My hospital-bag list - any comments/recommendations?

[Sazzoire]

I would definately buy some BIG!! knickers from primark or matalan and then bin them after... I was given 'net' knickers and they just cut in. Lucy loved her baby bath and I only stopped using it a couple of months ago. Make sure if you get one, you also get a bath support. Mine came from Argos and was about £6.99? I would also recommend a swaddle blanket, Lucy wouldn't sleep unless swaddled.

 

[Broodypants]

I haven't read all the replies so apologies if I repeat anyone but here are some things I would also think about getting:

Swaddling blanket(s)

Dummies - not everyone wants to use them, I was a definite dummy no no but sent hubby out to get some the day after we got back as Erin wouldn't settle! It's not a bad idea to have one or two to hand in case.

Get some high contrast fabric baby books! They are amazing. Erin loved looking at hers from the moment we got her home. Amazon sell them for about £2.50.

Take a small bottle of olive oil with you to hospital, great for dry skin in case baby has any and also useful for nappy changing in the early days. Meconium can be stubborn stuff and olive oil works wonders.

I would think about a breast pump, you may not use it but if your baby has any problems latching on in the early days they are not the easiest things to run out and buy in the middle of the night.

I would pack two bags for hospital, a smaller one for the bits you will need in labour and then another for everything after the baby is born. I did this and it was so easy to take the small bag down to the delivery suites instead of having to dig around in a big bag for bits.

I hated maternity pads! Found them really uncomfortable and not absorbent enough! I used Always nighttime pads and found them much much better!

I'm sure there is plenty more but that's all I can think of right now!

xx

 

[kiraelliott]

lol lots of advice here already I think my comment will be lost!

Emma Jane Maternity Knickers are SO good. They're super baggy and breathable and feel like material - the largeness helps to double up on maternity pads. I changed mine every time I went to the toilet, I think I was wearing 3 at one point lol.

I have a mamas and papas baby bath - if I was to use our bath my back would kill even more than it does now!!! Plus I feel with the newborn insert there's better support for baby which takes the strain off of you gripping onto LO for dear life.

Agree with the bath towels, my LO's got 3 and outgrowing them now at 3 months, used my own towel on her today and wished i'd never bothered but it's not to say they haven't had their use!

Bottle warmer's been a god send for us... u can put it on to warm whilst changing LO at night, warms it to the right temp without having to take out a bottle from water all the time to check if it's ready or not... the avent one has a bottle warm from room/fridge/defrost mode and a food warmer for the same modes. I use Dr Brown bottles and they still fit perfect so you aren't limited to just Avent products with it

One thing I found is good to have is 2 changing mats... well actually I have 3 lol One in our bedroom, another in the bathroom (more towelled type) and another downstairs (the free boots one) otherwise you find yourself carting changing mats all over the show. Good to have old hand towels down for those accidents on changing mats that WILL happen lol xxx

xxx

 

[KittyVentura]

Just a random bit of advice. If you do give bottles for any reason... try and offer them at room temp first. Fin will have his at any temp and honestly it's such a blessing. No heating or cooling required. So convienient when out. We just made the bottles up with water, had the formula pre measured out in a dispenser and added A to B when needed.

Recieving blankets are like pretty, soft, small blankets that babies tend to be bundled up in when newborn. Might be different for a summer baby but Fin was pretty much always wrapped in blankets. Just go for cute, soft and small ones if you're getting sleeping bags. No need for big cellular ones xx

 

[snowy-willow]

After Baby's born

Moses Basket
Pram
Bed-guard
Maternity-pads (LOTS!)
Bibs
Car-seat
Nappy bin with lid - No need to get a special one - we use a tub with lid for the dirty nappies waiting to be washed
Changing Mat - We have 2 - one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
Washable breast pads - you might want to just get disposables until you know you and your baby take to breast as I bought these and they are sat prewashed but unused
Wipe-clean changing bag - no need for a wipe clean change bag
Room thermometer - you get one free in a bounty pack or if you are going to get a baby monitor just get one with room thermometer with it
Moby wrap
Bouncing/vibrating chair - my LO hater her bouncer but loves her swing so I would suggest not buying this new in case your baby hates it
Muslin (LOTS And LOTS!) - plus some!!
Gripe water - would bother with this or the below until you know if you need it
Infacol
Detinox
Braun thermoscan Digital Thermometer (ear)
NUK Nasal Decongester+ saline spray
Baby sleeping bags - buy a few as accidents can happen and one night we went through 3!
Nursing pyjama top - might be cheaper to just get normal pj tops with buttons down them
Nursing bras
Foldable changing mat - you get one free with the free boots change bag
Triangle pregnancy/nursing pillow
Babygros and vests (LOTS!)
Lansinoh cream and nipple shields - I would leave the shield until you know if you need it
Sudocrem - you get a little pot or 2 in the bounty packs
Bepanthen - see if you can get a free sample from the website but get one in OHs name!
Intimate wipes - I have never used these
Vest tops for nursing – lots!
2 facecloths (plac on baby when in bath, to keep him warm) - never did this but my LO has her bath with her daddy or me so always in water
Blankets - lots!
Babygros with built in scratch-mitts
Swing - buy second hand incase LO hates it
Nail scissors
Big cheap knickers
Swaddling blankets - only get one until you know LO likes to be swaddled
Cotton buds
Cotton wool
Sponge
Lavender oil (put in bath if you have stitches)

Don't get

Baby bath (just use sink or bath)
Baby towels (use own towels) - We use these as the hood is useful and she look so cute wrapped up in them!
Bottle warmer (easier to just warm in jug of hot water)
Shoes (uneccessary when baby is young)

Hospital Bag

Nighties/PJs
Knickers! - loads
Maternity Pads
Slippers - didn't bothered using slippers
Towel - your hospital might provide towels
Toiletries - shampoo, shower gel, deodorant
Breast Pads - A lot!!
Nursing Bra
Chocolate!
Magazines – LOTS!
Camera!
Change of clothes
Short sleeve baby gro - a few of these
Long sleeve baby gro - a few of these
Nappies
Bibs
Babygros with scratch-mits attached
Straws (when you’re too knackered to sip from cup)
Change for the phone/cafe
Baby wipes
Nappy sacks
Drink
Wet wipes - aren't these just like baby wipes if so use them
Flipflops
Cotton wool

Have you signed up for baby clubs? boots, sainsburys, tesco, huggies, pampers etc I got a variety of money of vouchers which although some I didn't use I used many that saved me money on nappies. I now use cloth and recommend buying these preloved.

 

[Maid Marian]

Thanks to all the ladies who've commented today, I'm making so many notes!

My questions are:
What exactly are 'high contrast fabric baby books' ..?

And I know how much everyone recommends muslins, but what exactly do you use them for? And where can you get them?

Thanks!

 

[aliss]

Thanks to all the ladies who've commented today, I'm making so many notes!

My questions are:
What exactly are 'high contrast fabric baby books' ..?

And I know how much everyone recommends muslins, but what exactly do you use them for? And where can you get them?

Thanks!

Big bright coloured baby books that are made of soft material, easier for baby to pay attention to and to feel (engages them more visually and tactically)
https://www.supercoolbaby.com/pictures/teetherbook.jpg

Muslin clothes = for EVERYTHING, mostly puking, chewing on (to soothe themselves to sleep), wrap them when walking around outside, I have about 40 (reflux baby, lol) and they are well worth it. They are essentials and always have been (swaddling, diapering, burping) for thousands of years!

 

[snowy-willow]

Thanks to all the ladies who've commented today, I'm making so many notes!

My questions are:
What exactly are 'high contrast fabric baby books' ..?

And I know how much everyone recommends muslins, but what exactly do you use them for? And where can you get them?

Thanks!

Our muslins get used when burping, for clearing up sick, comforting LO and have been grabbed when LO does a wee mid change!

You can get them from the supermarkets plus mothercare, matalan etc.

 

[Maid Marian]

Thank you you two How many is a lot then when buying muslins? How many should I grab when I go shopping?

 

[snowy-willow]

I have about 15

 

[lucy_x]

Ohh the bath supports were the best thing i ever bought!
Meant she could just lie in front of me so i could wash and then i could wash her after

 

[Broodypants]

These are the books I bought for Erin:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faces-Baby...4175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304364073&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Babys-Very...05/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1304364073&sr=8-15

And here's a photo of her at two days old looking at one of them! They kept her entertained for a long time when she was tiny - the bold colours are good for helping develop their eyesight too.

 

[maybee]

Baby monitor- we have the angel care and I wouldn't be without it.
Dream pods to sleep in with various togs.
Night dress for baby - great in the 1st few months for night time changes
White noise for settling baby- we have slumber bear with this- got it ax a present and it's fabulous,
car mirror so you can see baby when driving - ours is by tommy. Bought one from boots which was rubbish.

Hope this helps x

 

[maybee]

I have about 40 Muslins!! Use for burping, cleaning sick, with changing mat when out etc etc. I found tesco to be the cheapest when I was buying them - 12 for about £6

 

[Nervous_1]

For after the birth I'd also recommend a big fluffy dressing gown to keep you warm during early morning/middle of the night feeds. I also found that my LO would go back to sleep really quickly when cuddled against my fluffy dressing gown which was great at 3am!

Oh, and I'd double the 15 muslins that someone else said. I have around 40 and still never quite seem to have one to hand when I need one!

 

[MrsNovBaby]

I have used LOADS of muslins xx

 

[ouchwithNo.2]

VASELINE!
For hospital bag - the gas and air will dehydrate you and dry your lips out (plus biting on them).
Made my OH go out and get my tub out of the car whilst in labour.

 

[jellybean20]

i love my bottle warmer and have used it every day.

i formula feed and use it to warm the bottles at night, when she was in my room the sound sent her back to sleep she is now nearly 8months and still has a night feed so its still being used.

found it so much easier than having to go all the way down stairs and boil a kettle then go back up.

 

[MrsEngland]

Agree with brittanyland swaddle blankets were a lifesaver for us in the early days.

Also i wouldn't bother with scratch mitts they just flick them off i bought baby gros with mittens attached that way they can't flick them off.

Definitely need loads of muslins i have tonnes and they still go walk about its like socks lol. We use them to clean up sick, put under her when i change her, shield her from the sun in the car/when out for walks and now she has taken to carrying it round and sucking on it lol!

 

[bigbetty]

Maternity pads - I recommend boots own brand. They do a thick version but also thin ones with wings and they are super comfy.

Changing mat - if you live in a house with stairs then get 2 - I got fed up of taking ours up and down every day and having to go back up or down when I forgot it lol. You can get them cheap enough!

Nappy bin - buy the angel care one, it's brilliant! You can get it from argos for about £7.99. We bought one for upstairs and just used the kitched bin downstairs but the dirty nappies made it stink that much we bought one for downstairs too - you can't smell anything!

Baby towels - I didn't actually buy any but we were given a few as gifts and I find them good because they have a little hood to keep LO's head warm

Room thermometer - I recommend the phillips avent digital one that looks like a blue flower - you can use it as a room thermometer but also put it in the bath to check the water temperature. Very handy and saves having 2 different ones.

Bath - we use a bath seat for Fran and she loves it - she can kick and splash her feet and it leaves you both hands free to wash/play with LO. We got ours from mothercare for about £15, it's just a plain white one and we put a towel on it for extra grip and comfort.

Toilet Paper - I really recommend using Andrex aloe vera as it is very soft and soothing - especially if you have stitches because it doesn't catch and pull them like normal paper.