I've not packed my bag yet (eek) but I went shopping with my mum at the weekend and bought a lot of the stuff I need. I bought all fragrance-free toiletries, mostly the Simple range - they do everything including deodorant and shampoo/conditioner. I was tempted to buy all the yummy Soap and Glory stuff which smells gorgeous, but I want baby to get to know my smell without being overwhelmed by different fragrances, some of which can be quite strong. I just bought the smallest bottles they do but I didn't bother with travel sizes, they're so expensive! Boots sell little empty bottles but they were about £1.40 each, so I found it cheaper just to buy normal bottles of stuff (the Simple range was on 3 for 2).

I also went to Asda for my maternity pads, breast pads, cotton wool pads, nappy sacks etc. They have a lot of things on two for £2.50. They also do cheap packs of cotton knickers and socks so I bought some of those in black, and they have a twin-pack of strappy cotton nighties for £8 (one is blood-proof black, the other is white with a black floral print all over it) so I got two packs of those. The black one will be good for giving birth in (short enough not to get in the way, strappy so not too warm/restrictive, a bit stretchy so will pull down easy for skin-to-skin, and cheap enough to throw away aftetwards!) and the patterned one will be nice for afterwards (the pattern is pretty and will hide milk stains!). I had to go up a couple of sizes to fit them over the bump though!

A couple of other things I'll be taking are a nail file (don't want to scratch baby if I chip a nail), dettol wipes (I'm a bit OCD about germs!), but most importantly my own soft bath towel and the a roll of the softest toilet paper I can find! I'm not rubbing my poor lady parts with NHS stuff after what it's just been through

Bid- ur so right i think il do that! Thanks il get non fragranced stuf from boots!
"Blood proof black lol" that will for sure come in handy
I did buy a rred nightie but im thinking i need a black one too!
Im ocd bout germs too lol will also be packin hand sanitiser and omg tissue great idea ive been in the ward u go after havin the baby the tissue is s rough its almost rough enough to cut ur skin!! Lol

And thank u for ur detailed reply il go to asda too i love a good bargain they seem to have some good deals!

Baby wipes are too harsh to use on baby but excellent to have for you! They will even remove coffee stains from clothes lol! Even the ones that say as gentle as cotton wool and water are full of xchemicles, like they assume nobody reads the packet!

Kristen - great list! Dont forget lipbalm for u
Scratch mits and hats for baby xx and some magazines to keep u busy lol ive got a tens machine too!

Toddler- lol great i was thinkin because in the hosp i go to u have to leave ur baby to shower so i was thinkin of using baby wipes to freshen up until hubby comes to see me n baby - is that gross? Or will tht be ok?

Also is there anything u packed in hosp bag that u didt end up using

Hi due with second baby and getting ready to pack my own bag again. Last time round I found that I packed a ton of stuff that I didnt end up using. Here is my list below:

Labour Bag: Birthing plan and maternity notes, Nightie, dressing gown, slippers and thick socks, vaseline (good for your lips), water spray, tens machine, face cloth and dark towels (have brown ones from Primark), toiletries, anti bacterial gel, sweets for me and OH and camera.

Hospital Bag: (OH can bring this one in from the car after the birth and you can change over the majority of bits from Labour Bag), clothes/going home outfit, breast pads, maternity pads, nightie, disposable pants/cheap throw away ones, make-up, hairbrush, book/magazine, wet toilet wipes/toilet roll (the ones in hospital arent very soft), nipple cream, batiste dry shampoo just to freshen up a little and a carrier bag for any dirty clothes etc

Baby for Baby: Nappies (approx 8), cotton wool and a plastic tub for some water, baby wipes (for me to use on myself or to clean up any messes and not use on baby), nappy cream, nappy bags, antibacterial gel, muslin squares, blanket, socks, booties and hat, going home outfit, vests (4) and sleepsuits (2) and a jacket for going home. OH will have carseat in the car already to be brought in for going home time.

We will also be taking a present with us, for our little boy for when he comes to visit in the hospital it will already be there for him as a present from the new baby.

Hope that helps.

lynz- hi thanks for responding - how many weeks. R u? Also were did u get the water spray bottlle from and hw much is it? And do u use it to spray water on ur lady parts when u go to pee? Do u spray before u start peeing or during peeing??

How many pads and nickers did u bring?

A plastic tub to bath them in? Didnt the hosp provide that??

How long was ur stay last time and how many breast pads maternity pads and knickers did u get thru? Sorry for questions just curiuous

And awww how sweet that will really make ur little boy lov his new sibling even more - how old is he? I will do that when i have number 2 its really keeping him involved - thank u very helpful xx

You can get the wee bottles from superdrug. I used it during labour to cool me down and then took the sprayer section off afterwards and used it when going to the loo by pouring water as you pee as it takes the sting away. Especially good idea if you have stitches and I was lucky not to but still stung.

Just a wee small plastic tub so that you can put water in it to use with the cotton wool to clean baby when changing as the meconium is a nightmare to clean without water.

I gave birth early morning and was discharged the following afternoon, although they prefered that I stayed in for 2 but there was no need as myself and baby were fine and I wanted to be back in the comfort of my house and you can't sleep in the hospital because as soon as you start to sleep another baby cries.

I had a mixture of pants and disposable pants, probably about 4 pairs and a full pack of maternity pads with me in the hospital and another pack in the house.

Little one is 3 and currently getting quite excited and telling me what he is going to help with etc, think the pressie will help as everyone will be fussing with the baby and dont want him to feel left out at all.

aww lyns that is just my dream!! one little one helping fetch the other little ones nappies and involving them in everything your lo sounds adorable!! and il get the little bottle thanks!! xx