What do you need to pack? Hospital Bags

[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!

[foreva*your*mummy]

WOW littlelara
what a fantastic idea about the undies! I have been watching this thread as i still havent done my bag yet and the ideas people come up with are awsome!. someone in another thread( im sorry cant remember who) said if you have a portable DVD player to take that, Im thinking this is a great idea but am a little worried about saftey and someone going through my things!.
Janie - you mentioned maternity pads if its ok to ask what type do you ladies get and where from?
good luck NaeNae

[Janie]

I MUCH preferred the Kotex brand to the Stayfree, and I've heard a few people say that. You can get them from the supermarket, Kmart etc.

[jakodai]

WOW littlelara
what a fantastic idea about the undies! I have been watching this thread as i still havent done my bag yet and the ideas people come up with are awsome!. someone in another thread( im sorry cant remember who) said if you have a portable DVD player to take that, Im thinking this is a great idea but am a little worried about saftey and someone going through my things!.
Janie - you mentioned maternity pads if its ok to ask what type do you ladies get and where from?
good luck NaeNae

Sorry to hijack, but Krissy - you are due on the same day as me, and I haven't packed my bag yet, either...

I'm going to take my iPhone with some of my favorite TV shows on it - I don't know whether I'll use it or not, but at least it's there if I want to.

[Cassius2]

my essential item was a dressing gown lol! so not sexy! but i had to waddle from the room to scn for feeds for the first 2 days and also they did morning teas down the corridor where you would be given bf classes, physiotherapy classes etc and i just chucked on my dressing gown over my pjs and off i went...i was HOT LOL!!!

i preferred the Kotex too and the libra ones were good after the first week.

we used the hossy nappies while we were there and then switched to the BGs when DD was big enough (she was a wee bit tiny for the pockets we bought at first)...

nipple cream.

hairbrush (forgot mine...again, so so sexy)

comfy footwear (again, for any waddling in public places...i completed my 'ensemble' with the ubiquitous uggs lol)

our hossy provided all for the baby (clothes nappies wipes wraps etc). so that was fairly easy. packed going home clothes but they were too big (ooo) so i recommend packing a range of sizes JIC.

[Novella]

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

Kotex pads were nice and silky and soft. Ater a week I used regular pads.
I had my own room but packes thongs for the shower in case I had to share a shower room with other people.
I didnt pack a beanie and as my girls were early they kept droppping their temp so dd1 ended up with a rolled up singlet on her head to keep her warm for the first day (not a good look!) So a beanie is good.
Mobile phone charger, my phone got a hammering.
Camera
Just remember as long as you have clothes for you and bub, camera and phone your dh can pick up anything else you need at the supermarket
Woolies and Big W also have mini toiletries now so I packed a bag with them early they are great and no last minute running around for tooth brush shampoo etc
good luck

[*TripleJ*]

the libra pads arent nice if u have stiches i used the stayfree ones there soft like cushions lol the libra ones are 2 thin IMO it doesnt matter no one else knows wat u've got on

[Cassius2]

the libra pads arent nice if u have stiches i used the stayfree ones there soft like cushions lol the libra ones are 2 thin IMO it doesnt matter no one else knows wat u've got on

yep! this is what i found. i wanted the lovely thick surfboard type ones as man oh man it was so much nicer to have cushiony softness...i was extra norti and would rip the top open (like at the front of the pad) and stick ice down in the middle during my stay to help with the soreness!

but after the first week things settled down enough and went to the libra ones....

Jakodai: te he! i was talking about the baby clothes you'll prolly find that you are more comfy in maternity clothes for a wee while so i wouldnt think there is a need to rush out for new wardrobe!

[Jennifer13]

NaeNae, check with your hospital what they will supply first, before you start packing. We got nappies (disposables), baby clothes, maternity pads, ice packs, disposable undies, and so on, from the hospital and only needed to take a small-ish bag of extras. I also had a TV in my room.

A few things I do remember being glad of were:
1. Normal day clothes, I didn't want to sit around in PJs for more than the first day! Altho slippers were good.
2. My own thinner maternity/night-time pads.
3. My video camera, camera and phone.
4. Going home outfit for DD.
5. Charger/batteries for phone and cameras.
6. 'Granny' type undies (much more comfortable while I had a dressing on my scar - but I was going in for a c/s) that I could happily throw out afterwards.
7. PJs that buttoned down the front for ease of access during the night.

HTH!

[Tash*n*bub]

Hi everyone,

There really are some fantastic ideas in these posts, I have had 3 bubs and never thought of some of this stuff!!

I just love being in hospital after delivering, it is such a happy environment to be in, especially with all the other mums, although I had private rooms!!

One thing I think of is just to remember yourself and your favourite comforts, you may not use them in the end but take them, you never do know!!

Everyone (including yourself) is thinking of new things for bubby and that is great but don't forget to pamper yourself, you are the one that has just done all the hard work and has the hard work for the rest of your life!! So take some new things for yourself as well!! Because I am sure bub will be well catered for by nanna's and pop's and grandparents, aunties and uncles and all of your friends and family!!

Just don't forget to grab your bag on your hurry out the door...oh what an exciting time it is!!

Good luck!!

[Doing my best]

I haven't read all replies yet, but 1 thing I had to send DH to buy after my 1st night was eye drops.. My eyes were so dry that it was hurting!

[belonna]

I didn't take much. Three changes of comfy clothes but mostly wore the hospital garb. Pads. Comfy bras and milk pads. Writing pad and pen, book, camera, wipes and pics of my hubby. Took a cute little outfit for bub to go home in purely for photo reasons. That was it.

[Dedicated Doula Gillian]

Like Miss E list and so on top of what everyone else has said here is usually want I go through with my moms...the amount of each item depends on how long you there for.

What to pack in your labour and baby bag?
To help remember what you must bring, write next to each item why you need it.

1. An ice-cold bottle of water
2. A bottle of fruit juice
3. Light snacks – muesli bars, snacker bars, peanuts, super C sweets and suckers….
4. COMFORTABLE clothes to wear during labour – old shirt, sports bra, gown, slippers…
5. Clothes for after the birth – old pants, tops, shorts or trouser, pj’s…
6. Baby’s cloths – HAT (beanie), vests, baby grows, booties, baby blankets…
7. Mom’s toiletries – soaps, lip balm, toothbrush, hairbrush, PADS…
8. Baby’s toiletries – aqueous cream, nappies, cotton balls, nail clippers…
9. Your aromatherapy and massage oils
10. Your alternative care remedies.
11. Rescue remedy
12. Wheaty bag or hot warm bottle
13. Music and candles
14. Any birthing tools you may have – birthing ball, massage tools, TENS machine…
15. Camera and Video
16. When the time comes - take a bunch of fresh flowers and put them in your room ---