I am 35 weeks today (or tomorrow depending on whose date you go off, 35 weeks today is my official NHS date).

My husband may have slightly been pestering me to pack my bags, as he is convinced little miss will arrive early, I myself am not so convinced.

So today I packed my hospital bag, well I should say bags, 3 of them. I have never been one for traveling light, so I have a bag for baby, a bag for me, and another bag for me… whoops!

First up is clothes, this may look like a lot, but our problem is we have been told we are having a chunk (another growth scan on Monday) so I have packed various sizes, mostly 0-3 months but also a few newborn bits in case we have a surprise smaller than expected baby (we all know growth scans aren’t an exact science!). These have yet to be prewashed, as I’ve been a bit scared of doing it just in case something went wrong? This will be done this week. I have to say my favorite is the Frugi rainbow vest, I just adore Frugi and their designs. All their clothing is also organic and ethically made.

For baby I have also packed 2 blankets, one cellular and one thicker one, muslins, dummies in a steriliser case, nappies (I plan on using cloth but will be using disposable whilst in hospital), nappy bags, water wipes, and some “emergency” formula and teats.

You may have noticed I have no cotton wool, and that I have packed formula when I want to breastfeed, the no cotton wool is because I have Waterwipes and these are approved by midwives for use on newborn skin, as they are exactly what they say on the packet; all they contain is water and a very small amount of natural grapefruit extract (this makes them smell divine!). The formula even though I don’t plan to use it I always like to have just in case, in an ideal world I want to breastfeed, if for some reason I can’t I don’t want baby to go hungry and I also want to make sure if I do have to use formula it is one I have chosen, rather than been given by the hospital.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice for things I have missed please feel free to let me know!

Next up things for me;

I very luckily won a nearly ready to go hospital bag from the lovely people at BabyNatal (part of the NatalFamily) who can be found at http://thenatalfamily.co.uk/

This included a beautiful bag from Mia Tui and lots of necessary toiletries (travel size shampoo ect, maternity pads, disposable knickers) and some gorgeous Frugi muslins and a very cute Bambino Mio newborn reusable nappy and wrap (nice little top up to my huge cloth nappy stash!).

All I have had to add myself is nightdresses (2 of, one for labour and one for afterwards) which are both button down so breastfeeding is easier, slippers, more knickers (in this case cheap ones from Tesco, in size 20!! as I think the last think I will want after birth is tight pants!!), straws which I have been told are SO important, last thing you want when your mid labour is having to sit up for a drink, and Lansinoh breast pads (which were recommended to me by a friend) and Lansinoh Lanolin nipple cream.

In my other bag I have packed my breast pumps, a manual and an electric. My manual one is Dr Browns and my electric is the Medela Swing which has come highly recommended by lots of people. I have yet to prepare and sterilise these so they are just in the box in the bag at the moment, in this bag will also go my make up, dressing gown and things like my hair brush that I use on a daily basis.

I have also packed this;

This is a breast care kit for new mums that I have been kindly sent by the lovely people at Medela to review, its perfect to pop in your hospital bag to give you a good start to breastfeeding.

It all comes in this handy little case that I will be able to use after hospital as a make up bag.

I will be reviewing this fully after baby is here and I have chance to use to so keep an eye out for that in a few weeks (5 or 6!! eeeek!!).

So here are my hospital bags all (mostly) packed;

I have used babies changing bag (£25 from Next, absolute bargain!!), my gorgeous Mia Tui Amelie and my good old overnight bag that I have had for years.

The Mia Tui bags can be found here; http://miatui.com/

If you think there is anything I have missed, or anything I need, please do let me know as any help is appreciated.

I glanced at this list on Babycentre to give me a rough idea of what I needed; http://assets.babycenter.com/ims/pdf/uk/hospital_checklist.pdf

Thanks for reading!