What's in your hospital bag?

MapleLeafMama · January 2014

I'm too lazy to search for past posts, so sue me.

I'm having a total blank on what to pack for ME... I have the ginormous always pads, tucks pads, facial cloths (disposable kind to clean my face).

What else? I'm totally blanking here.

JuneMrs · January 2014

Nothing! I need to get cracking :-) My 1st baby I had 3 outfits for our kiddo, the pacifiers I knew I liked and the hospital didn't have, a nightgown, clean underwear, an outfit to go home in, flip flops for the shower, tooth brush, hair brush, camera, charger for my phone, outfit for DH...I think that's close to it. Pack light!

cMichelle0423 · January 2014

During my 1st PG i way over packed… I guess it kinda depends on what you want. I packed stuff like shampoo and conditioner and body wash thinking that i would want to shower. But honestly I was so exhausted that I didn't have the energy for a shower. Plus I only stayed at the hospital for a day after delivery. I also packed stuff to keep me "entertained" while in labor… Yahh I didn't even touch my cell phone until about an hour after delivery. I was in labor for 7 hours and pushed for 1 hour and I was in too much pain to focus on anything else. So I guess think about how you react and take pain. Long story short… pack light and be realistic. You're going to the hospital to deliver a baby.. not for a vacation.

JuneMrs · January 2014

Also think of it this way....anything you bring into the hospital is coming home full of germs so the less you bring the better!

a4smith · January 2014

Agree with the PPs!

And you might not need to bring your own pads and tucks etc. My hospital supplies those things...along with baby diapers and wipes etc. I would definitely bring your own shampoo/conditioner/soap for a nice post partum shower!

MapleLeafMama · January 2014

a4smith said:

Agree with the PPs!
And you might not need to bring your own pads and tucks etc. My hospital supplies those things...along with baby diapers and wipes etc. I would definitely bring your own shampoo/conditioner/soap for a nice post partum shower!

Here we do. Hospitals don't provide these things. They provide the first couple of pads, but after that, that's it. Diapers and everything we have to bring.

Its been five years between my children, so I can't remember what I packed for DS. I'm well aware it's not a vacation.

MapleLeafMama · January 2014

somerandomchick said:

a4smith said:

Agree with the PPs!
And you might not need to bring your own pads and tucks etc. My hospital supplies those things...along with baby diapers and wipes etc. I would definitely bring your own shampoo/conditioner/soap for a nice post partum shower!

Here we do. Hospitals don't provide these things. They provide the first couple of pads, but after that, that's it. Diapers and everything we have to bring.

Its been five years between my children, so I can't remember what I packed for DS. I'm well aware it's not a vacation.
They're charging probably 10k+ for your stay and they can't give you pads? Buttholes. If your hospital is that cheap, maybe bring lanolin if you're BFing? My hospital gave me a pile of samples on request. Super handy. Clothes to leave in, obviously. A hairbrush--something I always forget, traveling. My hair needed SOOmuch untangling after 12 hours laboring in bed with an epi. Bring FOOD. My hospital had great food included, 3 meals a day, but only open at certain hours. I was there for a day of labor and two days after and having crackers, applesauce, tiny juice boxes, string cheese, and blueberries was a LIFESAVER. After all the work of labor, and then BFing I was just like I NEED CALORIES! Having juice boxes ready was so nice. And string cheese is protein that's super easy to eat while nursing, or chow down in two seconds before taking another 30 min nap. I lived on string cheese, applesauce and berries/grapes the first week (it was July, there's not as many berries now but grapes are wonderful)

I'm in Canada. I don't pay for my hospital stay or delivery. Some items which are consdiered "extras" aren't covered by our government and there is a charge for them.

Thanks for the suggestions.

RebeccaY1 · January 2014

Clothing: sweatpants, t-shirts, hoodie/zippy, socks, underwear, bra, flip flops, slippers, going home outfit

Toiletries: pads, nursing pads, shampoo, conditioner, facial cloths, moisturizer, chapstick, blow dryer, flat iron, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, hair styling cream, soap, razor, back massager, hair clips

Entertainment: cards, magazines, iPad, camera

Snacks: juice box, water bottle, crackers, granola bars, applesauce, pudding, spoon

Pillow and nursing pillow

For baby: two outfits (going home and one for photo at hospital), a toy, receiving blanket, two washcloths, grooming kit (hairbrush, emery boards), healthcare kit (nasal aspirator), wipes (because I'm allergic to aloe and I'm not sure if the hospital ones will have aloe or not), diapers

ktpaladino · January 2014

I followed the list from TB the first time and felt that I had a lot of unnecessary crap. I'm cutting down my bag this time. One thing I think may be missing on TB list is flip flops or shower shoes, which I consider must. I also like to pack disposable underwear like Depends so my own aren't ruined.

mommyginab · January 2014

Not a damn thing yet! I am the queen of procrastination, so I will think of every thing I NEED to pack and visualize it over the next 7 weeks, then maybe I'll have it ready a day before my due date. Sad, right?

MJC1116 · January 2014

Bring a really great nursing bra. I didn't and my nipples were chewed up and hurt so bad. I don't know what I was thinking (clearly I wasn't) thinking I could wear my normal stuff out the door. I ended up buying two medela ones that I wore all the time the first few weeks -- except when I was flapping in the breeze from the discomfort!

desertmouse39 · January 2014

The things I really used during my first delivery/ hospital stay were:

Hairbrush

PJ bottoms and slippers (the gown was fine tied in front for BFing)

toothbrush/paste

mascara

face cleaning cloths

clothes to wear home, for me and baby

flip flops

camera, phone and charger

my own pillow

my own blanket

granny panties!

We also brought some light snacks including coconut water which I LOVED during my labor and right afterwards, but this time we will be better prepared for food. Depending on the time of day/night you deliver, there may or may not be food available and I was STARVING. My hospital provided diapers/wipes for baby, ice packs (frozen diapers!) to put in my underpants, pads and a wonderful numbing spray, as well as a bottle to hose myself down with after going potty, when TP is out of the question. You definitely should find out what they will provide and pack those items if they are not offered.

mandilou221 · January 2014

I haven't done anything yet!

I hardly packed anything for myself my first time. Just a robe and slippers, a change of clothes and my laptop. I actually LOVED the weird disposable undies the hospital provided. And they gave me everything else I needed. I wasn't there long, so I didn't shower. I didn't even wear make-up in my pictures. I'm so gross.

This time, I'm going to bring some face wipes because I plan on PIGGING OUT on some greasy burgers afterwards yumm.....

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