Putting your hospital bag together before you give birth to your first baby can be daunting – it's hard to prepare for the unknown, after all. Find out what to bother packing and what to leave out, right here ...

This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.

When it comes to packing your bag ready for the big day, nappies and babygrows for the baby, and massive knickers for you, are a given.

But what about all the other ‘extras’ people talk about?

Like hair straighteners, for instance. Will you REALLY need them for that post-birth photo? And what about that bizarre CD of ocean sounds that your partner's convinced will be a good idea?

Thankfully, mums in the Netmums Coffeehouse Forum have shared the most pointless things they packed in their hospital bags – so you don't make the same mistakes.

This should help make your packing a little lighter!

Fluffy dressing gown

One user said she decided to pack a big, warm dressing gown, as the weather was terrible when she went into hospital. But when she arrived, the ward was so hot she didn’t use it once – and that takes up a lot of space in your bag!

Make-up

Another mum said ‘never again’ would she take make-up with her into hospital. After welcoming a newborn, she said it was the last thing she thought about – so get ready to enjoy having a few make-up free days!

Loofah

You may want to think again before packing a loofah for your post-birth shower. One mum said she instantly regretted her decision when she was all sore and swollen after birth. She compared her loofah experience to using a cheese grater on her lady parts. Eek!

Books and magazines

For many mums, books and magazines are a good way to kill time before and after birth. But surprisingly, they didn’t seem a very popular choice among our Netmums, with many confessing they didn’t even look at the book they packed. Lots of mums said they were too busy admiring their little ones once they were out. Aww.

Hair dryer

One Netmum said she couldn’t have cared less about what her hair looked like! Not to mention the amount of room the hair dryer took up in her bag.

Oil burner

Another Netmum packed an oil burner – namely the most 'pointless' thing she packed.

When you’re mid-labour, it can be hard to appreciate the little things, but how the delivery room smelled was the least of this mum’s worries! Besides, even if she had managed to get the lavender burning, she'd always associate that scent with, er, giving birth. Not her most ideal association!

Tablet

When asked whether taking an electronic tablet was a good idea, one mum said ‘the last thing on your mind will be what's on TV!’

After packing one herself, this mum said she wouldn’t advise it, as you’ll be cross with yourself if it goes missing. And with a newborn, you’ve definitely got enough to look after already.

Water spray

Some mums swear by having some water in a spray bottle to cool you down during labour.

But one mum said she was so focused on the labour, she forgot to even use it! Again, another unnecessary thing to pack in your bag!

Hair straighteners

One mum packed hair straighteners, hoping to use them before the photos of the first cuddles after the birth.

However, she admitted she was so ‘overwhelmed with the experience’ of becoming a mum that the thought didn't even cross her mind to find the nearest plug point, let alone start straightening her hair. This is when embracing mum-hair really begins!

Of course, everyone’s different, and if you think some of these might actually help you out in hospital, don’t hesitate to mention them to your midwife.

Helpfully, as well as sharing the pointless items they packed, some Netmums users have also highlighted their five must-have hospital bag essentials.

These are:

1. High-energy foods – because having a baby is hard work! You’ll need to keep your energy up during labour and after the birth, so make sure to treat yourself by packing some of your favourite snacks.

2. Slippers – we dread to think about what’s on those hospital floors. Also, slippers are an extra home comfort to make you feel more relaxed.

3. Nappies – you have no idea how many they’ll go through in those first 48 hours! Make sure you have a big stash at the ready in your bag.

Bulk buying nappies makes them cheaper, too. You can buy 160 Kit & Kin nappies here at Amazon for just £32 - which works out at around 20p per nappy (and they're eco-friendly, too).

4. Muslin cloths – so handy for wiping up baby spit, using as a blanket for baby, or a cover if you're breastfeeding. And as they fold up nice and small, they'll take up hardly any space in your bag.

Aden & Anais are our go-to brand for muslins, you can get a pack of three here for around £20. We love all the gorgeous prints!

5. Baby wipes – the Swiss Army knife of parenting. While it’s recommended you use cotton wool and water when changing your baby in the newborn days, baby wipes are always handy to have for yourself. You'll find them useful for more than wiping little bottoms!

We love the Mama Bear range of wipes that are suitable for very sensitive skin and contain no chemicals or parabens. You can buy them in bulk here at Amazon – you get an incredible 840 wipes for £10.49!

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase from Amazon. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.