For those who have had your May babies

Jenly17

It's been almost 3 years since I packed my bag for DD. So I'm packing my bag now and wondering...

1. Is there anything you packed that you didn't use, or didn't find useful for your stay at the hospital? 

2. Is there anything that you wish you would've packed? 

Also for STMs- did you bring a gift for your older sibling(s) to the hospital? Or did you have them open their gift at home? 

lalala2004

1. Is there anything you packed that you didn't use, or didn't find useful for your stay at the hospital?

I packed too much clothes for myself since I was still in my hospital gown most of the time. 

2. Is there anything that you wish you would've packed?

My husband forgot to pack a change of underwear  As far as what I did bring that I'm sooooo glad I did: Snacks, boppy and nipple butter!

ayeshaohara

I packed too many clothes for myself too. Everything else was good! 

nerdymama15

I did not get to pack a bag lol  We were going to the ER for what I thought was a gall bladder issue (turned out to be HELLPS).  On the safe side I went in my PJs and took a hairbrush, comb, vapor rub, and phone charger with me just in case and that was it.  DH had to go home and get my bedroom slippers and camera.  Made do on just those items. 

doozer1345

I'm bringing her gift to the hospital. Thank you for reminding me. ((going to pack it now))

Bltbear82

I overpacked the first time, second time I had enough without feeling like I was going on a week long trip. 

We brought DS1's gift and had another very small gift waiting for when we got home from the hospital. He actually wasn't that interested in the gift at the hospital, he was more fascinated by his little brother. But I was glad we had it handy just in case, 2 year olds are fickle. 

Eta: I can't spell

lbachran

1. My Breast Friend, totally useless post csection and squishing hospital pillows was easier. Closed toe slippers because my feet swelled so much from the IV fluids that they couldn't fit comfortably. My tablet and my husband's laptop, smart phones were just more convenient.

2. Hmmm...not really. Some of the items that other Bumpies mentioned that turned out to be super helpful included bath towels for DH and I,  nursing pajamas and gowns, a light robe, a small fan with extension cord, pillows from home with bright pillowcases, and lots of random snacks. If you're a clean freak like me, I also took Clorox wipes and Purell wipes. (When they wouldn't let me shower at first, I wiped myself down with Purell and at least felt a little better.)

mello13

1. Is there anything you packed that you didn't use, or didn't find useful for your stay at the hospital? No, I'm a light packer, and I used everything I brought.

2. Is there anything that you wish you would've packed? Better variety of snacks

Also for STMs- did you bring a gift for your older sibling(s) to the hospital? Or did you have them open their gift at home?  I brought it to the hospital and gave it to DS after he met DD. It was an interactive book so he could play with it while hanging out in the hospital.

Jenly17

Thanks so much for the replies. @mello13 thanks for the reminder on the snacks. Last time around I brought protein bars and bananas and I recall the protein bars being so dry, and I really just needed more fruit or yogurt! 

@lbachran - yes- bath towels! I didn't bring them the last time but I will this time. Hospital towels were a joke. I could barely fit them around my pre-pregnancy body, and my post partum body? Forget it. 

lbachran

@Jenly17, my husband looked at me like I was nuts when I was loading in the towels, but was very grateful when he had something other than the scratchy, mini towels to dry off with. I also took flip flops for the shower because well...germs. 

Jenly17

lbachran said:

@Jenly17, my husband looked at me like I was nuts when I was loading in the towels, but was very grateful when he had something other than the scratchy, mini towels to dry off with. I also took flip flops for the shower because well...germs. 

Oh yes, the flip flops for the shower are packed. I am very weird about germs on the bottom of my feet and then dragging them into my bed. Ew. 

missnc77

Am I stupid for packing a razor and shaving cream?

Jenly17

missnc77 said:

Am I stupid for packing a razor and shaving cream?

Well maybe, haha. You're definitely not going to be shaving your legs, but maybe your armpits? @missnc77

Eta: tag 

lalala2004

I will say, while I definitely would not have shaved at the hospital, I did shave my legs while in labor still at home. For some reason it was all of a suddenly important  

missnc77

That was one of those things as I was packing my default toiletries that I figured would probably get no use. 

Merciel

missnc77 said:

Am I stupid for packing a razor and shaving cream?

If you are, I am too.

I cannot abide stubble. Short of me actually breaking both of my arms and/or being in a medication-induced coma the entire time, 48 hours in the hospital without shaving is not happening.

allisonmunson94

Pack razors. I was in labor for a couple of days and didn't even think of shaving my armpits at the time and we were in the hospital for three days and was wishing I had razors. And bath towels. The hospital had really small towels and my husband who is 6'3 could have used a bigger towel. 

LadySamLady

I also overpacked for myself considering I wore a hospital gown until I went home. I also packed my prenatals and colace but the hospital insisted I take all meds from their pharmacy. I was glad that I had a comfy nursing sleep bra and robe to wear when I had visitors. I brought my boppy at the suggestion of people here and it was really great to have. At the hospital I told my H that I wished I had packed ear plugs. I spent a night in labor waiting to dilate enough to start pushing and I could hear the woman screaming in the delivery room next door - it was really frightening, ear plugs would have helped. 

For the baby, we brought outfit options in 2 sizes but she was immediately too big for NB. My mom ended up getting us another sleeper with footies in 3 mos size because she leaked on the one we brought. I didn't need a pacifier, still haven't used one. 

Jenly17

missnc77 said:

That was one of those things as I was packing my default toiletries that I figured would probably get no use. 

It's ok. My first time around I packed a ricesock for massage (google) and essential oils and all of this other stuff that I never used. When I arrived it looked like I was staying for a week at some lavish resort.

I think you should pack what feels right for you. A razor isn't going to take up that much space anyway. Aaaand if you use your conditioner instead of shaving cream you can save yourself some space in your bag  

businessmama

I overpacked clothes for myself, and I was there for several days. However, I would recommend a nursing tank or bra because that gave me some modesty (though at the end, I'm sure everyone saw me topless).

definitely bring a sleep mask and earplugs if you can- lots go on at a hospital. I also packed pacifiers and wouldn't recommend. Oh- and a good pillow. Spent the first several days with just theirs, but mine was glorious. 

i did pack and use my razors, but then again, was there longer than most. 

Putting this out there for anyone with longer than expected stays... My husband brought up his PS4 so I had access to Netflix and on the days leading up to birth, it was a game changer. 

Jenly17

@AliciaD39 good point about the sleep mask. I barely slept at the hospital with my first pregnancy because of all the light coming through the vertical blinds. I'm a blackout curtain kinda girl at home so it makes sense to get a mask this time around.