Some may call me OTT with my hospital bag check list, but that I am.
I am the kind of girl that goes away for two nights but packs like she’s off on her jolly’s for two weeks!
Packing your hospital bag is difficult because you really don’t know if there is going to be a plot twist chucked in there and whether your stay is going to be longer than what you’ve planned.
I have now fully packed our hospital bags now. I had them packed by 32 weeks just because I like to be organised.
In total I am packing 5 bags. Yes, 5!
I told you some may say it is OTT, but hear me out!
One bag for me, one bag for the baby, one bag for Ben, one bag for the snacks (extremely essential) and another bag to go in the car with spares just in case the hospital stay is longer than expected then everything is to hand for Ben to grab out of the boot of the car and bring into the hospital for me!
So technically, we are taking 4 into the hospital and the 5th bag is there just in case.
For Mummy:
- Maternity notes.
- Notepad & pen.
- Birth plan (If you’re making a plan. Personally, I’m not making a plan).
- Flip flops for the shower.
- Hand sanitiser.
- Hand cream.
- Lip balm. Apparently, the gas & air causes your lips to dry out!
- Dressing gown.
- Comfortable, dark coloured clothing/loungewear. I have packed a couple of sets of loungewear with me.
- Comfortable, dark coloured nightwear. I have packed two oversized nighties as I find them the most comfortable and then nothing will be rubbing in case I have to have a C section. I am also planning to breast feed too so I have packed two that have a button open front for easy access.
- Slippers.
- Disposable knickers/pants. You can buy these in the maternity range but I did find them cheaper in the incontinent section and they also come up high waist so in the event of having a C section, they won’t rub.
- Maternity pads.
- Thick sanitary towels. I have been recommended to get the heavy flow, night ones with wings.
- Battery pack to charge phone. I am sure most hospitals do allow you to charge your mobile whilst in hospital, but the hospital we will be going to actually doesn’t due to PAT testing and safety rules!
- Book/Magazine.
- Handheld fan. I will be having a summer baby so I can imagine it might get a little warm!
- Face wipes.
- Moisturiser. I have used Palmer’s stretch mark cream throughout my pregnancy and I have also been advised to continue using stretch mark creams/moisturiser after birth too.
- Pillow. I will be taking my very much loved V shape pregnancy pillow.
- Nipple cream (if breast feeding).
- Breast pads.
- Nursing bra (if breast feeding). I will be taking two with me.
- LARGE dark coloured knickers. Again, I have bought some that are high waisted so in the event of me having a C section, it will not irritate any stitches. I will be taking 6 pairs with me.
- Dark coloured, large towel.
- Dark coloured flannel.
- Washing Sponge.
- Deodorant.
- Hair brush, head band & bobbles.
- Dry Shampoo.
- Shower gel. I have gone for soap free & fragrance free shower gel to prevent any stings after labour.
- Shampoo & conditioner. I will be taking travel sized bottles of these rather than taking the large bottles.
- Spritz for bits by the expert midwife. I have been recommended this by so many people. It is apparently amazing to help you after birth if you are a little delicate.
- Tooth brush, tooth paste.
- Empty plastic bags to store any dirty laundry in.
- Bed socks with grips on the bottom.
- Head phones.
- Cash/spare change.
- Tissues
- Peri bottle
- Water bottle with a straw.
For Daddy:
- Change of clothing, underwear, socks etc.
- Tooth brush/tooth paste.
- Deodorant.
- Magazine/book.
- Cash/change.
- Head phones.
- Phone charger/battery charging pack.
For Baby:
- New born vests x3.
- New born sleepsuits x3.
- 0-3 month vests x3.
- 0-3 month sleepsuits x3.
- x1 tiny baby outfit set which includes vest, sleepsuit, trousers, cardigan.
- Mittens x2.
- Socks x2.
- Hats x2.
- Cardigan x2.
- Cellular blanket x2.
- Warm blanket x2.
- Coming home outfit (newborn and 0-3 months).
- Cotton wool pads.
- Wipes.
- Nappies. I have bought one of the small first size packets.
- Muslins x5.
- Bibs x5.
- Sterilized dummy.
- Pre made formula milk bottles if you’re planning to bottle feed.
I have packed the babies items separately in clear, labelled zip locked bags so it is much easier for Ben to find. For example, I have a new born vest and sleepsuit in one bag, muslins in another bag, socks and mittens in another bag, bibs in another and so on.
Spare bag for the car:
- New born vests.
- New born sleepsuits.
- 0-3 month vests.
- 0-3 month sleepsuits.
- Nappies.
- Muslins.
- Disposable knickers/pads.
- Large underwear.
- Socks for Mummy.
- Spare, comfortable clothing.
- Spare nightwear.
- Spare breast pads.
- Spare sterilized dummy.
The snacks:
- Savoury snacks, crisps etc.
- Sweet snacks, chocolate bars etc.
- None fizzy energy drinks. I have gone from lucozade raspberry sport.
- Robinsons squash’d juice pot. These are small and compact so perfect to pack specially if you’re not the biggest fan of water like me.
And I think that is everything… or you would like to hope so!
I probably have over packed & probably won’t even need half of the items I have packed, but I would rather have something and not use it than wish I had packed something and need it.
Have I missed something? Is there something that you would recommend that I haven’t packed?
If so, let me know in the comments!
STEPHANIE 