Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

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

Hospital bag

9 replies

SweetSunflowerBoo · 13/09/2021 18:56

I'm going to pack my hospital bag this week.

Any tips on how to pack and what to pack from experience please??

Giving birth in November so it will be cold weather when I have my little boy.

Also is there anything you wish you had packed that you didn't?

Thank you?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bennetgirl · 13/09/2021 19:33

I’m due in November as well and have just done mine! I’ve got a bag for me, one for baby and dp will probably take a rucksack.

I’ve got something to wear during labour, pjs, leggings, nursing tops, slippers, loose cardigans and a dressing gown. Travel size toiletries, make up, maternity pads, nursing bras, towel, hand towel, undies, breast pads and phone charger.

Baby - maybe 5/6 sleep suits and vests, cardigan, a couple of blankets, muslins, nappies, cotton pads and hats.

Dp will take snacks, phone charger, drinks, loads of anti bac and masks etc.

My issue is not knowing how long you’ll be in! It’s like packing for a holiday and you don’t know the duration 😂 I know I’ve packed too much but I’d rather that!

SweetSunflowerBoo · 13/09/2021 20:01

@Bennetgirl what size baby clothes are you taking? I'm worried about packing newborn and then baby be too big ect- it's difficult to know what to take

OP posts:
BattenburgBerry · 13/09/2021 20:22

Take some big fluffy socks, my feet got freezing cold during labour. I also took my own pillow which I was pleased about. I hated maternity pads, like big mattresses in your knickers. I took some Always boutique incontinance pants in black which were fab, then moved on to the Lil-lets maternity pads which were nice and thin but plenty long enough with wings.
Take some wet wipes, nappy sacks and a drinks bottle which you can refill with water. And ALL the snacks. I was starving overnight after having my baby and ate my way through a box of 6 cereal bars!
Good luck, you’ll be fine!

Bennetgirl · 13/09/2021 20:33

I’ve got some newborn and a some 0-3. I know my baby is on the big side though.

For going home I put them in a cardigan over their sleep suit, a hat and then warm blankets. I had two blankets on dd3 and that was October. I took the top one and hat off in the car. You can’t put a baby in a car seat with a coat on.

My first was 7lb 1 and we had to buy tiny baby clothes! You really can’t tell until they’re here!

I’ll have spare clothes ready at home incase I need to stay in so dp can grab them x

Bennetgirl · 13/09/2021 20:34

@BattenburgBerry I’d forgotten cereal bars! Thank you x

Mindyourbusiness22 · 13/09/2021 21:17

I’m due early November, this is my list so far 😂

Baby
Nappies
Wipes
Cotton wool
Scratch mits
Snowsuit x 1
Sleepsuits x 4
Vests x 4
Hat
Formula
Bottles
Blanket
Muslins
Soother
White noise machine

Me
2 pairs pjs
Big pants
Pads
Breast pads
Nipple shields
Bits spray
Nipple balm
Two bras
Leggings
T-shirt’s / shirt
Cardigan
Phone charger
Dry shampoo
Face mist
Face moisturiser
Eye cream
Lip balm
Midwife calming spray
Brush
Perfume
Mascara
Cc cream
Blusher
Cosy socks
Paracetamol
Towel x 2
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Bag for dirty clothes
Sliders
Book
T-shirt for birth
Hair baubles
Create calming Spotify playlist and download it
Headphones
Ear plugs
Birth plan x4 copies
Water spray
Pillow
Bank card

Snacks
Dark chocolate 75%
Juice cartoons - Apple, orange
Bottle water
Lucozade (fizzy)
Raspberries/ strawberries / oranges
Salt and vinegar popchips

sss234 · 13/09/2021 22:26

My favourite things that I packed were:

My water bottle with a straw (got a MANGO bottle from Amazon) it was literally a life saver during a long labour! My husband could get me a quick sip between contractions and didn't have to move positions etc. No leaking either.

I also loved having some simple face wash, but for use on my whole body. I knew it was super gentle so although I had no interest in washing down there (due to stitches etc) I wanted to know anything I used elsewhere wouldn't run down my back and irritate things.

A big comfy scrunchy for my hair was nice. Something you know sits nicely when lay down etc.

Really large high waist knickers from M&S... way more than you think. I used my entire pack before baby even came cos my waters went everywhere throughout the first day in hospital. Had to send my mum out for more. You will wear them post partum too so it's worth it.

Definitely some large comfy maternity bras. I was caught short there, everyone said I would want to wait and see/get measured when milk came in but trust me you need them ASAP. I got great ones from Amazon in the end that I highly recommend, only come in S, M, L so not real need for measuring etc.

Phone charger with a very long wire.

I love idea of white noise machine for hospital that's great, we used iPhone but wasn't convenient at allll. Also possibly a night light. The Dream Egg is great and does both. Highly recommend that.

Don't forget your nipple cream!

Also pack babies outfits into individual bags ready and labelled by size. I found that helpful. We took 3 outfits in newborn/first side and 3 in 'up to 1 month' and wished we hadn't bothered with newborn cos he was big but I also didn't want him to be swamped in his first photos so maybe do take a couple of newborn just in case. He was a big baby! 0-3 would be too big for any baby I reckon (unless from a shop that comes up small?) so probably wouldn't bother with that if you want the clothes to look well-fitted.

I wish we took a little wooden 'welcome to the world' thing or something similar. Maybe something with the name on if you know what it's gonna be!

Own pillow is a good shout. Ear plugs also are essential as the noise of people pressing the buzzer was horrendous, all night long!

Plenty of nappies to give yourself chance to do them wrong etc. Also a larger hat in case baby has a big head. Ours did and not one hat that the hospital provided fitted him bless him!

Good luck!! 😀❤️ it's a great experience!!

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 13/09/2021 22:35

Don't bother with long sleeved vests as they're a nuisance to put on, and a nuisance to get baby gro sleeves over. Or a snowsuit. Can't put a baby into a carseat while wearing a snowsuit

MeAndZig · 13/09/2021 22:48

Wow! I’m due in November haven’t even made a list ! Will be following this thread with interest! Thanks all 😂

New posts on this thread. Refresh page