I am getting my hospital bag ready, and am just unsure what to bring for myself to wear in the hospital. A lot of online lists and friends suggest nursing bras and nursing nightgowns. I will be BFing, so these items seem like a good idea, but are they truly needed? I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why a nursing bra is easier than just pulling up a regular bra. It seems like the same amount of effort, so any insight would be great if nursing bras really are helpful. Also, can I just bring t-shirts to wear, or again, are nursing nightgown really helpful? I am trying not to spend a lot of extra money on these items, unless they are really essential. What do you think?
Re: What did you wear while in the hospital?
This, and then you don't have to worry about laundry as soon as you get home.
I wore the hospital gown for L&D. I wore a nursing tank top and hospital gown or robe after delivery. The robe was easier for me with all the nurses and lactation consultants who were in helping me learn to BF, because it was smaller and less in the way.
Nursing bras don't squish or misshape the boob/milk ducts the way pulling up a regular bra would making it easier for LO to latch on.
This. My mom bought me a cute nursing outfit that came with pants, a nursing tank and a cardigan. It was nice and I was very comfortable. Made me feel like I wasn't in a hospital... kind of.
This exactly!
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This is what I did. I bought 1 Target nursing tank to take to the hospital and I wore it the whole time I was there except the first day, which I was in a gown. I also wore yoga/ sweat pants. I recommend bringing dark colored pants (and underwear) in case you leak through the pads. Even though I had on diaper sized pads the first day or 2, when I would get up out of bed there was a gush of fluid and it went through to my pants a couple times. (not to scare you, it's normal).
I live out of the Target nursing tanks when I am at home and that is all I wore 24/7 until I had to return to work and I got some nursing bras (also from Target, Gilligan O Malley or whatever the brand is..). I have tried using regular bras at work but it's too much of a PITA to pump and I prefer the nursing bras. Oh, for the Tank size, I was 36 B pre-baby and am now 38 C and I got the Large, which fits very comfortably.
I would suggest bringing lots of socks. My feet were so sweaty the whole time I was there and went through at least a couple pairs a day.
This cause I was in the hospital for a few days (C-Section).
I wore the hospital gowns, my nursing bra, comfy socks, a comfy robe (I did get cold), and on the day I left I wore my nursing dress. Also, if the hospital has someone come in a do photos of baby, bring something to wear for that too. We didn't end up ordering any because Liam only would let some pics get taken (once his clothes came off he was done) and the pics were really expensive.
Bring clothes for baby- the hospital t-shirts didn't fit well and little one hated being cold and swaddling wasn't enough for him.
For a nursing bra- really it depends on the bra and it's access. I bought a few bras at the hospital boutique and they were soooo much better than ones I got in the stores before.
A t-shirt is a little tricky for easy access when little one wants to eat- maybe a shirt that has a v-neck, tank, or some type of top with easy boob access.
I had an unplanned c-section so wearing pants = very uncomfortable.
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i HATE the sleeping ones (with no underwire) i was SUPER engorged while at the hospital and the no support hurt like hell. now, my boobs seem heavy so the under wire helps a lot.
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Nursing tank top and pajamas I brought from home and a robe.....I totally recommend bringing your own towel and if you are a 2-ply kind of gal bring your own toilet paper....the holder in the restroom @ my hospital on allowed like 1 sheet at a time and the towels were WAY TOO SMALL.
Also...your own blanket. I was in the hospital for 10 days and I longed for my own blanket.
I was the same way you are.... didn't want to buy it unless essential. I wore t-shirts in the hospital with no problems and didn't wear a gown at all. I wore sweats/yoga pants and the t-shirts. I would say buy nursing bras though because they are much easier then regular bras (I've done regular ones at home if my nursing ones are in the wash....) and nursing tanks are nice for an under shirt when nursing at a restaurant or whatever and you don't want your stomach hanging out, but other than that they are annoying to me....
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I thought the nursing tanks were pretty uncomfortable, I did wear them in the hospital but that was pretty much it, I don't think they're necessary at all. Same with the nursing gowns, unless you plan to wear a turtleneck you'll be fine.
I did bring my own night gowns (never wore a hospital gown, not even for delivery) and it helped me remain relaxed and feel like myself instead of a patient.
This. I wore one cute nursing tee with a sleep bra under it and it was a PITA. I haven't worn it since. I'm about to buy some more tanks- I love that there's so little fabric in the way. If you wear yoga pants, make sure they're black!
I hated my butt hanging out of the gown so it only stayed on until I got my first shower.
I wore the hospital gown until I showered the first time (about 6 hrs after delivery when all my visitors had gone). After that, I wore a nursing tank and pajama pants. I just felt more comfortable in my own clothes than the gown. And yes, the nursing bras/tanks are worth the money. I can't imagine that pulling up a regular bra would be comfortable for long periods of time (especially with underwire).