packed: splodge's hospital bag

I think it's really easy to overpack your baby bag

especially when you have lots of lovely new outfits

that you can't wait to see your newborn in.

And while I don't think overpack for myself

I could be a little guilty of taking too many things for the baby.

But then I don't think anything could convince me to take less

because we all know how nasty those first nappies are.

And having plenty of nice outfits available is a necessity so that your precious little newborn always looks lovely and smells fresh.

With both pregnancies I've packed all the baby things into my changing bag.

I think it makes a nice first outing for that all important bag.

Plus they always have plenty of space and pockets for all the things you need.

I have recently purchased a new Pink Lining changing bag which is designed for two children.

I love my existing Pink Lining and was a bit devastated that it wouldn't be big enough for all the things I'd need for two babies

so when I saw the Twice As Nice I was desperate for one.

It has tons of pockets to keep all the baby essentials in

and is nice and big therefore allowing me to pack plenty of cute little baby clothes.

In the bag I have three sleepsuits.

I am obsessed with little teeny newborns in white sleepsuits so I plan on keeping my little Splodge in them for at least a few weeks

just as I did with the beautiful boy.

I have three vests

and for newborns I think the ones that open up the whole way are really useful

as wrangling a vest over the floppy head of a tiny baby isn't easy.

They are also easier to remove if you get a nappy failure

which can be pretty common in the early days when their dinky little bodies don't fill out the nappies yet.

I also have another three outfits,

still all in white.

One is a little romper which can double up as an extra vest,

one is the outfit that we brought the beautiful boy home from hospital in

and which I hope to put his new baby brother or sister in too,

the last one is a cute little sleepsuit which is quite similar to the going home outfit

but which is new for Splodge.

I will probably use it for first photos in hospital

or as a back up coming home outfit

if the planned one gets dirty.

There are also three pairs of newborn socks

I always found that Gap socks were the best

because they were the only ones that would actually stay on.

I also have two pairs of scratch mits

although I didn't really use them with the little man,

but if the weather is cold when we come home we may want them to keep teeny fingers warm.

There are also three little hats packed in,

of slightly different sizes,

to help keep my newborn munchkin nice and warm.

I have packed three bibs

not that they are really all that necessary in the early days

but I might want them and they don't take up much space.

I have two big muslin cloths,

although like the bibs I probably won't need them until later on when the baby starts eating more and therefore puking more,

but muslins were always the baby item I couldn't do without when the little man was tiny

so I wouldn't consider a baby bag packed without them.

I have the all important newborn nappies

which quite frankly look teeny when I'm now used to toddler sized ones.

Plus I also have a packet of baby wipes

as well as a big bag of cotton wool.

I'll admit that I was a bit naughty with the little man

and ignored the instructions of the midwife on the ward

and used baby wipes right from the start for nappy changes

instead of the cotton wool and water they recommend.

I just can't see how cotton wool and water will ever cut through those meconium nappies.

Cotton wool is still useful for making baby all clean and shiny

I just prefer wipes for nappies.

I know that newborn skin is sensitive

and that water is more gentle than wipes

and obviously I'll stop using them if the babies skin looks sore

but we seem to be a family with pretty good, not-sensitive skin.

Similarly there is a mini Sudocrem in there

for nappy changes,

to help protect Splodge's skin with a barrier of cream if needed.

I have packed a small colourful baby bed sheet

which I may use in the cot

or to swaddle the baby with.

I really like the idea of swaddling

but the little man never took to it

and liked to have his arms free.

But I did swaddle him when we were in hospital and he was the best sleeper on the ward.

I also have a blanket which my Nan knitted when we had the beautiful boy.

The little man is strictly lending it though

and will want it back as it is his car blanket.

But it's also nice and small and soft

and so perfect for tucking in a newborn.

Are there any baby essentials that I've forgotten?