MN Bumpfest: What should mothers-to-be pack in their hospital bags? Chance to win a £50 voucher!NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

In the run up to BumpFest (which is going to be totally awesome by the way) we’re looking to get a better understanding of the experiences Mumsnetters have had around different issues surrounding childbirth.

We've seen from the many threads on the subject, that Mumsnetters have got packing a hospital bag down to a fine art. We’d like to hear what you think are the essentials, and what can actually be left in the shop.

What items did you pack the first time around which you later realised were completely unnecessary on the day? Did you find you overpacked your hospital bag when you were pregnant with your first PFB DC?

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ

word of warning I bought a new black t shirt to wear during/after/whenever. make sure you wash the bloody thing first as sweat + new black t shirt = loads of black crap all over you...

I packed everything on those lists that are available online but only ended up using maternity pads, pants and my snacks & drinks! I'll pack light next time :)

neck support those u shaped pillows and extra pillows as your body aches all over after you go though labour and extra support is always useful.food and drinks for the following day of course .
one funny thing is we rushed to buy baby nail clippers as newborns always have long long nails and they scratch their delicate skin as soon as they are born so its very handy pack one to the hospital.

I neede no snacks or books or magazines, but did need more pads and changes of clothes .

For baby
nappies
sleep suits (3 or 4 even if you are not planning to stay beyond 24 hrs) I personally never bothered with body suits after my eldest.
1 or 2 hats
a blanket (optional, but can come in handy as hospital ones are not too warm and if you get your own room they can be nippy)
bum wipes

For mum
comfy stuff to wear after birth (for me it has always been jeans/jeggins +tshirts
comfortable tight fitting pants (essential to keep pads in place) x 2
Night extra long always pads - 1-2 packs
deodorant, shampoo and other toiletries (in travel size)
I always bring my own antibac soap and surface wipes

CROCS - essential IMO...so easy on and off, for showers etc, non slip. If it's not winter and snowing outside I'd just wearthem to hospital (as I did with most of mine)

Just to add, I would leave the nursing bra fitting until after the milk comes in, and Lansinoh breast pads are the best :D

I think it varies from hospital to hospital and perhaps midwife to midwife. I was given the first nappy and all my maternity briefs (despite having my own)
I needed energy drinks! Mind you, if it all happens quick you wouldn't!

I will never buy disposable breastpads again as they felt all scratchy on my sore nipples (tried several brands - Lansinoh, Tesco, Asda etc). Washable ones are so much softer.

I wish I'd bought more juice cartons, by the time my mum and DH had some there wasn't much left for me, and I was really thirsty. I also wish I'd bought some flannels to use for wetting and cooling, I was so hot and my mum and DH were getting through reams of wet paper towels to mop my brow with!

80% of my holdall was various everyday clothes - didn't realise you stay in a nightie the whole time until you're discharged, so I thought I'd need lots of outfit changes! So next time I'd leave all that out.

Painkillers
Food
Change (coins)

Ipod with favourite music on and goodies to snack on

Maternity pads (but not too many in case you have an EMCS like me and find you have about 4 packs of the things that you no longer need!)
2/3 pairs clean big knickers
Comfy front opening clothes for going home
A couple of front opening nighties
Washbag
Change for parking
Nappies
2/3 baby-gros
Flip flops
Dressing gown
Phone and charger

lots of nappies and wipes!

Vests, sleepsuits, Towel, Flannel, newborn nappies, cotton wool, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, baby wipes, phone charger, slippers, outfit for next day, deodrant, make-up, hairbrush

I didn't get to use the newborn clothes

I forgot nipple shields and needed extra paracetamol (saves pressing the buzzer in the night)

Peppermint capsules for wind pain

Extra large pants in case of c section

Tena lads better than maternity

Headphones for listen to music on phone.

nappies
baby grows
baby wipes
bonnet

maternity pads
toothbrush
toothpaste
cleanser, toner & moisturiser
pyjamas
underwear
change of clothes

Food, Food & more food!! Depending on how long the labour takes you could find yourself with out snacks for hours at a time! I hated the idea of my husband leaving to find a vending machine in case something happened.

There are lots of lists online for what you should take. But the second time I bought proper pants from a cheaper shop, rather than paper underwear. A nightie, not pjs (in case of section). I didn't really use any of my labour snacks or drinks (although hubby used his!). I put going home stuff in a different bag which hubby kept, spare clothes and nappies somewhere obvious in case of a longer stay than planned. Slippers or flipflops.

Ear plugs for definite, I didn't take any and just spent the whole night listening to all the other babies and some of the mothers crying. My baby was sleeping sweetly (lulling me into a false sense of security!) and only woke once.

I took a massive nighty which was comfortable and easy to assess as I had a few stitches so the nurses could check easier than pj bottoms.

I also forgot my phone charger!!

I packed two bags, one for me and one for the baby. Cartons of drink are handy and plenty of nightwear. Snacks weren't any use, I wasn't able to concentrate on food at all.

Snacks, phone charger, change, a list of phone numbers in case your battery goes, more snacks, nice juice.

Maternity Pads, breast pads, food that you like (mine was rubbish!!!), drinks in cartons.

Apart from all the usual things that every mother-to-be should pack I would advise a small spray bottle with your watered down facial moisturiser so that you can spritz yourself to stay cool and rehydrate your skin from the hospital heat, also a lip balm proved invaluable.

Snacks and drinks are an essential - make sure you have enough for you and your birth partner!

For after the birth, get a pair of comfy PJ's or a nightdress in dark colours! Pack lots and lots of maternity towels.

It's good to pack a book or magazine for those moments when not much is happening or your baby is asleep.

Don't forget your camera and change for the car park!

Crisps and diet coke! Or is that just me?!

I would recomend, in addition to the obvious clothes for mum and baby, nappies, toiletries etc:

flipflops - mainly for the shower
antibacterial wipes
camera
drinks
cheap big granny pants that could be thrown away
maternity pads

In hindsight I over packed and anything I might have forgotten could be readily got from the hospital. I left spare things in a bag in the car in case I had to send DH for stuff and so it wouldnt be too far for him to go back to if he got it wrong!