North Dakota Babies

Hospital Bag Packing Questions

When did you have your bag ready? Did you take your own shampoo/bath stuff? What was the most useful thing you packed?

For some reason, this topic came to me in the shower tonight. I guess I can blame my need to be prepared for things all of a sudden, but I don't know when I should have my bag packed. I know I'm only 24 weeks pregnant, but feel like I'm running out of time. I want to buy new PJs to wear at the hospital if they will let me, and don't know if I need to take my own bathing stuff because I don't know if you are allowed to do so. For some reason I feel like this pregnancy is going by really fast, and I feel like I need to start thinking about the ending. (Maybe it's all the talk of the showers and holidays that's got me feeling this way too.) TIA!

 

Re: Hospital Bag Packing Questions

  • I was/am a procrastinator.  I didn't finish packing it until I had to go to the hospital at almost 39 weeks.

    I think I started making a list/buying stuff at around 30ish weeks, and had some stuff packed by about 35 weeks.

    In the end, I barely used anything that I packed.

  • Loading the player...
  • I was packed at a decent time - by like 35ish weeks. I used just about eberything I brought, but I didn't overpack. I packed 4 nights worth of comfy PJs just in case I went in for a section and used all 4. I packed and used my slippers, my own pads and underwear, makeup (because I knew I was going to have a lot of visitors), glasses/contacts/solution, dry shampoo so I didn't have to worry about washing my hair for a couple of days, hair ties, clips for bangs, my own poof, shampoo, baby soap, & lotion, perfume (don't ask), nipple cream, regular bras, socks, my boppy, facewash and my night and day creams, camera, charger, video camera, charger, cell phone charger, a robe, sneakers, and a going home outfit. Oh, and I brought my blowdryer (and I used it!).
  • I had my bag packed at 36 weeks.  Here's a list of what I packed:

    For me:

    -Shampoo, body wash, razor, etc.  I don't recall seeing any at the hospital.

    -Tank tops & yoga pants.  This was my most useful item.  I found it extremely difficult/frustrating to unsnap/untie the hospital gown to BF. It was so much easier to just pull down the strap of a tank top.  

    -Change for vending machines.  I never drink pop, but I was craving Sprite like crazy right after I had her.  Weird.

    - Prenatal vitamins

    -Clothes to wear home (maternity jeans)

    -Underwear. I wore the mesh panties in the hospital, but I wanted to wear my own underwear home. 

    -Makeup, hair dryer, hair straightener, etc.  

    -Camera/video camera

    -Phone chargers

    -Flip flops 

    -Nursing cover for when visitors were present  

    For baby:

    -Nail file for nails

    -2 coming home outfits: 1 newborn, 1 0-3 months

    -Blanket (for leaving)

    -Cardstock for footprints.  I had them stamp her feet on cardstock instead of in our baby book to make sure they got a good set.  I'm glad I did because she moved her foot & it took 3 times to get a good set.

    That's all I can think of.  HTH! 

    ETA: I also took my boppy, & I was glad I did! 

     

     

  • The only thing that I really used were my own pj's 2 pairs of warm socks, my own shampoo, soap, body spray, deodorant and M's going home outfit. Everything else was left untouched. The only thing I wish I would have taken were a few more snacks. My Dad and brother came to visit after work and ate all my snacks which left me hungry all night.
  • I packed most of the stuff around 35 weeks, thank goodness since the liitle Kikimonster came at 37 weeks, and made a list of stuff I had to grab at the last minute - camera, video camera, and snacks for Timm (which I forgot.  Oops).

    The only things I used -

    -Change for the vending machines/cafeteria for Timm.
    -Snacks - well if I had remembered them, he would have eaten them.
    -Change of clothes to go home - for me, Timm, and Miss K.
    -Pillow for Timm
    -Hair ties
    -Chapstick
    -Baby Book - totally gave me something to do while Timm was sleeping.
    -Change of clothes, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, hair brush, and toothbrush
    -Cameras

    I brought a whole bunch of crap that I didn't need, so def pack light.

     

  • I started mine about 3 weeks before my due date. Little by slowly I filled it up. The most useful things literally in the bag were the hidden snacks (!), but the most important overall item thing I brought was my own pillow. I don't know how I would've made it without it!
  • I never actually finished packing mine  Embarrassed and forgot a couple of items I wished I'd really had-chapstick, a robe & my own pillow.
  • imagemrsquetee09:
    I started mine about 3 weeks before my due date. Little by slowly I filled it up. The most useful things literally in the bag were the hidden snacks (!), but the most important overall item thing I brought was my own pillow. I don't know how I would've made it without it!

    I so agree with this!  Both times I brought my pillow and I'm really glad that I did.  There seems to be a pillow shortage when you go to the hospital and you will need more than one if you are breast feeding.  

    I brought my own pj's but never ended up wearing them.  The first time because I wasn't there long enough and it just seemed like a pain when they are checking your bleeding and need to see that area.  Last time i was there longer and wanted to wear my own pj's but I was so swollen that nothing would fit me.  (My clothes that I wore into the hospital were to small!  I had to have my mom bring me different clothes and shoes because nothing would fit me!)

    Yes, bring your own shower stuff!  You are going to want it.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
  • I had mine partially packed with a list of the rest of the stuff that was still in use in the house that needed to go in it by about 35 weeks.  This was a big mistake for me because of course I didn't head to the hospital until 41 weeks.  The most prepared people are always the ones stuck waiting!
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"