I know there are a hundred posts about what to pack, when to pack, etc., but I really would like to have a nice, neat, printable packing list of recommended items to take to the hospital. I've tried to Google it and always find articles and nothing that will print in a list-like format. Has anyone found a website that has a printable list?
Thanks ladies!
Re: Printable Packing List (OCD question)
I am an OCD list maker myself, so I know where you are coming from. I have not found one, but made one. I've pulled this information from a variety of sources. The Bump, What to Expect, Baby Center, etc...
So here is the combined list. You could copy/paste and adjust as you need. I may have left some things off that I definitely will not take. There are many things here I probably won't... I just put them here because they were suggested.
PJs
Clothes to wear home
Clothes for Baby (1 NB, 1 0-3 Mos) Hats
Snacks
Throw-away Flip Flops for shower
Robe
Underwear
Socks
Slippers/non-slip socks
Light jacket
Drinks (cooler)
Toiletries
Candies
Chapstick
Quarters
DVDs? Computer? iPad
Chargers
Music/iPod Speakers
Nursing Bra/Pads
Pillows for me and daddy
Lanisoh
Nursing Pillow
Peri-Bottle
Tucks?
Nursing cover?
Camera, video camera, extra memory card
Depends?
Baby Wipes
Eye Mask
This site lets you create your own checklist but doesn't include stuff like tylenol for DH (although you can add it in the "additional items" section)
https://pregnancyandbaby.sheknows.com/pregnancy/baby/Customized-labor-bag-checklist-234.htm
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." -- Dale Carnegie
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." --Thomas A. Edison
LOVE
A great friend of mine gave birt this week and she sent me a list this morning of things she wished she had thought of, or was really glad she did.
Some of the not-so obvious things:
Something loose and comfortable that you can easily slip underwear / pads in and out of. You'll be doing a lot of pad changing so comfy pants can be a pain in the beginning. I wore an oversized jersey dress with a robe.
Your own pillow, blanket and towel. It just made for a more comfortable stay. The hospital stuff is scratchy. The pillow really helped me as did my duvet. The thin hospital blankets didn't cut it.
Boppy/Brestfriend - I didn't bring mine (bc hard with a c-section) and bc the nurses think you can use old fashioned pillows. Your call.
Cardigan. Nice to wear over your tank if you get chilly. You will not want to sit in bed with a ton of cumbersome material.
Herbal tea bags and instant soup. You might not feel like eating (I ate a total of one bagel, two cups of
watermelon, two rice crackers and some prunes for my entire stay). You'll also be constipated. The teas and soups are a nice way to keep you hydrated. Jello gets old.
Aside from her note, I know for a fact that my hospital only has about 2-3 birthing balls, so they suggest bringing your own exercise ball if you wish.
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
~ Winston Churchill
I don't know... I think that when you put anything down in list form, it looks MUCH worse than it really is. (I.e. I have Quarters on the list). While I agree that a great deal of this is unnecessary, some of it may be and some may be just because it makes you feel comfy.
For me, I plan on using the list as a guide so I can find out from the hospital what they have, don't have, recommend or absolutely do not recommend.
With DS I packed.......nothing!!
I had no time, my water broke, things took off from there, we rushed to the hospital. It was two weeks early and I hadnt prepared.
Funny thing is, once I was there, I really didnt NEED anything. My hospital supplied EVERYTHING the baby needed plus all the mesh underpants, pads, tucks pad, sprays, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste for me. I had my cell phone too and my purse. They supplied me with a new gown everyday and I went home in the outfit I arrived in.
Now, granted it would have been nice to have the luxuries of the other stuff but it definitely wasnt like OMG I DONT HAVE THAT STUFF.
This time I will pack the extra comforts I didnt have last time:
pillow, extra comfy outfit, nook reader or mags and other stuff I think of last minute.
I guess what im trying to say is, you will be OK without bringing a whole suitcase full of stuff.
ETA: I am really not a low-maintenence girl either, but I was so focused on my baby that extra things just didnt matter. I layed there all day just holding him or nursing or trying to sleep.