Critique my hospital bag

brandyleighxx · July 2012

I plan to pack:

Several pair of maternity underwear

1 nursing bra (what kind did you wear home?) Will I need pad inserts?

1 sweatshirt

1 pair of yoga pants

2 tank tops

1 cotton maternity dress to wear home

Toiletries - make up, shampoo & conditioner, face wash, & deodarant

Flat iron (which will only be used IF I need to wash my hair. If I had a chance to do it right before going to hospital, I won't worry about it for 2 days)

My insurance card & ID will already be in my purse

Camera, camera battery charger, mine & DH's phone charger (will keep camera battery charged starting week prior to due date)

Car seat will already be installed

Outfit for baby

Change of clothes for DH & his toiletries - maybe a pillow for him?

What will I need once I'm home for myself?

laurenhankey · July 2012

I didn't need to breast pads when I went home. Definitely didn't pack enough shampoo when I went...I was there Mon-Sat which was WAY longer than I expected. I took makeup which I never used! Definitely NO time for that!! I also brought snacks for my hubby, some change for the snack machine for him, blankets for baby as well as a hat. Other than that you look like you're all set!!

wheelsonthebus · July 2012

Your bag looks great. Honestly, I was shocked at how little I needed at the hospital both times I gave birth. They have everything and I didn't want to wear my own clothes during my stay because they would have just gotten ruined anyway. There is a lot of bleeding etc. haha.

As for when you get home, you'll need nursing pads for your bra once your milk comes in. Some lanolin for your sore nipples and lots of loose, comfortable clothing. Good luck!!

Smallstar · July 2012

I would add in a pillow for yourself. It made the bed a little more comfortable for me and gave me extra support while nursing. I also made sure to pack socks since my feet are always cold, and a pair of flip flops for the shower. My milk started coming in while I was at the hospital (we were there a few days longer than expected) so throwing in a few pads wouldn't hurt.

ETA: I agree with the recommendation to pack snacks/change for the machines. The cafeteria hours at our hospital were awful (although the food was delicious) so we were searching for snacks and change all the time.

Mkay&Billy2011 · July 2012

socks? my feet got cold. and maybe slippers. i really only used socks, clothes to come home in, and shampoo and conditioner and soap and brush. everything else was pretty much pointless for me besides the baby stuff and camera and chargers

we also took snacks and little gatorades which was nice mostly for my fiance and our hour ride home that took about two. and i dont know if you mentioned baby book or not but we ended up not doing anything with ours.

Mkay&Billy2011 · July 2012

also make sure you have good pads for you at home, and the previously mentioned breast pads and lanolin for your nipples. i got the lanolin from my hospital as well as some extra pads and their underwear because i actually really like them

i have also been told to take stool softener and ibuprofen everyday so depending on what your doctor recommends you may want to have those on hand because i didnt realize i would need the stool softener and had to go without until we could get some which wasnt too bad since i got them fairly soon.

apollonia10 · July 2012

I agree with pp who said that you'll need breast pads and stool softener at home. i would add nursing bras - at least 3 or 4 - because once your milk comes in you will need them desperately! I had to send poor DH out to get some more for me.

I would also add at least one bath towel to your bag if you have the space. Hospital towels suck - they're too small and not absorbent. I would have loved a nice big towel after my first post partum shower. Also, I didn't bring my purse, just gave DH my ID and insurance card. As for the maternity underwear, I brought a bunch but only wore one pair, and that wasn't even until I was discharged.

LER091811 · July 2012

A boppy or other nursing pillow, your cell phone charger, and an item or two to make you feel at home would be my other suggestions.

mrsshawnavanb · July 2012

Definitely some warm non skid socks. I brought a robe but didn't even end up using it. Also agree with the bring your own towel comment, I did and it was awesome! Everyone's experience is different. I was wearing makeup and my own clothes the morning after I gave birth. I brought 2 outfits for myself and 2 for DD, just in case one was spit up/pooped on, you never know

SpankylovesSparky · July 2012

Okay here's how mine worked out: I've added my comments in bold to help out!

brandyleighxx:

I plan to pack:

Several pair of maternity underwear: It's a good idea, but I never got around to using mine since the hospital kind plus pads was definitely better for afterwards.

1 nursing bra (what kind did you wear home?) Will I need pad inserts? I bought a nursing tank and pads, but didn't need them as my milk didn't come in until day 4.

1 sweatshirt good

1 pair of yoga pants good

2 tank tops good

1 cotton maternity dress to wear home good

Toiletries - make up, shampoo & conditioner, face wash, & deodarant good

Flat iron (which will only be used IF I need to wash my hair. If I had a chance to do it right before going to hospital, I won't worry about it for 2 days) Nice idea if you get any kind of chance to do it.

My insurance card & ID will already be in my purse Good

Camera, camera battery charger, mine & DH's phone charger (will keep camera battery charged starting week prior to due date) Definitely a good idea

Car seat will already be installed Great!

Outfit for baby Good

Change of clothes for DH & his toiletries - maybe a pillow for him? Definitely bring these and yes bring his pillow plus yours...The visitors bed in the hospital is super hard and sucks...he will thank you. We also brought our cozy blankets and PLENTY of snacks! (Stack up on those definitely!)

What will I need once I'm home for myself? What saved me was my boppy pillow, your arms will get really tired, really fast. You definitely need some kind caring person who is willing to help clean, cook or give you a chance to shower/ do anything for yourself.

p.s. definitely bring a headband...it gets hot and sweaty during labor and my hair got all in my face, definitely wish I'd had one! Bring a robe, you don't mind getting messy...In the hospital, a robe was the only thing keeping me feeling normal, when I couldn't get in my regular clothes right away. Bring the boppy pillow, for same reason as above, your arms get really tired, really fast and it also helps for first time dads who may be nervous holding baby for first time. Hope this helps!!

babyruth88 · July 2012

Didnt use my own underwear. Didnt get into my own clothes until the day i went home (alot of bleding) definatly ask for extra care items of everything tuck pads etc not only help with hemis but swelling and healing of stitches as well. Did bring my own shampoo etc.. snacks were nice cause even after delivery for the first couple days i had no appetite and only snacked on craxkers and stuff we brought. I didnt bring my purse one less thing to keep track of andncarry home i did have my husband carry my id and insurance card in his wallet though. Good luck make sure you have ice at home and sneak some gloves from the hospital. They make for great ice packs for at home

weberlm · July 2012

Bring a nice towel you don't mind being ruined. That first shower after delivery feels so nice, but the towels in the hopital are about the size of a hand towel and really rough.

temporalrobe · July 2012

Boppy pillow

Outfits in 2 sizes for babe.

Flip flops

Hair brush

LesleyT · July 2012

ADD: Extension cord (for cell phones, etc). And snacks! ...I was STARVING after labor and so glad I had food stashed! And, change for vending machines.

And, something to re-think: Use the hospital underwear...save your maternity underwear for home.

RMama2012 · July 2012

hospital-

snacks (high fiber!)

chapstick

notepad (the nurses would come in to make sure i was bfing lo and since i was writing it in the notebook, the nurse would check and not wake me up. When lo and i slept 5 hrs or so, the nurse checked my book and woke me up. i also liked this for writing down anything the nurses/DR told me so that i wouldn't forget, writing down notes on my labor/delivery that i wanted to remember, and which visitors brought what since i had so many)

home-

boppy

pads (didn't need any until a week bc i had so many from the hospital),

liners (after 10 days-2 weeks, i didn't need pads anymore but i did need liners until 5 weeks)

lanolin if bfing (cabbage leaves & ice backs if you're ff)

ChicagoWeded2007 · July 2012

Bring febreeze for the hospital smells (also labor made me fart and I was embarrassed.). Also, bring plenty of smacks for recovery. I had a huge bag of m&ms and it was awesome. Remember to steal tons of the ice pack pads while you are there. Each nursing shift ask for more. They are a life saver

Mel5983 · July 2012

Your list & all the additions were a big help for me tonight, thanks!

Wishing you a speedy delivery & quick recovery with a happy healthy baby!

chlsbshp · July 2012

Hair dryer, just in case you're up for taking a shower during your stay (and of course after delivery). Also bring a couple different sizes to dress your baby in. The outfit we brought to take our son home in was three sizes too big.

rguillen301101 · August 2012

In addition to the things everyone else has suggested, I would also pack the baby's nail clippers and nail file. When I had my daughter, she came out with very long, jagged fingernails, and I wanted to cut them so bad!

Also, your sweatshirt: not sure if you are planning on it to be a zip up, but that would make things much easier on you when you are breastfeeding.

MollyAnn11 · August 2012

For when you get home, Dermoplast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trust me your lady parts will be SO happy if you have dermoplast, it's a numbing spray, I got extra from the hospital before I left with my first baby. Take a nice bath in the big hospital tub too, I'm bringing some bubble bath this time so when grandparents come to see baby I will take a relaxing bath while I can.

berenty2011 · August 2012

what should i pack for my hospital stay

midge6916 · August 2012

Friends have recommended that I pack an empty bag to bring home any extra goodies from the hospital (diapers, pacifiers, creams, disposable underwear, etc.) Anything that is opened for your baby is technically yours to keep...free stuff rocks!

Also, my mom works in labor and delivery and she suggested NOT bringing anything from home (towels, robes, hospital johnny, pillows) as everything gets ruined and/or lost.

A friend recommended a nipple cream from WHOLE FOODS that is all natural, works wonders and doesn't stain your clothes. I think it was called MOTHER'S MILK...it was the only nipple cream sold there.

Other than that, I think you are super prepared:-)

KelliLynee · August 2012

midge6916:
Friends have recommended that I pack an empty bag to bring home any extra goodies from the hospital (diapers, pacifiers, creams, disposable underwear, etc.) Anything that is opened for your baby is technically yours to keep...free stuff rocks!

Not a single thing they use or give you is technically free, it will all be listed on your itemized bill to you insurance. it's just that most people are lucky to pay a flat hospital copay, but some people have to pay a percentage or (gasp) their entire bill! I had a $7 charge for a sample size of lanolin on my bill.

becks2012 · September 2012

Chapstick!

Toothbrushes and your favorite toothpaste are important during labor. I brushed my teeth about fourteen times, I swear.

If there's anything that makes you feel comfortable, I recommend it. I took my favorite pillow. It made me happy to request it. It also made my honey happy to search through our bag and find my favorite socks

lookame3639 · September 2012

When I had my son I bled for two hours after so I had to be kept on potossin(I mean it was WAY to much bleeding and both DR and nurses were concerned). I used the hospital stuff too. Ice packs plus the extra long extra thick pads. there was also a numbing spray which I put on the pads to help. I didn;t even get into an outfit since I was to sore and the bleeding was overwhelming. Make sure to grab the sits bath from the hospital...

miAou143 · October 2012

you should NEVER clip babys nails until minimum 4 weeks.

file if u must but u should really leave them alone until 4 w/o

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