Hospital Baby Bag – what do you need?

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  • #18273
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    We’ve put together some suggestions for what to bring in your hospital bag when having a baby.

    You should divide up the following into two small pieces of luggage, one for mum and one for baby. Have your labour bag ready to take with you when you think you are going into labour. (Its a good idea to have it ready from around 36 weeks just incase!)

    Your hospital bag for labour & birth should contain the following:
    Maternity notes with birth plan
    An old t-shirt/night shirt for labour (something you won’t wear again!)
    Wide opening nightshirt pyjamas if breastfeeding (clothes with poppers great for this)
    An old pair of socks for labour (your feet can get cold in labour)
    Personal items: toiletries, tissues, lip balm, cold water
    Birthing ball (if desired)
    TENS machine (if desired)
    Breast pads
    Support bra &nursing bra, if breastfeeding
    Sanitary towel packs (2 packs, Maternity variety)
    Disposable but comfy old knickers for after the birth (these will be thrown out)
    Dressing gown/slippers/spare nightwear
    Flip flops for the shower
    Dark coloured towel/one for each day
    Camera
    Change for parking facilities
    Light snacks, magazines, newspapers, book
    Own pillow in coloured pillowcase (if desired, helps feel more homely)
    Hair ties/accessories
    Comfortable loose clothes to go home in (which fit you at 26 weeks pregnant as you will still have quite a bump)
    Mobile phone charger
    Any relevant prescribed medication
    Pen

    For baby:
    Long sleeved babygrows X 6
    Vests X 6 (all baby clothes should be pre-washed before packing)
    Cardigan
    Hat
    Pre-washed baby towel
    Pack of nappies (newborn size)
    Cotton wool balls/pack (Or Irish Breeze water wipes, ideal for newborns)
    Baby bibs X 6
    Baby blanket X 2
    Cot sheet X 2
    Car seat (to be brought in on the day you are going home)

    We hope this helps and if anyone has other suggestions for things to pack, please share. :D

    #134789
    munchin
    Participant

    have babies first outfit – vest, nappy, babygro, hat and your own blanket if required in a small bag in your own labour bag and make sure DH knows where it is. Usually when you are in the labour ward the midwifes will ask for this.

    #134790
    Siobhán @ Mams
    Keymaster

    Yep, its a good idea to have baby’s stuff in a seperate bag. If you’ve bought a baby changing bag, that will do grand. 😀

    #134791
    Yvonne
    Member

    Small change
    Soother for baby if you are using one (my DD was in special care and we had to go home, they gave her a teat stuffed with cotton wool!)
    Arnica

    Agree with Munchin, labour bag and babys first clothes together – and definitely show DH where they are! My DH couldn’t see DS’s first outfit for some strange reason!

    #134792
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Keep your tips coming – this is a very helpful thread for mums-to-be 🙂

    #134793
    janemam
    Member

    Arnica for healing is always welcome…

    #134794
    Siobhán @ Mams
    Keymaster

    I always have Arnica in the house, its brilliant to have for bruising. Great for after birth

    #134795
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    If we’ve left anything out you think a mum in labour or new mum would need, please go ahead and add in.

    #134796
    Fabienne
    Member

    Plastic bag to put dirty laundry (mum’s and baby’s)
    My husband used to come and visit me daily so he brought what was missing and clean stuff and always took back the plastic to do laundry at home. So very small space in hospital for your belongingns, than less is more if you know that hubby will come and visit daily or twice daily and just make sure the minimum is in hospital tiny drawer.

    Fabienne

    #134797
    rossylisa
    Member

    Also have some spares put a side at home for the hubby to just take up to you

    #134798
    joeyrudd
    Member

    better start on my bags, the list is handy because i always forget something.
    hopefully i have plenty of time and this baby won’t be as early as my last one

    #134799
    Siobhán @ Mams
    Keymaster

    wont be long now Joey!!! 😀

    #134800
    joeyrudd
    Member

    feels like its taking forever but as long as baby is safe i’m willing to wait…the kids can’t wait though 🙂

    #134801
    munchin
    Participant

    I wouldn’t know where to start now ha ha
    Best of luck with everything Joey

    #138733
    Siobhán @ Mams
    Keymaster

    The most important thing is to have a check list and tick off all the things you need so you have all the important bits before you head out the door!

    and to stay calm….that’s important too obvs 🙂

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