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When I was pregnant with LP I spent ages pondering the contents of my hospital bag – Choosing the right bag, packing it, repacking and making sure I had everything I could possibly need. Even though I had a homebirth it’s advised to pack a bag ‘just in case’ and it contains everything that anyone having a baby in hospital would pack.
With Little Man I packed the bag last minute and only had a few items in it! I think second time you are more relaxed about what you will need in hospital and you know that if you don’t have something, especially after the baby is born, you can always ask someone to bring you something or send your partner out for supplies.
Packing your hospital bag is quite a milestone in any pregnancy and Matalan have put together a hospital bag essentials list to help you with the packing. Here it is:
This maternity hospital bag list has pretty much everything you will need and Matalan have even created it as a downloadable pdf so that you can print it and check the items off as you pack them. Even better you can use the Checklist online and click the highlighted sections to zoom to the relevant parts of the Matalan website! There are a few things on the list I wouldn’t pack but it’s better to have too much first time around and feel confident that you are prepared for any eventuality.
The best things I had in my change bag were HUGE pants for after the birth and maternity pads – Awful things but very, very necessary! I also had a little battery fan in case I got too hot during labour and a big bag of jelly babies on advice of the midwives! I also had a contraction counter app on my phone that was amazing during labour and great to look back on afterwards. I also had quite a lot in the hospital bags that didn’t get used – Too many baby clothes and things like make up – I didn’t put make up back on for AGES after the babies were born! I did pack loads of muslins though, you really can’t have too many!
What are your top tips for packing a maternity bag? Is there anything that you couldn’t have managed without or anything that you didn’t need but everyone tells you to pack? Leave a comment with your top tips and add your entry to the Rafflecopter below. One comment will be picked at random to win a £50 Matalan Voucher!
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Straws!! Made drinking in labour much easier!
try not to go over the top with too much 🙂
Both times I packed too much for baby and not enough for me- hospitals are soooooooo hot so you only need vest tops & light pj bottoms or nighties to wear esp of you have to stay in like I did!
Pack early! All my six children arrived weeks before their due dates! Disposable maternity pants look so unsexy but they were one of my best buys and would defo recomend them along with maternity pads!
Water spray for your face… It’s hot in hospital!!
Pack two separate bags – one for baby and one for you – this is so you don’t feel you need to compromise. Pack a “just in case” list for if you have to stay in longer than expected like we did (a week) and don’t have enough things that way your partner or a friend can go and get the things you need on the list. Make it like a tick box so you can tick what you need with a brief description of where it is. If you have younger children who will be visiting – pack a little something for them – a gift from baby perhaps so they feel involved and don’t get bored.
Make sure only the essentials are in there.
Sandwichs. Hunger will strike!
don’t take too much
Make sure you have plenty of maternity pads (sanitary towels) & pairs of knickers, plus extra nighties/pyjamas. It can be quite hot in hospital maternity/delivery wards & you find you get quite sweaty. Everyone overpacks for the baby but forget about themselves! Extra baby grows are recommended too. New baby’s do like to throw up quite a lot!
always pack a few weeks in advance in case of emergencies
Be prepared early you due date is only an estimate
Something to light to read .. you might be there a loooooong time .. twenty five hours with my first.
With my eldest I did not pack enough baby grows etc, so I would say its better to pack more to be on the side of caution. Also I bought size 2 nappies instead thinking size 1 is soo small and maybe 2 would be better – that was wrong! I did okay with my next two’s hospital bags cos I learned from my mistakes 🙂
most important pack baby wipes lol
Don’t leave the packing to your husband 🙂
Facewipes, box drinks with straws, iPod.
Pack two spare nighties/pj’s.
If you can take in your own form of music player and earphones. Whether it be iPod, phone mp3 player with your chosen music. It is great to help you relax and drown out the hospital noises. A notepad and pen for all those last minute lists and thoughts. With my youngest I took in some boxes of Christmas cards and my list and passed the time getting that chore out the way.
Mine is cooling foot spray
Pack something to read to take your mind off things, I found this helped take my mind off things while waiting for the next contraction in the earlier stages!
Pack maternity pads as normal pads arent as good for first few days. Be prepared early just in case baby comes early
Having 2 bags is great. Makes things easier when sorting what you need for the baby
Dark colour dressing gown and socks, my feet were freezing cold 🙂
Keep it minimal , don’t take loads of stuff you wont need x
Snacks!! They generally only feed you at mealtimes in hospital. They gave me my evening meal at 5pm, then that was it until 7am. When you’re up ALL night with a ward full of newborns that’s no good at all. So stock up! Lip balm (your lips get very dry if you have gas & air) and anti-bac hand gel. I took makeup both times but it never saw the light of day. And take a nightie – I ended up with a section and therefore a catheter. Doesn’t quite work with PJs!
find out what your local hospital supply as often there are bags of baby bits there that way you will have extra room in your bag for your things!
remember to pack snacks & cereal bars. I remember being so hungry during labour but i didnt want my partner to keep leaving. You can not take too much 🙂
Decant things into smaller containers. Rather than take a whole pack of wet wipes, take some out! it takes some planning but you will end up with a much smaller, more organised bag in the end.
Don’t take everything but the kitchen sink!! I took so much the first time (just in case) and never used most of it
I’m doing this right now as I’m having my little girl in 15 days! I know, I’m late! 🙂
The best thing to have in my bag is a camera as you can’t always charge a mobile in the hospital room so means I can still get a tonne of snaps of baby as soon as she’s here!
More maternity towels than you think possible and a nice new outfit for you to wear when you come home.
Pack weeks before the due date!
It has to be dry shampoo, mints and a hairbrush!
Snacks for your hubby!
Don’t forget phone numbers – sometimes during labour we have other things to worry about than charging the smartphone – a hand written list of numbers and some change are always a good idea
Pack early so your not rushing around at the last minute trying to think of what to put in there. Slippers are a must have x
Energy drinks are a must. I struggled to eat anything last time, so the drinks really helped put some calories into me.
Don’t pack too much and take something to read or a puzzle book
Take only what you really need – not enough for a small army.
It is not a fashion show, just take light clothes like loose clothes like cotton t shirts, dressing gown etc… more items can be brought be others if needed.
Be prepared and pack a few weeks ahead. I took loads of drinks and snacks for me and hubby. Also don’t forget your phone charger
Definitely something to read.
fruit pastilles! good snacks are so important.
Have it ready in plenty of time and keep it somewhere easy to grab!
I always overpack when I go on holiday – I’m talking a few outfit options – so why should it be any different for hospital 🙂
Its a long time ago so I don’t really remember. The only thing that stands out for me is the packet of rich tea biscuits! Helped with the sick feeling before and after and kept me going!
Lots of bibs or burping cloths. Saves you having to change the baby after every feed.
Essentials only, not everything plus kitchen sink
Don’t take too much stuff, half of it you wont use and your partner will eventually be told to go home at some point, so can pick things up for you, and most hospitals have a small branch of Boots where you can get any essentials you might have missed. When I went into hospital to have my first, it looked like I had packed for a 3 week stay!
Bring some music as it makes labour a bit more interesting
A pack of wet wipes are more useful than you’d think.
Mp3 music can be very soothing
lip balm always remember lip balm
Pack super early
Pack essentials in one bag and prepare another bag for a longer stay incase you need to stay in longer than anticipated but leave that bag in the car or at home and someone can bring it in for you if needed.
plenty of babygrows
The best tip I can give is to pack early. One of my daughters was born two weeks early and luckily I was prepared and had the bag ready by the front door!
Snacks & Baby Wipes! 🙂
camera plus charger and sd card!!! first thing I packed lol
make a list and stick to it
Toilet wipes for when you have stitches, they’re so much gentler than using hospitals sandpaper like loo roll
A plastic spray gun the sort you get I the garden shop ! Great for sprit zing your face and body with iced water !
a sprizer spray for refreshing/cooling face and body
2 bags, one for baby, one for you
Take some small change for a drink, newspaper or chocolate!
music would be great
always be prepared
Pack an extra nightie or pyjamas and make sure you pack early.
Take plenty of clothes for the new baby. I didnt realise how much a baby can be sick, and only packed a couple of sleepsuits etc. Had to send the other half home to get more
Pack at least 6 weeks before your due date encase the baby comes early
always pack early you never know when the baby will come
im yet to discover what is the best item, i would say for now maternity towels
A spritzer spray and something light and protein packed to nibble on – some raw cashew nuts are perfect
lots of baby vests and babygros for all those never ending poos
Disposable pants!
Pack some weeks in advance. You never know when time is coming…
Baby wipes for both you and baby
Pack early, use a tick list to make sure you have the basics, don’t get hung up though someone will always bring in anything you have forgotten. so enjoy
Pack early
You can never have too many baby wipes
Lots of snacks for both of you!
Pack in advance and be ruthless about what you take if you don’t really need it then it’ll be in the way.
Snacks and some bottles of water – hospital water can taste awful and you don’t want to get dehydrated. Take a couple of extra changes of pyjamas/nighties – accidents happen!
pack early! my son was 7 weeks prem and i had nothing ready!
My dressing gown but next time ill buy a non white one!
Ipod mints wet wipes and a pad and pen
Some disposable Knickers and a snack for after labour.
Snacks, hospital food is not the best and something to read/puzzle book to do in between contractions.
be prepared pack a few weeks in advance
Extra large sanitary towels
Pack it early – I was so disorganised when my daughter was born a month early, my mum was on holiday and I had to send my husband out for so much stuff and i just wanted him with me.
My favourite thing I packed was dried apricots!
Baby wipes and tissues! 🙂
Cloth maternity pads – commercial pads are the devil, rough, scratchy, gather-up, prevent air-flow so make you all sweaty and irritated, and full of nasty chemicals, so irritating and higher risk of infection – cloth pads are a lot more comfortable and hygienic. When you get home these also work better for pad-popsicles too.
Hygienna solo – device you attach to water bottles to turn them into a personal bidet to stay clean, without any irritation from dry scratchy paper, but smaller than packing a spray bottle. Pair-up with ‘family wipes’ too.
Pack early! Take a bottle of water and some water spray to cool you down.
Food glorious food – you never know how long you’ll be there & don’t want to risk sending your partner out for food.
packed some food the food in the hospital was bad
Pack early but don’t overpack, you will never use it all. Don’t forget your favourite cold drinks and snacks.
one of those freezing cold water spray cans to cool off when things get over heated x
For yourself pack at least 5 pairs of knickers, maternity sanitary towels, those crack and use ice packs (at least 2), some wet wipes, some breast pads, 1 nighty, 1pair of pyjamas, slippers, bra, a bar of chocolate (very important for instant energy), some small cartons of juice, a packet of biscuits, some paracetamol, and a magazine or book.
For baby pack at least 10 newborn size disposable nappies ( more if you can), at least 5 babygros with one being 3 to 6 months as you never really know how big your New arrival will be, baby wipes, some cotton wool, a baby hair brush, and if it is winter, pack a padded baby suit and a thick baby blanket for when you leave.
Take your mobile phone with you because hospital phones cost a fortune to use and you can order a pizza delivery while you are in hospital, but prepare to suffer the envy of other hungry New Mums who did not think of this. If your mobile phone also gets internets, you can blog, tweet, facebook or even watch T.V. Ehich is again a heck of a lot cheaper than the hospital T.V. Pay to use and you can listen to music on your mobile too with a ear plug so you do not wake other sleeping Mums if you have to stay in and you can take photos with your mobile as well.
Do not talk to the people trying to get your personal details and offering you a free bag of baby items and help filling in child benefit forms. It is a marketing ploy and you can get the child benefit forms for free From your local council or benefits office or online.
energy tablets were fab! i couldn’t keep anything down, even the horrid energy drinks they kept giving me. But they were like sweets & gave me that boost i needed!
I had a fan and wet wipes, helped as even though I gave birth in September I was sooooo hot during labour and they came in really helpful 🙂 also water helped a lot too 🙂
only take what you need xx
Lots of little snacks like cereal bars and cartons of juice to keep you going.
something light to eat
Pack comfy big knickers and plenty of sanitary pads (super thick ones)
Plenty of drinks and snacks because the meals come at set times, and you will want something in the middle of the night, especially if like me you have an early morning c section and then can’t eat all that day.
Pack around 20 weeks pregnant & pack lots of bibs & nappies & babygros
A good book, snacks and lots of underwear
pack the essentials
Not so much bag packing tip but I found Always night time sanitary towels better than maternity pads!
Lip balm, lips get very dry after gas and air
take an ipod if you have one
pack early and plenty of maternity pads!
Have your bags (one for you, one for baby) packed and in your car by 35 weeks.
Phone charger and face wipes were my essentials
Pack early, pack enough but not too much, pack something refreshing like drinks, face mist or mints. Music helps too x
pack early! my son was born 3 months early!
Pack it well in advance! My little boy was 6 1/2 weeks early and we had nothing ready.
ipod and charger, and some sweets
Pack a book or magazine, the wait can be a little bit longer than expected!
Pack two bags, one for u…one for baby x
camera , snacks , clothes x
Nighties not pj’s – I ended up having a c section and had only packed pj’s which I then couldn’t wear. Had to stay in hospital gown until hubby brought some in!
Just because it’s your first baby doesn’t mean he/she wont be early. Pack your hospital bag as early as possible- minus food. I kept putting it off and had to pack in a rush- not fun! I forgot lots of things and Hubby wasn’t happy as we didn’t pack any food or drinks :/
Laborade – a mouthpiece helps relax the jaw during Labour – which helps with pain relief. It really works !
Leave it near the front door.
I would recommend packing two separate bags. One for yourself and one for the baby. Add lots of snacks. You will be starving afterwards.
Snacks and drinks for you and your birthing partner!! Its the thing that most people never think about
Only take the bare essentials! You definitely don’t want the stress that comes with overpacking!
cotton wool balls, they come in handy for everything – wiping baby’s eyes, cleaning baby’s bottom, cleaning up small amounts of sick, they can be used to cool down mum’s forehead in labour when they have been soaked in water…
Nappies, wipes and some refreshing face wipes.
drinks
Some nutritious snacks, something with some protein in – I can remember the only option for a meal one time was a cucumber sandwich, not great fuel for giving birth, or recovering from a difficult labour
Lip Balm for me
have 2 seperate bags – one for baby and one for mum 🙂
make sure you have stuff for mother as well as baby
Pack for your expected length of stay, but pack a second bag with all the extras you might need for a longer stay. Leave it somewhere obvious, so that if you do need it, it can easily be found and brought to hospital, (saves someone having to rummage to find what’s needed)
I’d say, after packing all the “Essentials”, pack a hair brush and a camera to take photos of the special “moment”…well, nobody will want to see a photo of the proud parents and baby and mummy has her hair all over!
Don’t take too much and embrace big knickers!!!!!
pack makeup for the photos afterwards!
Sweets…you will need and deserve some !
don’t forget lip balm I did and had really dry lips
Extra pillows were really helpful, as well as frozen drinks as I was due in last year’s heatwave!
my ipod with soothing music
An energy drink! 2 bottles of powerade kept me going through my long labour! Lots of baby grows – I didn’t take enough and had a very sicky baby!
Forget maternity pants get cheap black (large) pants from primark
more is more 🙂 pack extras just in case
Have your bag packed early. My daughter arrived 4 weeks early, but I’d had my bag packed by 32 weeks just in case!
Also – big pants. Might not be sexy but necessary. I had a c section with my son and my midwife recommended wearing hubbys boxer shorts instead of pants as they sat higher up on my waist not on my scar
don’t forget pack extra snack. You never know how long will it take and all cafe are close at night.
pack your i pod and ipad to have something to do
start packing the bag in plenty of time
You can’t have too many wipes, bibs & NAPPIES!
WATER SPRAY AND A FAN AS HOSPITALS ARE VERY HOT!! 🙂
Pack well in advance
Pack flannels – for mopping your brow, cold compress afterwards and one to wash yourself with.
bottles of water with sports cap for when in labour and lots of energy drinks and snacks for birth partner
Pack early and pack lots of underwere!
snacks are a must
I had quite an active labour so drinking straws were a must have!! x
Always, always, always have lots of packs of baby wipes
Pack it once, make sure you have a check list and leave it alone, I was to tempted to keep re packing
I made the mistake of packing pyjama’s , because i had an epidural i couldn’t wear the bottoms until the catheta was removed. it’s not something anyone tells you about but it’s probably best to take nighties.
More than one flannel, so you can ease the hardness and pain in your breasts when ‘your milk comes in’ …run the flannel under the hot tap and apply to them and then run the flannel under the cold tap and apply. It works and really relieves some of that rock hard feeling.
Plenty of snacks, that don’t need Refridgeration, (especially when you’re veggie)
Plain and simple vests and babygroes as they do tend to posset when you least expect it.
If you’re lucky enough to have a Cool Pad that you place over your mattress take it so you’re not overheating. Scratch mitts for baby.
toothpaste extra big kncikers and pads
dont overpack the bag !!!
Remember to actually pick it up before you go out
Take face wipes!!
Always remember to take some loose change, honestly it helps, and if you have forgotten something you can pick it up.
all being well, have your babies at home, then all your stuff is already there. simples.
camomile tea & a water spray bottle for your face
Be prepared early and make sure it is left somewhere that is easy to grab on the way out the door.
Be prepared. Pack weeks before the due date.
Make sure your facial spritzer is non scented. I made the mistake of bringing a kiwi flavoured one in and tho it helped at the time, I now cant smell anything kiwi without feeling queasy!
have one bags with all your overnight essentials in it ~ but if you have a complicated labour then there is nothing worse than sending the partner home to get more supplies, so have a 2nd bag packed with double of everything in it! You can guarantee that if I asked my partner to bring in some fresh nightwear he would bring a onesie 😉
mini fan is brill
big chocolate bar and water
Have the bag packed and by the door well in advance of the due date
Make a list and stick to it
Phone charger – don’t want to miss any special moments!
You can never have enough wet wipes
Pack early, but not too early. You’re probably going to end up adding more things that you’d “forgotten” over time. So the earlier you pack the more you’ll have, and you definitely don’t want to overpack, trust me.
Paper knickers for afterwards. I was told this by a member of staff on the maternity ward who happened to be a friend of mine also and the staff actually came to see if I had any spare for anyone else.
You bleed for about 6 weeks afterwards as I recall so you might as well have something completely disposable, at least at first
Don’t pack too much!
make sure and pack it yourself so you know exactly where things will be when you need them
Lip balm and wet wipes
Don’t let hubby pack it!
pack it yourself definitely..
pack it early! My son arrived 2 months early and i was very unprepared.
Get it done in plenty of time and always make a list!
don’t forget a hair bobble!! your head sweats loads during childbirth, you really want it tied back
Make a list and pack as early as possible, baby wipes are essential so are some nice nighties or pj’s and plenty of pants, big ones. Some sweets are good too, midget gems or wine gums x
Ask a woman.
pack maternity clothes to wear to go home in. I really didn’t realise I would still look heavily pregnant after having my baby. This was news to me ….. luckily I’d packed some maternity and normal clothes !!!!
PACK NICE &EARLY
Take it with you! With my daughter we left it outside the hospital doors and a very sheepish husband had to retrieve it when we realised 🙂
dont forget a hairband,refreshing face wipes and lip balm
Don’t leave the bag in the taxi!
Big knickers!
Cooling facial spritz spray, I like the body spray wipes you get, as you stay fresh but dont have to use a spray around baby. Lip salve, or vaseline… later being better as it doubles up for other ailments. Nice comfy lounge cardie as although hospitals are VERY warm it is good to get out into the fresh air for a while and the change in temperature can feel like more as you have come from the oven that is hospital.
ear-plugs – just in case you need to stay in longer and need a good nights sleep
Don’t bother with hair straighteners or make up.You won’t be needing them for along time.
Plenty of wet wipes, magazines and someone who will stay calm and reassuring.
I’ve never been pregnant but my mum has always sworn by a clean pair of knickers! 🙂
relax and enjoy your new arrival just take the bare minimum your bound to get loads of gifts and babies love baby grows x
enormous knickers
plenty of maternity pads
Pack magazines, loose fitting trousers & wet wipes
lipsyl,your lips are always dry in a hospital atmosphere
make sure you only pack the things you really need
dont over do it!
Some wipes for freshening yourself up.
I used disposable old peoples pants instead of pads as I bled so much.
portable fan!
remember that if you forget something, it can always be brought in later! don’t panic!
pack early, as you never know when the baby will arrive
pack 2 small bags, one for baby and one for mummy, you are only in there for a short time
Soft toilet wipes, essential for the first few days. Cheap loo roll was not a comfy option
Pants and pads to be at the top!! I had a c.section and the nurse was rooting around to find the things i needed bless her x
Pack early just in case.
always have a bag ready well in advance
Pads and plenty of underwear
I never went to hospital when I had my little girl, well I went but they told me I wasn’t in labour & sent me home and I gave birth an hour later on the bathroom floor. But one thing I did have packed that came in very handy over the next few days were energy/glucose tablets they just gave me that little boost I needed when getting up in the night to feed her.
Muslin cloths
Still compiling my list for my first arrival later this year, however I’ve heard snacks for the dad to be are a must!
PRUNE JUICE!
Pack Pj’s not a nightie way more comfy and more like your at home, and baby wipes – they have so many uses!
Pack some Vaseline..
Take mini toiletries that you can buy when on offer
The camera, you can never get back those first few moments x
pack snacks for you xxx
Lip Balm!
Prepare your bag weeks before hand and double check you have everything you need in it
A packed lunch, you will be there hours and either you or your birth partner is going to get peckish.
always pack a few weeks in advance in case of emergencies
Take comfortable clothing to change into.
Pack plenty of knickers, fannels and hair bands
take something to do like listen to music games, because it can be a long process
a good book to read
Pack some snacks.
Chocolates for the nurses
Take something to read, labour can be a long process x
Pack plenty of snacks and drinks for yourself and your partner as you may be there a long time.
Plenty of snacks
Pack early and not when in labour like i did …. my other half had to go back home and get things that i hadn’t put in lol
always take lip balm, your lips get very dry with gas and air
your favourite snack
Pack early and pack food 🙂
Water spray for your face
Pack your bag well in advance take only what’s necessary! x
I’ve not had to pack one yet… but I should imagine a comfy nightie would be top of my list (and some gigantic knickers) x
Big Pads, you can never have enough!
Due 30th with my 3rd my advice is not to over pack but have a pile of extras in a drawer at home just incase you have to stay in hospital longer and is easy to ask partner or family member to collect and saves all the panicking in finding things xx
Always carry two of everything so you don’t run out! x
dont forget your phone!
Pack your hospital bag early, you never know when the time will come
Don’t pack too much!
Plenty of snacks too. 🙂
be prepared. You never know when you will have to go in.
Muslin squares – have such a variety of uses especially with a newborn!
Nappies for your older child/ren. If they need changing when visiting the new arrival Dad may not have brought any in all the excitement (I speak from experience!!).
Dont pack too much for baby you will receive lots of gifts
make a list anddont take too much
Dont overpack. Less is more.
Lavender shower stuff for mum is amazing when u have a shower after birth. Really relaxing
sweeties!! Good energy source… for HIM of course lol
Lots of snacks x
Bring a personal stash of choccie 🙂
I wouldn’t take contact lenses. Wear glasses for a couple of days.
Lots and lots of nibbles and snacks!
You can never pack too much, best to make sure your prepared and have everything you might need 🙂
I’d make sure it’s packed well in advance!
Remember slippers, can’t walk round the ward without them .
My wife couldn’t have done with our water vapour spray.
Make sure you have plenty of undies and put extra in a draw at home just in case you have a longer stay in hospital. At least then you can direct your partner to where to find the new items otherwise you can end up with anything being brought in!
Drinks (with straws), snacks, lip balm & something to keep your hair tied back
Two bags are better than one and remember hopefully you will not be there long so keep things simple 🙂
pack your hospital bag early and make sure you have plenty of change in your bag for parking/phone calls
CD of relaxing music
Not a nice thought but lots of maternity pads and small baby grows I must have thought I was giving birth to giant babies when I had my twins
iPod with fav tunes
Even if you don’t pack loads it’s worth leaving extras somewhere they will be easily found at home in case you are in for longer than expected. We ended up in SCBU then transferred to another hospital with my little girl, didn’t make it home for almost 2 weeks and the last thing I wanted to think about was giving my mum instructions on where things I wanted were.
Pack some chocolate – instant energy
dont pack too much but make sure there is change and a camera/ chargers
Disposable maternity pants were a great help I would reccomend them to every one
Try not to take too much – I took loads of stuff that i didn’t use
keep it strictly a maternity , don’t put any other items that are not related to your needs in hospital
Always pack some wetwipes not only for the baby but for yourself. They help you cool down a lot x
pack early, you never know if the new arrival will arrive early, and plenty of pads and disposable pants
Sudocrem!
no tips from me 🙂
Pack enough for 1 day… and have another bag packed with a further 2 days worth of clothes and nappies incase you stay longer… someone can always bring you the 2nd bag is needed and that way you won’t end up taking too much.
Also, pack a new piece of your favourite ‘everyday’make up… putting eyeliner on after having a 52 hour labour made me feel (and look!) more human again.
Pack lip balm- with my first baby anytime i had a drink i was sick so they gave me a drip instead so my lips got really dry
Wet wipes. They didn’t occur to me when I had my first as I was, of course, only going to use cotton wool and water (sterile if possible). Second time round I realised they would do for my hands, face and other bits. The bed table on which my food was served. The toilet seat before I sat on it. Baby sick etc, etc, etc.
always pack some snacks for daddy…its a long process for him too 🙂 xx
I found disposable nickers very useful and only packed them as my friend told me how brilliant they were. She wasn’t wrong!
Keep going back to it and making sure it is up to date with stuff you like 🙂
Don’t pack loads – you won’t need 10 of everything!!
your fave body wash for comfort, big Knickers and Baggy Pjs, Just think Comfort
Some energy snacks are a help!
Have an extra bag packed with more supplies for you and baby just incase you need to stay in longer. Saves a very stressed new Dad trying to figure out what you both need and more than likely bringing the wrong stuff!
Take comfy clothes that allow for tender nether parts e.g. loose skirt or similar. I had to send hubby out shopping before I could get changed to go home as couldn’t wear the outfit I’d brought with me!
Take lots of change as I find alot of the entertainment cards and vending machines etc in hospitals only take correct change. Also take lots of wet wipes to keep you and your baby fresh and a mirror, as you may have be feeling too sore or poorly or to walk to the bathroom to have baths or wash properly in the first few days x
Kendal mint cake is great for energy!
I found it better to take 2 seperate bags; one for me and one for bubba. I was in labour in hospital 5 days before having emcs and then obviously a bit longer after the baby was born and it was so much easier to be able to just get what i needed from each bag than going through everything.
Always take Tissues
Next time I’m sure wife won’t ask me to put in a few things I think she might nedd.
Don’t rely on your husband to remember it! Chances are he will be in more of a panic than you! 🙂
pack in advance 🙂
Take drinks and snacks you might need them
wet wipes – always have a spare pack
Pack plenty of sandwiches and hot soups etc. because labor can make some women throw up the entire contents of their stomachs – I know I did and when it’s all over you can be hit by a tremendous hunger. And hospitals don’t have room service !
Pack a snack for your other half or they get grumpy!
Be realistic and pack loose fitting clothes for yourself. You will not instantly ping back to your pre-pregnancy size.
Have a bag for labour and a bag for post birth. Then have a reserve bag in case of a longer hospital stay.
Take some newborn clothes for the baby but also some 0-3 months if you expect a bigger baby as my little man was bigger than expected and the newborn didn’t fit him 🙂
Pack a bag well in advance just in case you get taken in early. I also packed a second bag just in case I had to stay in any longer it was left at home for my partner to bring into hospital if need be. Plenty of maternity pads and disposable knickers also comfy nighties and a hairband.
Separate bags for me and baby. Also, a personal fan as I got very warm and my own bottle of water, as I was so thirsty and they were not very quick at getting me a drink!
Bring snacks – cereal bars are good. If you are sent to the ward late at night you are unlikely to be given food until morning.
Pack early and don’t take too much as extra things can always be brought in if you need to stay in for longer then expected.
Don’t take too much, I ended up losing things as whilst I was sleeping the staff were planning on moving me to another room, as I’d had a c-section and they moved my stuff. Really annoying but then I did have far too much with me.
Don’t forget the gin…!!
Take more than two pairs of pyjamas/nighties!
Sneak some healthy snacks in your bag… You might be in a long time and hospital food isn’t for everyone…
Spare everything! Especially underwear for you and vests and sleepsuits for baby!
the only other thing i can think of that another mumss haven’t said would be bring your own comfortable underwear that pads would sit on properly. darker the underwear the better consider you bleed a lot for the first couple of days.
take some extra clothes for Mum too incase you have to stay, that was a mistake I made and my hubby had to collect stuff for me, he didn’t have a clue bless him, I ended up with all sorts!
I wish I’d taken more pyjamas & pants, & not bothered with the novel & the CD to listen to during the birth! 🙂
Pack early
baby wipes and good soft loo paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Towel for a shower!
dont forget your slippers 🙂 pack well in advance then you have time to add to it rather than panicking at the last moment
take plenty of nibbles, just in case you get hungry
Lots of food – although I never even opened my bag – I forgot all about it!
Pack some tiny baby and newborn clothes 🙂
Muslim squares were a life saver for me 🙂
Make a list so you don’t have to run around like a headless chicken next time
Water spray and flannels
Bring chocolate!
You must pack something that makes you feel gorgeous, as after all the work and shock of a new baby, you will really appreciate a mini pampering session even if it’s in the hospital showers!
I packed a mini bottle of vera wang’s princess shower gel. I felt like a new woman after that, like I could face anything. It really helped me!
food and ipod
don’t pack too much! 🙂
Arnica pilules is a definate must have!
Cleansing/refreshing face wipes
a few pairs of pants and plenty sanitery pads
Plenty of snacks and drinks
arnica for bruising :-/
Pack early – I had only just packed mine when my eldest came 5 weeks early! Xx
Prepare them when you enter the third trimester!
pack yours and baby’s bags separate. when i had my daughter i packed just one bag and was endlessly rummaging through it. much easier to have things separate xx
big knickers that you wont need again and big pads! nighty that opens up for breastfeeding and bring spares!
pack plenty of plastic knickers!!
light clothing – it gets so hot and tasty snacks for when you get the nibbles
If you’re having your baby in hospital double check what they provide. There’s no point taking in baby blankets and bottles if they give you these while you’re in.
take a loose fitting shirt , better than the gown supplied
I’d say don’t stress too much about it! I think the only thing I really missed was a pair of headphones and my music – it can get quite noisy on the ward, and that would have helped to get some peace…
Don’t rush, pack with plenty of time to spare.
Vaseline,its great for dry lips and rubbing swollen feet 🙂
Pack big knickers and comfy trousers for coming home, with a loose top for breastfeeding. Don’t forget some baby wipes – for yourself not the baby!