My Hospital Bag

A lot of you have been asking what I packed for my hospital bag, so I wanted to do a short post just outlining what I took and what I found useful and not so useful.

So I packed separate bags for me and the babies. I am sure this isn't really necessary for one baby but as I was packing a lot it helped me feel more organised. I used a large suitcase for the babies things and a small holdall for me.

Although I had them earlier than my planned c section, they still would have been early and small so I packed for 7 days. I always thought I would rather have too much than not enough. If you are going to a hospital near home and you have someone who can help then it is also an idea to take less and have someone take things home to wash them and bring them back. I decided to just take a lot with me. The amount I took in the list below obviously is not necessary if you are just in for one night but the actual items will be needed for your baby regardless.

I actually had to get some new babygrows as I only bought a small amount of tiny babygrows. Sometimes it's best to get less of a smaller size and then buy as you go because a lot of people make the mistake of buying loads of one size and then a lot of it goes to waste. I always planned on getting a small amount of tiny baby and micro nappies but with having the babies 6 weeks early I had to get more once they were born.

For Babies:

Short sleeve vests x20

Long sleeve vests (winter baby) x20

Babygrows (with hand mits) mixture of tiny

baby and newborn x32

Hats

Micro nappies and size one

Cotton wool balls

Waterwipes - didn't actually use

Nappy cream (bepanthen)

Nappy bags

Muslins

Swaddles

Cellular blankets

Cardigan for going home

Morrk (winter baby)

Car seat

Formula (ready make with teats)

Dummies

Little teddy/ comforter

Ewan the dreamsheep - didn't pack this but took it to hospital once there for a while

• I took both short and long sleeve vests as I was unsure which I would need. The hospital was actually really cold so we used long sleeve vests once they were out of incubators but have used short sleeves once we were home. We took newborn vests to the hospital. I wouldn't personally bother buying any smaller as it doesn't matter if they are big as they just go underneath babygrows. With a full term baby it might even be worth just getting 0-3 months straight away.

• All the babygrows we took had the folding hands attached rather than having to bother with mittens which made it so much easier so they can't fall off.

• Micro nappies not really essential unless you have been told your baby is measuring small or you think you are going to be early

• I knew before going to the hospital I wanted to use Hipp Organic Formula and hospitals do not provide this so I bought the readymade bottles which come with teats and took 3 boxes. I was planning on breastfeeding but thought I should bring formula in case they did not take to my boob or my milk didn't come through enough.

• So we didn't actually end up using the wipes in hospital and didn't start using them for a while when we got home. The wipes are cold so we actually used sterile water the hospital provides for you with cotton wool balls when we changed the babies nappies. Eventually we used the wipes as it's much easier.

For me:

Pillow

iPad (didn't use once)

Phone Charger

Hairdryer and brush

Dry shampoo

Make up (can't say I used this much)

Dressing gown

Food

Detol wipes (a must)

Nipple pads

Nipple cream

Large sanitary towels

Slippers and fluffy socks

Flip flops

Large wash bag

Toiletries

Video camera

Notebook and pen

Nighties & pjs

Large knickers

Feeding bras

Outfit to go home in

• My pillow was a must for me and was needed as we were in hospital for nearly 2 weeks. Hospital pillows arent the comfiest.

• Nighties that do up at the front were great for breastfeeding. I got mine from m&s but also got a lot of comfy late pjs in Primark. I got really baggy bottoms so they wouldn't rub on my scar.

• Large knickers and large sanitary towels again a must!!! I found the sanitary towels better and more comfortable than maternity pads they provide.

• Nipple pads I would take even if you do not want to breastfeed. If you decide to give your baby colostrum your milk will come through and you may leak so best to have them in case.

• Nipple cream is great I got the lansinoh one and don't laugh but it's so good for your lips too which tend to get really dry.

• Detol wipes made me feel better. I had a large wash bag I took to the toilet with me with all my essentials (sanitary towels) and I had detol wipes too which I used on the toilet every time I went. Good if anyone is a bit of a germaphobe like me.

So as you can see I took a lot. And yes all the baby clothes were used and had to be washed and brought back so I didn't even over pack!! . First time for everything. Granted, we were in hospital for 12 days. Hopefully you find the list helpful just maybe not the quantity.

Any questions about anything I took please ask away :) x