Hospital Bag - What To Pack

[BurtonBaby]

I've just started packing babies bag... I will do mine in a week or two... (I think Jenny going into labor really got me going! Thanks for the motivation hun!)

For baby I've got (so far)
Her homecoming outfit w/booties and hat to match
8 mutli-colored onesies
4 pairs of pants to match
5 hats that match
An adorable outfit - onesie/pants/booties/hat that match and say Mommy Loves Me on it.
5 pairs of socks
4 sets of mittens
3 bibs
1 burp cloth
4 receiving blankets
2 warmer blankets
2 pacifiers & pacifier keeper
3 bottles (I think I'll bring a small thing of formula in the emergency that I cant breastfeed)
Box of umbilical cord cleaners
Pack of diapers
Pack of wipes


Thats what I've got so far, I'm sure I'll think of more. At the hospital I'm delivering at, you have to stay a minimum of 2 nights for a vaginal birth, 4 for a c-section. Luckily we only live about 10'ish mins from the hospital, so if we forget something, DH can run home.

 

[AquaDementia]

I bought socks and scratch mittens for the baby today

 

[Margerle]

I use socks as scratch mittens

 

[AquaDementia]

they totally look the same hahah!!! nice trick.

 

[Jenny]

Totally need to get my ass in gear with this! Must go shopping

 

[goldlion]

oopsiesss!!!! !

 

[AquaDementia]

wrong thread mommy??

(you look great)

 

[xCherylx]

Anyone know what the limit is to how much we can take into hospital lol? Making a list and seems I may need a suitcase XD

 

[Tilly]

Socks = the best scratch mittens lol

Scratch mittens just fall off all the time, socks are the way to go. Cheryl, don't worry about what you're taking.. I don't think there is a set limit. Just take enough for a few days.

 

[AquaDementia]

I have a backpack with my things and for the baby, I think I am gonna pack it all in a separate smaller bag.

 

[goldlion]

I've got lists of things to pack from some of my pregnancy books but they're significantly smaller than the lists I see on here... now I'm unsure whether or not to pack so much or so little.

 

[AquaDementia]

This is what is suggested by my hospital. Quite a big list.

https://www.lhsc.on.ca/maternal/bring.htm

 

[goldlion]

Thanks, Aqua. Those are the majority of things on my lists as well. I suppose maybe I'll set some time aside today to start my bag. As for pads, I'm assuming maybe I should buy the heavier ones? I've only got regular here and I've got an inkling that they'd soak through quickly.

 

[Uvlollypop]

bottles of water with sports style cap perfect for laboure as you can drink them in any postion and they float in the bath

 

[xCherylx]

oooh thats a good idea!

 

[TashaAndBump]

We moved home over the weekend and I had to use the suitcase that I was using for my overnight bag for carrying stuff from our B&B room into our new bungalow........ Now I have to take everything out of it and put it all away and then find all my baby stuff and everything and pack it again!!

 

[Firsttimer]

you are so lucky TashaAndBump you have somewhere to live at 34 weeks I will be 36 or over before I get moved . its pissing me off because all babies things are in plastic bags. I just want to be settled and start to get organised, I am leaving work on the 14th now a week earlier than I was meant to its getting to much for me. so i will be 35 weeks when I leave work

 

[TashaAndBump]

Firsttimer, when did you get put into B&B accomodation? We were in there for nearly three months before we got moved... maybe that will give you some sort of indication of how long you've got left?

Just keep nagging your council and phoning them for updates on your case. Hopefully, though, when you do get a place it should be a permanent one because you're so close to your due date so they have to consider your little one as well - The bungalow that we're in a the moment is only temporary and it's so annoying because it's fully accessible (my husband is a wheelchair user and accessible properties are few and far between) and I could really see myself settling down there for life!

I know exactly how you feel with your baby's things in bags and wanting to be ready and to 'nest' - we only moved this last weekend and I was begining to go nuts with living in one room!

I really hope you get your place soon - Just keep thinking positively and that the place that you do get will be worth waiting for because they are probably keeping you there so long in order to try and find you somewhere permanent that is perfectly suited to your needs.

Best of luck

 

[Firsttimer]

thanks TashaAndBump I have only been there 3 weeks they said I will be in there for about 6 weeks then I will be moved to self contained. It is just a horrible feeling not knowing where you are going to end up. I just want to be settled and ready for when baby arrives, i have a big feeling he is coming early. Im just feeling so tired and exhausted lately I hope I will be ok to do things once I do move. I will keep you posted I am leaving work in 2 weeks, no internet we are waiting to get moved before setting up internet that will be so annoying I am addicted to internet and I wont be able to use it only if I got internet shop

 

[TashaAndBump]

Yes, legally they are only allowed to keep you in temporary accomodation for six weeks if you have a family (which you do if you're pregnant)... but that doesn't always count for much I'm afraid We were in our B&B room for almost 3 months in the end! Their answer whenever we said that they were oblidged to house us was "yes, but we can't house you if we haven't got anywhere you can go. We can't find anywhere accessible, so we can't house you." It should hopefully be a lot quicker for you because you don't need a ground floor accessible property so you're a lot easier to house and the council won't have any excuses for keeping you in temp accomodation.

Best of luck, and yes please do keep me updated on how it's all going.

[Edit: If it gets close to 6 weeks and you've still heard nothing, get a soliciter on your case. Pop down and make an appointment with the Citizen's Advice Bereuax and enquire about legal help. If you are on a low income you will be entitled to free 'legal aid', which means that a solicitor can inform you about the council's legal obligations and informally fight your case for you. If you're on income support you will be entitled to 'legal help' which is where they will cover all costs should you need to go to court. In probability that won't be the case, though - most council's get a move on after an informal letter from a solicitor. It's definately worth having someone on side either way just to make sure your concil doesn't try anything...!]