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3rd Trimester
Hospital Bag Necessities
I'm about 6 weeks away from my due date, so I am trying to put together my hospital bag. This is my first so I have no idea what I really need. I'm also quite the pack rat and will end up with half the nursery in three suitcases without some guidance. Help!
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Re: Hospital Bag Necessities
The day after.. I wanted mascara.. because tons of people came to see us
I also packed jammies, my pillow, hair tie, boppy, and socks!! Those are musts for me
Your own pillow (just put it in a bright case so the hospital knows it's yours),
chapstick!!!,
and something of your own to wear the next day (I wore a nightgown that I could easily pull to the side to nurse and when people were there I wore the matching robe).
I also had really thick socks because my feet are always cold.
Every day I would pack up my toiletries after I used them to get ready for work and have them near my bag so I could toss them in on the way to the hospital.
A camera...to take pictures. We have to buy one.
Blankets for little one depending on how the weather is where you live.
Soap for little one if you don't want to use the hospitals.
The baby book, if you want your little ones foot prints in it.
Dont forget about your DH/SO or whoever will be there with you. They need things like:
Change for the vending machines
Toiletries
Change of clothes
Possibly a swim suit if you want them to get into the shower/tub with you
Snacks
Something to keep them intertained Ipod/book/magazines
Cell phone charger
Things that I have packed so far:
Socks
Undies
Change of clothes
Lotion
Chapstick
Nipple butter
Boppy
Cell phone charger
Toiletries
Hair ties
Makeup
Baby book for foot prints
Bring socks or slippers that have traction on them so that if you go on a walk in the hallways you do not slip. I also bought a thin cotton robe to wear. Other than that I wore gowns the whole time (although they were my own, not the hospital's). Don't forget clothes to wear while going home, we forgot that and DH had to run to Target to buy me something so we could go home.
Toiletries for the shower, makeup (there will be lots of pictures taken!), music and movies. It was kind of nice for DH and I to be able to watch a movie in the evening when all the visitors had left.
I second most of the things people have listed above. I would add, a nursing pillow, if you are planning to breastfeed (wish I had taken mine and will this time).
Also, a friend advised us to pack an extra sweater for DH and that was a VERY wise decision. Something about postpartum hormones tends to make women extremely HOT, like sweating like crazy in bed when the room temp is set at 60 degrees. That definitely happened to me and he was shivering even in his sweater while I was trying to cool off.
My bags have been packed for a while and I'm just waiting now ...
I've done a great deal of internet research on this and most lists I've found tell us to bring:
For Mom:
- lip balm
- thick socks / slippers
- your own DARK towels (hospital ones tend to be scratchy)
- mints/gum/mouthwash
- toiletries & flipflops for the shower
- hair elastics / brush
- pillows from home (in coloured cases)
- magazines, books, music, laptop to keep you occupied
- camera/memory card/charger
- toilet paper from home (hospital brand tends to be scratchy)
- nursing tank/bra/lanolin cream/Boppy-type pillow (if you plan on breastfeeding)
- baby book (for footprints)
- going home outfit
- (if your hospital doesn't provide these) disposable panties, breast pads, maternity/thick maxi pads
For Dad
- swim trunks (if he's going into the shower/tub with you)
- snacks
- toiletries
- change of clothes (including socks & boxers)
- change for vending machines
- pens (for filling out numerous forms??)
For Baby
- going home outfit
- a couple receiving blankets
- car seat
- nail file/baby clippers
- scratch mittens
- own baby soap/wash
- (if your hospital doesn't provide these) diapers/wipes/diaper rash cream/baby hat/wash cloths
Happy Packing!!
BFP #3 - 05.20.11, EDD - 01.31.12, Logan is here! 02.05.12
BFP #2 - 03.16.11, M/C 03.24.11
BFP #1 - 10.17.10, Blighted Ovum dx, M/C 01.09.11
The hospital provided most of the things we needed. I wore a hospital gown during L&D and our 1st day in recovery. DS wore a shirt & hat provided by the hospital until we were ready to go home.
My bag:
pillow
makeup
nursing tanks
nursing bra
yoga pants
hooded sweatshirt
slipper socks (2)
toothbrush/toothpaste
comb
hair ties
chapstick
camera
laptop
ipod touch
cell phone charger
DH's bag:
pillow
change of clothes
pjs
toothbrush/toothpaste
contact stuff
DS's bag
going home outfit
blanket
boppy
Comfy bra, comfy clothes after, nothing fancy, like not a dress. especially if your nursing. sanitary pads. Nursing pads. a few outfits for baby; Nb size sleeper and a 0-3 montyh sleeper in case of a big baby. I always packed baby diapers, soother, a hat (toque type) depending on weather where you are- a warm blanket a receieving blanket. Preadmitting information from dr.
Things that are nice to have but not needed, a pillow, if your picky. music. hard candies to suck on. snacks for your dh. a contact list with numbers of ppl you want to call. cell phone and charger. camera, video camera. name book; in case you change your name/mind. instructions for car seat and car seat. instructions as if you forget how to adjust- trust me been there with # 2 and didnt know how to adjust car seat. comfy clothes like sweats and a t shirt. don't bring nice pjs or a robe as they can get stained.
hospitals give you diapers there and outfits for baby to wear. undies for you, their pads. YUCK- belted. bottles to feed baby if you cant or don't want to nurse.
I forgot things like shampoo, socks, tooth brush, deodarant but I think these are things you would want. I have never worn make up but that is JNMS
Pretty much what the others said, plus I am bringing my own hair dryer to be able to do my hair. When DD was born I was so happy to have it with me as the hospital didn't have one available. I looked semi-normal in pics and just felt better.
I am so glad i bought, my boppy (used for my headrest during labor and breastfeeding after baby was born), flip flops for the shower, my own towel and washcloth and toilet tissue, socks and robe and slippers for the hall, liquid soap because you do not want to drop the soap-too painful to bend over. Dont forget any chargers for electonic items you bring. Clothes for baby, burp cloth, pretty blanket for taking your own first pics. baby nail clippers, you'd be surprised how long their nails can be at birth. I bought some sample size toiletries so that they could remain packed in my bag and I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to put things back in if I used them at home. Best thing I bought was an empty bag that folded up compactly and then could expand fairly well to bring home all the extras that you end up with after your hospital stay.
The hospital provided mesh underwear-some people love them, some hate, I loved them, pads, peri bottle, baby's first clothing, hat and blanket (hate these). Don't be afraid to ask for extras the first day or so, they may say no, but you might get a "nice" nurse who will give you some extra supplies. I took everything from the room when I left. The hospital will charge your insurance anyway and they must throw away anything that has been opened.
I installed my carseat a few weeks ahead of time so that i wouldn't have to worry about grabbing that last minute.
Bring drawstring loose pants for going home, you won't know what size your belly will be and this will help you get a better fit.