my first then the hospital gave me towels for my shower.
I also packed maternity pads, hospital provided them and breast pads again hospital provided them.
Cotton wool same again.
Check with the hospital what they'll be providing.

Not pregnant but had 4 kids. A cabin bag is actually great because it stands up neatly in a corner. Take the babys change bag too. You can fold up a towel into a bag 4 life with your nightgown. But if you can find a thin towel and gown even better. Or a long cardi as you might be pacing go get things going ( can you do that now with covid?)

Dont forget flip flops for the shower. Baby centre normally has good posts in the birth clubs for hospital bag ideas. Less is more but dont scrimp on essentials like your clothes or baby outfits. Newborns puke a lot! At least three changes for you both. More ideally for baby.

Whilst this may be a ridiculous item whilst worrying about being tight on space...is anyone taking a hairdryer??

I wouldn't take a hairdryer, the noise is likely to annoy other mums trying to rest.
If you really need to wash your hair just towel dry it and leave it to dry in the warm ward.
You won't be able to sit in front of a mirror to blow dry your hair anyway.

If your hospital doesn't provide them/you really want to take your own , invest in a Turkish towel. Very thin, super absorbant and lightweight

For myself I’ve gone with:

• 2 nighties with buttons that I can hopefully use one for labour/birth and one for afterwards for feeding etc
• 2 pairs of pjs/loungewear type things just to be comfy in
• 1 outfit for coming home (maternity leggings/baggy T-shirt/big cardigan)
• very light dressing gown
• slippers
• 2 nursing bras
• knickers (very large, black and LOTS of)

Then a towel, toiletries etc.

Then for baby I’ve packed a couple of sizes and packed I think 5 vests and 5 babygrows in each size, a couple of hats, cardi for coming home, cellular blanket and a heavier blanket for the car seat, then nappies etc

Ohhh and flip flops, I do have those 👍🏻 I’m not taking a hairdryer. I wash and dry my hair daily and can’t stand dirty or wet hair but I don’t want to be that woman blasting a hairdryer on an already roasting ward 😂

This is my list:

3x sleepsuits
3x vests
1x cardigan
3x beanie/hats
1x Packet of newborn nappies
1x wipes
1x blanket
3x muslins for burping

For me:
Tooth brush
Toothpaste
Lip balm (gas and air dries out your lips)
Brush
1x packet Maternity pads
Phone charger
Light towel
Underwear
3x comfortable outfits
Pyjamas
Nursing bras
Flip flops
Snacks

I barely changed out of my PJs with my last birth, but who knows what will happen this time.

@RWK29 That sounds like a good list, how have you managed to fit it all in?! I'm the same, I wash and dry my hair daily but agree that maybe a hairdryer won't go down well! 🤣

@Stargazer87 I haven’t actually checked that the case will close yet if I’m honest 😂 I’m hoping it’ll at least fit the the extender zip open lol. All clothes are rolled rather than folded as it makes everything so much smaller and I’ve just crammed things in 😂 DH will also take his own rucksack or something with a change of clothes for him and he’ll pack snacks/chargers etc in there so that I don’t have them in my case.

For baby I’ve folded everything small and put it all in ziploc bags for each size etc so that it’s easy for DH to grab something when needed. Also means when the bag is opened and it explodes all over the place because I’ve crammed it full, at least it’ll be on organised bags all over the floor 😂

@Minkies13 What size clothes are you packing for baby? Im worried to not take more than one size option then have a wee chunk and nothing fits 😂🙈 FTM and the sizing is baffling me!

My ds was 8lbs 12oz and fit into first size at first. Not for long but it did fit him.

Trust me after having a baby you won't care what your hair looks like
Take a cabin bag for you and possibly a second smaller bag for baby/snacks.
I'm sure if you were desperate for oafs/nappies/clothes partners can drop a bag at the ward door, when my father in law was in hospital during the full onnlock down we couldn't visit but could pass essentials in at the ward door etc xx

If you have to stay in will you change into clothes during the day or stay in nightwear? I was only planning on taking one actual outfit and that's to go home in...what's the done thing? 🤷🏻‍♀️

There isn't really a done thing tbh. Everyone just does what they're comfortable with, nighties and gown or lounge wear. No one honestly pays any attention to each other.
I was in hospital labouring with my son all day on a Sunday, naked in a bath most of the time then in a nightie. After I was washed etc I went into another nightie and up to the ward around midnight.
On the monday I showered, washed my hair (left it to air dry) and put yoga pants and a feeding vest top on. Both grans were visiting that day (obviously there won't be visiting this time). I probably would have stayed in nightie otherwise.
Monday night changed into nightie again to sleep.
Tuesday I'm pretty sure I left in the same yoga pants and vest top I'd worn on the Monday.

I had a suitcase

@DueNumberTwo That’s good to know!! I’ve packed first size and up to 1 month because I was unsure but maybe I’ll cut down on the 1 month because my bag is about to burst 😂

@Stargazer87 From what I’ve heard from friends, some women are full dressed and make up and others live in pjs or dressing gown and undies so I don’t think there’s a “done thing” as such. I’ve only packed one set of proper clothes for leaving the hospital. The rest is button down nighties and Pjs for easy feeding access. I’m not really bothered what I look like after to be honest 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m sure the other ladies in the ward can deal with it. Apologies in advance if any of you happen to be in my ward and have to look at me 😂😂

How long has everyone stayed in for previously out of interest?

@RWK29 I'll keep a look out for you then when I'm in with this one I'll also be in a similar state of undress, last time I stayed in a nightie as I was so sore I couldn't have cared what I had on/looked like 😂😂 but this time inthink I might actually force myself to put some maternity leggings on or something just to feel a bit more human. X

@sarahc336 😂😂 yeah I did think about wanting to feel more human but I don’t think I’ll be caring at the time 😂 the pjs/loungewear are my semi-respectable choices and the nighties are for if I’m really not bothered 😂 they’re about 3 sizes too big and just purely for comfort lol

I was in for 2.5 days but ds was back to back and required rotational forceps in theatre.
Everyone I know who has had a more straight forward birth was out after 1 night (or later the same day for second babies)

Defo be ok with first size. My last one was 9lb 12 and fitted in first size still (even if just for a week or two).