I know this has probs been done a thousand times but.....

[Anarchymummy]

What do I REALLY need for my Labour/Hospital bag for me and baby?

Iv'e been given a list by the hospital but it seems to have a lot of unesecary things like crosswords on it.This is my first preg and I'm already in danger of packing everything that the baby could possibly need including the kitchen sink.lol.

I'm due in 6/7weeks (15th Dec)but there's a high likelyhood i'll go into labour before that.

Help please!!!

nightwear 3 or 4 changes, maternity pads, breast pads, old knickers(as many as poss) change of day clothes, toothbrush and paste, shampoo and conditoner, shower gel and towel. For baby three or so outfits(baby gros and vests), nappies and a blanket. You will also warm clothes for baby when taking him/her to the car. Those are the basics I can really think of.

and you need a car seat to take baby home, but don't pack it in your bag!!!! cotton wool, don't take any wipes, baby bath, shampoo, you will need nappies though, baby will only be washed in plain water for first few days, so you only need cotton wool for bum and face and everything in between!!! Good luck, you'll probably get a bounty pack in hospital too with minis and goodies in and I'm sure you could phone a visitor and ask them to bring you anything you need that you didn't think of but I think that goingfor3 has pretty much covered it!

you might need a baby hat and may like scratch mits.

never mind the baby - dh can always dash to mothercare and the hosp will have most things. Just take a few nappies, cotton wool, vest, sleepsuit and a blanket.

most important thing is stuff for you to get you through labour:
nightie you don't mind getting messy
spongebag
dark towel
flipflops
food
water
lucozade sport

I would like to recommend little packets of dried fruit (for after the birth) to get you going again asap after the birth.

I have always packed two bags. One for the labour room and another for going up to the ward. Once I have been transferred up to the ward DH swaps the bags over before he goes home. (leave one in the car boot)

oh and camera and spare batteries!

Yes definatley a cotton baby hat. Your birthing partner may appreciate some snacks packed in the bag too!

Depends on your hospital too, mine supply everything for the baby (including clothes if you want) apart from scratch mitts. All nappies, cotton wool type things are there for you to use whilst you're in. Maternity pads & disposable pants were provided last time I was in too but I don't see knickers on the list this time so I'm taking them in case.
Some mags, trashy book is a good idea as it can be boring if you're in for a while, I was in 8 days first time round unexpectedly & in solitary confinement (took a hospital bug & they called it quarantine but it felt like that) I was glad of mags & walkman as new babies ain't up for much conversation . I felt too crap for many visitors either so DH asked people just to come once so it was him or my parents & they were too busy cooing over DD to chat to me (joking).
If you know anyone who's been in the hospital recently they can tell you if there's stuff provided not on the list & what they found most useful.

Ear plugs and a an eye mask. If you get a chance for some sleep while DP is watching the LO, it blocks out a lot of background noise/light. Good luck

This is my hospital bag list (compiled from other threads)
not sure i'll take everything, but i'm going to work from his list and chuck out what i don't want when i actually pack the bag. oh and probably keep size of bottles and quantities of stuff small.

also heard that its better to keep a separate bag for baby, so its easier to grab what they need as soon astheir born, rather than rummaging around in my bag.

HTH

Essentials

Birth plan and maternity notes
Slippers and flip flops for shower
Socks, in case feet cold in labour
Old tshirt for labour
nightshirt, dressing gown
Day clothes to lounge in
Towels (face and body - old ones and dark colours)
Lots of comfy cheap knickers (to bin after)

flannel for mopping sweat
Vaseline or lip balm
moisturiser

Sanitary/maternity pads (quite a lot)

hairbrush / hairbands
clothes for going home... something comfy
breast pads
nursing bras
maternity pads
plastic bags for dirty washing
maternity pillow

For baby
3 babygros
3 vests
warm cardi
blanket
wipes / cotton wool
socks (if the baby isnt in a sleepsuit)
going home outfit
hat
snowsuit or wrap up warm stuff
nappies
cat seat
small Towel for baby

snack and drinks suggestions
basic sandwiches made in advance
lots of water
lucazade/Energy drinks
Kit kats/soreen
Flapjacks/bananas
frozen bottle of water
Fresh fruit
dried figs/apricots ( apparently for that awful first poo)
mints

Entertainment
Magazines & papers
Ipod
Phone and phone charger
notebook & pen

Extras
antibacterial wipes/gel
cooling evian face spray
TENS machine
lansinoh nipple cream
make up & mirror
money
notebook & pen
camera (disposable?)

Toiletries
anti bac wipes for bathroom & antibac gel for hands
face moisturiser
body moisturiser
shower gel or soap
pack of tissues
shampoo & conditioner
toothbrush and toothpaste (for DH too)

don't take old nickers, they make you feel poo. buy cheap cotton pants from primark or tesco and take them with you, even if they are tesco value, it'll make you feel nicer to have new pants than skanky old ones.
x

Puppy dog Eyes - looks like you're going on holiday for 2 weeks! But, agree with most of your list, especially the flip flops and antibacterial wipes for the shower.

Take loads of maternity pads - not normal sanitary pads as I got told off by the nurse for taking these. Arnica tablets are also good for any bruising. Why do you need a maternity pillow?

Would not have taken make up or body moisturiser. Also, I took a bag of food but did not fancy any of it - could not eat during labour, and was too full of adrenelin to eat after. I could not concentrate on listening to an IPOD or reading a paper - but it's great to be optimistic!

maternity pads with wings
black pants
flip flops
socks (my feet were freezing in labour)
lucozade drink (with a straw so you can still drink when on all fours) and tablets
face wipes
antibacterial wipes (hospital bathrooms in maternity wards are not known for their cleanliness and i also liked to wipe up after myself when i dripped blood everywhere - sorry if tmi)
baby wipes (for you not lo - makes you feel a bit refreshed down there)
dark nightie x 4
dark towels
dark dressing gown
lip balm or vaseline (also good for putting on babys bottom before that first sticky poo)
arnica tablets
lavender oil to help you get some sleep
deodorant
shower gel, shampoo, facewash
toothbrush/toothpaste
make up for those first photos (not essential but made me feel better)
hair brush, bobbles, grips, alice band - anything to keep your hair off your face basically
nappies
cotton wool pleats
vests
baby gros
hat for baby if not due in midsummer
blanket
camera
watch to time contractions with
books/magazines/ipod if no music in the delivery room (ours had a radio)
snacks
change for the car park

you seem to have it all covered puppydogeyes though not sure I'd take the cat seat

oh and don't forget ear plugs so you can get sleep and drown out the sounds of babies crying and women screaming!

i've read in several places that you don't get a good pillow in hospital. so if i get a mat pillow i may take it. if not than a normal pilow.

but i'll probably leave bulky non essentials in the car and send dh to fetch.

hate earplugs, make me feel congested and hate the silence...will just have to put ipod on.

oh and not taking slippers just flip flops
and no evian spray for me, just flannel.

Thanks :D
Iv'e got my bag packed now (26days and counting till due date lol)

oooh, i love these lists. three months to go til i pop with first and this just makes me more impatient!!

Fab lists although I would be wary about taking ipods/expensive cameras into hospitals as expensive things like this can go missing (I had a whole bag of toilettries, etc, taken in first labour).
I also wouldn't worry too much about 'day clothes' as everyone I've ever known has not made it out of pjs until they go home!
And remember, dp can always bring in extra baby clothes, etc, so I wouldn't put too many outfits for baby either, especially as most people go home within 24 hours.
I should remember this but why can't you take wipes for the baby??