What to pack in a hospital bag?

[New2TheMNet]

Hello,

Please can you give me any recommendations on what to pack in a hospital bag? Any must haves or items you wished you had packed but didn't?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice

I've packed mine this week, my bag:
Towel
Maternity pads
Breast pads
Big pants
Button up nighties
Baggy t shirt for labour
Thin dressing gown
Oversized hoodie
Flip flops (for shower)
Slippers
Socks
Tens machine
Empty spray bottle (DH sprayed me during contractions last time and it was heaven as it was boiling!)
Loungewear to travel home in
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, clips, bobbles, dry shampoo, lip balm)
Bikini top in case I can go in the pool
Non wired bras
Phone charger - the most important thing - last time mine didn't work and me and DH only had 10% battery!

Baby's bag:
Nappies
Water wipes
3 x newborn sleepsuits and vests
3 x 0-1 month sleepsuits and vests
Nappy bags
Mini sudocrem
Dummy
Formula
Hats x 2
Blanket
Cardigan

Then snacks:
Lucozade sport
Squash plus drinking bottle
Sweets
Snackajacks
Cereal bars

I've definitely overpacked but I didn't want to forget anything!

The above list sounds good to me. If you plan on breast feeding you don't need the formula. I had issues feeding but they helped me express.

I would say headphones can be useful too. It's hard to know how long you will be in pre and post baby but remember you can get stuff sent in if needed. I think it's worth taking average amount and packing a bag at home of extras just in case, unless you have a really super star partner that would know where to get things.

Depending on hospital you don't need to bring formula. I have also packed Muslins for baby. Everything else the same

My top tip (passed on to me) - pack a towel clip. The type you get on holiday to clip your towel to your sun lounger. Super cheap on amazon and buy an extra long charging cable.

If you end up on a bed or in a ward - plug your phone charger into the socket behind the bed (usually where they are located) and clip your charging cable to the bedframe.

You won't want to be messing around trying to bend over (potentially while holding a precious newborn baby) to pick a cable up off the floor, nor will you feel justified calling over a busy midwife to ask them to.

Genuis idea and given all the things I did drop and couldn't pick up, this atleast wasn't one of them!

Pack a dressing gown tie. If you end up having a c-section, you can tie it to the end of the bed as you won't be able to pull yourself up without it.

I had a list very similar to that of @mummyh2016 but found that I didnt use most of it.
I took PJ's and an oversized shirt but didnt use either as I ended up in a hospital gown due to needing a urinary catheter. I was asked to wear compression socks and couldnt get my slippers on afterwards!

Things I def needed were -

• big pants, at least a size bigger
• more maternity pads than i ever dreamt of. I got through a whole pack overnight.
• comfy clothes to go home in, leggings and a baggy top
• extra long phone charger
• my pillow from home which was a godsend
• water bottle as the cups in hospital are tiny
• newborn size clothes for baby. We were surprised at how small she was and didnt have many in that size so had to buy more once we were home

I can't think of anything not already mentioned, but a good idea I got from MN was to get your birth partner to pack the bag. That way, when you're in labour and want something immediately, they're not wasting an age looking for it for you because they're in a panic and can't find the right compartment.

@Flutterby8

I had a list very similar to that of *@mummyh2016* but found that I didnt use most of it. I took PJ's and an oversized shirt but didnt use either as I ended up in a hospital gown due to needing a urinary catheter. I was asked to wear compression socks and couldnt get my slippers on afterwards!

Things I def needed were -

• big pants, at least a size bigger
• more maternity pads than i ever dreamt of. I got through a whole pack overnight.
• comfy clothes to go home in, leggings and a baggy top
• extra long phone charger
• my pillow from home which was a godsend
• water bottle as the cups in hospital are tiny
• newborn size clothes for baby. We were surprised at how small she was and didnt have many in that size so had to buy more once we were home

Last time I was out within 12 hours and I didn't use much of it then! Preparing for the worst though this time plus I don't really trust DH to bring me stuff in from home so I'm hoping this will last me a couple of days.

Placemarking

Definitely a pillow or cushion from home - the horrible lumpy plastic covered ones in the hospital are not comfy!

If you have a particular first outfit in mind, put the vest, babygro, hat etc in a sandwich bag and label it. DP dressed DS for the first time while I had a shower and he's not the most fashion conscious of people, so who knows what DS would have ended up in if I hadn't done this!

When does everyone usually pack their bags? I'm 29 weeks on Tuesday and my mum suggested I have it packed sooner rather than later but I felt it was a bit soon...

@Caass45 I'm 33 weeks and just starting to get stuff together. Hoping to have it finished by 35 weeks. I know a few women who have had early babies recently!

Im 36 weeks and packed mine this week.
I have:

Breast and maternity pads
2 x pyjamas
1 nightie
Flip flops for shower
Toiletries
Lip balm
Tangle teezer
Face wipes
Paracetamol
Ear plugs
Big pants
Socks
Towel
Non wired bras
Snacks
Fan
Pillow
Water bottle with straw
Kindle
Switch
Ipad
Headphones
Chargers for all of the above :)
Medication im taking

For baby:
5 onesies and 5 bodysuits. Each in their own ziplock bag with a nappy
Extra nappies
Cotton wool
Formula
Muslins
Hat
Cardigan
Blanket
Swaddle bag
Dummy

@Caass45

When does everyone usually pack their bags? I'm 29 weeks on Tuesday and my mum suggested I have it packed sooner rather than later but I felt it was a bit soon...

From around 28wks I put the stuff I knew I wanted to take to the hospital on one specific shelf in a wardrobe. Then when I got the crib, I put it all in there and built it up over time - that way you keep it altogether and if you do end up getting taken in early it's easy enough to say to a friend, relative, partner - 'just grab everything that's in the crib'. Things to have ready to be grabbed from this point are pjs, clean underwear, phone charger, maybe some travel size toiletries, if you wear contacts then solution etc. Just means someone isn't opening every draw and cupboard in your house to find something.

I started to pack it in a bag around 33/34wks I think.

I was constantly tweaking my bag though - it was never really finished. You buy a babygrow but then you see something else you prefer so you swap it out etc etc. But it was packed enough that it would be OK.

Around 37wks I started taking the bag to midwife appointments because you just never know - and in my case that paid off. One appointment I had high blood pressure and they asked me to stay in so it was great that I had my pjs and everything all in the car anyway.

Oh my god. I'm almost 36 weeks and haven't packed a thing. Better do it tomorrow.

I would add lip balm, hair clips and the soothing femfresh wipes for wiping after using the toilet after birth.

Headphones and an eye mask really helped me first time around as I was admitted to a bright and busy ward but had been awake all night so want some peace and dark.

Wow this is all so helpful and thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply to my post!

Really good advice and tips on what I should pack.
I'm 31 weeks and time seems to be flying by now xx

Not used mine yet, as only 37 weeks but it is all packed and ready to go. I have packed:

My bag:

• 2x pyjamas (inc. one with shorts in case the ward is hot)
• lots of maternity knickers
• 2x comfy 'outfits' - basically baggy tops and comfy leggings
• 3x nursing bras
• 2x pairs of normal socks
• 2x pairs of fluffy socks (in case ward is cold)
• 1x old baggy top for birthing pool, if I use it
• lots of maternity pads
• nipple cream (hoping to breastfeed)
• breast pads
• shower gel
• dry shampoo
• deodorant
• hairbrush & bands
• lip balm
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• towel & flannel
• sliders (for when showering)
• dressing gown
• slippers
• eye mask
• things to keep me occupied - puzzle book, iPad, Switch + chargers
• headphones
• extra long phone charger
• maternity notes
• pillow from home, for comfort

Baby's bag:

• 3x sleepsuits
• 3x vests
• socks
• hats
• muslins
• cotton wool
• swaddle
• blanket
• cardigan
• snowsuit (possibly won't be needed but taking it with me just in case)
• nappies
• wipes

DH's bag:

• change of clothes
• deodorant
• camera
• snacks

@Caass45

My first baby came early at 32 weeks. I wish I'd have packed my bag earlier. I was taken to hospital in an ambulance (baby burn at home before they arrived), all I thought to grab was a nighty. The paramedics put my trainers on me and wrapped my bottom half in a blanket.

At the hospital the midwives had to find me something to wash with, disposable pants and pads.

Baby was taken to scu, I had to wander down in a nighty and my trainers!

Partner brought some things in the morning. He'd been at work and come straight to the hospital and didn't go home until the early hours so came back in the morning.

Safe to say, baby 2s bag was packed at 25 weeks!

Plug board! I recommend it to anyone going into hospital. The plugs are far behind the bed.

Orange squash for you to quench thirst

@HarrysMummy17 this has given me the fear I will definitely make a start soon 😅

Thanks to everyone for the advice on here it will definitely help when I start packing. I tend to way over pack anyways for everything 😅