Packing My hospital Bag

[tinkerbell*]

well... the time is drawing closer that i need to think about packing my hospital bag... Oh wants me to do it sooner rather then later, incase something starts happening early, he's admited "I wouldnt have a clue what to pack"... hehe bless him!

question is:

Can you lovely girlies tell me EVERYTHING that i need to buy and pack for my hospital bag. i have looked up on the internet but thought it would be far better to ask you experienced bunch


Thank you Girlies x x x x

 

[daftscotslass]

First of all, find out what the hospital supply in terms of pads for you, nappies for baby etc and that will save you packing them.

For you (labour)
A bendy straw and a big plastic tumbler for water
Old t shirt or nightie for labour
Something to read (or stare at as the case may be)
Music if you want it
Camera
Flip flops or crocs (I wore crocs in the shower because even though they cleaned regularly there was inevitably regularly some sort of ming on the floor)
Cold water spray
Snacks and drinks for you and birth partner

For you (after)
Clothes to go home in
Maternity pads (lots!)
Breast pads
Front opening nightie or jammies
Toiletries

For baby
A couple of short sleeve vests, long sleeve vests, sleepsuits. How much you'll need will depend on how long you're in for.
Scratch mitts (good for some babies but mine just flung them off)
Car seat if going home by car
Blanket just in case it's cold for going home
Don't bother with baby toiletries or wipes - they just irritate newborn skin
Outfit for going home including hat

Will add things as I think of them, but this is what I remember using rather than what I actually took.

 

[Sherlock]

Have you tried a search of the forum at all? Loads of these threads abound if you want to have a look.

I found this one to start off

http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=75211

I had a homebirth but packed a hospital bag incase.

FWIW I never bothered with a going home outfit for baby as I would have just taken him home in a sleepsuit (and hat). My thinking is why take more stuff than is really needed. I'm the minimalist queen

I'd pack trackie bottoms not jeans or some such to wear home for yourself. In case of stiches etc, roomier. It'll be painful with stiches and jeans are always snug fitting down there. Felt like a piece of cheese wire when I tried to wear them a few days after birth

Other things to consider

Nappies
Towel (darker is better)
Large knickers for you - disposables or cheapies to throw away (a fair few pairs)

Snack wise things like flapjack for energy. Bananas also. Lucozade is good drink wise.

Check with your hospital if they have a music player for you to use. Ours did. Same with TV, magazines etc. Also they may have a list of things to suggest to bring with you. Or ask on the hospital tour perhaps.

Your pain relief things if using them - ie birth ball (again hospital may have these) TENS machine, batteries for TENS etc.

There is a 6 hour discharge if you deliver in the daytime and if BF'ing LO latches and feeds etc. If you deliver in evening or overnight then tend to keep you in till morning. So consider this also when packing.

 

[LisaJ1986]

My Auntie had a 39 hour labour so scared me with some stuff (Not necessary i don't think ) so i packed my OH a spare pair of undies and socks, just in case.
My knickers i bought 2 packs from Asda. They had 3 pairs in them and cost a quid a pack. That way i didn't care if they were thrown out.
I only packed sleepsuits and vests as i was only dressing her in them for a couple of weeks anyway.
I packed her 2 hats, which i'm pleased about coz the 1st hour she pucked up mucus and it's badly stained the back of the hat.
I wish i'd thought of the straw idea. I was in labour 2 hours and got through 2 jugs of water.

 

[tinkerbell*]

okay i have wrote a checklist and this is how it looks: please advice on anything you think is needed or unnessisary(sp)

Labour-
~antenatal Notes
~Birth Plan
~Large T-shirt (for Birth)
~Hair Band
~Hand held fan
~Cold Drinks
~ Energy Tablets

After Labour-
~Maternity Pads
~Sleepwear
~ Change of Clothes
~ Cheap big knickers (that i will throw away)
~ towel
Toilerties ~Shampoo& conditioner
~Soap
~Deodorant
~Make Up (for home time, hehe)
~Face Wipes

Baby-
~Nappies
~Sensitive skin Wipes
~Muslins
~Bibs
~3x Vests
~3x sleepsuits
~2x Hat
~ Scratch Mittens
~1x Outfir (for home time)
~Blanket
~Soft toy

Other -
~Camera
~Mobile Phone
~Money
~Notebook & Pen
~Snacks for OH (Keep him happy and on 2feet)
~Magazine/Book

does that all sound hunky-doory???? hehe
1 more question,,,, how many maternity pads should i take???

Thank you... panic over! hehe

 

[LisaJ1986]

I took 3 packs of pads and had 2 left! I gave birth 7.52am Sunday and left at 4pm Monday. So lots!!!
Don't forget home clothes for yourself.
As for make-up, i forgot mine! I was mortified. I wish i'd collected some spares! Lol. Coz baby decided she wasn't hanging around i didn't have time to pick it up.

Rest sounds about right. Oh and the midwife asked me when dressing her if i had a cardy! I forgot but they lent me 1 anyway.

 

[Sherlock]

I'd go cotton wool over wipes for newborn baby skin tbh.

If you are planning to breastfeed I'm not sure you'll need bibs. Mostly needed when bottle feeding. I've never used a single one breastfeeding and Galen is 7 weeks old now. Muslins do the job if there is a bit of winding to do etc.

I'd also skip the going home outfit and leave in a vest or romper suit. But thats just me. Sleepsuits or rompers are so much easier in the early weeks than faffing with clothes on and off.

You'll need breastpads either way I would think

I'd go 3 packs of maternity pads. Chances are you'll get through them.

 

[lea m]

I just wanted to add that you can get disposable knickers! If your going to buy some to throw away anyways they might be better!
I loved them with my DD! I could just throw them away with the towel!
My babies all came home in a white babygrow, vest, hat and cardi!! But that is totally up to you!
I agree with Sherlock and leave the wipes! Not only is cotton wool better (imo) but the hospital should provide that so less for you to carry!

 

[daftscotslass]

The likes of Tesco value knickers are actually cheaper than the disposable ones so I think it's much of a muchness there really.

Definitely agree re: the wipes. I took some to hospital with me but didn't use them. Mind you the lady in the bed next to me did when her LO had a meconium explosion all over her . When I did use wipes when we got home they just irritated her bum so we're still on cotton wool now and will be for the forseeable future.

 

[LisaJ1986]

The likes of Tesco value knickers are actually cheaper than the disposable ones so I think it's much of a muchness there really.

Same here. I bought Asda value ones. £1 a pack of 3. I bought 2 packs.

 

[chickadee1976]

CAn i add some wipes for your self for washing hands etc, saves having to go to bathroom all the time when you dont have to

Link to some anti bac sensitive ones from boots


http://www.boots.com/shop/product_detai ... id=1018010[/url]