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Hospital Bag for Twins
If you are reading this then it can only mean one thing, you are expecting twins – and you possibly don’t have too much longer to wait otherwise you wouldn’t be searching for ‘hospital bag for twins’. I hope some of you expectant mummies find it helpful as there is lots to think about before having children. It is written with premature twins in mind, as that what my twins were. They were born at 34 +4 weighing 4lb 5 and 4lb 15. We spent 16 days in hospital so we were glad we were prepared. You might like to read our birth story.
At 28 weeks I was told I should have my bags packed and have the nursery ready. Identical twins are renowned for coming early. Luckily I still had a little time as the girls arrived at 34 weeks but ironically, I put the bags in the car only two days before this.
I have been asked by several friends – twin mummies and singleton mummies what I would advise they need to pack in their hospital bag. So I thought I would compile a list to help all of those panicking about theirs.
Hospital Bag for Twins – Tips
- It is recommended that you split stuff into two bags e.g. pre-birth bag and after birth bag. I went for a ‘me’ bag and a ‘baby’ bag. That way you only need to bring one bag in initially and can grab the other from the car when you need it. There’s not a huge amount of space and there can be a bit of walking between waiting rooms, labour ward etc.
- After giving birth you will be the size you were around six months pregnant so take this into account when choosing clothes and underwear for after the birth.
- It’s recommended to have a contraction timing app on your phone. In the stress of going into labour this can make monitoring contractions much easier and then being able to communicate the timings and duration to the receptionist/midwife over the phone easily.
- Don’t forget to put car seats in car in preparation for when you’ll need to take your babies home.
Mummy’s Bag
| TOILETORIES | |
| Deodorant | |
| Face moisturiser | |
| Body moisturiser | |
| Shampoo | I bought travel size |
| Conditioner | I bought travel size |
| Shower gel | I bought travel size |
| Razor | |
| Pads (Always and maternity) | As you’ll be bleeding a lot after delivery (regardless of delivery method) you’ll need pads. A midwife has said that if you get stiches they can stick to non-maternity pads and so the thicker maternity pads from somewhere like Mothercare are better. |
| Lip balm | Your lips can get very dry. |
| Hand cream | I didn’t but others advised to! |
| Toothpaste | I’ve bought travel size |
| Toothbrush | |
| Nipple cream | I recommend Lansinoh |
| Breast pads | Take 1 packet, you can always get more. |
| Hairbrush | |
| Tissues | |
| Towels | Recommended that you take dark coloured ones! |
| Face cloth | |
| MEDICINE | |
| Painkillers | For hubby in case needed!! |
| Vitamins | |
| Any other medicine | Any other medicine you may need |
| ENTERTAINMENT | |
| Reading glasses | Or any other glasses, contacts etc. |
| Kindle/magazines | Light reading |
| Phone | Also camera if you don’t use your phone’s camera. Also make sure that hubby has a list of the people you want to notify that babies have come on his phone. Helpful if he has the maternity ward number saved as well. |
| Phone charger | |
| CLOTHES | |
| Spare underwear | You can get disposable underwear but it’s generally been recommended to me to get cheap, bigger size underwear from somewhere like Primark that you can throw away if bloodied. You want ‘granny’ underwear so that the waist band is relatively high especially in case of C-section. You can also get proper maternity underwear from somewhere like Mothercare that looks like netting and is designed to not roll down over a C-section scar. I didn’t bother with these. |
| Dressing gown | Something light for wondering the halls or feeling comfortable in the post-natal ward. |
| Cheap nighties | If you have a natural labour you can get through two or three nighties and they can get ruined from the birth so I’ve just bought some cheap large ones from George. Ones that don’t open on the front can make skin to skin straight after birth tricky unless you’re happy to just cut a slit in the front. Else you can wear proper maternity nightie if you don’t mind ruining it. |
| Maternity nighties | For the post-natal ward you need nighties that open on the front for breastfeeding and skin on skin. |
| Socks | |
| Slippers | Can make you more comfortable especially when walking around. |
| Change of clothes for Husband | If you have a long labour hubby may need a change of clothes to freshen up. I’ve seen recommendations that if he wants to do skin on skin without taking his top off he may want to take a button up shirt. |
| Go home outfit | Something comfortable (remembering you’ll be around the size you were at six months pregnant) |
| Sleep/nursing bras | |
| OTHER | |
| Water spray/fan | To keep cool during labour. Again I didn’t use but others I know have. |
| Bendy straws | To have a drink more easily when lying down during labour |
| Money | Having change for parking, snacks, meals etc. |
| Laundry bag | Something to put dirty clothes in. |
| Pen and paper | In case you need to write reminders, lists for hubby of anything else to bring, questions you may want to ask etc. |
| Hot water bottle | Apparently this can be soothing after birth but depends on the time of year! |
| Hospital notes | Don’t forget these! |
| Useful handouts | Any other maternity related guidance you’d like to have on hand for during or after the birth as reference. |
| Eye mask and ear plugs | Apparently these can be useful when trying to sleep on a noise ward (if you haven’t got babies with you of course!) I actually had my own room in the end so it was fine. |
| Sweets and snacks | You/hubby can get hungry during a long labour so some snacks can be good. Apparently having sweets can also help to combat a dry mouth during labour. |
| Parking card | ‘Wife in labour’ card in case you don’t have time to get a parking ticket |
| Ball | Birthing ball if you’d like to take this along. |
The Twins Bag
| BABY STUFF | |
| Mittens | Only needed if babies have long nails and are scratching you/themselves. Apparently you can also just use baby socks which apparently stay on better. |
| Baby blankets | Cellular blankets are great. |
| Nappies | We took a packs of size 0 & size 1 and took more when needed. |
| Nappy bags | Some bags to dispose nappies. |
| Muslin | A few muslins for clearing up, burping etc. Larger ones can also be used for swaddling or cot blankets if it’s hot. |
| Cotton wool pads | For changing nappies. We think the pads are easier to use then the balls. Use with water. |
| Baby wipes | Apparently cotton wool and water is the best thing to use when changing nappies but wipes can be used as long as they are suitable for new borns. |
| Nappy rash cream | Only needed if baby gets nappy rash. |
| Baby towels | Can be used for wrapping baby up. |
| BABY CLOTHES | |
| Sleepsuits | Recommended to take around 10 for twins |
| Vests | Recommended to take around 10 for twins |
| Hats | 2-4 |
| Socks | |
| OTHER | |
| Breast pump | The hospital should provide access to them. |
| Fold up changing mat | You usually get one with your changing bag. |
You can never be too prepared, get packing that hospital bag for twins!
You may also find these articles useful but the Twins Trust is also full of heaps of useful information too;
The ultimate baby buying kit list
Tips for parents expecting twins
How to get your twins to sleep
Giving birth to twins – Our birth story
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16 thoughts on “The Best Hospital Bag for Twins”
Such a handy list for anyone preparing for twins! xo
I loved packing my hospital bag and definitely had a lot of these items in my bag. Definitely agree with the pants. My disposable ones were far far too small so i never used them!!
I agree. It all started to feel real at this point!
Fantastic list! I got disposable knickers for my first but they were literally the most uncomfortable things ever! I took giant granny pants with my second and will be going all out and taking those huge tena lady pants whenever my third comes along! Being a Mum is oh so glamorous haha!
Fab list, I love The Birthing Shirt Company nighties. They’re so comfy and made with bamboo so keep cool. They also have buttons at the chest for easy breastfeeding access. I took them into the hospital with me 🙂
Wow this is such a useful post for any mum who’s expecting twins! So much I wouldn’t have thought about!
I had a bag for me and baby for the immediate time during/after birth, and then had a second bag packed and left at home in case I needed to stay in longer. Luckily I didn’t need the 2nd bag any of the 3 times!
This is a great list – so thorough! I had so much with me during my labours, it’s a good thing I haven’t had twins as there would have been even more! x
Wow such a comprehensive list x
wow what an amazing list, even with one thats pretty much the standard, for the formula mums you can get ready made disposable bottles which they sell in boots, much better than taking a whole tub in with you hahah
good list
Oh this will be so helpful for mothers preparing for their due date! It takes me right back! x
I think this is the most detailed list I’ve read Haha! So handy for mummies and daddies who are packing theirs too xx
Such a detailed list for those expecting twins (or one) I’m sure many mums to be will find this very helpful x
Always so helpful to see people’s lists! Definitely bendy straws and big knickers are a must!
Great post, i had my twins at 34 weeks and was still throwing bits in a bag while i was in labour.
2 bags is a great tip too xxxx
I agree you can never be too early! Fab list for those expecting more than 1!