The officially official hospital bag post.

mrsjenni · October 2013

I'm working on the Reg FAQ's now, but want to be able to link to certain things that I know others will find helpful. One of the main concerns brought up by J14ers was a hospital bag packing list. So? This is it. The officially official one.

S+TM's: Please post anything that you packed in your hospital bag previously that you found you couldn't live without.
FTM's: Please post anything that you plan to pack that you think may be useful and/or that you found on another list on the interwebz.

Here is my hospital bag packing list:

For Mama:

Pillow
Slippers
Flip Flops
Comfy clothes- zip up hoodies, nursing or regular tanks, nursing or regular/sports bras, comfy shorts/pants, PJ's and undies {I can't stress the importance of wearing your own clothes... they make you feel human again, especially when you have visitors. I even went out and bought cheap granny panties for the hospital. I bled on NOTHING. I can't imagine sitting around in a half-opened hospital gown while 36 people are in my room with me.}
My Breast Friend/Boppy {great for learning how to nurse with the lactation consultant present or even propping/holding the baby if you don't plan to nurse}
Nursing Cover {if you're having a lot of visitors}
Lanolin
MacBookPro/charger {I had plenty of time to be online in the hospital, especially at night when the nurses came in and checked on me every 10 minutes}
Camera/charger
Video camera/extra batteries
iPhone/charger {I never received or sent more texts in my entire life...yes, even while I was in labor. Make sure you're phone is completely charged at all times and ready to go.}
Toiletries {travel size work best} of shampoo, conditioner, body wash {plus a loufa}, toothpaste, hair spray, lotion, face wash, face wipes, deodorant, etc
Toothbrush
Razor {yes, I shaved in the hospital}
Hair dryer
Flat Iron {yes, I actually used mine... What? You're a temporary celebrity.}
Make-up {see above}
Hairbrush and extra hairbands
Insurance information
Copy of your birth plan
List of people to call/text

Some stuff the hospital had for me: Peri-bottle, Dermaplast numbing spray, Tucks, ice pads, maxi pads, mesh undies {though I wore my own after the first day...I just wanted to feel normal!}

For Baby:

Coming home outfit
Onesies
Cozy warm blanket
Car seat with base installed in the car that you bring to the hospital
Receiving blankets {we used these so the dogs could get use to the baby's smell before bringing them home to meet each other.}

Some of the stuff the hospital had for the baby: diapers, wipes, Triple Paste, blankets, nasal aspirator, pacifiers, etc.

For Daddy:

Pillow
Comfy clothes
Flip flops
Toiletries {again, travel-size work best}
Toothbrush
Razor
iPad/charger
Kindle/magazines
iPod/headphones
Debit card/cash {for food!}
Snacks

Please add yours below!

Arrgcr · October 2013

2 nursing tanks/bras
House shoes/robe
Socks/panties
2 pr Comfy pajamas
Cute but practical going home outfit
Chap stick
Hair band/brush
Travel toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, tooth brush, soap, razor etc)
Always overnight extra heavy flow with wings
BF'n stuff (nursing cover, lanolin cream, pads)
Massage oil and mitt (last time after being given pitocin I had horrible back labour and could have used it.)

I will pack a diaper bag as I normally would but throw in a few extra outfits, burp rags, and pajamas. And of course the going home outfit.

For DH just one set of pajamas and clothes. Also his toothbrush. This time we will be having LO in the same town we live in, not almost two hours away like last time so he can run home for extra and shower.

I also have a thin tote that folds down to like a credit card size but way thicker. My last hospital sent me home with everything that touched me and DS but the sheets, blankets, and pillows.

Last minute packing will include electronics with chargers, glasses, and extra batteries for camera.

jciardi10 · October 2013

Just for fun for great pics the entire experience lol, I ordered this hospital/nursing gown. My SIL did this and the pics are adorable : ) Here is the link (that is not me lol)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CHICMOMBOUTIQUE?ref=l2-shopheader-name

MamaP19 · October 2013

Towels, towels, towels.. When I took a shower the nurse handed me what seemed like a napkin sized piece of cardboard. We ended up being in L&D (over an hour from home) for several days unexpectedly and both DH and I were desperate for showers and wished we had brought bath towels from home.

Arrgcr · October 2013

@MamaP19 our other hospital had great towels and pillows. With this one I'm not so sure. I was thinking about making a tote to leave at the house JIC that has a towel, pillow, and throw in it. That way if they suck, I can have DH run home and grab it.

MamaP19 · October 2013

@Arrgcr - not a bad idea if you're close to home or have family nearby that could bring things to you. The hospitals near me are notorious for terrible pillows/blankets/towels. I was induced and in labor for a very very long time and DH didn't feel comfortable leaving me for 2.5+ hours to make the trip home and back to get things we had forgotten and we didn't have family that could do it for us. This time we'll probably pack things like that in an extra bag that will hang out in the car in case we need them.

edited for spelling

Siblynika · October 2013

My mama (who has had six kids) told me to make sure you bring your own towels as well as a tote/grocery bag or something. They don't take up much room in your bag and it helps a lot when you have to haul all of the stuff the hospital or any visitors give you.

LindsB314 · October 2013

I know it may sound silly but we brought our coffee press and coffee. Dh was eternally gratefully and made us both coffee every morning.It was awesome :-) We also had a mini fridge and brought gaterade. Our hospital did not provide pacifiers so I'll definitely be backing those this time! Otherwise everyone else covered what we brought.

rowanthefrog · October 2013

Ear plugs!!!! Hospitals are noisy places and trust me you will want to sleep when you can! Some ear plugs for you and DH will help!

A

gina0485 · October 2013

At our birthing classes the labor nurse recommended listerine strips and hard candies to suck on while in labor to help prevent dry mouth and foul breath (mostly to prevent foul breath for your labor coach so you don't have to breathe their nastiness in!).

moosebaby2011 · October 2013

If you are going to use a birthing tub and want DH to be able to jump in there (or in the shower) with you throw in a pair of swim trunks or gym shorts for DH.

cyndilouwho77 · November 2013

Can we sticky this??????? I keep trying to go back to it and its now on page 8!!

Well now back on 1 now that I commented...lol!

mrsjenni · November 2013

cyndilouwho77 said:

Can we sticky this??????? I keep trying to go back to it and its now on page 8!!

Well now back on 1 now that I commented...lol!

@cyndilouwho77- It's linked in the FAQ post, which is sticky'd

LadyJ2949 · November 2013

For all of us c-section mommas, here's a list that includes additional items we will need (one of the more important items appears to be an abdominal binder and travel pillow to press on the incision):

https://babyhtaketwo.blogspot.com/2011/09/packing-your-hospital-bag-c-section.html

I'm trying to keep in mind that I will likely be in the hospital a little longer than those having a vaginal birth so more clothes, toiletries, etc. may be needed.

Also - does anyone think it would be useful to bring a breast pump? I intend to breastfeed but I was wondering if a lactation specialist would be able to show me how to use this, etc.

ETA: words and a question.

Summer889 · November 2013

Both my midwife and doula suggested bringing your own water bottle with a straw

thegosiers · November 2013

On our hospital tour the nurse recommended bringing your own pillows bc the hospital ones suck! She said just make sure not in a white pillowcase to avoid confusion.

Amyjoy1972 · November 2013

The one thing that was amazing and I will be adding to my bag is the chill out pillow it gets cold when you are on it and you never have to freeze it. It was a gift from an L&d nurse and blessing. I also put some long v neck t shirts from the big and tall store for men the work great if your BF or pumping. I also loved my breast friend pillow.

echo136 · November 2013

I second your own plush toilet paper!!

Also bobby pins (I don't think it's been said). I had a headband last time that did not stay up and hairs that were constantly in my face and of course I had no bobby pins anywhere which is unusual anyways.

ckymer1 · November 2013

Nursing tank tops! After birth your stomach is still flabby and this allows you to nurse & still cover everything else up!! & the boppy!! Nursing trying to prop baby up on 3 pillows was NO fun!

susieandmarty · November 2013

Jolly ranchers - hard ones. I was not allowed to eat but was allowed to suck on those and it was nice to gave some flavor.

[Deleted User] · November 2013

Flip flops! You don't want to step into those showers with bare feet!

mrsbeers · November 2013

Did you ladies pack regular pillows from home or did you bring your huge body pillow? Personally, I know I can only get some sleep with my body pillow now! Does this change for you once baby is out?

Rushley · November 2013

I'm bringing a towel dress! I can hang it up and I know it covers my entire body. I dropped my towel on the floor last time and couldn't pick it up because of my c-section.

slmille4 · December 2013

Did u guys pack the diaper bag or just a couple or baby things in ur hospital bag?

Escher28 · December 2013

I packed a diaper bag, but kept it pretty minimalist: sample pack of wipes, going home outfit, 2 onesies, 2 diapers, a fleece blanket, and a pacifier.

Mamaleeks · December 2013

Hospital bag with my stuff and babies. Don't want too many bags. It's my 5th kid

cpm1223 · December 2013

@Slmille4 I'm packing the going home outfits (we are team green so I have two outfits), a swaddle, a blanket and that's about it in my bag for LO. There's not enough stuff I'll need to pack a diaper bag for LO...the hospital has all the essentials!

Dishylo · December 2013

Yep - our hospital has said that they provide you with diapers and essentials for the 1-3 days that you're there. Once you get home, of course, you're on your own!

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