BABY: What I've Packed In My Hospital Bag

In my last blog post, I showed you what I decided to pack in my baby hospital bag. This post is focused on my personal hospital bag. As I mentioned in my previous post, this bag was also hastily packed at the same time as the other bag. I was very conscious of overpacking and looking like a wally, so I've tried to keep my items to the minimum.

 So, here is a list of the things I decided to pack:

• Weekend bag, purchased from Tesco, similar here.
• A towel.
• A nursing top.
• Maternity leggings.
• 2 button fronted nightdresses.
• 4 huge pairs of black full briefs - I've heard the aftermath can be messy and I also wanted knickers that would come up high, in case things don't go to plan and I have a caesearean.
• Socks - I've since purchased some fluffier ones, for possible cold feet during labour.
• Slippers - These were from Primark and I thought were handy as I didn't need to worry about my swollen feet not fitting into them. 
• Flip Flops - Just a cheap pair that I could potentially wear in the shower, if it doesn't look brilliant in there, or for general walking around.
• Pack of approx 20 maternity pads - for after labour.
• Headbands, a hairtie and grips - I'm pretty sure I won't want my hair in my face during labour!
• Lip balm.
• Coin purse with change and notes that will be needed for parking and snacks/drinks.
• Earphones - In case I decide I need music to help me through contractions.
• Tissues.
• TENs machine - Hopefully will help me through labour.
• Washbag.
• A lightweight dressing gown (not shown in the photo, ooops!).

I've tried to cover a lot of bases in this washbag. I've included the essentials like a toothbrushes (for me and Chris), toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel, facial cleanse wipes and moisturiser. If possible, I've purchased travel sized products, just to save on room. I've also put in travel sized hand cream, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, muslin cloth and a hot cloth cream cleanser. I'm pretty sure I won't get around to using these, but if I did, they're at hand.

Other items that need to be put in at last minute are my hospital notes, hairbrush, iPhone charger and camera (with a charged battery and memory card). We've also got a big bottle of water and 3 cartons of drink for me, along with a red bull and some lucozade for Chris, cooling in the fridge. Snack wise I have a box of Jaffa Cakes, a couple of bags of apple crisps and some Jelly Babies to munch on.

Our midwife suggested we take our swiss ball with us, as our hospital doesn't have these. So, depending on if I'm finding the ball useful during labour at home, this may also get thrown into the car when we set off.

That is it for my hospital bags. If you think I've missed anything vital or that you may have found useful when at the hospital on the labour ward, then please leave me a comment below. :)

BABY: What I've Packed In My Baby Hospital Bag

Throughout my whole pregnancy, I had been looking forward to packing my hospital bags. I pictured myself smiling away as I lovingly folded all the teeny weeny baby essentials into the bag. In reality, like most things in life, this didn't actually happen.

As I mentioned in a previous post here, quite late on in my pregnancy we had booked a trip to Liverpool for Chris' Liverpool FC Stadium Tour. We both decided, running up to this time, that it would be best to pack my hospital bags and take our hospital notes and the car seat, in case the unthinkable happened. Well... fast forward to the day before we were due to travel... still no bags had been packed. Finally, I bit the bullet and made a list of things I thought Baby Skerritt would need, once he made his big arrival.

I found it a lot easier to just lay everything out on our bed before packing it all into the bag. Obviously I have no idea how long my stay in hospital will be, so I didn't want to have too much or too little. What I decided to pack was:

• Weekend Bag, purchased from Primark.
• Pack of 23 newborn nappies.
• Nappy bags.
• 2 blankets - a fleecy Winnie the Pooh one and a cotton cellular blanket.
• Antibacterial wipes, in case I become a germophobe overnight.
• Cotton wool squares, for nappy changing.
• Water wipes - I know cotton wool and water is the preferred method, but water wipes are practically the same.. plus I've heard that the meconium poo nappy change can be a bit sticky, so wipes may well be easier.
• Lasinoh nipple cream, just in case.
• A handful of breast pads, in case my milk comes in.
• Tissues, for when I'm getting all emotional!
• 2 comfortable sleep bras which are nursing friendly.
• 3-4 muslin cloths, 1 being an extra large sized cloth, ideal for swaddling attempts!
• A few bibs, no idea if I'll use them, but they don't take up much room in the bag.
• Newborn sized socks, hats and some scratch mitts.
• 6 sleepsuits and 6 vests. 

Yes, I feel I may have gone overboard with baby outfits, but hear me out! In the back of my mind I still keep having this panic where the baby comes out, and the midwife announces.. 'It's A Girl!!'
So, just in case, I've packed a few plain white sleepsuits. But if all goes as planned and he is a he, I still wanted some more boy themed sleepsuits for photos. I also plan to pop in one of his newborn toys, but I still need to decide which one!

Anyway, there was no surprise arrival of Baby Skerritt, so the bag has just been waiting around in the nursery for the moment it will be quickly grabbed and put into the car! I did get everything out a week or so ago, to re-pack and check, knowing that it was originally packed in a rush.

Is there anything vital you think I'm missing? What were your essential items from your baby hospital bag? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts!