Hospital Bag Checklist- What to pack?

A very much belated Happy New Year to you all! (Got it in just before Feb!)

The countdown to baby number two is very much on the way here. I have been pretty relaxed about the whole second baby planning and preparations up until this point. While I was uber-organised with Fee my first child (hospital bag packing at 20 weeks!), second time round it is only the recent ‘twingey’ moments that finally got me off my bottom and into the loft looking for the boxed up baby stuff.

First thing on my preparation list is getting my hospital bag packed. Thankfully, this time round I now have the benefit of hindsight to know what I DO really need for the hospital and what I can leave behind. – Though I did still have a quick ‘google’ to see what what other mums had put into their hospital bags in case there was anything I had forgotten.

Actually, what to pack in your hospital bag is a common question a lot of expectant mums ask, so I thought that I would post my personal list of what has been squeezed into my overnight bag:

For Me:

Misc:

1. Birth plan and maternity notes
2. Mobile phone and phone charger
3. Camera
4. Headphones
5. Natal hypnotherapy / relaxing birth music – I am using Maggie Howell’s relaxing birth music and labour companion CDs.
6. Snacks  – for me and Mr E (isotonic drinks, cartoned juice, crackers, jelly babies, flapjacks, bananas, apples)
7. Straws for drinking during labour
8. Change for the car park and vending machine

Clothes:

1. 2 x dark nighties for the labour and afterwards – one with buttons down the front to make breastfeeding easier
2. 1 x dark coloured dressing gown
3. 2 x stretchy trousers / tracksuit bottoms (black)
4. 2 x vest tops (one nursing vest top with clip straps)
5. 1 x pair of flip flops – for walking around the hospital or having a shower
6. 1 x pair open back slippers
7. 2 x pairs of socks
8. 5 x black high waisted maternity knickers (an extra size up than my usual size and high waisted in case I have a c-section like last time- got mine from Mothercare)
9. 2 x breastfeeding bras (Mothercare do great ones)
10. Going home outfit – Black stretchy leggings, black t-shirt, cardigan and funky bright scarf, coat and boots.

Toiletries:

1. Toothbrush and toothpaste
2. Hairbrush and 2 x hair bands
3. Travel size shampoo / conditioner / shower gel
4. Flannel
5. Make up – yes I know a bit vain but if you have the whole extended family camped out ready with their paparazzi cameras for the first shots of mum and baby, you will be thankful for a bit of mascara and under eye concealer 🙂
6. Deodorant
7. Moisturiser
8. Lip Balm – The hospital was so warm last time that I had really cracked lips by the end
9. Face wipes
10. Towel – Hospital ones can tend to be a bit thin
11. 8 x breast pads
12. 10 x maternity sanitary pads

Labour Tools:

1. Birth ball and pump  – Last time I had to wait over 1 hour to get a birth ball at the hospital so I thought I’d bring my own this time round. It also means I have the right size ball for me (being a shorty) The ball I got last time at the hospital was a bit too big and I was wobbling all over the place – not very good when you are focusing on contractions! I will probably leave it in the car  to start off with and get Mr E to bring it in if I need it.
2. Stress balls – Good for distraction squeezing during those contractions!
3. Tens machine – I have bought the Babycare Elle TENS Machine this time round which is specifically designed for labour with a ‘Boost’ function. Last time I had a standard Tens machine with no ‘Boost’ function and it didn’t help at all. You definitely need a Tens machine made specifically for labour with a boost function to get you through those contractions!
4. Bean bag – I have borrowed Fee’s bean bag from her bedroom as I find it so comfy to relax on at the moment. One thing I found last time at the hospital was that the labour suite did not have any comfortable seating and I didn’t always want to use the bed. I think that the bean bag will allow me to get comfy in different positions and provide the support I need even sitting on the floor.
5. Nursing pillow – I will use this for breastfeeding after the birth and find it is a good neck support while lying in bed.
6. Labour massage oil – In case I want my lower back rubbed during labour. Neal’s Yard have this amazing Mothers Massage Oil.
7. Single duvet – This one is a bit indulgent, but I love my duvet and in my mind the more comfortable I can be during the labour the better it is for everyone – Mr E can use it too if he decides (like last time) the labour process is too tiring for him and he needs a lie down!
8. Hot water bottle with cover – Great for lower back pain during labour.

For Baby:

Clothes:

1. 4 x sleep suits ( Sizes: 2 x upto 9lbs and 2 x upto 10lbs – I hope not but you never know!)
2. 4 x short sleeved baby vests – same sizes as above
3. 1 x cardigan
4. 1 x snowsuit/onesie
5. 2 x hats
6. 2 x mittens

Misc:

1. Pack of 24 nappies (Size Newborn)
2. 1 x pack of water wipes (or cotton wool)
3. 4 x small muslins
4. 2 x large muslins
5. 1 x baby fleece blanket (for the car seat)
6. 1 x carseat
7. 1 x teddy / comforter (present from Fee to baby)
8. 1 x Ben and Holly Magazine and toy (present from baby to Fee)

For Mr E:

1. 1 x pair underwear
2. 1 x t-shirt
3. 1 x pair of tracksuit bottoms
4. 1 x toothbrush
5. 1 x deoderant
6. 1 x pair of socks