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Northern California Babies
Hospital Bag List - Need Real Life Suggestions
I am overwhelmed by what the books, internet, etc. are telling me I need to bring to the hospital.
What did you pack? What did you actually use? What was a waste of space?
TIA.
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Re: Hospital Bag List - Need Real Life Suggestions
I'm not going to be much help, but I am interested in the responses as well since I've just started packing mine! So far I have a lightweight robe, several nursing tanks, loose-fitting yoga type pants to wear home, a toothbrush and toothpaste for me and DH, shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, and deoderant.
We're getting so close!
BFP #2 - EDD 2/26/12 M/C 6/28/11 @ 5w2d
BFP #3 - EDD 4/7/12 M/C 8/2/11 @ 4w2d
Too beautiful for this earth
BFP #4 - EDD 12/09/12, Lucille arrived 11/26/12
I hardly used anything. I stayed in the hospital gown the whole time. I wore my maternity jeans in and out with different tops. I didn't shower (I know, gross but I wanted to shower at home!) so I didn't use my blow dryer or straightener, but I did use my make-up bag. Brought food and mags which I might have used before labor but not after. Cell and nursing bra were a must. Sent DH out for lanolin (but the hospital might have it.) We brought our own pillows and an outfit for DC. We had music for labor and I am glad we did.
Our hospital had the air conditioning cranked on HIGH, so I started to get chilly since the gowns were all short-sleeved. Mid-way through our stay, I had DH bring me a sweater/long sleeved shirts.
The only thing the hospital did not provide me with was nursing pads, and since I started to leak quickly we had to run and grab some from home.
Aside from that, everything else I "needed" was provided for us.
The rest was to keep me busy during the day (laptop, etc.), and added conveniences (nursing pillow, etc.) since we were there for 5 days.
Start small, if you end up being there awhile you can always have someone get you stuff from home.
Photo by Zemya Photography
Chargers for phone/ipod/camera
camera, phone and/or ipod
nursing bra or tank
something to come home in for everyone
toiletries
boppy
my own pillow
mints
chapstick (although my labor was so short with this one, I didn't need the mints or the chapstick).
I know! It is somewhat crazy. I think it will really hit us when my SIL goes into labor. She is exactly 4 weeks ahead of me.
Once I move on over to Woodland, we'll have to get together. We should be moving in 2 weeks.
It's nice to see that everyone's lists are shorter than the ones I have read. I just kept thinking "Really?!"
My caveat is that I had an induction that lasted 4 days, and a cesarean and was required to stay for 96 hours after delivery. So I was in the hospital for 8 full days with my husband and we were over an hour away from home (not a good choice but hindsight is 20/20).
We brought and used: pillows from home, laptop, camera, flip video, cell phones and chargers for all those items. We brought our ipod and bose dock and used it extensively.
DH brought PJs and two changes of clothes (needed to go home twice for more), toiletries, a few magazines which he didn't really get to read, and snacks.
I brought maternity jeans (which didn't fit to wear home), yoga pants (which got dirty really quickly), nursing top and bra (which I wore for three days), slippers, toiletries, blow dryer. I skipped a robe and didn't miss it. Though I delivered in the same hospital as Ava, I was in a room in another wing due to overflow and it did NOT have AC and I wanted to die in the July heat. I wish I'd had a few more nursing tops available (I didn't even have any at home for someone to bring me!) and more yoga pants.
I also had my Nursing Mother's Companion book, breast pads and my pump in the car and used all of it.
For DC we brought a side snap shirt, a hand made hat, and an aden&anais swaddle blanket. He used them until he threw up on them and then we went back to the hospital issued stuff. We also had his going home outfit (a onsie and romper).
We didn't bring everything in at once. We stocked the trunk and DH went out to get what we needed.
It is true you do not need much because the hospitol will take care of most of it.
Some things I brought because I like my own stuff better. Think about your favorite stuff and what you may not be able to stand being without.
Cell phone, Chapstick, toiletres, etc
I knew I would be there for a piece because I was being induced, high risk etc. So I also packed a few things to entertain my team (myself, DH and MIL.)
Cell phone, lap top, magazines, dvds, and etc
The very best thing I did for myself was to make a little emergency kit. It was a little bag with a slider closing that I had attached a small strap to so we could attach it to my bed with valcro. It had chapstick, lanolin, my cell phone, mints, a small pad of paper and a pen.
I loved my little bag attached to the bed. I could get to my chapstick, cell phone and etc even when they moved my side table. It was nice not having to ask for help for little things like that.
we brought WAY too much stuff but i was induced and had no idea how long that would take.
we brought my bag, dd's diaper bag, a mini cooler and my laptop. we could have done w/out dd's diaper bag but the rest we used.
my bag had my tolietries, ditigal camera, ipod, makeup, comb, extra change of clothes, hair ties, pads (ended up using the hospital ones) and a robe. i didn't need the change of clothes as i lived in my hospital gown when i was there and wore home what i wore there.
the mini cooler had snacks (trail mix and gatorade/vitamin waters) in it.
it was the laptop that saved the day .. h was able to play games on it until labor REALLY kicked in and i had it to send photos out the next day before we headed home.
I agree with the short lists.
The only other thing I'd add is a laptop if you have one, and make sure that you bring STRETCHY SOFT pants to wear home (yoga or sweat pants). I had an unplanned csection and nearly all my maternity pants were low-rise which I couldn't wear comfortably.
And some things we brought later (you could leave in the car at first) like the Boppy.
Basic Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc) Used
Nursing tank Used a little and wore home, but lactation consultant rec'd skin on skin
PJ's Didn't use, gown was more comfortable and cooler
Slippers Used
Robe Didn't use
Birth Plan, photos that made me happy/relaxed Only used birth plan, didn't have time for photos
Socks & GIANT undies Used
Pads Used
Lanolin Used
Boppy Pillow Used
Going home outfit for baby Used, but it was huge on him
Camera w/ extra batteries & video camera Used
I felt that I overpacked, bring what you think is most important, the hospital will have everything, like pp said if you want something specific send DH out for it. Don't forget to install your carseat soon, just in case :-)