- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
3rd Trimester
nicolen11
member
Important things to pack for hospital?
nicolen11
member
I'm trying to get things some what packed for the hospital what are important things to take for me, hubby, and baby?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Important things to pack for hospital?
You: Hair ties, mints/gum, chap stick, slipper socks with grips, basic cosmetics (brush, soap, shampoo, toothpaste/brush), going home outfit (yoga pants and big shirt, think 5 months pregnant size), nursing bra and cheap big towel in a dark color(most hospital towels are small)
Hubby: Small bills/change (for snacks), Lotion (to rub your feet :-D), headphones (if he's bringing any sort of laptop/mp3), basic cosmetics, extra clothes.
Baby: Nail file (to file baby's nails as clipping them is nearly impossible and the hospital can't provide one), going home outfit, carseat, blanket/car seat cover (if it's cold where you are).
Misc: Laptop, cell phone, camera (all with chargers and cords), pump parts (if you have a question on fit or usage, you can consult with the LC), notebook (for H taking notes) and an extra bag/device for taking all of the stuff you'll accumulate at the hospital (gifts from visitors, samples from nurses and extra diapers).
I would recommend making a "c/s" bag that is all ready to go for someone to grab and bring if you end up with a c/s. I'd throw in a couple bigger granny panties, a couple magazines and extra set of trial size soap/shampoo.
Don't worry about packing outfits and such for the baby, they provide almost everything you need. I wouldn't plan on a whole bunch of stuff for you to do, you'll be busy and when you aren't busy, you'll be exhausted. Don't worry about packing clothes for yourself, you'll be leaking various fluids from just about every possible place and it's not worth staining your own stuff.
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
Everyone has all great suggestions but I cannot stress enough BRING EXTRA PILLOWS you will thank me later! lol
And I dunno about anyone else But I pretty much only wore hospital robes while I was there.. I was pumping, half asleep the entire time and in alot of pain due to the 2nd degree (which I should add was bad even for only 2nd degree because it was LONNNNG and jagged and was so bad I had to have actual surgery - like knocked the F out surgery- to fix it ) tear I got from DS's enormous head lol. I was so tired I didn't even bother to get dressed, and when I did shower I just put on a clean robe and went right back in bed. I didn't actually put on actual clothes until I had been there 2 days. Of course this wont work if you have visitors (which we didn't until day 2 postpartum lol)
If you are up to it you can bring all the cute baby outfits, but honestly it's just easier to use what they provide, that way you don't have a mound of clothes to wash when you get home!
I also forgot a comb (my hair was short anyways) and had NO make up.. so when they took newborn photos the photographer was amazing as she made me not look too terrible with how crappy I looked.
By lilenatalem at 2012-01-28
Things I actually used from my bag last time: Comfy loungewear/pjs and nursing tanks, nursing pillow, basic toiletries, my laptop, camera (with extra batteries), going home outfit for baby, blanket and cover for carseat.
Just used the hospital's underwear, pads, breastpads, lanolin, diapers and wipes. (It is just like a hotel. You are paying for them so why no use them.)
Our hospital does not provide breastpads or lanolin or diapers or wipes...definitely check to see what yours provides before you decide what to pack.
Clomid Cycle #1: 50mg = BFP
=Beautiful baby girl born May 23, 2009
TTC#2: BFP Cycle #1, no fertility meds!
That is some good gum!
PPs had many good ideas, so to add to those, chapstick. It was completely needed during labor. The only other things I used while in labor were flip-flops and my toothbrush.
For the baby, my hospital says to bring your own pacifier if you will want to use it. It's easy to overpack, so keep in mind that someone can probably go get you things you might want later.
Most used items were as follows:
For me: toiletries(especially: lotion, carmex, and nipple cream) camera, slippers.
For DH: snacks, laptop, cellphone
I packed pretty minimally for the sake of not overpacking. I used my toiletries a lot as did DH. I was fortunate that the hospital gave me about 8 pillows so the extras weren't necessary. They also stocked me up pretty well on pads, disposable maternity undies, etc.
This is all I used:
Camera/charger, cell phone/charger, laptop/charger, a book
Toiletries, makeup, hair tie, chapstick, warm, dark socks
Nursing pillow, nursing cover (if you plan to have visitors)
I have a going home outfit for me and for the baby, a blanket for the baby and one extra (comfy) outfit for me in case my stay in the hospital is longer than expected.
DH was on his own, but basically just brought clothes.
I was put on Magnesium for 24 hours after labor, and wasn't aware I wouldn't be able to get up during that time. Some daily facial cleaning pads and wet refreshing wipes helped, because you feel pretty disgusting after giving birth...so if you are bedbound it's pretty rough. Also pack snacks, toothbrush, socks, some fruit...the food was fine, just not great options...so maybe think of that. Pillows and extra blanket esp. for your hubby. He'll likely be on a rather uncomfortable convertible chair, and I'm sure he'd be grateful to have his own pillow and blanket.
Don't wear jewelry...if you have emergency C-section they will cut your ring off. That's the word on the street.