XP from March2011: Hospital bag/what to wear home ?'s

Brit242

I started packing my hospital bag today and I'm trying to figure out what I can wear home from the hospital.  Can I wear maternity jeans or do you think I will only be able to wear yoga pants (assuming I have a vaginal delivery)?  What about shoes?  Tennis shoes?  Boots of some sort because it's cold here?  Flip flops because I'm running out of room in my bag?

I packed two pair of sweats, tanks, and bras that can get ruined in the hospital.  I also packed a towel and washcloth, travel sized toiletries, slippers, and a zip up hoodie.  I'll be adding LO's coming home outfit, my camera, my mp3 player, a few pads and diapers (for the ride home because we're an hour away), a baby blanket or carseat cover since it's cold here, and clothes and snacks for DH.  I'm almost out of room in my bag already and that makes me feel like maybe I'm overthinking this and packing too much.

Am I going overboard?  Am I missing something crucial?  Help!!

HolliEllison

Get a bigger bag! ;-)

In all seriosness, I think yoga pants might be the most comfortable (bear in mind I haven't had my baby yet so I really know nothing, just my opinion). I'm planning on bringing yoga pants with tennis shoes for the ride home. I also thought about maternity jeans but wasn't sure how comfortable I would be in them so soon after delivery.

Sounds like you've got a great start, though....you're ahead of me (I haven't even started mine yet, yikes!).

lilbit923

I wore the hospital gown during my entire stay till I was ready to go home. If I was going to get blood or fluids on something, let it be their clothes and not mine.

When I was discharged I put on my compression garment (had a c-section) underneath my yoga pants and maternity t-shirt. I wore tennis shoes home as I wanted to be comfortable. I packed an outfit for Emma and we put her nursery blanket over her once she was buckled in the carseat.

I'm not sure what you'll need flip flops for since my L&D floor gave us socks with grippers on it. There are towels in the bathroom so you really won't need to bring your own. Now having your own toiletries are a bonus since the ones they have at the hospital are either generic and crap or cost too much in the gift shop.

expecting-n-tx

Take the towel and wash cloth out (might as well ruin their right?) I dont have shoes packed, I plan on wearing home whatever I go to the hospital in. Make sure you have chapstick that is something I desperatly wanted last time. I understand your problem I am about to get a bigger bag since I havent packed DHs clothes yet.

expecting-n-tx

Also sitting on top of my hospital bag is a list of what needs to be added last minute, like cell charger ect. Last time I had to send FIL and sMIL for my bag and had to sit on the phone with them asking to add stuff so this way I figured was easier.

LisaMarisa

Are you planning on nursing?  If so, I would bring nursing pads and a nipple cream and dont forget nursing bras.  My friend didnt bring any to the hospital and I had to go out and buy some for her bc her LC told her she should be wearing one at all times (which I agree with, those boobs get big and heavy!).  I also brought my BFing book (So that's what they're for) so I could reference it in the beginning - it's one thing to read it, it's another to actually do it.

We brought lots diapers home with us from the hospital so I dont think you need to bring any with you (unless your hospital doesnt supply them for some reason).  We also came home with lots of pads and tucks pads.  If you open it, you keep it.

If you have an hour long car ride, I would definitely bring something comfy to wear home like yoga pants.  You're not going to feel like looking nice.

Also, I recommend starting to take colace right away.  That first PP poo is scary!

How about scratch mittens or nail clippers/file for the baby?  DS scratched his face up almost instantly after he was born. 

Also, bring the baby book if you want to put LOs foot prints in it.

Oh, and a robe might be nice too in case you're walking halls in your hospital gown.  Once I got my bleeding under control and was wearing my own clothes, I wore yoga pants and a nursing tank with my robe over it.  I think you said you're bringing a hoodie though so that will probably work just as well.

With DS, I had a Vera Bradley overnight bag plus his diaper bag.  It was too much but I didnt know what to expect.  This time I just have the overnight bag.

6fsn

I wore home what I wore in.  Dh was responsible for his own bag.  If he wanted snacks or clothes or a book that was on him. 

Remember to leave room for all of the things you'll bring home- diapers for you and baby, wipes, squirt bottle, and any gifts.

Brit242

I did include chapstick and nursing pads in my toiletries and I have nursing bras and tanks for what I'm wearing while I'm there.  I think I may take out the towel and washcloth.  I need to ask the hospital if they provide pads and diapers.  We're in Germany so I'm not sure how they do things here.  And I think I may leave my tennis shoes and a change of clothes in the car so that if for some reason I can't wear home what I wore there, I can have that extra outfit without it taking up room in my bag.  Oh and DH can carry a bag with his clothes, snacks, and the electronics!!

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

GreenBride624

lilbit923:

I wore the hospital gown during my entire stay till I was ready to go home. If I was going to get blood or fluids on something, let it be their clothes and not mine.

There are towels in the bathroom so you really won't need to bring your own. Now having your own toiletries are a bonus since the ones they have at the hospital are either generic and crap or cost too much in the gift shop.

this!!!  Why come home with a big bag of laundry?  use as must of the hospital's stuff as possible!  but definitely bring your own toiletries!

shortstuff15

Honestly, I wore and used nothing of the hospitals stuff.  I even brought my own pillow.  Granted here the hospital doesn't provide you with diapers, pads or toiletries, but even if they did I wouldn't want to use them.  I'm just like that though.  I brought pj's, a couple of tanktops and shirts, sweats and yoga pants (the outfit I wore into the hopsital was dirty from having sat on the floor during labour so I wasn't going to wear that home) and socks that I never wore because I was so hot in the hospital.  I honestly would have loved to wear shorts - and it was winter!  I never once wore the hospital gown and I didn't bleed on anything - not even my underwear.  I also brought the diaper bag for baby because I wanted her to wear normal clothes not the little shirt things that they give you.  The sleepers are definately warmer then anything the hospital will give you for baby.  And keep your towel in your bag.  The hospital towels are aweful and small.  I brought a beach towel that fully wrapped around me and it was WONDEFUL.