Hospital Baby Bag – what do you need?

[Anonymous]

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.

[munchin]

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.

[Jedt]

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. 😀

[Yvonne]

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!

[Anonymous]

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

[janemam]

Arnica for healing is always welcome…

[Jedt]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[Fabienne]

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

[rossylisa]

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

[joeyrudd]

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

[Jedt]

wont be long now Joey!!! 😀

[joeyrudd]

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

[munchin]

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

[Author]

Posts