The things I actually used

1BabyFritsch

I thought since we have been home a couple of days I'd post what I actually used at the hospital.
I had a RCS but we did not make it to RCS date.
-chap stick
-Shower products (my hospital would have provided them but I choose to use my own)
-tooth brush
-phone charger
-going home outfit
-nursing bra
-Hair ties
-baby take home out fit and seat

I stayed in my hospital gown because it was so much easier to be checked. Used the underwear they gave me( even brought some home) and wasn't interested in much else

mowl2014

Awesome thread. Thanks for sharing

jmcmoe

Sounds like what I used at my first labour with DS but I would add that we took drinking boxes, fruit to go bars and I believe granola bars and ate a bunch of them! The hospital did provide some meals but they were typical hospital food and nothing for DH so we would split the meal and eat snacks too!

1BabyFritsch

My hospital provided food and snacks for me I did share with DH but I also made sure to have singles for DH in case he wanted something diffrent. We lived very close to the hospital(10 min) so DH did go home during the day to shower, change and check on DS. He usually ate there just because he was home but he did check out he cafeteria which was reasonably priced

MusicFanatic

Adding in.. if you're doing a baby book and there's a section for footprint in there, bring it along My OB did Zoe's footprint right into the baby book for me. 

bigbobdole

BabyStandish said:

Maybe I'm blind, but I don't see any alcohol on this list. 

And the emu oil?!??

MusicFanatic

VioletGjoni said:

Yeah, I literally used everything the hospital gave me besides shampoo, soap, and my hair tie. Not sure why I packed a bag, honestly.

They don't provide us with as much up here in Canada, I don't think.

jmcmoe

Although I managed the first time around without it, I think I will take my nursing pillow if I remember to at the time. That's really just because I'm lazy though

speu511000

The only thing I'd add that was a life saver was the hands free support for pumping since my little one wasn't able to breastfeed right away so I pumped so she could still have my milk from a bottle.

CanukMam

MusicFanatic said:

VioletGjoni said:

Yeah, I literally used everything the hospital gave me besides shampoo, soap, and my hair tie. Not sure why I packed a bag, honestly.

They don't provide us with as much up here in Canada, I don't think.

Quote fail------

I wasn't provided with shower necessities. We will be going for a RCS and also found we didn't use much the first time around. I will be bringing the OPs list plus Powerade/water bottle, a few granola bars/snacks and a pillow for DH, and my camera. The hospital (in Canada) does provide some diapers/wipes but I will be bringing my own, they also provide underwear/pads, etc.

motherboy

I wish I would have brought my own towel. The hospital's were tiny and awful.

I hated the hospital gown and took it off as soon as I could. I wore nursing tees and yoga pants for the rest of the time and was much more comfortable.


Mesh underpants for the win. I don't get the hate. FFSC? I'm wearing them at home right now. (I got home from the hospital today. They aren't from years ago or anything!)

lavet22

One thing I took with DS2 and DS3 that I LOVED was my own pillow.  I will be bringing another one with this LO.  It just made the stay a little more comfortable than having to sleep on the plastic pillows they give you.

I completely agree with your list as well.  I WAY over packed with DS1 and drastically paired it down for the other two.  I wore the gown, but I also wore pajama pants under it.  Made me feel not so naked.

robsbabygirl08

I got out of the hospital gown and into a nursing tank and yoga pants ASAP. I'm so glad I brought them. Other than my toiletries, I haven't needed anything else.

TXUltraRunner

From my bag I used :
-Pajama bottoms
-Socks
-Shampoo/conditioner
-Toothbrush
-Deodorant
-Face lotion
-Chapstick
-Hair elastic and headband
-Nursing tank but mostly I was topless unless we had visitors
-Snacks, lots of snacks the food was gross
-Lanolin
-Baby outfit for going home
-Breast feeding pillow for baby feeding, proping up and to sit on when I was tired of the bed and wanted to use a chair
-Phone charger
-Camera

Hospital provided and I used:
Mesh panties and pads
Dermoplast
Baby onesies
Baby blankets and spit rags
Diapers & wipes and basic baby care items
Soap
Water proof pads for baby changing
Perineal wash bottle with solution
Colace
Motrin


I did not use half the stuff I brought with me. I just didn't have time and was too tired to care about how I looked. Biggest waste of space in my bag was my hairdryer, non essential toiletries, post partum personal care items- hospital takes care of you and I didn't need most if the stuff I was advised to buy (tucks pads, giant overnight pads for home- regular ultra thin maxis in granny panties are working for me). I wish I had saved $$ on the personal care items until I knew what I needed- my DH or a close friend would have gotten them for me once I was home.

rodiesmum

Thanks for these ladies! I will be revisiting my hospital bag. Im just nervous abt not making it to my RCS date

bravemommy

I would add flip flops/ shower shoes and your own pillow. Those 2 things were invaluable!

CanukMam

I bought slippers with a Velcro resizable top but still couldn't strap them over my swollen feet after my RCS! Ended up wearing my summer sandals that had a very large resizable strap.

CanukMam

I also was topless most if my stay and lived in my robe

GracefulStar

Nursing pillow is a good idea. My son was the in the icy and there was always a shortage on pillows. The other thing I packed was a maternity belt in case I had a c section.

GracefulStar

Sorry nicu not icy

MusicFanatic

VioletGjoni said:

VioletGjoni said:

Yeah, I literally used everything the hospital gave me besides shampoo, soap, and my hair tie. Not sure why I packed a bag, honestly.

They don't provide us with as much up here in Canada, I don't think.

---------- I'm surprised! Id think they would. I packed tons because I'm generally an overpacker but once I saw how bloody everything gets, I'm glad they gave me everything.

Free health care and all that

Valm999

Unfortunately in Canada they don't provide you with much. We went to birthing education classes at my hospital and learned that they will sell you everything- you can purchase a hospital pack for the baby for 20 bucks that includes diapers, wipes and a baby hat and for additional 20 bucks one for the mother which includes the giant pads, maxi pads, mesh undies, reusable cup and the bottle to clean yourself. I checked in every drug store in the city and online and cannot find these giant pads and mesh undies anywhere, so I'll have no choice but to purchase from the hospital

wuvsdancin

Yea and btdt mom it's not free stuff at hospital they charge your insurance and it goes to your bill. My ins pays 80% and I pay 20% so I double checked the final bill and I told them I didn't want extra stuff if I already brought some-like baby diapers-and they took it off my bill.

kellimark

That's not always the case. Working for an insurance company the items put in the room are usually lumped together as room essentials. There is usually one ICD-9 code for these items. So the hospital would not be able to take off diapers as it's one charge. They might have taken something else off the bill to work with you.

Agreeing with other posters yes I only used the bare minimum. I used my own shampoo and soap. But I wore the hospital gown and used all the hospital stuff provided.

jmcmoe

Valm999 said:

Unfortunately in Canada they don't provide you with much. We went to birthing education classes at my hospital and learned that they will sell you everything- you can purchase a hospital pack for the baby for 20 bucks that includes diapers, wipes and a baby hat and for additional 20 bucks one for the mother which includes the giant pads, maxi pads, mesh undies, reusable cup and the bottle to clean yourself. I checked in every drug store in the city and online and cannot find these giant pads and mesh undies anywhere, so I'll have no choice but to purchase from the hospital

Canadian here! After I had DS my midwife told me to take all the mesh underwear and frozen pads that were in the room and ask for more from the nurses (the nurses may have even offered to get me more I can't remember) but I still have some of the giant pads and underwear that I didn't use from my last baby. But you do need your own toiletries and hair bush etc. They do have diapers and baby soap because the nurses show you how to bath the baby before you leave (we were there for less then 24 hours so baby only had one bath) but we had our own clothes for baby and I don't remember them saying we needed to buy any pack of any sort. What province are you in? Perhaps it's different from ontario

Valm999

jmcmoe said:

Valm999 said:

Unfortunately in Canada they don't provide you with much. We went to birthing education classes at my hospital and learned that they will sell you everything- you can purchase a hospital pack for the baby for 20 bucks that includes diapers, wipes and a baby hat and for additional 20 bucks one for the mother which includes the giant pads, maxi pads, mesh undies, reusable cup and the bottle to clean yourself. I checked in every drug store in the city and online and cannot find these giant pads and mesh undies anywhere, so I'll have no choice but to purchase from the hospital

Canadian here! After I had DS my midwife told me to take all the mesh underwear and frozen pads that were in the room and ask for more from the nurses (the nurses may have even offered to get me more I can't remember) but I still have some of the giant pads and underwear that I didn't use from my last baby. But you do need your own toiletries and hair bush etc. They do have diapers and baby soap because the nurses show you how to bath the baby before you leave (we were there for less then 24 hours so baby only had one bath) but we had our own clothes for baby and I don't remember them saying we needed to buy any pack of any sort. What province are you in? Perhaps it's different from ontario

I live in ON. No idea how it's actually going to be while admitted at the hospital so I'm only going by the info we recieved at childhood education classes. I really hope It's not like that once admitted.

tripletoe

I am Canadian (BC) and they pretty much provided me with everything I needed, so it must vary hospital to hospital. We had shampoo and soap for toiletries, a fridge full of snacks and juice, diapers and wipes for baby, lanolin for my sore nipples, breast pump etc. Really the only thing that I forgot and the hospital didn't provide were nursing pads. I had an extended stay with DD in the nicu so my milk was in and I definitely needed them

tripletoe

The only thing that cost money was cable tv

tanya_erin

Bc here too, and everything was provided. Mom stuff and baby stuff. Mesh undies, frozen post partum pads, peri bottles, diapers, wipes, everything. Except toiletries and shampoo.

Edit :: Provided, as in free. We didn't have to pay for anything.