Overpacked hospital bag

[19annie86]

1st time parent. I feel like I've over packed, iv a big bag for myself a d then a changing bag full for baby. Is there anything I might not need, pjs and nightdress, slippers, towel, toiletries, pads, going home outfit. I just feel like iv got far too much stuff

And iv took 6 pack of formula feed just as backup

I'm always of the belief id rather take more and not need it, then take less and be feeling stressed that somebody now has to run out and get it for me.

Realistically, you probably won't need a fair amount of what you pack. However, you can't know what you will want until it happens, so I'd take it all anyway! Both times I 'overpacked' in the sense that a load of stuff wasn't used. This was particularly so second time around as I packed overnight stuff for both me and DH again but I managed to get discharged straight home from delivery suite in the evening, so didn't need any of that stuff for example. I was only in hospital for about 12 hours. However with DC1 we were in hospital for about 36 hours including one night on the ward so I did use the overnight stuff then, and obviously more clothes/nappies etc for baby too. Both times I've taken a little wheelie suitcase for the baby stuff, plus a big holdall-style bag. When I've been in the hospital in the past watching people get admitted for inductions they usually have a similar amount of stuff, often a lot more, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Are you going to have someone who could stash a bag in their car boot for in case you need it?

If so then I'd try to reduce what you take initially just because there's not really anywhere to put it so you want as few bags as possible.

For you you'll need:

something to wear to have the baby
something to wear afterwards, which will likely be what you wear to go home in unless you foresee having to stay in for an extended period.
Big pants
Maternity pads
Wash stuff, hand cream, lip balm
Chargers for phone/tablet
Some cash for vending machines
Some snacks

For baby you'll need
2 vests
2 babygrows
Half a dozen nappies
Water wipes or cotton wool
Couple of premade bottles of formula
Blanket

You can then load up extras into the someone's car boot so you have them if you end up staying longer than planned or something happens that requires an extra change of clothes.

@19annie86 I took 5 bags with me and didn't need 3/4 of it!

The necessary things I needed were:

• Clothes to labour in: I had a range of items as I didn't know how I would feel at the time.
• Comfortable clothes to change in after: Joggers, loose top and a hoodie.
• 2 x PJS (loose fit)
• 6 pairs of underwear.
• Bra
• Toiletries - I took travel size so I could pack them instantly and leave any left behind. I would recommend unscented though...
• Phone Charger and a portable phone charger too.
• Nipple Pads
• Maternity Pads

For your partner:

• A change of clothes and some toiletries too (only deodarant and toothbrush/paste).
• Their phone charger too.

For your baby:
4/5 baby grows/outfits.
2 x Hats
2 x Scratch Mitts
2 x Blankets
Pre Made Formula
Dummy (if you wish to use one)
Some muslin cloths.

Hope this helps :)

and nappies!!

Thanks everyone, I keep unpacking then packing then unpacking haha bag still no lighter

I packed everything for me and my daughter into one cabin sized suitcase but then had another bag for life (the Hessian ones) full of snacks.

The snacks bag was the most important, haha. Don't skimp on snacks.

"The snacks bag was the most important, haha. Don't skimp on snacks."

Truer words were never spoken, I think the hospital I was at ration food, and trust me, nothing makes you hungrier than spending hours in Labour and pushing a baby out. I didn't care about food during but afterwards I could have eaten the entire contents of McDonalds and still been peckish.

I think a bag for you and bag for baby is fine, that's what we did and turned out I underpacked as we were in longer than expected! DH had to be dispatched to the Asda next door to buy some more bits

You could always have an overflow bag for car boot with stuff you might not need immediately but will possibly need, and your partner can bring it in if needed.

I am the same - one big bag for me (3 pjs, night gown, postpartum peri care etc.) + 1 changing bag for baby (I also have formula starter pack just in case and nursing pillow). You need to think about it this way: Is it a lot of hassle to pack it? Probably no. If I need to stay longer, will having all those things give me much needed comfort/relief? Probably yes.

I took a cabin bag sized suitcase for our stuff. And the changing bag for baby things. I needed it all as ended up being in for 5 days!
snacks are mega important as are things to keep you entertained, kindle, tablet.

The one thing I didn’t take with DD1 but will take this time was flip flops! I didn’t really enjoy showering in the hospital shower barefoot haha.

I thought i overpacked. I had a massive suitcase and a backpack.

Turns out I had an infection, in hospital for 4 days. Baby kept throwing up amniotic fluids for days and had to be changed all the time.
Didnt have enough clothes for them 😑

So pack what you need. As long as someone can carry your bags ...

I’m 36 weeks pregnant with my first. I’ve got a big wheelie suitcase with all my stuff in and a baby changing bag with all baby’s stuff in. Still fretting that I haven’t packed enough though.

I had to go into triage the other week and I saw a lass being admitted with THREE huge wheelie suitcases so it appears some people do indeed take the kitchen sink with them lol.

You don't need the pajamas.

Pack two loose fitting nylon nighties. Does the hospital allow you to use their own gowns? I would stick with these myself and not bring your own. You'll get blood everywhere.

Hospital gown preferable, but if not possible, bring a dressing gown. Be prepared for it to end up with bloodstains.

One pair of sport/ chunky socks to keep your feet warm during labour.

One tennis ball so your birthing partner can rub your back with it in case of back labour.

Slip-on slippers. Don't pack footwear you need to pull on using your hands.

Slip on shoes to go there and home in.

Several pairs of huge, stretchy granny knickers - as many as half a dozen. Change your knickers frequently.

Soft bra.

If your hospital doesn't provide pads, bring at least 30 massive overnight or maternity pads.

Buy perineal ice packs to place on your sore and swollen bottom afterwards and for the first week or so. They really help with healing and soothing the itchiness that comes with it.

Buy perineal irrigation bottles to help with cleaning up after using the loo afterwards. You need about 4. Keep these and use in the first few weeks.

One or two premade bottles of formula and several teats in silicone and latex, smallest size.

Hemorrhoid cream.

Phone, charger marked with your name, water bottles, lip balm/ chapstick, soap, shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant.

Plastic bag to put soiled clothes in.

Two babygros, two vests, about a dozen smallest size nappies, newborn size hat, two swaddling blankets.

@mathanxiety

You don't need the pajamas.

Pack two loose fitting nylon nighties. Does the hospital allow you to use their own gowns? I would stick with these myself and not bring your own. You'll get blood everywhere.

Hospital gown preferable, but if not possible, bring a dressing gown. Be prepared for it to end up with bloodstains.

One pair of sport/ chunky socks to keep your feet warm during labour.

One tennis ball so your birthing partner can rub your back with it in case of back labour.

Slip-on slippers. Don't pack footwear you need to pull on using your hands.

Slip on shoes to go there and home in.

Several pairs of huge, stretchy granny knickers - as many as half a dozen. Change your knickers frequently.

Soft bra.

If your hospital doesn't provide pads, bring at least 30 massive overnight or maternity pads.

Buy perineal ice packs to place on your sore and swollen bottom afterwards and for the first week or so. They really help with healing and soothing the itchiness that comes with it.

Buy perineal irrigation bottles to help with cleaning up after using the loo afterwards. You need about 4. Keep these and use in the first few weeks.

One or two premade bottles of formula and several teats in silicone and latex, smallest size.

Hemorrhoid cream.

Phone, charger marked with your name, water bottles, lip balm/ chapstick, soap, shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant.

Plastic bag to put soiled clothes in.

Two babygros, two vests, about a dozen smallest size nappies, newborn size hat, two swaddling blankets.

@mathanxiety I found the PJs a lot more comfortable to breastfeed in then a nightie :)

I didn't bother taking towels as they took up so much room in my suitcase, the hospital provide them anyway.

You dont need so much stuff, also your partner can bring you going home outfit, youre going home with him anyway(and noone really will see you from room to car, u can go home in pjs too lol x ) x hospital has towels

It's not Ryan Air. Take as much as you like.

It honestly doesn't sound too much. You probably won't need all of it but you won't know until you're there. I was convinced I'd use all my massage oil and essentials oils and they were completely untouched!

This is a good list of everything in order of popularity so you can see what the absolute essentials are.

@mathanxiety

You don't need the pajamas.

Pack two loose fitting nylon nighties. Does the hospital allow you to use their own gowns? I would stick with these myself and not bring your own. You'll get blood everywhere.

Hospital gown preferable, but if not possible, bring a dressing gown. Be prepared for it to end up with bloodstains.

One pair of sport/ chunky socks to keep your feet warm during labour.

One tennis ball so your birthing partner can rub your back with it in case of back labour.

Slip-on slippers. Don't pack footwear you need to pull on using your hands.

Slip on shoes to go there and home in.

Several pairs of huge, stretchy granny knickers - as many as half a dozen. Change your knickers frequently.

Soft bra.

If your hospital doesn't provide pads, bring at least 30 massive overnight or maternity pads.

Buy perineal ice packs to place on your sore and swollen bottom afterwards and for the first week or so. They really help with healing and soothing the itchiness that comes with it.

Buy perineal irrigation bottles to help with cleaning up after using the loo afterwards. You need about 4. Keep these and use in the first few weeks.

One or two premade bottles of formula and several teats in silicone and latex, smallest size.

Hemorrhoid cream.

Phone, charger marked with your name, water bottles, lip balm/ chapstick, soap, shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant.

Plastic bag to put soiled clothes in.

Two babygros, two vests, about a dozen smallest size nappies, newborn size hat, two swaddling blankets.

Your post illustrates well how individual packing the bag is though. There are loads of things on your list I didn't have and didn't need - 'perineal irrigation bottle' never even heard of that, I just poured water over myself with a disposable cup in hospital!, ice packs never used/wanted despite stitches both times, never had haemerroids either time so didn't need treatment for that. The toiletries I took both times but only really needed most of them the first time as I didn't have an overnight stay second time. I did take premade formula both times but never actually needed it. Never would occur to me for a tennis ball, never liked my husband touching my back once I was fully in the throes of labour hah. Preferred to wear PJs than a nightie afterwards unless it was a button down one, to facilitate breastfeeding. Etc. It really depends on the person what they will want and need.

Half a dozen nappies???? SIX?????

OP, take a full pack of newborn nappies! Babies have built-in sensors and only poo 30 seconds after you've just changed them. Also, they tend to wee mid-change at times, often spraying a clean, fresh nappy with wee before you've even had chance to get it on them!

Pack what you need and what will help you feel comfortable. I wouldn't stress yourself about it too much.

It depends where you are planning on delivering and therefore what type of birth you are hoping for. Both of mine I've had midwife led centres, no over night stays, I labour quicky however so have never needed anything before the birth (time out of house, 16 hours with first, 6 hours with second).

I always advise a spare bag for the car so you can get extras if needed. If you are being induced you will probably need more for pre birth, if you are having a section you'll need more after.

Take what matters you feel comfortable.

@dashoflime

It's not Ryan Air. Take as much as you like.

Trust me the hospital staff will not appreciate this approach! There is very limited space around a hospital bed and it need to be safe and clear in the event of an emergency.