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March 2013 Moms
CBomback
member
STMs - what do you really need to bring in your hospital bag?
CBomback
member
The hospital bag lists I have downloaded seem to have a lot of items on them that are more "luxuries" than necessities. The way I picture my hospital stay is as brief as possible, and I assume that most of the recovery time I will be REALLY exhausted.
Do I really need to bring my own pillow & towels? It just seems like I'll probably be so tired after the birth that I'm not going to care how lame the hospital pillow is, and I'd rather not have to wash a pillow when I get home from the hospital. Also, there are towels in the hospital - I don't imagine spending more time in one than what I need to dry off and get dressed - wouldn't packing my own be unnecessary?
I'm not expecting the hospital to be like a 4-star hotel, and I have been camping enough where I really don't mind "roughing" it.
Any advice?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: STMs - what do you really need to bring in your hospital bag?
Personally, I don't feel the need to bring my own pillows/towels and found my hospital's to be perfectly fine. Some women don't like the mesh underwear, so I would suggest bringing a pair or two of your own (that you don't mind throwing out) just in case you don't like them.
Here is what I bring:
- Nursing Tank, yoga pants, and zip up hoodie to go home in.
- Bathrobe
- Socks
- Slippers
- Travel sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, deodorant
- Snacks for DH during labor
- Glasses/contact case/contact solution
- Boppy
- Nipple Cream without lanolin
- Hairbrush and hairties
- Phone/tablet charger
- Receiving Blanket
- Going home outfit for baby
My hospital provides everything else and sends stuff home with you (diapers, pads, dermaplast spray, Tucks, etc.)
::MyBlog::
I wore nursing tanks, and pj bottoms or yoga pants. I also brought my own underwear and pads because I felt more comfortable in them. I brought my own shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, etc, hair ties. I was induced, so I wore something to the hospital that I could wear home (just sweats) to cut down on the stuff I needed to bring. You really don't NEED anything, the hospital provides everything other than something to wear home, just bring whatever will keep you comfortable during your stay.
I only spend 24 hours at the hospital (I would leave earlier if I could without having to sign out AMA lol). In my hospital bag for my last labor I packed- yoga pants and a nursing tank w/ a zip up sweatshirt, a pair of granny panties to wear home (I don't love the mesh undies they give you and would rather wear my own home), a bag with all my toiletries (I get a travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and also have chapstick, travel size toothbrush and paste, a few bobby pins and a few hair ties, a brush, deodorant, socks, nursing bra and thats about it. I don't waste space bringing my own towels or pillows since I am only there 24 hours and can handle showering once w/o a big towel to dry off with.
Bring whatever you would need for an overnight away- you don't really need anything special just b/c you had a baby. The hospital provides pads and nipple cream and a squirt bottle for cleaning up with, and nursing pads.
ETA: I also bring my laptop and charger, phone and charger, DSLR camera and camcorder. I also bring the diaper bag w/ stuff for baby- 1 or 2 newborn sized footed sleepers, the baby book for foot prints, a swaddle blanket and warmer carseat blanket. I put it in the diaper bag so I have plenty of extra space to bring home all the extra diapers, wipes, etc.
I liked the mesh underwear and elephant pads so my bag has one pair of yoga pants, one pair of maternity jeans (in case I want to wear jeans home), two nursing tanks, a hoodie, nursing top, my toiletries (they have them at the hospital but for breastfeeding I prefer to use my own products so the baby gets used to my scent), and cell phone charger. My hospital offers snack foods 24/7 on the maternity ward so I don't feel the need to bring change for vending machines or snacks. I didn't mind the pillows and blankets and didn't want to deal with the extra laundry, and with blood dripping down my legs in the shower I felt much better using their washcloths and towels than my own.
We took our own pillows because the hospital ones sucked- and with what little sleep we had overnight I wanted to get as much rest out of it as possible. I do put bright colored cases on them so they stand out, and so I know to keep it at the head of the bed so it doesn't get any bodily fluids on it or pulled to use for breastfeeding. I have my own toiletries, hair brush, ties, dryer and makeup. I will say that I was an emotional mess after DD was born and I went to the hospital with the bare minimum so I didn't bring makeup or anything to do my hair. Not that I will spend an hour primping or anything but for me personally, I would rather not look like someone just gave me two black eyes in all the photos (which I look like if I don't have concealer). I had a lot of visitors, people that I didn't know that well (my in-laws friends) and co-workers (hospital is close to my office) so I have some yoga pants, nursing tanks and maternity cardigans to wear. I also attended the daily breastfeeding class that I had to walk LO across the floor to and I would rather not have my butt hanging out the hospital gown.
Also, bring some stuff to entertain you and SO; there will be a lot of downtime and more than likely nothing on tv so be prepared to just sit while LO sleeps. Magazines, tablet/laptop, movies (if you have a dvd player in your room), etc- stuff to help pass the time.
And take advantage of ALL the help offered. I tried talking my OB into letting me go home early, I was induced on a Monday, had DD on a Tuesday and by Wednesday I was ready to GTFO of the hospital. She advised me to stay one more night and I'm glad I did because DD decided to stop latching at 2am and I had to call the nurses crying because she was crying and I didn't know what to do. I wanted to slap the morning nurse with the "I told you so" face, but she was right...
I will be traveling light this time around! Last time I brought more than necessary. Some yoga pants, a tank and a hoodie, comfy socks, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, hairties, laptop with charger, cell phone with charger. 2 going home outfits incase she has a blow out in the first one. Done.
I really think it depends on the type of person you are. I highly recommend bringing your own pillow in less you really could do without one because the hospital pillows are AWFUL! I didnt bring my own towl with me last time and theres was like using a handtowel! (no joke) Remember to bring travel shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. I dont care what you say about being there for only 24 hours or whatever after going through labor and then sweating afterwards you will want to clean up!! I didnt bring anything last time besides my tooth brush and toothpaste and it was awful there should be no such thing as waterless shampoo YUCK! anyways my poor hubby and to go to the store several times for things I didnt bother packing! This time I am prepared! I have already packed my bag and this is what it looks like:
Towel, 4 pairs of underwear, 2 pairs of socks, gown for after birth, robe,pjs for next day, clothes home (yoga pants and shirt and zip up hoodie) mini hairbrush, hair ties and bobby pins, travel shampoo, conditioner, bar of soap, toothbrush for hubby and me, toothpaste!
I know that sounds like alot of stuff but honestly my hospital bag is tiny! For the baby im only bringing her take home outfit, warm blanket, swaddling blankets, hats and mittens, and nail clippers. Everything else will be provided!
GOOD LUCK!