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! 🙈

Where is everyone finding button down nighties? I can’t find them anywhere!

@cf389 have a look on Amazon for happy mama hospital bag set nightie and robe.

I bought 2 of their nighties and 1 robe for this time round

@Stargazer87 hammam towels are great as they are really slim but still absorbent and take up wayyy less space!

I don’t recommend a hard cabin case as they are awkward to get stuff out of without opening up the whole darn thing. Easier if you’ve got a hold-all or similar with some sections or side pockets x

@cf389 I’ve just ordered a black one from bonprix

There are good lists if you Google but the one thing I would say is an (extra long?) Phone charger, I had a csection and was waiting for hours before and afterwards wanted to text everyone and my cable barely reached the bed.

My full list if it's helpful:

hospital notes
3 changes of clothes
2 or 3 nursing vests/ bras
breast pads and nipple cream
maternity pads
knickers
washbag
toothbrush,
hairbrush, Dry shampoo
flannel,
soap,
lip balm,
deodorant,
hair ties
and other toiletries
towels
tablet- podcasts, films, headphones, charger
loose-fitting top
Cardi
outfit to wear home
snacks and drinks
extra pillow
Medicine
Phone, charger, battery pack
Slippers

BABY:
bodysuits, vests and sleepsuits
an outfit for going home in
a hat, scratch mittens and socks or booties
nappies, nappy bags, water wipes
muslin squares
a pram suit if cold
a shawl or blanket

I have 3x black/ grey thin trousers and 3x black/ grey thin long sleeve tops, that way it all fits together. I bought massive sizes from a cheap catalogue.

All mine is in packing cubes inside a square bag (I think they call them weekend bags?) And then a separate one with packing cubes in for baby.

Hope that helps and good luck!

There are good lists if you Google but the one thing I would say is an (extra long?) Phone charger, I had a csection and was waiting for hours before and afterwards wanted to text everyone and my cable barely reached the bed.

My full list if it's helpful:

hospital notes
3 changes of clothes
2 or 3 nursing vests/ bras
breast pads and nipple cream
maternity pads
knickers
washbag
toothbrush,
hairbrush, Dry shampoo
flannel,
soap,
lip balm,
deodorant,
hair ties
and other toiletries
towels
tablet- podcasts, films, headphones, charger
loose-fitting top
Cardi
outfit to wear home
snacks and drinks
extra pillow
Medicine
Phone, charger, battery pack
Slippers

BABY:
bodysuits, vests and sleepsuits
an outfit for going home in
a hat, scratch mittens and socks or booties
nappies, nappy bags, water wipes
muslin squares
a pram suit if cold
a shawl or blanket

I have 3x black/ grey thin trousers and 3x black/ grey thin long sleeve tops, that way it all fits together. I bought massive sizes from a cheap catalogue.

All mine is in packing cubes inside a square bag (I think they call them weekend bags?) And then a separate one with packing cubes in for baby.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Sorry, posted twice. You don't need to pack twice!

Definitely, DEFINITELY, get a SIX FOOT CHARGER LEAD! I know I'm shouting but I can't stress that enough The plugs will be behind your head, it is a nightmare trying to charge your phone whilst you are using it.

Last time (2016) I had an EMCS and was discharged within 24 hours (not exactly against medical advice but, with a strong, if you are feeling unwell, come back immediately caveat) I intend to be out after 24 hours next time too!

@cf389 I actually got some a couple of weeks ago in Primark 😊 a couple of really soft black shirt style ones that button the full way. They’re long sleeved though so might be too warm for the hospital but I’ve packed one just incase. Also got a few oversized T-shirt style ones from Primark that only button down part way but they give enough access for feeding and skin to skin 😊 planning on using one of those for delivery.

I took a weekend /cabin bag for me, a rucksack for baby and dad (clean t shirt, underwear, deodorant and toothbrush) and a tote bag for food.

I knew I would be in for 72h so I took 6 changes of clothes for baby and 2 nighties for me and 3 sets of t-shirt & leggings. I wanted to get dressed but still very much in clothes for lounging in bed.

Snacks and fruit juice/cordial for the ward as much as labour. I had wine gums, crisps and fruit (fresh and tinned) which I found complement the hospital food well. Some change/cash is good too, my ward had tea and coffee facilities with a donations box.

Remember to take any prescribed medication with you and some people prefer to have their own supply of painkillers. They do come around frequently to ask if you need anything but your own as a back up wouldn't hurt.

Thanks for all the tips, I'm heading to Amazon now to buy an extra long charging cable!

What painkillers would you recommend taking in your bag? I hadn't thought of that!

You really shouldn't have to take your own painkillers to hospital tbh. They brought us round paracetamol and ibuprofen at regular intervals.

Make sure your partner takes a bag with food, drink, painkillers, change of top.

My dh ended up with a thumping headache whilst I was in labour, the hospital wouldn't give him paracetamol as he wasn't a patient so he had to leave me to go to the shop.

We had paracetamol and cocodamol (only because I was given a packet by the midwives at the start of labour). I didnt need any but felt better knowing I had them my partner did use them though.

We were unprepared for my partner, my lo arrived 8 days early and we were out of food that my oh could use as a packed lunch for each day i was on the ward after birth - visiting was 8-8 so it was a long day on just snacks

These tips are really useful, please keep them coming!

What clothes are everyone packing for baby?

My baby is due at the end of November. I'll pack;

3 vests
3 sleepsuits (with feet and fold over hands)
2 cardigans
2 hats

For going home I'll dress him in vest, sleep suit and a knitted all in one outfit to keep him warm (Scotland ) but it will still be thin enough to be worn safely in a car seat.

Will also take him a blanket & nappies obviously.

I doubt I'll need the 3 outfits tbh but they'll hardly take up any space.

I'd say baby will need more than 3 changes of clothes, you don't know how long you'll be in for and babies poo/sick over them sometimes. I took 3xnewborn, 3x0-1 month, 3x0-3 month (sleep suit and vests) for Dec baby last time. He was too big for newborn. 0-3 was massive, and he used up the 0-1 outfits so my OH had to bring more as I was in 2 extra nights as he was poorly at first. I'm due in January and I think I'll take maybe 5 or 6x 0-1 month vests and sleepsuits and just assume that they will fit lol. But I hope I won't have forceps this time and baby won't have any problems and maybe won't have to stay

@SpacePug I think I was lucky with ds, he was never sick on anything and poo always contained in nappy (until weaning anyway 🤣)

Last time I had a second bag packed and left in the boot incase of a very long stay (or if first size hadn't fit ds) dh could have brought it in.
Who knows if dh will even be allowed back in after the birth this time though.
Uncertain times.

Hi ladies, just wondering how to know many nappies etc. to pack?

I took 2 vests & sleepsuits in Asdas "first size" (up to 9lbs) per day we were anticipated to be in - 3 days so 6 total. My friends that have given birth recently have either been discharged after 24h or 72h depending on risk factors & complications. I knew I had to be in for 3 days so I had that to my advantage. If there is a risk that your OH wont be allowed back in I would pack for 3 days, if oh can come in I would plan for 24h and have an extra 2 days were prepared separately to bring in afterwards.

I would pack first size/upto 1 month. I think they are the safest bet when short on space. My LO was 6lb 13 and they were on the big size but not stupidly big. They are probably cover 6.5lb upto 9 lbs (length might impact at the higher weight). If you are anticipating outside on this range have a mix of this size and the above/below size

Actually yeah, in my two previous pregnancies 8 had 3 bags 1 for labour/straight to the ward stuff (basically 1 nightgown/ pj's for me, toiletries and mat pads, charger, 2 changes of baby clothes, nappies etc - about 24 hours of stuff), a smaller bag in the car with "going home" outfits, few spares nappies and pre made bottles, and then another bag at home with extra day or two worth of clothes for me and baby incase I needed to stay in longer for whatever reason.

My friend has just given birth and recommends hand held fan. She says it’s boiling. And good quality lip balm.

@peachypetite I had a friend recommend a handheld fan too! I got one off Amazon for like £10 it seems great. Has a few different settings and handle folds down so it’s small for the bag 😊

How many nappies and maternity pads is packing?

I was going to take a little pack of nappies, I think it has 20 in it? I have size 0 and 1 pampers, do you think 0 will be too small? Or do people normally take both sizes? 🤷🏻‍♀️