Hospital Bag Vent

CanadianBride84 · July 2010

So I am normally an over packer. I will be honest. I have done my best to scale down what I am taking for me. But that is not my problem. This is the list that the hospital gave me that I need to take for my baby.

Diapers - about 20
Unscented baby wipes
Sleeper sets or clothes 4-5
baby hats 2-3
sweater
baby blanket - 2
receiving blankets - 8-12
car seat

Some of these I understand, but my idea going in was to take a blanket and going home clothes and that was it. I have started this list, a few clothes and just blankets and the diaper bag is full. I thought the hospital would at least have receiving blankets. So now I have to figure out how to pack for us plus the baby without taking my entire house. We also have to pack food since they don't feed me until I have the baby, and DH is on his own. Did I mention that the standard stay is 1 and a half day for vaginal deliever, 2 and a half for a c-section.

Yes I am likely over reacting, I just see posts where they dont have to bring anything for the baby. Maybe it is because we have free health care here, but still. What would happen if I didn't take anything, would I be screwed?

natalee215 · July 2010

I guess they do things a lot different in Canada because as far as I understand it, the hospital provides all of that stuff for us, with the exception of going home items. IMO, that list seems a bit excessive!

Maybe Dex can weigh in on this.

Buttercup29 · July 2010

I'll have to ask DH's cousin who just had a baby in Vancouver - - that just sounds so silly to bring all that stuff. Yikes.

dexspsandqs · July 2010

Umm, that list is slightly misleading.

I can tell you they WILL hand you the baby in a hospital knit hat, baby gown and diaper. Going to your room you will have diapers from nurses if there's an emergency but you can purchase an after care kit that contains essentials such as- pads, a peri bottle, diapers, wipes that you need to wet (non irritant) down the hall you should have access to blankets in addition to the one they wrap the LO in- they just ask that people not load up on the baby blankets/sleeper gowns and take them (yes, some people do this)

It's much the same with the diapers, ect..in the bassinet the baby will have a small stash of wipes, cream, and diapers but you will obviously run out before leaving. And, they will bathe and weigh the baby in addition to vitals and supply all that stuff. It isn't the horror you think it is- but, due to the amount of waste and advantage some people create they had to crack down.

Also, if baby is on our clock (in the NICU) the nurses always change diapers, give a pacifier if okayed by parents, ect...

An example of my stay included small baby bag with diapers/wipes and sleep sack gowns for ease of change. I needed these since I was there for three days but otherwise I may have just swaddled and kept the LO's in the gown or even a onesie.

Everything else is going home type stuff..HTH!

dexspsandqs · July 2010

And, given that the only bills we incur are a circumcision (if one should decide on this) and private room fees (which most insurance companies pay in full) I think a kit for less than $20 is more than reasonable..versus the thousands the girls would be billed stateside.

Despite knowing the flaws of our system from the inside we are indeed blessed to be living in a country that provides care and access to ALL. Wink

CanadianBride84 · July 2010

Thanks Dex. I was like are you freaking kidding me? I will bring some things, but I was thinking I needed my 32 inch rolling suitcase just for this kid's stuff.