Hospital Bag

Rachineire

So this hospital bag thing has my head wrecked....how many do I need? What do I need to have in it? When should I start packing it?

I'm due december and I havn't put much thought at all into this! I have been collecting a few small bits here and there but have nothing in terms of nappy creams or vests or nappies. What kind of bag would I even need...a suit case? Gym bag type?

My pathetic pregnant brain doesn't seem to want to wrap its head around this haha!

Moonbeam

You need 2.

The 1st one for labour and the 2nd for the ward.

For the labour one A night dress,a towel,shower stuff ,and a new baby outfit.

For the other one about 5 changes of pjs,about 5/6 baby vests and outfits/baby gros. Towels and a dressing gown for you and toiletries.
Breast pads,maternity pads and either granny knickers or paper ones:)changing bag for baby.

You really do not need much just the necessities.

Lac21

I'll be very interested in replies to this. I should know more because I've packed for hospital before. I just cannot remember cleary what I packed last time.

All I do remember is having two bags, one for the labour ward and another for the post natal ward. The labour ward one had one outfit for baby. Vest, babygro, hat and nappy. I had a couple of nightshirts buttoned down the front, socks, lip balm, hairbrush, bobbin, music, magazines.
Sure there must be more.......

For the postnatal bag, I know I had Vaseline and sudocrem. We were advised not to use wipes for first 4 weeks or so. I had to bring a lunch box for water and cotton wool, which was a pain. I've noticed waterwipes for sale lately, says they are suitable for newborns. Will be giving them a try this time. They are currently on sale price in Dunnes.
Babygros, vests,
Maternity pads, disposable knickers,
Dark coloured towels,
Shower gel etc
Flip flops
Phone charger

January

I used baby wipes on my second and third... seriously cotton wool and water was just too messy for me. Always the Huggies Pure (cream packet) though. The midwife did say to use cotton wool and water but I just told her I preferred wipes and that was that.

Julo12

Second all above plus
Hat for baba for first while tho I thought hosp was plenty warm
Maternity bras
Towel for baby's first bath
Lansinoh cream and multimam nipple compresses if breasfeeding.. U only really need breast pads if using these as milk won't come in straight away.
Some snacks. Last meal in holles st was at 4.30 or 5pm!
Water bottles u can refill. I found they forgot to bring u any water
Lots and lots of maternity pads
Going home clothes - something comfy - unless u trust oh to bring it in!

Moonbeam

I used the huggies pure baby wipes from day 2 on my 2nd and pampers sensitive from day 4 on my 1st:)
Messing around with cotton wool and water is just not worth it.

Julo12

I'd start packing a good few wks beforehand to make sure u have everything. Then repack and show oh what u have and remind u closer to time. I used small sports bag for labour and suitcase for ward. They'll check that in for u.

Lac21

Just thought of blankets for baby. Do they still specify 2 cellular blankets?? Thanks!

Xdancer

Reading this has made me realise how lucky I was giving birth in Spain. All I needed were toiletries for me, slippers and a going home outfit for baby. Everything else was provided. I was constantly offered drinks etc when in labour.

Princessa

Two bags, a small gym bag for the labour and a small suitcase for post natal.

Labour Ward:

• Baby outfit - Vest, baby grow, scratch mittens and hat (Optional) and a nappy or two.
• Socks
• Hairbrush, clips etc
• Face cloth
• Towel
• Toiletries (If you dont have epidural you can have a shower after birth)
• Nightdress
• Ipod or some distraction if you are being induced it can be a looooong day
• Pads
• Nursing bra

Post Natal:

• 7 x vests, babygrows,
• Baby towel
• Towel and toiletries for yourself
• pads and breast pads
• Slippers, socks flip flops for shower
• 7x pjs
• Lots of big comfy undies or disposables
• Nursing bras
• Phone charger
• Camera
• Baby nappies, vasaline, wipes or cotton wool
• Outfit for bringing baby home
• Baby sheets and blankets
• Bibs

RubyGirl

Agree with above aswell, I would add,

Def baby wipes,
fit flops - wear them in the showers, wont need slippers,
I found the maternity pad's awful when in the ward so I used the strongest ones for heavy period's and found them much better,
Old nitie for labour ward - just dump it after birth,
I also found arnica great help for healing, start taking them after baby is born and great for healing internally, also got a tonic made up which helped,
Liquid iron - use a straw when taking it or it will stain your teeth.

RubyGirl

Princessa wrote: »

Two bags, a small gym bag for the labour and a small suitcase for post natal.


Labour Ward:

• Baby outfit - Vest, baby grow, scratch mittens and hat (Optional) and a nappy or two.
• Socks
• Hairbrush, clips etc
• Face cloth
• Towel
• Toiletries (If you dont have epidural you can have a shower after birth)
• Nightdress
• Ipod or some distraction if you are being induced it can be a looooong day
• Pads
• Nursing bra

Post Natal:

• 7 x vests, babygrows,
• Baby towel
• Towel and toiletries for yourself
• pads and breast pads
• Slippers, socks flip flops for shower
• 7x pjs
• Lots of big comfy undies or disposables
• Nursing bras
• Phone charger
• Camera
• Baby nappies, vasaline, wipes or cotton wool
• Outfit for bringing baby home
• Baby sheets and blankets
• Bibs

I was over cautious maybe but I brought a small disinfectant bottle and cleaned baby's cot and lockers etc asewll.
Re sheets, I found bringing in pillow cases instead of sheet was great aswell.

Princessa

Yeah i actually bought in detol wipes too . I also bought in alcohol gel as she was born in Nov and a load of my family had a cold at the time, so i asked them to use the gel before touching the baby... I got a few looks when i said that to people allright

Thumby

The coombe supplied me with a list of what is needed, i'll post it up for you later when i've got my toddler down for her nap.

Neyite

I made a list and was posted it here and got loads of replies saying that I packed too much.:o In the end, I went minimalist and ended up staying 5 days for a Emergency C-section so needed more than I originally had listed!

Pack your essentials, but fill a laundry basket in the spare room with extras that your OH can bring in - underwear, extra nighties, change of clothes, baby supplies, toiletries that sort of thing.

My mum got me "granny knickers for hospital, but they were tight microfibre ones that rolled down exactly onto my incision. I asked the OH to go to dunnes to get the biggest grannypants he could see. He brought me in a few pairs of mens boxers instead thinking that wouldnt rub on my wound-didnt even occur to him that I had nowhere in them to put the maternity pad . (by the way I heard after I got out of hospital a trick for cushioning the C-section incision is one of those fat maternity pads.)

Bring in lots of empty plastic bags, you'll have gifts/dirty laundry that need brought home.

A great tip a boardsie gave me was to put baby's first outfit in a sandwich bag - great in my case as I was pretty zonked, my bag was in the ward, we were in theater and it meant my partner could just get the baggie and hand it to the nurse who dressed our little one. I had a nappy, small tub of vaseline (to stop the first poo sticking) vest, babygro, hat all in.

If you have to use cotton wool, I'd recommend the cotton pads for makeup instead. The cotton wool would separate and stick to the baby's behind and make it messy. Makeup pads were way better. (also a little bowl to use for the water.)

Get travel sizes of your fave toiletries.

Here is the previous discussion with my list on it. I did leave most of it at home on the spare bed- I had a small bag, and he had a small schoolbag-type rucksack on the day. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77446818

Princessa

Neyite wrote: »

I asked the OH to go to dunnes to get the biggest grannypants he could see. He brought me in a few pairs of mens boxers instead thinking that wouldnt rub on my wound-didnt even occur to him that I had nowhere in them to put the maternity pad .

I think thats really sweet. I dont know why but it is, he wanted you to be comfy so he got you mens boxers.. awwwh.

Neyite

Princessa wrote: »

I think thats really sweet. I dont know why but it is, he wanted you to be comfy so he got you mens boxers.. awwwh.

Oh yeah, he was trying to be thoughtful - he always is tbh, and we laughed at it. They would have been very comfy - if I could have worn them.

Rachineire

Princessa wrote: »

I think thats really sweet. I dont know why but it is, he wanted you to be comfy so he got you mens boxers.. awwwh.

I acutally thought the same thing!! It made me laugh, sounds like something my OH would do!

littlemissteach

Great thread Rachineire!
Ok , don't all shout at me at once but....you know the way ye're saying one bag for labour and one for after- so are you in two different wards?What actually happens when you go in-like first of all where do they put you?What can I expect?!

Squiggler

Depends on what stage of labour you're in and what hospital too. If you're not in labour going in (for induction/c-section or whatever) it will be different too.

Last time I was taken to an exam room on arrival then straight to a labour suite (Kilkenny). In a different hospital this time where it might be a case of maternity ward first, then transfer to labour suite or shared labour ward.

Ask at your next appointment

Gee_G

Its just handy as your big main bag is left on the Ward and you8 will have your littLe labour bag in delivery suite with you. You are brought there when you are in labour and for whateVer amount of time you need after the birth and then you and baby are brought back to the maternity Ward

Thumby

Sorry it took so long to post this, i couldn't find the fecking list. Lol
Bag for labour/delivery ward.
Birth plan (if you have one)
A loose t-shirt or old night shirt
Pair of comfy bed socks
Natural sponge or face cloth
Camera
Nightdress, underwear, bra and maternity pad to change into afterwards
Towel, toiletries and tissues
Hair tie
Mineral water spray (to cool you down during labour/delivery)
Lip balm (gas and air can dry out/crack lips)
Light snack
Details of any medication
Baby's clothes and nappy for after birth, including hat change of top for dad as well (just in case he needs it)
Maternity ward
For you:
4 nightdresses (wide opening if breastfeeding) or 4 pairs of pj's
One support/nursing bra ( i found i needed at least two on my last one as i was in for 4 days and personally i'm not going to wear one bra on 4 different days) breast pads (once i got home i used sanitary towels cut in half as they stay put in your bra due to the adhesive, my x mil gave me that tip lol, so much handier than constantly fiddeling with moving breast pads lol) 2 packs of maternity pads 2 towels and 2 face cloths dressing gown, slippers and flip flops for shower granny panties (at least 6 pairs)
Toiletries

For baby:
6 long sleeved baby grows
6 vests
2 cardigans
2 baby towels
Disposable nappies (6-8 per day)
3 cellular blankets
3 crib/moses basket sheets
Cotton wool ( better off going with the cotton make up wipes that another poster mentioned already) a hat/cap

Miscellaneous
Phone plus charger
Books/magazines for evil o'clock at night when you can't sleep
Credit for phone if needed
Snacks for evening/night as last meal is between 4.30 and 5.30 depending on hospital.
Hospital tells us to get our OH to bring in going home clothes for both mum and babs on day of release.
I can't think of anything else for the miscellaneous list atm, it's not on the hospital list, but stuff i needed etc so it's all going in my bag again this time round as well. So please feel free to add anything else not recommended by the hospital if ye want ladies.

Princessa

Theres an invention now for anybody thats creative, big comfy underpants for post natal ladies with a little area to put maternity pads

Thanks for the list Thumby, its only been three years but i didnt think id need three of the cellular blankets so its nice to see a list that the hospital reccommend.

elaney

Im not sure about other hospitals but the ward i was in had no changing
area for baby so i had to change baby on my towel in my bed.
This time i have bought a small flat changing mat for baby in the euro shop
all it cost was €1.99.

Glowing

This is really helpful, cheers.

Is there anything youd need extra if you were having a section?

Thumby

Nope glowing as they will tell ya to send dirty pj's etc home with visitors/OH and have him bring in extra pj's and towels.
You be welcome princessa, i'll give ya giggle, when i had madam two and a half years ago i forgot the blankets!! In my defence though, i was in and out of the hospital so much near my induction i was constantly unpacking/washing and repacking everytime was discharged lol. So this time i'll have a mini baby bag with one of everything as well as my proper bags. Just in case :-D

Princessa

You are super organised Thumby, ah its not the end of the world if you forget things.
When i had the little one i only had all white and i was sick of people saying oh HES lovely. So i made the OH and my mum go buy me pink babygrows and bring them into me. Ha ha.

Thumby

Not really princessa, lol. So far i just have my emergency bag for myself packed, one pair of pj's, one towel, wash cloth and travel pack of mini toiletries. I'm hoping that seeing as i haven't packed one this early before but needed it 3 times by this stage on my last that i won't need it this time round (at all), if that makes sense? Lol

Thumby

Being without the blankets wouldn't have been so bad last time if ppl could have gotten down to me but everyone was snowed in and i ended up stuck in the hospital for 4 days, even though we were both cleared for release after 24hours.

Princessa

Ha ha you are trying to use the ole reverse psychology on fate there are you Thumby. My Mum said to pack an emergency bag so il pick up a few bits in Tescos tomorrow at the grocery shop and il have it to keep her mind at ease, be much easier for the OH anyway. Maybe i wont need it then either

Hannibal Smith

Whatever you pack, don't forget the vaseline for baby's bum. Use it every nappy change. The meconium is a nightmare to remove with even cotton wool.

Last time I was in Holles street I saw people get in to trouble (i kid you not) for using wipes. Only thing they were 'allowed' use were water wipes. On the other hand, its your baby so if you bring wipes in tell them its your baby and your decision.

Thumby

Yup, well ya know what they say "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it". Besides it seems to be working so far, haven't been back into emergency since 7 weeks :-D oh and a couple of books in the emergency bag as well.

Princessa

In trouble really? Those cotton wool balls are a nightmare, you need a little pot for the water too to clean the bum.

Hannibal Smith

Princessa wrote: »

In trouble really? Those cotton wool balls are a nightmare, you need a little pot for the water too to clean the bum.

I know....I used to soak a load of them before I opened the nappy and then kind of squeeze and wipe and it worked ok. But they are a nuisance.

Yep midwife told them they were supposed to be using cotton wool.

Thumby

Oh i've never used the cotton balls, the make up removal pads alright, i usually sneak in the teeny tiny tub of sudocrem for babs bottom.tar would be easier remove than muconium!

Princessa

Down here the midwives are more Breastfeeding than cotton wool as far as i remember. I will have baby on the boob after birth and my bag of cotton wool balls in the changing bag. Nothing to be given out to for then

January

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

Whatever you pack, don't forget the vaseline for baby's bum. Use it every nappy change. The meconium is a nightmare to remove with even cotton wool.

Last time I was in Holles street I saw people get in to trouble (i kid you not) for using wipes. Only thing they were 'allowed' use were water wipes. On the other hand, its your baby so if you bring wipes in tell them its your baby and your decision.

It was the same when I was in the Rotunda last year, midwife saw me using wipes and said "You really should use cotton wool". I said "this is my third baby, I'll use what I think is best thank you!"

Ms2011

January wrote: »

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

Whatever you pack, don't forget the vaseline for baby's bum. Use it every nappy change. The meconium is a nightmare to remove with even cotton wool.

Last time I was in Holles street I saw people get in to trouble (i kid you not) for using wipes. Only thing they were 'allowed' use were water wipes. On the other hand, its your baby so if you bring wipes in tell them its your baby and your decision.

It was the same when I was in the Rotunda last year, midwife saw me using wipes and said "You really should use cotton wool". I said "this is my third baby, I'll use what I think is best thank you!"

I used the water wipes in the Coombe & no one ever said a thing!!

Rachineire

Alright Ladies I've reviewed this thread- there was sooo much great advice here! I especially like the idea of putting new baby outfit in freezer bag- I know my OH will not be in any state of mind to go searching for all the bits and ends needed when the time comes to dress baby for the first time!
Heres what I have written down to buy/pack for my bags...anything I've left out or any other suggestions??

Labor Bag:
Dark towel + Washcloth
Night dress
Comfy socks
travel sized shower toiletries
lip balm, hair brush, small bag of make up (for pictures but who knows i might not care in that moment!)
magazine/book
pillow
mp3 player
2 maternity pads/ 2 pair large dark undies
camera
flip flops
Cellular Blanket
Cotton wool
2 or 3 nappies
vest, babygro, hat, scratch mitts, socks in a freezer bag
Little bag for OH with snacks and etc in it.

Post-natal Bag:
Water bottle or travel mug
phone charger
2x pjs, dark
travel sized tooth paste, deoderant shampoo ect.
2x baby towels
2x cellular blankets
7x vests, baby grows, socks
2x packages maternity pads, breast pds
2x pillow case for baby sheet
10x dark undies 2x maternity bra
empty plastic Dunnes for dirty laundry/pressies for OH to take home
little bowl for water for nappy changes
Dark towel/washcloth
travel changing mat for baby (small fold out type)
Going home outfit for baby (in freezer bag)
Comfy going home outfit for me (in seperate bag labeled for OH to bring in)
Bottles for baby (?)
Bibs for baby (?) (should I just bring a muslin cloth or two in instead?)


What do ye think? anything I left out or shouldnt bother with?

Gee_G

Rachineire wrote: »

Alright Ladies I've reviewed this thread- there was sooo much great advice here! I especially like the idea of putting new baby outfit in freezer bag- I know my OH will not be in any state of mind to go searching for all the bits and ends needed when the time comes to dress baby for the first time!
Heres what I have written down to buy/pack for my bags...anything I've left out or any other suggestions??

Labor Bag:
Dark towel + Washcloth
Night dress
Comfy socks
travel sized shower toiletries
lip balm, hair brush, small bag of make up (for pictures but who knows i might not care in that moment!)
magazine/book
pillow
mp3 player
2 maternity pads/ 2 pair large dark undies
camera
flip flops
Cellular Blanket
Cotton wool
2 or 3 nappies
vest, babygro, hat, scratch mitts, socks in a freezer bag
Little bag for OH with snacks and etc in it.

Post-natal Bag:
Water bottle or travel mug
phone charger
2x pjs, dark
travel sized tooth paste, deoderant shampoo ect.
2x baby towels
2x cellular blankets
7x vests, baby grows, socks
2x packages maternity pads, breast pds
2x pillow case for baby sheet
10x dark undies 2x maternity bra
empty plastic Dunnes for dirty laundry/pressies for OH to take home
little bowl for water for nappy changes
Dark towel/washcloth
travel changing mat for baby (small fold out type)
Going home outfit for baby (in freezer bag)
Comfy going home outfit for me (in seperate bag labeled for OH to bring in)
Bottles for baby (?)
Bibs for baby (?) (should I just bring a muslin cloth or two in instead?)


What do ye think? anything I left out or shouldnt bother with?

Hot water bottle in your labour bag?not sure if I posted above about this but I had a lot of the pains in my lower back and hot water was amazing until I was able to get epi

Neyite

If you plan to bottle feed, you will get the little bottle of premade formula + once-use pre-sterilised teat in the hospital, no need for bottles or anything like that. They sell them in Tesco now too for Aptimal, they already do them for SMA as far as I know. The aptimal comes in a box of 6 - very handy to have a couple at home. You just unwrap the teat, unscrew the bottle lid and screw on the teat and you are good to go.

I had bibs but dont remember using them - used muslins mostly for burping.

Put surplus stuff in a laundry basket somewhere that you can tell your OH to bring in - undies/nighties/sanitary products that sort of thing.

Thumby

I've decided i'm adding various flavours of nutrigrain elevenses as 1 i'm craving them something fierce and 2 they will last longer than alot of snack foods in the hospital heat.

dublinlady

I used the bibs lots cos my little one puked a lot! I found the blankets in the hospital for the baby to be fine / I wouldn't bring cellular one. They had a cupboard where you could take them as you needed - and the same for sheets for the baby!

I brought loads of snacks... Ate them all....!!
Can't remember if u had earplugs down but I found them great - when hubby would be there I used them and he minded baby, I couldn't sleep with the noise at night!

Julo12

Multimam nipple compresses and lanolin cream. U generally won't need breast pads except to keep the lanolin from sticking to ur bra as you should be home before milk comes in.
Definitely snacks. I found nature valley oaty bars brill

FunkSoulSista

For anyone organising their bag, I picked up a plain blue tshirt nightie in Tesco for like €3!

Thumby

Bumping this for the ladies who are asking about hospital bags in the due jan thread instead of starting a new thread. Hope that's ok mods?

Tigerton

This has been very helpful.

Thank you ladies!!

kitten_k

Bumped for Synyster Shadow

MurdyWurdy

Great tips ladies, thanks for bumping kitten k! I'm doing my lists at the moment and didn't even think of the hospital bag list. I love making lists so will do that one now

I did show my husband what maternity pads looked like the other day when we were in the chemist, the look of shock on his face was priceless!

MistyCheese

I was getting pads in Tesco and my fella asks 'How come you can't use those things you usually use?' I told him you'd probably be a little too sore for tampons having just given birth!

Neyite

MistyCheese wrote: »

I was getting pads in Tesco and my fella asks 'How come you can't use those things you usually use?' I told him you'd probably be a little too sore for tampons having just given birth!

And they'd probably be a tad loose