maternity bag help

[brookeslay]

where did everyone buy there labour bag and what was useful and what wasnt ?? many thanks. Seen some nice ones on ebay but dont want to go mad with christmas and i`m drowning in debt .

thanks
b

what do you mean by labour bag? do you mean the bag to take with you to hospital? I just used an old hold-all, big enough to hold a change of clothes for me and clothes, nappies, etc for the baby. If you search the archives there are loads of threads with lists of useful things to pack.

if you mean a nappy bag for use after the baby is born, then you don't really need one - just a big handbag or rucksack will be fine. You'll just need one of those foldaway travel changing mats for when you're out and about. You don't need to spend loads of cash.

As in title Maternity bag i wanted to know what was the most useful and useless items people took with them. A weekend away packing ofr me in normally someones weeks worth ! so i need help on essentails and little things that were really helpful.

I had a cs so I was in hospital a bit longer, but here goes...

Don't buy a special bag, just use a holdall
Something to labour in, an old teeshirt will do
Something nice to put on after the baby is born, something with buttons up the front if you're planning on bf'ing
Some socks (cold feet while labouring)
something to wear for going home in (mat clothes, you'll still look about 5 months pg)
maternity pads
Shower/bath stuff, shampoo etc
A bit of make up if that's your thing
Camera
Snacks for you (or more likely your dh)
Flip flops for the shower/bathrooms
If you're worried about cleanliness then something like Milton wipes
A spare pillow (V shaped one is good for bfing and sitting up in bed)
A towel if your hospital doesn't provide them

For the baby...
A couple of vests
A couple of sleepsuits
A pack of new born nappies
Blanket
Something warm to wear on the outside, jacket or cardi
Woolly hat
Car seat
Cotton wool if your hospital doesn't provide it.

I had a cs after induction so was in for a several days. I was really embarrassed by the size of my holdall suitcase on wheels, but I had everything (labour, ward & baby) in there and was glad of it all in the end.

Things I didn't use:
disposable pants
magicool face spray
Cds

Things I was desperate for DH to get:
chocolate (he ate the stuff I'd packed!)
more nice jammies (didn't realise just how much blood you lose afterwards.... nuff said)
a magazine
A NICE babygro for dd - suddenly the 'white ones'll do' attitude changed and I got babygro jealousy )

Things I was really glad I remembered:
Some really nice-smelling shower stuff. That first shower is the stuff of legend. (not too strong for BF mouths though)
A BF vest top & bra

I had an emergency CS and was glad I packed face wipes. Let me freshen up unaided (ie not blanket bath!) in those 24hrs I couldn't get out of bed.

Liquorice and dried apricots for getting things going again afterwards!

Check with your hospital whether you need to supply nappies.

Primark cheapeast knickers are cheaper than disposable ones. I bought 12 pairs.

Took CDs, ipod, never used them.

lol @ hobnob baby grow jealousy i did buy a cute organic one from baby gap 30% with voucher matching hat too.. awww cute. I have also seen a cute angel one as if everything goes to plan this will be a miracle baby ( which is too complicated to go into ).

Good idea on the face wipes I hate feeling sticky at the best of times. I don`t want some nurse coming at me with her mouldy sponge !.

I love liquorice but have been off it since I read it causes problems, so i will happy munch on panda sticks my fav.

definitely bin the disposable pants! Get BIG cheap black ones 2 sizes too big - sooo comfy!

hobnob - I still have 2 cans of magicool face spray left over from when dd was born

Also never used - posh organic massage oil!

Pack moisturiser - the hospital is hot and your skin will wrinkle up and hurt if you're in there too long! (though you won't even think about slapping some on until after your baby is born!)

i had cds and used loads of them - helped to pass the time while dilating - midwifes werent too keen on my selection - particularly Miss Saigon - but it kept me nice and relaxed.

flapjacks were great for filling me up in the ward afterwards and providing a bit of energy for dh too.