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Pennsylvania Babies
Packing Hospital Bag
I'm trying to get our bags packed for the hospital this week and have a few questions:
1. Nursing Bras: I went out and got two today-one to put in the hospital bag and one for when I'm home. I figured this would get me started at least for the first week or two. I got them in my current bra size (hopefully it won't change again in the next few weeks!), then was wondering if I would need to go up a size, maybe right away? I know this is probably different for everyone though.
2. Does the hospital provide lansinoh or nursing/bra pads or should I plan on bringing my own? Will I not need these items yet?
3. What did you really need for baby at the hospital besides a going home outfit, hat, and blanket?
I know there have been a ton of posts about packing the hospital bag and I have a few different lists I've looked at, but if there are things that you thought were a must-have or a waste of time, please feel free to share! TIA!
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Re: Packing Hospital Bag
1. You might need to go up a size once your milk comes in. Just when you think the girls can't get any bigger, they do! You may want to consider a nursing tank for at the hospital. When I got sick of being in the gown, I just wore a nursing tank with my robe or even blankets over my bottom half. DH was the only visitor I could have so it didn't really matter what I had on (or didn't have on!)
2. The hospital should have cream for you and you will probably need it. You will probably will not need pads because it will take a few days for your milk to come in enough to start leaking.
3. You won't really need anything else for the baby. They pretty much have you covered with everything until it's time to go home. They may even have a hat (the babies at our hospital all got a cute white hand knit hat). The only other thing you may want is an outfit for pictures if you plan on having them taken at the hospital.
Hope that helps
I agree with this. I brought a nursing tank with me. My breasts didn't becoming porn star boobs (seriously, I was shocked at how crazy they were - like craters!) until my milk came in a few days later. The hospital had the lansinoh cream. I didn't need nursing pads until a few days later. I brought an outfit, hat, and blanket for pictures plus an outfit for going home.
TTC since Jan 07. Dx with PCOS Jan 08
As far as nursing bras go I really liked the sleep kind in the beginning because they were roomy and way more comfortable than a regular bra. They are really great for sleeping in and lounging around the house in the first weeks and at the hospital. You could always pick a pair of these up and hold on to the regular nursing bras you bought til you see what size you are. I have to wear these to bed anyway bc of leaking.
https://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=975400361&MasterCategory_Id=MC29
I wore these and nursing tanks for the first couple weeks.
This is exactly what I did too. I still wear these to bed in hopes that they will help my boobs sag less in the long run.
TTC since Jan 07. Dx with PCOS Jan 08
I agree with PP re: nursing tank and sleeping bra.
The hospital provides all the extra's! (Make sure you steal some extra diapers and pads before you leave!)
What hospital are you having your baby at? I delivered at Harrisburg and spent several nights at Holy Spirit when DD was in the NICU.
At Harrisburg I needed a sound machine to block out all the noise. Holy Spirit was very quiet.
I also recommend packing a folder to put all of your paperwork in. You'll get stuff from the hospital and pediatrician. I wish I would have brought one with me!
Getting close! Good luck!
Thanks ladies! I hadn't thought about a sleep bra, mostly because the selection at Target wasn't that great. I do want to get some nursing tanks, but they didn't have any in my size. The next time I'm in Central PA I'll have to stop by Motherhood and pick up some sleep bras. It is so frustrating that we don't have a Motherhood here with everything that we do have, I have to drive 40 minutes to get to one so it makes since that I just go when we are home visiting family.
I'll actually deliver at Frederick Memorial Hospital since we're in Maryland. I'll always be a Central PA girl at heart though
Good thought about the noise. I could always throw in our baby crack machine 
When we did the tour it was super quiet, so hopefully it wasn't just an off night.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
1 My size was the same from 7months pregnant to now but this is different with everyone.
2 they gave me pads and gel pads but i think it depends on the hospital
3 I used two blankets, hat and going home outfit. You also may want a picture outfit.
Definitely a good idea! I had a leather portfolio I brought with some of my medical history info in it just in case I needed it. I also brought card stock in it for footprints. It was great to have a place to shove all the papers you get and to keep the prints safe.
1. Nursing tanks! Sears and target have them.
2. I didn't need pads until I got home. I had the cream with me but don't remember using it.
3. That was about it. I wore a cute sleeper on her to get her home- I wanted her to be comfy.
Other extras that I am glad I had:
Cardstock for extra footprints, chapstick, baby book, camera (of course), change for vending machine
things I had and didn't use- music and massage stuff.
Megan,
I forget what I did for nursing bras...I didn't BF Laken at all, so it's been over 2 years. I thought I used the same size as my regular bra though.
I know FMH had Soothie gel pads which were AWESOME! Ask for as many as you can get before you leave the hospital.
You won't need anything extra for the baby except what has already been mentioned (going home outfit, etc.). The hospital will provide all the necessities.
I wanted to add that you will receive a folder with tons of information including the birth certificate form to fill out, birth announcement forms for local newspapers, vaccination and testing forms to fill out for baby, etc. I just used that folder to put all the discharge papers in. It ends up being a thick folder by the time you leave!
Also, the hospital is stingy about giving out stuff. Don't hesitate to ask for extra pads, Dermaplast spray, witch hazel pads (or even mesh underwear if you like them!) before you leave. They seem to have the policy that if you don't ask for things then you must not need them
Medication is another thing to add to that...the nurses will treat you like nothing's wrong unless you ask for medication (this is in recovery I'm referring to). In addition, make sure to raid the snack and drink area!!
Oh, and I actually like the hospital food...tell me what you think!