Having never packed a hospital/labour bag for me AND bub (never took anything for DD, as we knew she wouldn't need anything. And I didn't pack anything for labour as it was a planned c/s) I'm not sure what to pack.
And I can't remember what I packed last time, I know there was stuff I never even used.
What did you pack?
What did you WISH you'd packed?
What was the best thing?
I've packed my bag and wondering what I've missed so what I have is:
For me:
Lots of undies
two packs maternity pads - one super, one "normal"
Two bras and a couple of those feeding singlet tops with the built in support bizzo
Tracky dacks
Comfy maternity jeans to wear home
a couple of breastfeeding shirts
a wrap thing - not quite a dressing gown but something to throw on over the singlets
A cardigan
Socks
A book
Toiletries
Breast pads
Last minute will grab my pillow
Think that's it.
For bub:
A few different wraps - I always find hospitals very variable with temperature
A special outfit and beanie for her to wear when she first pops out
A special outfit for her to wear home
Then 3 other outfits which are either all in ones with a singlet, or legs, shirt and socks
Nappy cream
The hospital provides nappies
I have way too much for bubs but I'm not good at culling!
I think that's it. I found for DD1 that I had too much heavy stuff - the hospital was really warm. I had nothing for DD1 except for her take home outfit because the hospital provided everything.
For DD2 I had way too much because I went home the afternoon she was born so all I needed was her take home outfit and a change of clothes for me after birth.
I have also added toilet paper - i found some hospitals have that horrid scratchy stuff perfect for a natural birth lol
Also i am taking my own towel to use (for the shower i have other then the one after delivery). Reason being the ones in the hospital i found were really small and i couldn't get comfy in them
I highly recommend taking those flushable wipes to use, much softer than toilet paper. Either that or take some really soft toilet paper as some hospital toilet paper can be pretty rough on a good day, let alone after having a bub!
I didn't really take much at all - a few sets of clothes for me, a couple of pairs of pjs, giant undies, bras, toiletries (Inc giant pads...) For bubs I just brought little mittens (to stop her scratching herself), beanie and 1 outfit (it was 40 degrees all week so the clothes (singlets) and wraps/blankets provided were plenty.
extra maternity pads, i forgot how quickly you go through them in the first 24hrs
gift bags for our older DD's that had a small toy, colouring in pack with special paper and clear textas that only made colour on the paper not the rest of the furniture/clothes etc a drink and a snack. This was mainly to keep the girls busy
with dd3 I left 12hrs after the birth so had way too much stuff but I over packed incase we needed to saty longer
snacks -dried fruit and almonds were great after the birth although I didnt eat them during labour
cordial in the flavour I liked as I drink heaps during labour and the hospital water tastes like cr*p
phone and camera charges
pack of cheapo black undies I could throw out if they got grotty (or buy nice new ones and take your daggiest in to hospital and then throw the old ones out)
I took extra clothes/singlet suits as DD1 pooped over 3 different outfits during one change, but theat may have been our lack of experience in the nappy department
Snacks are a must. I would get so hungry in the middle of the night and there was nothing to eat! I wish I packed more than just muesli bars and rice crackers.
I found myself wishing I took my own pillow and struggled to get any sleep during my stay after the birth.
Some other things I forgot and kicked myself for include - extra pads, more than a couple of shirts.. (I was in for 6 days and was wearing my nightie with trackies underneath all day by the end lol) pen and paper, and more than one robe or some sort of cardigan.
Bub had everything he needed. I packed and re-packed his bag at least 4 times
What did you pack?
Labour bag: face washers, wet wipes, wheat bag, socks, nightie, socks, bikini for shower/bath, snacks, lip balm, rescue remedy. The only things I used were the face washers and lip balm.
Hospy bag: pjs, trackie pants, dressing gown, BF singlets, socks, slippers, toiletries, 2 packs of maternity pads, disposable breast pads, pack of cheap granny knickers, a book (LOL!).
What did you WISH you'd packed?
An extra pack of pads and Lansinoh cream for my poor cracked nipples.
What was the best thing?
The BF singlets. So convenient.
And what do I need for bubs?
I took nappies, a few 0000 and 000 Bonds wondersuits, singlets, socks, mittens, beanies and a special going-home outfit that DH picked out. The only thing she wore was the special outfit! I ended up using the hospital's little gowns for babies, they were heaps easier for all the changes. She also got too hot in the onesies plus swaddling etc as it was quite warm in there.
My hospital gave me a list and it's pretty good. We found from last time we didn't really need to add much. I'll be in hospital for 5 days.
So in my bag this time is:
For labour - Nightie to labour in. Bathers for DH. Headband. Gatorade. Muesli bars. First photo of DD. Ipod.
For stay - Pregnancy information record/Pre natal info from Ob. Health fund card/Medicare card/Blood group card. Nightie, pjs and dressing gown. Two tracksuits, tshirts, slippers and thongs. Toiletries (bought a new toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, showergel, chap stick and deodorant so they could go straight in and I wouldn't forget). Maternity pads (3 packs). Maternity bras. Undies. Box of nursing pads. Tissues. Pen. Baby record book. Crossword puzzle book. Phone charger. Lansinoh (I didn't know about it last time, but it helped so much once I got some). Panadol. Toiletries and pjs for DH.
For baby - 7 jumpsuits, mix of 00000 and 0000. 7 singlets, same mix of sizes. Curash. Cotton wool balls. Newborn nappies (for leaving hospital - nappies are supplied during stay). Mittens, booties and beanie. Outfit to go into warmer for when baby is born. Coming home outfit. Bunny rugs/wraps. My hospital policy was to have a pram/carrier to carry baby out when leaving so our pram has been converted and DH will bring that in.
I still have to organise a TENS machine, so that will go in too.
Last time, I wish I'd packed the Lansinoh and panadol. I had no idea you could prepare your nipples before birth, and it would have really helped. Panadol, well last time I had a vaginal birth and had stitches and the following day I asked for panadol. The nurse on duty wouldn't give me any until my ob had signed off on it. When the shirt changed and I got a new midwife, she asked if I'd had any pain relief and I explained that I needed panadol but OB hadn't said yes, she rolled her eyes and just gave it to me, saying it was only panadol and she'd get the ob to sign it off later. I waited 8 hours for it in the end. So this time I'll ask, but if they don't give it to me, then I'll just take it myself.
What was the best thing? Best thing was probably a pen and paper to be honest. I could jot down what people bought for DD so I didn't forget as days went on, so I could send out thank yous. It was also great for writing down which side I'd fed DD from and for how long so I knew which side to start from the following feed. We didn't remember to take anything in for labour!
Brand new pyjama pants, tracky pants and breastfeeding singlets. I found it really nice to have nice new comfy clothes to put on after my shower each day. Also cos they were new, i could pack my bag earlier cos i wasn't using the clothes. Oh, warm socks too.
Snacks was my biggest thing, poor DH made so many trips to the vending machine! I also took my maternity leggings, they helped hold the icepack in place and were comfy enough to sleep in without getting too hot (our hospital tries to cook you). DS was too big for his going home outfit but it was the only one we brought, the rest was just singlets, not much chop for June....
Don't forget some almond oil! Wipe on your newbies bum before his first nappy goes on, and don't forget to thank me later when that first sticky tarry poo slides straight off bum with a wipe
Hospital Bag help, please
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