I was prepared for everything (or so I thought!) (My Version of the List)

Member Name: scoutingbargains

Product:	My Version of the List
Date:	07/02/09 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You're prepared for anything if you get it right

Disadvantages: Sooooo easy to overpack!

This review is going to be in two parts. 1 - What I took with me. 2 - What I think that I actually needed! Needless to say being the planner that I am I wrote endless lists and packed & unpacked all of the bags multiple times before the day.


What was in my bags!

Toiletries/cosmetics - Comb, Hair band, Shampoo & Conditioner, Shower Gel, Flannel, Towels, Moisturiser, Lip balms (absolute godsend!), Make up, Eyebrow tweezers, Emery Boards, Perfume, Maternity Pads, Breast Pads, Cool Spray in a can.

Clothing etc - Nursing bras, Pants, Socks, Slippers, PJ's (front opening), Birthing tops (blumming massive and long tee shirts), Going Home Clothes.

Baby's bag - Nappies, Wipes, Cotton Wool, Hats, Vests, Baby Gros, Cardigans, Blankets, All in one Coat, Booties, Scratch Mits.

Misc/Hubbies Bag - Yes I packed his bag too i'm a bit of a control freak! Pepsi Max bottles, Cereal bars, Mini Cheddars and other non perisable bits and pieces, Camera & a back up disposable, List of Phone Numbers, Change for the parking meter.


What I actually needed that is different to the above -

My bag - I needed more than two sets of PJ's! I was only in hospital for 22 hrs (most of that was spent on the ward) and I got through both sets of PJ's within the first few hours of being on the ward. Won't go into lots of detail but my gorgeous boy pee'd on my in spectacular fashion on the first set and lets just say that I wasn't prepared for the other 'accidents'.

More pants - again I'll spare you the details; Less socks and there was absolutely no point in packing my jeans, I didn't feel like wearing anything that constrictive - baggy bottoms all the way!

As for the make up, well it never got used! I thought that I'd want to look ok ish for photos so i'd pack some handy little items of makeup. Complete waste of time as I really couldn't of cared less what I looked like, too exhausted to give a monkeys but that could just be me??


My sons bag -

I really didn't need to take five sets of everything! He got through a couple of changes of clothes and I didn't need to cater for the antartic in the heatwave of summer 2007! Unbelievable now when I think back to what I took! I didn't need to take an entire pack of nappies (with a back up pack in the car!)

Personally I think that you need to obviously cater for the seasons and some mild changes. I would recommend taking about three vests and baby gros, a couple of cardis, a pair of scratch mits, a hat (maybe a thin and a outdoor one for winter time), a blanket, half a pack of nappies, a small pack of cotton wool (unlike my jumbo packet) and outdoor wear.

Misc/partners bag - Definatley take lots of food! I went all day on one slice of toast until breakfast the following day! Hospitals aren't the best for room service so you really do need to be prepared for this one. Take lots of non perisables, water, squash and at the first opportunity send partner out for a pre-pack sandwich, you'll be ravenous!


If I can stress any of this review it's to make sure that you've got a couple of suitable tops for you, two to three pairs of loose fitting bottoms, multiple nighties or PJ's, Lots of pants and plenty of food & drink!

Summary: Take a step back, ask friends & just take what you'll need!