Hospital Bag(s)

I’ve probably packed and re-packed these bags half a dozen times, and even after packing them for what I think is the last time, I still panic that I haven’t got everything and unpack it again.

You can find lots of help online as to what to take, but here’s what our bags look like…

My bag

1. Baggy t-shirt and shorts (Although I’ll be wearing my normal clothes to the hospital, as well as taking a change of clothes for when I go home, I thought it would be useful to have something more comfortable to change into and wear around the hospital for check ups, etc. I purposefully went and bought something new [and cheap] so that I didn’t have to throw anything I liked away.)
2. Leggings (Again, something more comfortable to wear but more so in case I get cold / don’t want to wear shorts.)
3. Underwear! (Mainly for when I go home.)
4. Socks (grip socks and a change of socks)
5. Nursing bra
6. Slippers (In case I want something warmer.)
7. Disposable pants (I’ve heard you need a lot of these…)
8. Maternity pads (As above…)
9. Toiletries:
   • Shampoo and conditioner (You never know…)
   • Shower gel (You never know!)
   • Flannel
   • Towel (Not in picture.)
   • Hair product
   • Hair brush
   • Toothbrush and toothpaste
   • Moist/clean fresh wipes
   • Anti-bac gel
   • Tissues
   • Fan
10. Breast pads (See #7 & #8; I’ve decided to grab all the freebie ones I’ve received in Bounty Packs and from baby shows. This means I a) don’t have to open or take a new box, and b) they’re pretty sterile already.)

Baby’s bag

1. Nappy bags
2. Sensitive wipes
3. Nappies
4. Vests in varying sizes
5. Mittens, booties/socks, and hat (In case it’s cold.)
6. Going home outfit (Which can be amended depending on the weather.)
7. Muslins (Not in photo.)
8. Blanket for going home (Not in photo as S was still deciding which one!)
9. Our Snugglbundle (Not in photo as this was a last minute grab.)

S’s bag / Misc bag

1. Books
2. iPad
3. iPod
4. Chargers for electronics
5. Speaker for iPod
6. Camera
7. Colouring books and pens/pencils (You never know!)
8. Food (I know S won’t eat if she has to stay with me at the hospital, and hospital cafés are extortionate, so even though these are provisions for me, I based these to feed S as well.)
   • 2× soft drinks
   • 2× glucose-based drink for energy (Lucozade)
   • Bottled water (with straw style cap for easy drinking)
   • Mini Cheddars (I was thinking of something small but filling, but not too greasy.)
   • Jaffa Cakes (As above.)
   • Skittles
   • Boiled sweets
9. Neck cushion for S
10. Pregnancy pillow for me
11. Hoodie

We’ve probably packed way too much, but going on a couple of other blogs of recent, where ladies have had to stay in for days, I’m not taking any chances! Hopefully, by packing so much, it’ll mean I’m in and out in a jiffy.

Finally, don’t forget the car/seat! Most hospitals won’t let you leave until they’ve seen you with the car seat – some even come out and check it’s been installed correctly.

Am I missing anything? If you have any other hints and tips re what to pack in the hospital bag(s), let us know!

K