what is really needed for hosp bag?

MandiNewMommy

Okay so I have seen tons of diff things on what you really need to bring with you.  I plan on packing my bag in a few weeks and some of these list seem REALLY long.  I live about two mins from the hosp. so if I do need something SO can always run home.  So my question is what are the MUST HAVES?

Ttimes3

Hair band(s), chap stick, toilet paper (trust me on this), nursing tanks (assuming you are going to BF), loose fitting pants, socks/slippers, toothbrush, general toiletries, blow dryer, "going home" outfit for LO (tip: make it something comfortable and easy on, like a sleeper), "going home" outfit for you (again, think comfort over style), snacks.

Meg41208

something to wear in the hospital (comfy clothes, PJs)

something to wear home

toiletries, and makeup if you're so inclined

your own roll of toilet paper - hospital TP is awful 

Klmorgan83

I used different things because my experiences were very different, one was a c-section and the second was a VBAC that didn't end very well...so I hardly used anything with the second one, but I packed:

For me - Change of clothes to go home in, nursing bra and nightgown, robe, toiletries, headband and hair ties, pillow, warm socks

DH - change of clothes, toiletries

Baby - Picture/going home outfit, bobby, blanket

Misc - Camera and charger, cell phone charger

I just went to Target and got travel sized toiletries to keep in my bag so I didn't have to pack stuff last minute.  When I went in to labor with #2 I was so frantic and in pain that I would never have been able to concentrate on packing!

MrsMandaK

I liked having my own pillow. The hospital ones are flat as a pancake. Also, bring wipes (sensitive kind) for the baby. The hospital only supplied dry paper towels for diaper changes and those just seemed so rough on their bottoms (and not very effective at cleaning off those first sticky poos).

kel716

You: 

Ditto the comfy clothes.  I would recommend pants that have no button/clasp, etc.. and something like sweat pants (think comfy cotton capris).  Comfy flip flops... warning your feet may be bigger when you leave than when you arrived at the hospital. 

Toiletries that you consider to be necessities.  eg, shower stuff (ditto the small bottles), brush, contacts/glasses, etc...

Ditto the roll of TP.

And that's about it.  They'll give you all the pads/stretchy undies you need, so no need to pack that stuff

 

LO:

Going home outfit, picture outfit.

They'll dress your baby in shirts and then swaddle, so you really don't need anything else.  They'll give you diapers too...  take them home with you!

 

SO:

Toiletries for him, change of clothes

 

Other things-

Laptop & Charger

Camera & Charger

Connector to download pics to camera?

I had a fabulous epidural, so when I labored I did sudoku puzzles, etc... so you might bring something like that. 

kel716

MrsMandaK:

I liked having my own pillow. The hospital ones are flat as a pancake. Also, bring wipes (sensitive kind) for the baby. The hospital only supplied dry paper towels for diaper changes and those just seemed so rough on their bottoms (and not very effective at cleaning off those first sticky poos).

Say what?  We received wipes.  I'd ask... I bet all hospitals are different

ryry1977

Robe, slippers (or flipflops in my case), outfit to wear home (maternity or loose fitting outfit), nursing tops, ponytail holder if you have longer hair, deoderant, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb or brush, shower items, camera and all needed for it, cell phone and charger, telephone list of who you want to call.  For baby...going home outfit/picture outfit, blanket, burp cloths.

Things I didn't use....boppy (just used a pillow in the hosp), snacks and drinks (DH just went out to get food and I ate hosptial food).

 I took way too much stuff when I went too.  This next time I will narrow it down a lot!  They pretty much had everything for the baby except what he went home in so I didn't need to take hardly anything for him!

MelissaMc22

A fan!

Helped cool you off with all the hormones, and the white noise is a lightsaver with all the nurses coming in and out.

gimbal

I way overpacked with DD.  Even the nurses were making fun of me.  For DS I packed like I was going to a hotel for a couple nights, and I had everything I needed.  The only extra items I packed were the baby book, a nursing bra, nursing pads, and his outfit.

MandiNewMommy

thanks ladies!!!!!!

MrsMandaK

MrsMandaK:I liked having my own pillow. The hospital ones are flat as a pancake. Also, bring wipes (sensitive kind) for the baby. The hospital only supplied dry paper towels for diaper changes and those just seemed so rough on their bottoms (and not very effective at cleaning off those first sticky poos).
Say what?  We received wipes.  I'd ask... I bet all hospitals are different
Nope. St. Elizabeth didn't supply them for either of my deliveries. It's possible that's changed though.

Klmorgan83

MrsMandaK:

MrsMandaK:I liked having my own pillow. The hospital ones are flat as a pancake. Also, bring wipes (sensitive kind) for the baby. The hospital only supplied dry paper towels for diaper changes and those just seemed so rough on their bottoms (and not very effective at cleaning off those first sticky poos).
Say what?  We received wipes.  I'd ask... I bet all hospitals are different
Nope. St. Elizabeth didn't supply them for either of my deliveries. It's possible that's changed though.

Mercy Fairfield didn't supply them either when I had Noah...just the paper towel things.  Don't know if it's changed though.

KYmama9286

I pretty much agree w/ everything that pp's said-- comfy clothes, shower stuff (there is never a better shower than the first one you take post-partum), coming home outfit for baby, pillow for you and boppy for nursing are the big ones

I was glad we had the baby book so they could do the foot prints on the page in my book when they did the other foot prints-- easier than me trying to do it.

mrs.dilligaf

I hadn't packed my bag when my water broke, and I still managed fine.  I took nursing nightgowns to wear, cell phone/charger, going home outfit for me (we were team green and didn't have one for Molly yet), and... that's it.  My mom visited everyday and brought everything I didn't have.  I wish I would have brought my own shampoo and conditioner and some snacks. 

doodlebug914

Laptop - for music and uploading pics, cameras and accessories, pillow for you, comfy clothes and jammies for after (I had a nursing gown and robe that were awesome), Boppy (I did not bring the first time and really wish I would have), blow dryer, ponytail holders, couple outfits for baby.