What do you need to pack? Hospital Bags

[NaeNae]

I know there have been threads about this but I cannot seem to find them.

What do you need to pack? how many of what? when do you do it? what do you take for bub?

I have been given a MONSTER nappy bag that I will use for my hossy stay when I go in and DH wants me to start packing it now JIC (he is more of a worrier than I am).
I just don't know what is really essential or what is just for comfort. I do plan on being in for as long as I can.

Also for those that have been there and done that that use nappies like BG3.0 did you just use disposables for this time? I don't trust DH to wash the cloth nappies properly his head just won't be thinking logically

Thanks everyone.

Nae x

[Janie]

Are you thinking for yourself, the baby, or both???

I had really long lists for all of us but we were in for 5 days, all three of us, so we did need a little bit of stuff. Did your hossy provide you with lists? They should at least tell you what you're expected to take for your baby.

We are cloth users, and I personally wouldn't bother while in hossy, unless they offer cloth nappies with a laundering service. If they only do sposies, I would just stick with that until I got home (which is what I did). There is plenty of time to get into cloth once you're all home, I would feel that you're better off spending time together in hossy, rather than worrying about washing nappies.

[NaeNae]

Are you thinking for yourself, the baby, or both???

.

Both really, I have a list of things in one of those booklets they give you for your classes but I really wonder how much is necessary and what's not, and really what other people took with them that they loved during labour and then once they had their bubbas with them.

Nae x

[Miss E]

Aaaaah packing the bags, I was so excited when I started putting mine together, it makes it all feel so much realer. Here's a run down of what I can remember I'd put together (my stay was five days).

FOR BUBS ? the hospital told us to pack the clothes and wrap we wanted him in separately so that they could keep it in a warmer so it was nice and toasty when they first dressed him.
6 singlets
6 jumpsuits
4 wraps
4 cloth nappies (to use as spew rags)
2 hats
2 pairs of booties
baby wipes
DH ended up needing to take a few things home and wash them while we were there (especially the spew rags) so I don't think it is possible for you to have too much.

FOR the birth
old nighty to birth in
lip balm
head band and hair ties
massage oil
glucose jelly beans
pretzels
gatorade
pj's
board shorts for DH for the shower
change of clothes for DH
toiletries
camera and extra camera batteries
phone charger

FOR ME for the hospital stay
2 pairs of pj's (black so that if I bled on them I didn't have to worry about visitors etc seeing it)
5 comfy outfits (because I had a CS I didn't end up putting on clothes until the day I left, I just couldn't be bothered)
dressing gown
slippers
toiletries
2 packs of pads
2 packs of breast pads
1 pack of wet wipes for grown ups (incase I had tearing or was tender down there)
notepad (this was great because we used it to keep a record of when we fed and when DS did poos/wees - there is no way I would have remembered without it)

That's all I can remember for now. I personally don't think you can pack too much, I'd much rather have stuff that I didn't use (which I did) than be left wishing I'd brought something.

Happy packing!

[Janie]

Well, if your DH will be coming in and out, then you don't need to go overboard, but if not, and you live awhile from the hossy then pack plenty. How many nights will you be staying?

For the baby I would take one outfit (and a singlet) for each day, plus an extra. If you have room, pack another outfit (and singlet). I loved using nighties on DS at night in the early weeks, it makes nappy changes etc so much easier, particularly in hossy. Maybe 3 wraps or so, depending on how long you're in there? And if you choose a 'first outift' for your baby, pack it in your labour bag, so it's there when you need it. My hossy provided things like wipes, nappies, spew rags etc, so I'm not sure about that stuff.

For yourself, pack plenty of maternity pads, the nice thick ones. Breast pads. Plenty of dark knickers. Whatever you like to wear at night. Whatever you will like to wear during the day. If you're like me, pack thongs for the shower . Slippers. Mobile phone charger. All of the other usual stuff you need when away from home.

Labour bag - lip balm, warm socks, music to listen to, camera etc, spare knickers, a couple of your own mat pads (the hossy ones are often not plastic backed, and if you're waters are leaking it is soooooo annoying!), drinks and snacks like gatorade and juice etc, hairties. If you plan on using water, some shorts for your DH to wear as he will likely get wet.

That's all I can think of/remember for now, will come back if I think of anything else!

[littlelara]

I went to target beforehand and got, like, a ten pack of cheap and cheerful undies. Every morning when I had my shower the undies went in the bin along with the overnight pad -awsome. One less thing to worry about and so refreshing.
I also went to lush and got a really lovely chunk of my favourite soap (to this day I think of that time whenever I smell it with such tenderness), went to Petra haircare and got sample sized bottles of lovely shampoo and conditioner, a new toothbrush, those toilet paper wipes...
Pretty much anything you can think of that's going to help you feel nurtured and cared for.
HTH

[Janie]

Oh yeah Lara! I took a bottle of lovely Crabtree and Evelyn body wash. It was soooo lovely to use, and every time I smell that scent I remember that lovely time in hospital .

And toilet paper!!!! Take your own, really soft and thick, it's so much nicer on a sore fanny than the hospital stuff!

[Taurean]

Hi Nae!

You've got lots of good tips already but here is my list and ideas as well......

I have a list and have crossed off all the things that are packed. All the last minute items such as makeup, phone charger, etc are now highlighted in yellow so DH can easily see the last items to pack. The list is on the fridge.

We have three bags - a suitcase for me & DH, small hand luggage style bag for bubs and just an enviro bag for labour. The suitcase is a little big but I figure we'll need room to pack the presents we get as well.

All three bags are in the nursery ready to go.


My bag (and DH will add his stuff to this bag when I go into labour):
- my pillow! I'll sleep so much better (well, YKWIM!) if I have my own pillow
- box of tissues. I suffer from allergies and always need tissues and much prefer soft tissues
- maternity pads - 3 packs of 10
- breast pads
- nipple cream
- moisturiser (face & body), shower gel, shampoo & conditioner, deoderant and mouthwash - all are the mini bottles you can now get at Coles, Priceline and pharmacies. They take up a lot less room in your bag.
- hair brush and ties
- facial cleanser and face washer
- Kleenex flushable wipes and soft toilet paper
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- nail file
- Bonds maternity singlets
- other casual maternity tops designed for breastfeeding
- a zip up jumper/hoodie
- slippers
- flip flops
- few pairs of socks - I hate cold feet!
- PJ's
- trackies
- lots of black knickers in a bigger size (to fit those huge mat pads!)
- maternity bras
- camera, video camera, laptop and charges, cords, etc.
- mobile phone charger
- iPod and dock
- books & magazines
- pregnancy/breastfeeding vitamins
- Metamucil - my lifesafer!!

For bubs:
- I have several Wondersuits and a couple of Pumpkin Patch newborn nighties - not essential at all though. I just don't like the clothes supplied by the hospitals and I adore bubbies in Wondersuits! The PP nighties are so adorable too and great for nappy changes.
- 2 'going home' outfits
- 2 bunny rugs
- booties, mittens and beanies
- singlets
- comfort blanket/ruggie - a little Tigger one we bought for bubs which I have had in our bed so it smells like us

Labour:
- snacks - museli bars, juice boxes, lollies
- head band/scarf - to keep my hair out of my way in labour
- socks - the midwives warned us that labouring women often complain of cold feet (although the rest of you is hot!!)
- Blistex / lip balm
- we'll use the iPod dock for music
- massage oil
- cooling facial spray - I found a Nutrimetics one in my ensuite. Bonus!

I hope this helps! I say pack as soon as you can as you just never know when bubs will decide it's their birthday. It won't hurt anyone to be prepared.

[Cassius2]

the list on top of the bag is a pretty good idea...especially for the last minute essentials (like toothbrush and hairbrush etc).

DD wasnt due until the 14 of September so when on the 1st of September my waters broke i was in *slight* shock LOL. and it was hard to pack the last minute items with a mind running a million miles an hour trying to organise someone to drive me to hospy (DH was 3 hours drive away)...not to mention the fact that i well and truly had preggy brain LOL!

bag in the car is a good idea...as long as the car is around when you go into labour...in my case it would have been rather disastrous as like i mentioned DH was a good 3 hour drive away and contrax were at 2-3 minutes apart when i got to hospy.

[didispunk]

Since Jorda was 6 weeks prem.. I thought i had all the time in the world. Well i didn't!

And ended up with nothing in hospital like i had wanted. NO shampoo nothing. Not even pads.. the hospital ones we are JOKE..

I recommend to people now.. When you get a BFP PACK YOUR BAGS THEN so they are done!!

[bidi]

Just a side note about pads... if you can, stick them in the freezer!!
After both of my births, I only used frozen pads, and I can't tell you the relief! Obviously it wears off after a while, but it felt very nice for the first few minutes!