Have we started to think about what to pack in our hospital bags yet? I’ll be having a home birth but to some extent there will be some things I’ll require to get in for the first crucial days of recovery.
Mums who’ve done it before - what brands and items have you found to work best?
First time mums like me - what are you thinking about taking to hospital with you?
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I wonder if there is any really good check lists online for hospital bags. I'm gonna sort mine out soon too I think

Despite this being my 4th time, I still get myself in a flap with the hospital bag for a few reasons:
- they don’t want it to be a suitcase or a big bag due to space.
- what you actually want and need can’t fit in to a small bag and that’s excluding stuff for baby!
I want to take:
-nightdress
-slippers
-dressing gown (maybe..)
-wash bag & some makeup 😂
-snacks/drinks
-normal clothes
-several pairs of knickers (disposables are good).
-maternity pads
-my crochet/knitting should my stay be longer than anticipated because you do get bored… well, I do.
-everything needed for baby which is a whole other bag!
-phone charger
Now I can’t fit all that in a small bag 🤷🏼♀️
As for brands, back then I’d use cheap maternity pads for the first few days and then went to Always but now I’m sensitive to all pads so I use reusable ones which are better for me.

I majorly over packed with my first 🤣 all I used was an oversized t-shirt I lived in while at the hospital and then I put on some pajama trousers to go home after packing like 3 different pajama sets and a dress to go home in.
High waisted period underwear is good to have.
Basic shower products.
Hair brush & lip balm.
Phone charger (with a long cord)
Snacks & drinks
Check with your hospital for birthing aids, they may already have balls, lights, tens machine etc.
Then for baby 2 outfits in a couple sizes (i did newborn, 0-1, 0-3 and he went straight into 0-3) plus a couple nappies.
If breastfeeding doesnt kick in straight away you may need some formula, pre-made first bottles are good. My hospital had cow&gate but we wanted kendamil if we couldn't feed so we got that.