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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What is a "going home outfit"?

51 replies

scrambledeggy · 28/04/2021 17:40

After an anxious pregnancy following a miscarriage, I am now 34 weeks and am starting to feel comfortable prepping my hospital bag. I have some plain sleepsuits and vests in various sizes that I was planning to pack, but all the recommended lists also mention a "going home outfit".

I'm a bit embarassed to say I have no idea what this means and am struggling to work it out through googling! What special clothes might baby need for the journey home? Will a normal sleepsuit do? Sorry for being thick, as I say, it's my first pregnancy that's made it this far an I really want to get things right

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

scrivette · 28/04/2021 18:57

It's really hot in the maternity department too, so make sure you don't take fleecy pyjamas for you.

Also, don't do as I did the first time and take jeans to go home in as you will want something loose and comfortable.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 28/04/2021 18:58

My baby had a babygro hat and blankie. They are newborn babies ffs - they need to be warm, comfortable and safe. They don't need fancy clothes, they look beautiful whatever they are dressed in.

BertieBotts · 28/04/2021 18:59

You are not "supposed" to do anything of the sort, don't worry!!

Take photos if you would like to do that.

Dress your baby in special clothing if you would like to do that.

If you don't see the point of these things, don't stress about them! It is YOUR baby and YOUR preferences take precedence. Aside from safety advice, do exactly what you think is best. And that will be just perfect.

Chelyanne · 28/04/2021 19:01

Keepsakes are totally up to you. I have clothing from each of ours when they were very small, I kept their 1st proper pair of shoes from when they 1st started walking and they have lots of cards and christening stuff in memory boxes.

DPotter · 28/04/2021 19:06

'A going home outfit' is just another opportunity for someone to fleece new parents of their hard earned cash.

sleep suit, cardigan, hat and a blanket to wrap the baby in if it's cold.

I wore track suit bottoms and a tshirt and trainers. I'm not even sure I brushed my hair for the 1st few weeks

Lofu · 28/04/2021 19:09

It's more important to have enough outfits for baby. I think I only packed three which I thought was sufficient, but we were in the hospital for 4 days and I didn't appreciate how many vests and sleepsuits a baby can go through in a day. Luckily we live close enough to the hospital that DH could nip home for more stuff but this time around I've packed multi packs of things just in case.

M0rT · 28/04/2021 19:11

I don't have kids but most of my friends have sent pics of leaving the hospital with their babies.
Babies usually in nicely patterned babygros and little hats, friends almost universally in dresses with leggings if it's cold as don't know when packing a bag if a section will be needed so want clothes that won't cut across the middle if so.
Not on SM just WhatsApp groups, it can be handy when your tired/busy to send the same pic into family/friend groups to update people.
It's reassuring for those of us who receive the pics to see our friend/family member looking like themselves after they have been in hospital.
Especially now as you can't call around to hug them yourself the next day.
It's no big deal if you don't do it or photos aren't your thing.
Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy, wish you an easy delivery and a healthy baby

MoltenLasagne · 28/04/2021 19:13

For me a "going home" outfit is just an extra set of babygro / hat etc that you can change them into for a going home photo in the quite probable event they've already pooed or possetted on the first three you've put them in.

hiptobeasquare · 28/04/2021 19:15

‘A going home outfit’ can be anything. My baby’s was a fancier scandi brand sleepsuit and cardigan. I have kept it in her memory box as a keepsake.
On the subject of water, I took a stainless steel straw so my partner could hold my cup of water up for me and I could drink it easily. May be worth taking if you have one. Lip balm also as hospitals are dry af!

Crockof · 28/04/2021 19:16

A going home outfit is a super complicated and beautiful many buttoned/layered outfit that you dream over before baby is born. The reality of getting a baby octopus into it makes it impossible and the stress of it completely ruined it. It is mainly for PFB, fourth child is lucky to have something new.

Missreginafalange · 28/04/2021 19:21

For me I always thought a "going home outfit" was just clothes you kept separate if you had a stay in hospital and needed some spares and also if it's cold then added layers as not needed whilst staying in the hospital as it's always an oven lol

wellhellohi · 28/04/2021 19:26

My MIL spent a lot of money on a beautiful sleep suit from jojo mama for my little boy. With a matching blanket and cardigan. One of our last shopping trips together.

My son was born 10lbs 10oz and as straight as a dice. It didn't fit him. It was New Year's Eve the shops were about to shut so he ended up in a 3 for £5 one from Tesco. Lol😀

My mother in laws health deteriorated soon after and a very kind work colleague brought her son home from hospital in it instead in her honour.

Unescorted · 28/04/2021 19:35

Honestly you don't "have" to do anything. For DD her earliest photo was about a 10 weeks after she was born. DS had a hospital photo about 20 minutes after he was born and looks like a cross between an old man and a red prune dressed in a hand me down from his sister. Both have grown up into functional human beings.

A win for me after both of them were born was getting to the car and getting inside the house without everything going south.

SinkGirl · 28/04/2021 19:38

One of my twins was in NICU for two months. On the last day he had to pass a six hour fast, we literally went in, they told us he’d passed, they’d got all the paperwork ready and we literally picked him up, took his tags off, put him in the car seat and left as quickly as possible. Don’t have the slightest clue what he was wearing - there are no photos or anything.

It’s all a bit daft IMO but there we are!

SinkGirl · 28/04/2021 19:39

Also, babies are amazing at detecting clothes that cost more money and will vomit and crap on them within 30 seconds.

MargosKaftan · 28/04/2021 20:03

Yep, "going home outfit" is literally the outfit you put them in to go home. Ours was sleep suit, vest and cardie.

Your outfit needs planning though, think about what you will wear, avoid maternity jeans incase c section or fanjo stitches. And shoes, but that's because I know 2 woman who were taken to hospital in an ambulance to have their dc, their dh grabbed the bag, but as theyd arrived not wearing shoes, they had none with them to go home in. (Pair of flipflops in the bag, just in case?)

merryhouse · 28/04/2021 20:34

I just picked my favourite of the charity shop babygros - navy with red roses on, gorgeous. Then a fabulous little red snowsuit with pointy hood, one of the few things I'd bought new as I couldn't resist. All the ward staff cooed "how Christmassy!"

For us a going-home outfit was important because he'd been wearing hospital baby gowns up to that point. I believe this is less common nowadays.

Embracelife · 28/04/2021 20:37

If you are going to be photographed or arrive to a,welcoming committeee who might notice then it might matter
Otherwise simple sleep suit is fine !
Tge baby won't care at,all
You just are not allowed to take baby home wrapped in hospital gown and hospital bed sheet...

everydaysablessing · 28/04/2021 20:39

Agree with the snacks and drinks for you.

I also bought flip flops and Dettol wipes as I heard showers can be a bit grim. And a towel.

I totally misjudged pads, put in a pack as that usually does me a whole period. Then needed to double up pads and change every two hours, DH had to do a big stock up at the hospital Boots.

MimiDaisy11 · 28/04/2021 21:15

I think with covid etc then it's unlikely most babies will be going home to a little party. And even if covid wasn't around I wouldn't want people to be around when I arrive home and I'm not concerned with how they look going home as long as they're comfortable and healthy.

SinkGirl · 28/04/2021 21:32

If you can get hold of Always Infinity pads (hard to find but worth it) they are insanely absorbent and much more comfortable than the giant maternity pads, plus the top is soft and stays dry if you have any stitches or grazes etc.

Chanel05 · 28/04/2021 21:33

I chose a fancy dress, cardigan and tights. I was discharged at 3am and on reflection, what a ball ache it was getting my newborn in it that time of night.

BertieBotts · 28/04/2021 21:35

Oh excellent point about the hospital clothes - I think this used to be common although it isn't any more, perhaps it's where it came from?

I had DS2 in Germany and they provided clothes for all the babies in hospital, was totally weird I just wanted to dress my baby in MY clothes! I did on about day 3 when I realised I could dress him in whatever I liked :o But the idea is you don't have to cart loads of clothes in with you in umpteen sizes nor do loads of laundry when you get home.

Caspianberg · 28/04/2021 21:43

@BertieBotts - same here. All clothing, nappies, wipes, towels, pads, toiletries were provided. When I asked what to bring they were basically like ‘ maybe a snack’..

BertieBotts · 28/04/2021 21:58

Yep, we even got sent home with the remainder of the pack of nappies, the remainder of the tube of Bepanthen, the thermometer that had been up his bum (err thanks!) and some other things I've forgotten. The idea is you don't need to bring anything except your own clothes, comfort bits and any snacks you want between mealtimes. I was totally catered for on the children's ward as well even though he was technically fully FF when we checked in. I always find this such a weird policy in UK hospitals though (only providing meals for BF mums!)

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