Packing Your Hospital Bag

As you can tell this blog is in no particular order and is quite random. So i’m moving on to packing your hospital back. They recommend that you have it packed from around 36 weeks – which will give you time to pack and unpack it hundreds of times when you think you have forgotten something! Shopping for this was actually lots of fun because I got to throw lots of wonderful lotions and potions into my trolley….guilt free. But it in fact took quite a few shopping trips to complete. You see, I’m not a natural planner but this is definitely one of those times to be organised, just in case!

I thought it might be helpful to share my list with you below.  Please feel free to let me know if I’ve missed anything!

For me:

• Hospital notes
• Flip flops or slippers to walk around hospital in
• 2 pyjama sets or nighties for labour
• 1 nice pair of PJ’s – for after the baby arrives
• Toiletry bag, including shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, cleansing wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush, vaseline/lip balm (my lips get very dry during labour – not sure if this common)
• Thick socks (my feet get really cold during labour but again this could just be me)
• 5 x pairs of big knickers (cheap ones bought specifically for this that can just be thrown away)
• Maternity pads
• Going home outfit
• Nursing bras
• Nipple cream (Lansinoh lanolin was my saviour when breastfeeding!)
• Breast pads
• Camera
• Phone charger
• Spare Batteries if using Tens machine – i didn’t pack these and luckily the hospital gave me some (lucky for them as much as me!)

For baby:

• Stack of newborn nappies
• 2 x babygros
• 2 x blanket
• 2 x hats, socks and mittens
• Going home outfit
• Snuggly all-in-one travel outfit

Food and Entertainment

• iPod loaded up with music
• iPod dock
• Snacks. Lots of them.
• Money for vending machines & cafeteria. (We went for a breakfast whilst I was in Labour!)
• Selection of magazines and a book

If you are planning on formula feeding your baby it is best to check if you hospital will provide this or if you will need to bring your own. You will usually be given a list from your midwife of what you will be required to take as some hospitals may not provide towels etc….

The most important thing to take with you is an open mind…..you cannot guarantee everything will turn out the way you planned.

Tags: Antenatal Notes, Birth Plan, Hospital Bag, Maternity Notes, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Blog, Pregnancy Symptoms

Posted in Pregnancy