Any tips on what to put into hospital bag??

I am packing my labour/baby/hospital bag/s and just wanted to know if you have any good ideas of different things to put into it?
I have looked at the article on the main site and have made a list from there, but it seems to be a little lacking, though I can't think of other things that could be useful!! I have the usual things covered- pj's, undies,bras,snacks,camera,nappies,toiletries, yada yada........
Even though I have done it before, I can't really remember what I had in my bag....any suggestions?

Lip balm and spare knickers for labour! (Cos my waters leaked through my knickers and that really anoyed me LOL). Straws for drinks. Hair tie/band if you have long hair that annoys you. I've heard people say socks, because it's common to get cold feet during labour. Board shorts for your DH if he's going to get wet with you in the shower.

Um, mobile phone charger. Really nice , soft toilet paper.

I'll see if I can find my lists for last time, there might be something more useful on them LOL. So excited for you, it's so close!

ETA Have you packed your maternity pads? I took thongs for the shower (for afterwards, I didn't care when I was in labour LOL). Breast pads. Hairdrier was a must for me :redface: I took a really nice body wash which I loved using after the birth, it helped to make me feel human again.

I totally second the soft toilet paper- a few rolls, in fact. All you want on that area after birth is something soft and gentle.

I also had my husband bring in a small radio, which was great. I was in a private room so it was really quiet otherwise, and you had to pay for TV and that was expensive.

Take some snacks too. I was super hungry after labour and, frankly, the hospital food was less than nice.

Um...oh, also take baby clothes that are a size bigger than newborn. I took only 0000 sizes and I had this whopper baby who didn't fit into any of the clothes!!!

Hi hun, I think I finally finished packing my bag last night. Like you I cant remember everything I had packed last time so wondering if I'm covered. Although I must pack some newborn nappies LOL Dont know how I forgot about those!

Have you got a CD packed with music you'd like to listen to during labour? (If thats something you want). I made mine last night (put pics in gallery hehe) it's almost identical to the one I had with DD & I love knowing when she came into this world it was to the sound of Elvis' beautiful voice (laugh all you want but I LOVE Elvis haha) If you make a mix of all your favourite songs it may help you relax more, I know it was a comfort to me "having Elvis there with me" I suppose you could say as I didnt have much support from DH.

& of course dont forget the soft toilet paper, I have 2 rolls packed already.

Thanks for starting this thread, I'll be checking back to see what I've missed!!!

Good luck hun, we're getting close now!!!! :)

Baby name book... Even if you have already decided on a name, many people change their mind after looking at the baby so its still handy to have with you.

Puzzle book, trashy magazines, easy flowing novel.

Its boring sitting/laying in hospital and I have found that many items that you can switch between for stimulation is a must have.


A baby dummy... just in case. I was adament that I would not use a dummy but changed my mind after finding my girl was a comfort sucker and after 4 hours of boob action and crying baby if not on breast I succummed to the dreaded dummy. Never, say never.

The other ladies have written great ideas... one very valuable one is snacks! and maybe bottled water and a jug. Hospital food being bad is an understatement. I lived off of cheese & tomato sandwiches instead of the food provided. The only items I ate that was provided was fruit and yoghurt.

Best of luck with everything, its a very exciting time.

your own mug for decent sized cups of tea!

I second the reading stuff.....

i think you guys have covered everything. i just wanted to add (along the food line) my parents bought in for me a big bowl of assorted fruit which was sooooooooo good cause i could pick at it all day whenever i was hungry. (this is after i had the baby of course).

Chocolate!! and I agree with everyone elses suggestions especially lip balm.
Did anyone say handcream?

I second the lip balm. I had really red sore lips from all the breathing during labour... Put it in your pocket so you can get it out and re apply, re apply!

Milo if you drink it.
With DS they only had coffee & tea. I didn't like the idea of either of them, but there was no milo.
Camera with extra batteries.
I always had a dummy JIC.
Mittens, incase baby scratches.
Maybe one of those sleep mask things. Its not exactly dark in hospitals.
Heaps of change. For drink/snack machines & the TV if it has to be paid for.

Mmm I think everything has been covered but I also loved my pashmina shawl. I used it during labour when I couldn't be bothered putting a top on and off (plus it was a bit hard attached to a drip) and it gave me some coverage if Dr's were coming in! Later when she was born I used it just to feel more at home with it draped over me when I was sleeping.
Also I found my ear plugs and eye cover thingy great because Im a light sleeper and sharing a room can be a bit noisy and bright.

Something to wear during labour and birth. Inless you plan on going nudie ;) Do you have a sarong hun ? Just incase you want to feel a little covered up sometimes.

I will second the socks and the nice body wash stuff too. It's so good to have a shower afterwards and smell clean and not like birth !!

What about your own pillow or blankie for hosp ? I know sometimes ppl just have to have their own. A spare pair of clothes or pjs in your birth bag. JIC your waters pop on them and you really want pants on.

I found around this time of year the hosp is quite warm, so I took summer pjs and a winter gown and slippers. You are so warm after birthing and the first few days.

I think pretty much everything is covered here already.

Make sure you have plenty of cash for TV hire. I think mine was $15 for two days - it took all our coinage that was meant for parking/vending machines. I was in hossy for 5 days and didn't have TV after the 2 days as I didn't have any more cash on me when the TV lady visted.

It's also a good idea to pack extra undies & tops/trackies/pj's etc in case you are in there longer than expected (I only expected to be there 2 days). Your partner can obviously bring stuff in but it's not always easy trying to explain to him exactly what you want him to bring in or where it is located.

Like everyone said, lip balm. Make sure it's in your labour bag, it's the main thing I used during labour.

Lollies.

The one thing I did get df to bring in was the soft toilet paper. I found the hospital had softer paper towels to dry your hands on than their toilet paper. I also took comfy trackies and shirts to wear after the birth. I hated having pj's and so wore clothes. Take slippers and socks even in summer.

Don't have to worry about food this time round as the hossie i'm going to has several cafes in it yay.

Lots of pads, can't stress enough and big undies lol .

Will keep looking for what others suggest too

Kim

I also packed some face wipes instead of packing a bottle of face wash. I always feel so much better after washing/wiping my face :)

Thanks for the suggestions.

I went shopping today and got some wet toilet wipes (like nappy wipes, but thicker and for adults!LOL) I thought that they might be good for straight after birth if I need them.