Hospital bag

[Paige29]

Hi guys,

I’m starting to pack my hospital bag but it’s my first time and I’ve seen so many different lists out there can anyone give me any advice on any must haves/ essentials please?

Thanks in advance xx

Snacks.
Drinks like lucozade to keep energy up.
Nappies
Baby grows-I went through 7 in less than 24 hours.
Vests
Several pairs of pajamas/nighties for yourself (preferably dark colours)
Spare clothes
Maternity pads
Wipes/cotton balls
Some kind of lip product.

• Hospital notes
• Birth plan
• Dressing gown
• Socks
• Flip flops
• Lip balm
• Lotion or massage oil
• Water spray
• Music playlist and chill out kit
• Ear plugs
• Eye mask
• Nightdresses nursing friendly/ big t shirt
• Maternity pads
• Underwear big and comfy
• Nursing bras
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Deodorant
• Tissues
• Towel
• Face wash
• Hairdryer
• Hair straighteners
• Hair clip and ties
• Plastic bag for dirty clothes
• Make up
• Moisturiser
• Phone charger extra long
• Nice clothes to go home in- nice joggers etc
• Snacks and drinks- lucazade
• Cameras
• Pillow
• Ipad
• Aromatherapy oils if hypnobirthing
• Cash
• Birth ball

That's just for me 😂

Little travel size shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body moisturiser. Vaseline, tissues, hand cream.
Water, crisps, favourite chocolate, an apple/banana if you think you'd eat them.

Baby wipes.
Lansinoh if breastfeeding and breastpads. Breastfeeding bra and a button down/up nightie or nightshirt so that you don't have to strip off to breastfeed.
Big black knickers. Always Night time pads - though they will probably make you wear their own pads to measure blood loss.

I had a lovely body shop set that I bought from The Body Shop (actually think it was a gift) that I used for my first shower (EMCS) and I still associate that smell with her birth (dewberry?).

Another few I always find myself wanting are a nail file and a hairbrush or comb and hair bobbins (fine hair so they keep falling out).

You'll also need sudocrem for her bottom (or do they advise something different these days?).

I've said her - I don't think you've mentioned boy/girl. His/her bottom will need some protection from poop.

Face wipes and your own facial moisturiser.

One thing which I would have brought with me is tea tree oil. They say in aromatherapy that the one you love the smell of is the one you need. It calms me down. So if it's lavender, grapefruit, lemon, whatever, bring some of that to sniff on.

You'll also want your going home outfit and baby's going home outfit (cold out - so a snowsuit thing).

Pretty much everything has been said but I would also pack some earphones! I listened to music quite a lot while on the ward.

A lot of people put little gloves on the babies hands to stop them accidentally scratching their faces with their nails. I never used them. Also, a lot of people put hats on babies always, but maternity wards are notoriously warm, so might only need that for the trip home.
Does hospital provide blankets or do you provide your own? Cotton cellular blankets only. Nothing fancy/fluffy.

Do people just take one bag? On the info from the nhs I got they say to take 2 bags: one bag for the labour and one for when the baby is there. I think I might just put everything into one bag but just organise it well.