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Hospital Bags
I am starting to organise my hospital bags by getting little bits here and there. I was thinking one bag for labour, and another with baby stuff.
For those who have their bags packed, or anyone who is already a Mummy, what went in your bag? What wasn't on all the checklists that you can google, but came in really handy? What quantities of baby things did you take?
Thanks ladies
Cate
22+6
For those who have their bags packed, or anyone who is already a Mummy, what went in your bag? What wasn't on all the checklists that you can google, but came in really handy? What quantities of baby things did you take?
Thanks ladies
Cate
22+6
0
Replies
For me:
Dressing gown
Slippers
2 Open front nighties / pjs
Old shirt of my husbands (to wear while in labour / giving birth)
Mini toiletries
Comfortable clothes (to wear home)
2 Nursing bras
Breast pads
Maternity pads (2 packs)
Dark towel
Hairbrush and hair bands
Toothpaste/toothbrush
5 pairs disposable knickers
Flannel
Kandoo type wipes (instead of toilet paper)
Baby Book
Snacks / water / straws
Lansinoh nipple cream
Wash bag for dirty clothes
Hospital notes
Hypnobirthing folder
Ipod & speakers & headphones plus spare batteries
Camera
Book or magazine for hubby
Magicool spray
Handheld battery operated fan
Make up
For Baby
4 Sleepsuits (2 newborn size, 2 0-3 months as my baby is measuring large)
4 Vests (2 newborn, 2 0-3 months)
Blanket
Nappies (10)
Hat
Cardigan
2 Muslin cloths
Cotton wool (about 1/3 of a bag - what was left after I'd dispensed some into a container in my changing unit)
Nappy bags (just a few, not the whole pack)
Baby wipes
Car seat (obviously not in the bag!!)
I am 41 weeks today so just waiting to put it to good use now!
General:
Change for the car park (easy to forget in the rush)!
Maternity Notes...Quite important to remember!
For Labour:
Birth Plan
Dressing Gown
Slippers
Socks - in case you get cold feet in labour!
T-Shirt - to wear for the birth
Massage Oil - optional
Labour 'energiser'
Snacks/Drinks
Energy Sweets
Watch - to time contractions
Camera
Books/Mags/Music - to pass the time
Tens Machine
Toiletries
Water Spray Bottle - cool yourself down
CD/MP3 Player (battery, not mains operated) - favourite tunes make labour more bearable!
Small Sponge - great for taking small sips of water & to cool down with
Flannel - get your birth partner to mop your brow!
Hair Brush
Hair Bands
Hair clips
Water - small bottles are easier to sip from
Antenatal Notes
Bach Rescue Remedy - for times of crisis
Birth Ball - some labour wards provide them
For Birth Partner
Change of Clothes
Snacks & Drinks
For After the Birth:
Going home outfit (someone can always bring that in for you later)
Knickers - disposable or cheap cotton 'big pants'
Nursing Bras - best to get properly fitted in late pregnancy
Breast Pads
Maternity Pads - take a couple of packs & have someone bring in more if need be
Nightdress that's suitable for breastfeeding (more comfy than PJs if you have stitches)
Dressing Gown, lightweight - hospitals are hot!
Shampoo
Conditioner
Cleanser/Toner/Moisturiser
Shower Gel
Deodorant - hospitals are hot!
Soap
Hand Cream
Towels - ones that don't matter, dark colours are good!
Hairbrush
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Arnica - helps with possible bruising
Lavender Oil - a few drops in your bath can help healing and also relax you
Tea Tree Oil - a few drops in your bath can help healing
Nipple cream - well worth packing!
Cosmetics (if you can't bear the thought of being seen 'au naturel').
Favourite breakfast cereal/ tea bags
Fruit juice/mineral water - all optional
Tissues
Inflatable Feeding Pillow
Ear plugs - in case you find yourself with the only sleeping baby on a noisy ward!
Small plastic jug - some people swear by it....perhaps best not to ask why beforehand!
For Baby:
Car Seat
One outfit for going home
Babygros/sleepsuits - 3 or 4
Baby bundlers/gowns - great for night time nappy changes
Baby Bodysuits/Vests 3 or 4
Blanket 1 or 2
Nappies - maybe 5 or 6
Socks- 1 or 2 pairs
Hat - 1
Muslin Squares- 2 or 3
Baby Nail Scissors & clippers - babies nails can be surprisingly long at birth
Cotton Wool balls....you'll be surprised how many you get through
Nappy Sacks - degradable or non-degradable. How eco friendly do you want to be?
Nappy Cream
Baby Wipes - organic or not (useful to freshen up yourself, if not baby)!
Scratch Mittens
Bottles if required/milk - if not breastfeeding
hope this helps
XxXxX 35+4
Loads of maternity pads, hubby was sent ot Boots cos I'd seriously underestimated how many you would need.
Don't take too much though as there really isn't enough room for it al in your wee cubicle or room. S x
A bit intrigued as to what the jug is for now!
also a pen and paper for noting down contraction length, food choices etc and our hospital is always short of pillows.
But dont go in with loads of cases or one so big you cant move it, as there is often no room and ive found you dont need loads, i packed a couple of bags and left them in the car, then i just had to tell dh to go and get the red one etc
xxDBxx
How exciting, I remember packing mine. Think I packed it at 20 weeks - nothing like being prepared!
Hannah xx
vicky xx
19 weeks
I have scaled my bag right down to the minimum as last time there wasnt a lot of room to store stuff at the hospital. If all goes well, you could be out in 6 hours after birth anyway. Im having an elective section this time and am only taking a sports bag for me. I have packed a few carrier bags with seperate towels, pjs etc in to leave at home, and I will tell Ben what to bring in for me each day. If you take tonnes you can guarantee that you will only use a 1/4 of it. Good luck xxx
I have scaled my bag right down to the minimum as last time there wasnt a lot of room to store stuff at the hospital. If all goes well, you could be out in 6 hours after birth anyway. Im having an elective section this time and am only taking a sports bag for me. I have packed a few carrier bags with seperate towels, pjs etc in to leave at home, and I will tell Ben what to bring in for me each day. If you take tonnes you can guarantee that you will only use a 1/4 of it. Good luck xxx
wet toilet wipes as you bleed loads after and they really helped me keep clean down there. also really good sanitary towels. i bought maternity pads from boots and they were awful i leaked everywhere. mum bought me some night time always in and they were brilliant as longer and stoped any embarrassing mess!
xxxx
can i also recommend giving spare key/instructions to someone you trust if you have pets etc (you dont know how long you'll be away for, my hubby couldnt pop home as i was critical in hdu after 37 hour labour!) just in case.
Don't worry, I'm converted, flip flops will definitely be on my list, thanks for putting me straight xx
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