What are you packing for the hospital?

Ccalkins0301 · May 2014

Just curious what everyone packs for the hospital. I know I am a little early but wanted to get some good ideas of things maybe some of us haven't thought about!

venussapphire · May 2014

Not much.

Last time we were planning a home birth and I refused to pack a hospital bag. I ended up packing one right as we were leaving. Most of it didn't get used.

This time-

A set of comfy clothes to leave in
A nursing tank
Make up removing wifes(refreshing)

Tooth brush/paste

FLIP FLOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couple sleepers for baby

camera

DH downloaded a bunch of movies on to the computer and brought that. He watched a bunch while we rested after the baby. I was too exhausted to follow.

We didn't bring any food but maybe a couple snacks this time.

Thats all I can think of right now. But you really don't need much.

abbyful · May 2014

Mama clothes:

- comfy clothes (yoga pants, etc.)

- slippers

- socks to sleep in (I was FREEZING at night last time!)

- nursing bras

toiletries

camera

phone charger

snacks

Boppy

Baby clothes - Note: My hospital requires baby be in clothes provided by the hospital except for when the pro photographer comes around and when you are checking out.

- baby outfit for pictures (my hospital has a professional photographer come around every couple days to photograph newborns)

- baby outfit for going home - nothing fancy, probably a sleep-n-play

baby book (to get handprints/footprints done, if you bring it the nurses will usually do it for you)

copy of birth plan

ID & insurance info

car seat - they won't let you leave without one, they check

Maelara · May 2014

Hmm, I'll try to remember what I took last time:

For me: robe (didnt use it though) nursing tank tops (tank tops in general are good) and one nursing bra, yoga and sweat pants, sweater, my own pillow, travel size tooth brush and paste, dove care package (you can buy it at walmart and it has shampoo, conditioner, body wash, Vaseline, plus more I can't remember), large ass panties, slippers (this is a must), camera, chargers, pony tails and bobby pins, light makeup, IPad with movies on it, I made DH pack snacks in his which were really helpful. Oh! I also brought nipple cream but my hospital supplied this

breast pads are a good idea too.

For baby: (I packed all of this into the diaper bag) a few sleepers and onesies, the take home outfit, a hat, diapers and wipes (didnt use these as the hospital gave them to us, they also supply Vaseline which you need for the sticky newborn poops) a swaddleme, a swaddle blanket, different types of pacifiers, scratch mittens, as we are having winter babies bring a snowsuit or warm jumper (scratch this! As ladies have pointed out, snowsuits are very unsafe in carseats). If your baby ends up needing to be supplemented, they will supple the formula which will have disposable nipples to feed your baby. If you want your baby to have different formula or nipples, bring you own. Personally, I will be bringing a SNS medela supplementor so I don't have to use any bottles. If you need a breast pump, the hospital will let you use theirs. They also supply towels and swaddle blankets for your newborn. My hospital also gave us a hat, scratch mittens and booties

kaimee27 · May 2014

I haven't gotten that far yet, but I'm really glad to see this thread for ideas!!

jlove253 · May 2014

This thread just made me 1) so excited for LO to come! And 2) really want to treasure my time left to sleep as much as I can!

lauren_m · May 2014

My list was similar to @Maelara‌. You know what I randomly bought that I really used the most? A water spray bottle. I happened to see the little Evian one in BRU near all their travel toiletries and grabbed it, but any spray bottle filled with water would work. After I gave birth, my hormones went crazy and I was SO ridiculously hot (sweated right through a bunch of hospital gowns--had to keep changing them), and that spray bottle was a life saver. Not sure if that's a common issue or just me though. People also bring sucking candy (jolly ranchers or something) cuz you can't eat and the epidural (if you're getting one) can really dry out your mouth.

lil_shocker · May 2014

I would not recommend bringing a snowsuit. You will want blankets to put over baby instead. Snowsuits give you a false sense of how tightly they are strapped in and are not recommended for use in carseats.

Less is more when it comes to a labor/hospital bag. Flip flops or slippers, snacks, toothbrush, a bathrobe, clothes for me and baby, a dvd, and a camera are what we used.

It is most convenient if everything can be put in a back pack. Anything more that that may just get in the way in the post delivery room.

missnacholover · May 2014

Uhhhh, ask me in like, September, haha.

ccam · May 2014

Stuff I brought last time that I actually used -

Comfy clothes - outfit to go home in, nursing tanks, zip up sweatshirt, comfy pj pants etc.

Slippers & flip flops

Dry shampoo (can't shower immediately after a CS), hair ties, toiletries

Makeup, chapstick!!

My own pillow (hospital pillows suck!)

Boppy

Snacks

Camera & charger, phone & charger

For the baby - Going home outfit, extra socks (for hands!), blanket for car seat, binky (just in case since the hospital wouldn't give us one last time)

This time we'll need to remember a big brother gift.

brichar31 · May 2014

After I post this I'm totally googling what the hell a boppy is!

I gained 50lbs last time and all I brought to the hospital for afterwards was my regular size small yoga pants!!! Yeah...you don't lose 50lbs when you have the baby so make sure you pack clothes that will fit you. I ended up wearing a gown the entire time and leaving in the maternity pants my water broke in. I could have easily got someone to bring me clothes but I can't remember why I hadn't thought of that at the time...those first few weeks are still foggy.

Since I learned from last time

Comfy clothes that will fit!!!!

Slippers

A sits bath ( don't know if thats how you spell it...you fill it with water, set it on the toilet seat and you can soak your lady parts! I used epsom salts too, it made me feel so much cleaner and didn't hurt as much as sitting in a bath tub)

A couple sleepers

Face wash, makeup, toothbrush although I didn't use makeup last time...I was a mess lol

Nursing bra

Camera

Nighttime Maxi pads

Diapers and things for baby (Our hospitals don't provide that stuff anymore!)

Soft blanket for baby

Pillow for me!

mrsransom · May 2014

As others said, you really don't need much. The hospital has almost everything you need! I will just bring a couple changes of clothes, toiletries for showering, toothbrush/toothpaste & contact solution/holder, & baby outfits! Our hospital does let you dress them in clothes as soon as they are done with all the initial checks & tests

I won't bother with snacks because there are a TON of restaurants right around the hospital so I will just send someone for food

ed16564 · May 2014

Ladies- on yoga pants..

I live a sad life- I don't own any. Where do you buy them? Should I try them on now (14 weeks) and assume that size will fit??

lizgrace03 · May 2014

ed16564 said:
Ladies- on yoga pants..

I live a sad life- I don't own any. Where do you buy them? Should I try them on now (14 weeks) and assume that size will fit??

Target has maternity yoga pants and regular. I like to buy them there because it's cheap. You could also go to Lululemon if you want to spend $100 on one pair of pants.

ETA if you are only planning to use them for the hospital, I'd wait. But, you might want to consider getting some now since they are super comfy!

abbyful · May 2014

ed16564 said:
Ladies- on yoga pants..

I live a sad life- I don't own any. Where do you buy them? Should I try them on now (14 weeks) and assume that size will fit??

I have Old Navy maternity yoga pants. I even wore them to work when pregnant with DS!

carcrashheart · May 2014

Invest in a travel neck pillow. I find hospital beds extremely uncomfortable and the neck pillow helped.

I wore my hospital gown the entire time so I only needed some clothes to leave. I wore socks while I was there.

A few outfits/onesies for baby. Though our hospital provided side snap tops for DS.

Boppy. Even if you ff it helps make it more comfortable to hold baby for a long period of time.

We never watched tv. Ever. We weren't there to hang out. I was in labor and i didn't exactly give a shit what was on tv. Once DS arrived I paid attention to him. Not the tv. So I won't even bother packing things like that this time.

Clothes for DH. Pillow for him. Blankets. Phone chargers. Camera & charger. Snacks and drinks. Change for vending machines.

Car seat. Though not every hospital checks, that's a broad statement. If you have a premie they may do a car seat test to make sure LO can handle being in the seat.

Car seat cover. Not a bundleme. Light blankets to keep baby warm while traveling.

Toothbrush. Toiletries. Make up.

TXSparky · May 2014

The lists above are really good. The only thing I want to add is bring your own pad(s) especially with yoga pants. The hospital pads are really big and bulky and gave me diaper butt in yoga pants!

Also everyone on my floor was fighting for the one mobile fan. A little table top fan would have been nice for the hot flashes.

PennyLane26 · May 2014

I used almost everything I brought last time:

nursing nightgown & robe for after delivery (I like wearing my own stuff for visitors, may favorite was this one)

yoga pants, nursing bra & top to wear home

flip flops

camera

boppy (not to use, just to sit on for the car ride home!!)

toiletries: shampoo/condition/body wash, lotion, mascara, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, elastics, chapstick

Lanolin and Lansinoh soothie pads

one newborn size going home outfit for baby & warm blanket

iPhone/chargers/purse

Some stuff for DH (clothes/toothbrush/deodorant)

I will NOT bring:

my iPad - I was too busy laboring and then visiting/resting after baby was born to use it

snacks - running to vending/caf gave DH something to do, also visitors brought food, too.

anything for the baby besides going home outfit, the hospital gives you EVERYTHING

PineApple85 · May 2014

I think everyone covered anything that I would list except I will specifically bring fruit. Everyone warned me about constipation post-partum and how painful the first bowel movement would be. I requested as much fruit as I could from the hospital at every meal and apple juice and I had no problems so I would like to take that approach again. Nasty topic, I know, but it is what it is.

Also, I prefer gowns to pants/short so I found a stretchy cotton beach dress (gave birth in July last time) with a low, cross-over v-neck that made breast feeding really easy and accessible (also empire waist to be comfortable over the belly). I was able to find two at target on clearance so it worked out well.

momtojad · May 2014

I wrote this last time when I packed. I was at a birth center and literally used like three things since we were only there 4 hours. What I needed was depends, nursin sleep bras, comfy clothes for me, going home outfit for baby and food. https://www.myjordaniannugget.com/2013/02/my-birth-center-bag.html

SweetMelissa5 · May 2014

I brought my computer, camera, nook, and phone, and all the chargers, clothes for me and baby to go home in, toothbrush, hairbrush, and I can't think of anything else. Most of what we needed has always been provided, so I've never had to bring much.

mander82 · May 2014

Oh my.....I don't even want to think about this yet......but probably as very little as possible.

Phone chargers--jammies--nursing bra if I buy one--SNACKS!--baby outfit--carseat--I always need chapstick, so probably that and the hard candy someone suggested. I plan on roughing it I guess. I know I will have plenty of visitors, so if I decide that I want/need something, I can get someone to bring it.

DoubleUp8 · May 2014

Definitely will be referring back to this in August/September!

TXPyroMom · May 2014

KUinCBUS said:

Hmm. This may seem morbid but (in addition to the usual stuff) I brought copies of my medical power of attorney and my living will. After DD was born I was in and out of consciousness for several days. DH was making medical decisions on my behalf. The POA form was actually referenced on a couple of occasions. It may not have been completely necessary but we were glad to have my health care directives clearly defined and on hand.

@KUinCBUS Forgive my ignorance, but is this really needed? I just assumed that DH would have all of those rights already... chalk it up to watching too much ER growing up

jaminjeff · May 2014

Everyone's covering pretty much everything, I'll just add this tip. Keep your camera in your purse near the end of your pregnancy. The hospital can provide anything you need in the moment, but to go there in an emergency and not have your camera was my worst fear. I was always worried I'd go to the doctor for my weekly check up and he'd send me straight to the hospital or something, so I anted to make sure if nothing else, I had that on me.

Maelara · May 2014

lil_shocker said:
I would not recommend bringing a snowsuit. You will want blankets to put over baby instead. Snowsuits give you a false sense of how tightly they are strapped in and are not recommended for use in carseats.

Less is more when it comes to a labor/hospital bag. Flip flops or slippers, snacks, toothbrush, a bathrobe, clothes for me and baby, a dvd, and a camera are what we used.

It is most convenient if everything can be put in a back pack. Anything more that that may just get in the way in the post delivery room.

This is true, I was thinking of weather not safety. Geeze! What one forgets!

Here, it routinely gets to -50*C and then you add wind chill on top of that and it gets very windy here. I WILL be getting one of those snowsuits that buckles directly into the car seat for such occasions. Or a fleece suit with blankets. At those temperatures it's hard to say which is safer.

ETA - I've noticed a couple ladies saying they stayed in the hospital gowns the whole time! If that makes you comfortable then don't worry about bringing too much clothing for yourself. Personally, I felt much more comfortable and like myself in my own clothes. I could actually feel my spirits lift once I had a shower and put my own clothes on. I also had a csection so I had to get DH to bring extra stuff from home because I packed pretty lightly as I only expected to be there for a day.

nicnac817 · May 2014

Hahahahaha... I'm still trying to catch up on last weeks laundry honey.

jlove253 · May 2014

Just a couple things to add. Both were mentioned already, but I really think they're with highlighting.

DH or SO will need his stuff too! Last time I kept asking DH if he had his stuff packed and he always said yes, but he dust pack any socks... So make sure your partner has his stuff too, or he may be stuck with stinky feet until he can make a sock run.

I wore the hospital gown the whole time I was there and looking back I wish I hadn't. I had a traumatic birth experience and was kinda wild-eyed crazy, so I know I was just getting by, but I think it would have helped if I'd changed into my own clothes.

MrsAdventure · May 2014

I love this thread. The thought has crossed my mind, but as a FTM I have only a vague idea of what to bring. I am so bookmarking this for later!

@KUinCBUS‌ even though part of me feels like all that is overkill, I am a serious over preparer (word?) and your story makes me think I would feel exceptionally unprepared without this. It's a long shot that it might be needed, but heaven forbid it was, I wouldn't want DH to have to deal with the added stress of not having proof of POA and all that, on top of any emergency that comes up. Thank you for the suggestion!

Edit: words are hard

SweetMelissa5 · May 2014

I've always stayed in the hospital gowns the whole time, and I think I was a lot more comfortable that way since otherwise I would have been worried about getting blood all over my clothes (and more than once I did have to change my gown because I bled all over it, so it wouldn't necessarily be an unfounded fear). It is definitely to each their own.

mamameg11 · May 2014

I have c sections, so I pack like I'm going on a long weekend trip, but add in nursing jammies, nursing supplies (pads, lanolin, cooling pads) and a robe. Baby's gear, but not too much clothing bc I like the kimono shirts they have for baby, they make for easy diaper changes. A nice pillow for DH and I. Chargers for everything. And a can of bathroom air freshening spray. There is nothing worse than the smell of poo (from DH or I) wafting through our room of visitors.

abbyful · May 2014

jaminjeff said:
Everyone's covering pretty much everything, I'll just add this tip. Keep your camera in your purse near the end of your pregnancy. The hospital can provide anything you need in the moment, but to go there in an emergency and not have your camera was my worst fear. I was always worried I'd go to the doctor for my weekly check up and he'd send me straight to the hospital or something, so I anted to make sure if nothing else, I had that on me.

Great tip! I wouldn't have thought of that!

sunflwra · May 2014

People have covered most everything so far. Regarding clothes for PP, I would recommend something that fits you around 5-6 months pregnant unless it's REALLY stretchy. If you get IV fluids, etc you can be really puffed up and bloated, so it's nice to be comfortable.

I brought the world in my suitcase the first time and didn't use most of it since the hospital really does provide most of what you need but keep in mind that you'll likely labor and deliver in a different room than your PP stay, so you'll have to pack everything up for the move, so less is better.

mamatohne · May 2014

Last time I didn't take my boppy, big mistake! !! This is going in my car soon!

ShelleyElla22 · May 2014

My list is similar to PPs:

Fuzzy socks with grippers on the bottom (to wear while laboring-keeps feet warm and grippers help keep you on your feet if you're doing a lot of walking!)

Comfy jammies with cover up in case it's chilly

Chapstick, hairbrush, hair ties, toothbrush and toothpaste

I brought my laptop and a book to have as options for distractions during labor.

Pillow and boppy

For LO:

Newborn gowns
Cute going home outfit
Socks
Mittens (my kids scratch themselves really bad without these)
Pacifier
Baby book (for footprints)
Car seat and some sort of cover or blanket

Things to keep in mind: my hospital provided all postpartum care necessities (undies, pads, ice packs, etc). Everything for baby was also provided (wrap shirts, diapers, wipes, cream/vasoline, bulb syringe, blankets, and any breast pump or formula needs).
Make sure you have a change of clothes for SO. I threw up on DH during my first labor and he had to sit in puke clothes for hours!

lil_shocker · May 2014

Maelara said:

lil_shocker said:
I would not recommend bringing a snowsuit. You will want blankets to put over baby instead. Snowsuits give you a false sense of how tightly they are strapped in and are not recommended for use in carseats.

Less is more when it comes to a labor/hospital bag. Flip flops or slippers, snacks, toothbrush, a bathrobe, clothes for me and baby, a dvd, and a camera are what we used.

It is most convenient if everything can be put in a back pack. Anything more that that may just get in the way in the post delivery room.
This is true, I was thinking of weather not safety. Geeze! What one forgets!

Here, it routinely gets to -50*C and then you add wind chill on top of that and it gets very windy here. I WILL be getting one of those snowsuits that buckles directly into the car seat for such occasions. Or a fleece suit with blankets. At those temperatures it's hard to say which is safer.

The JJ Cole Bundle Me (that is sherpa all the way around) is another one to avoid. It can potentially void any warranty or insurance claim since it is an after market product.

That being said, they do make a fantastic car seat cover which attaches over the top of the car seat, so it is completely safe. Coupled with a blanket or two inside and that helps with winter weather dramatically. And if it's that cold, you are usually running your car to warm up before leaving, so they aren't in that cold for long. On long trips we would pack it in case our car was disabled or something happened, but generally speaking the cold wasnt much of an issue.

Maelara · May 2014

lil_shocker said:

I would not recommend bringing a snowsuit. You will want blankets to put over baby instead. Snowsuits give you a false sense of how tightly they are strapped in and are not recommended for use in carseats. Less is more when it comes to a labor/hospital bag. Flip flops or slippers, snacks, toothbrush, a bathrobe, clothes for me and baby, a dvd, and a camera are what we used. It is most convenient if everything can be put in a back pack. Anything more that that may just get in the way in the post delivery room.
This is true, I was thinking of weather not safety. Geeze! What one forgets! Here, it routinely gets to -50*C and then you add wind chill on top of that and it gets very windy here. I WILL be getting one of those snowsuits that buckles directly into the car seat for such occasions. Or a fleece suit with blankets. At those temperatures it's hard to say which is safer.
The JJ Cole Bundle Me (that is sherpa all the way around) is another one to avoid. It can potentially void any warranty or insurance claim since it is an after market product. That being said, they do make a fantastic car seat cover which attaches over the top of the car seat, so it is completely safe. Coupled with a blanket or two inside and that helps with winter weather dramatically. And if it's that cold, you are usually running your car to warm up before leaving, so they aren't in that cold for long. On long trips we would pack it in case our car was disabled or something happened, but generally speaking the cold wasnt much of an issue.

This is true! With DD I waited in the hospital for my DH to bring the car around so she wasnt outside for long. I always forget about carseat covers as I didn't really use one for DD. She was a summer baby and by the time the cold weather hit, a blanket was more than sufficient. There was a town a few hours away that got to -100 with wind chill this past winter. It was scary and that always plays in my head. With DD, I always put a light sweater on with lots and lots of blankets. I think, as this is a winter baby, I'll keep something warmer in the diaper bag, just in case. But snowsuits really are a no-no when it comes to carseats, you ladies are right.

jaminjeff · May 2014

Maelara said:

I would not recommend bringing a snowsuit. You will want blankets to put over baby instead. Snowsuits give you a false sense of how tightly they are strapped in and are not recommended for use in carseats. Less is more when it comes to a labor/hospital bag. Flip flops or slippers, snacks, toothbrush, a bathrobe, clothes for me and baby, a dvd, and a camera are what we used. It is most convenient if everything can be put in a back pack. Anything more that that may just get in the way in the post delivery room.
This is true, I was thinking of weather not safety. Geeze! What one forgets! Here, it routinely gets to -50*C and then you add wind chill on top of that and it gets very windy here. I WILL be getting one of those snowsuits that buckles directly into the car seat for such occasions. Or a fleece suit with blankets. At those temperatures it's hard to say which is safer. ETA - I've noticed a couple ladies saying they stayed in the hospital gowns the whole time! If that makes you comfortable then don't worry about bringing too much clothing for yourself. Personally, I felt much more comfortable and like myself in my own clothes. I could actually feel my spirits lift once I had a shower and put my own clothes on. I also had a csection so I had to get DH to bring extra stuff from home because I packed pretty lightly as I only expected to be there for a day.

The bolded part. I had a c/s and it would have been difficult to have to take the gown off every time I wanted to pump (I wasn't able to latch - EPd for 9 months). I wore nursing tanks, sweats and a light bed time cardigan last time and felt most comfortable in that. I kept everything black so I didn't worry about blood.

JustJainey · May 2014

Checked my hospitals recommended packing list and oh boy could it use an update! They suggest cassette tapes (might have to hit some yard sales to find those *lol*) and I was amused to tell DH that they suggest he bring a bathing suit so he can help me shower! He looked aghast!

Thanks to all you ladies for actual practical and helpful lists

Maelara · May 2014

KimmieS1756 said:

Each pregnancy I learn more what is necessary/not necessary with my hospital bag. What I will pack this time and what I packed last time:
- Comfortable tops/tanks (not nursing tanks but I know a lot of people recommend them -flame me if you must but I will not be nursing due to trying with all 3 of my other kids and failing with all 3 because I could not produce enough no matter what I tried and they "failed to thrive". So instead of facing the feelings of frustration and failure again especially since I will be trying to feed 2 babies I will be doing formula).
-Yoga/comfortable pants for wearing around the hospital and room (I pretty much get out of the gown as soon as I get to recovery. I HATE hospital gowns and it makes me feel more human to be in my own comfortable clothing. And yoga pants have enough stretch and are easy for nurses to still check what they need to down below.
-1 sweatshirt (hospital rooms can get cold)
-socks(hospital rooms get cold especially at night).
-phone and phone charger
-1 pair of flip flops and 1 pair of slip on shoes (for walking around the hospital to the cafeteria, baby boutique, nursery, etc).
-boppy pillows to lay babies in and practice feeding 2 babies at once(praying to keep them in as long as possible so they wont require NICU time).
- Camera
-hygiene products (shampoo, deodorant, hairbrush and hairties, toothbrush/toothpaste, body spray, make-up-usually only some powder and mascara, etc).
-a couple outfits (usually sleepers) for each baby (I don't usually leave them in the hospital outfits but sleepers make them still easy enough for nurses to check their stats easily also).
-coming home outfit for each baby
-baby books for each one (our hospital will do their footprints and handprints right into the books for you when they are born if you give them the books to do so).

If anybody flames you for feeding your baby formula and making the best decision for you and your family, they will have me to deal with

Nfranco973 · May 2014

KUinCBUS said:
Hmm. This may seem morbid but (in addition to the usual stuff) I brought copies of my medical power of attorney and my living will. After DD was born I was in and out of consciousness for several days. DH was making medical decisions on my behalf. The POA form was actually referenced on a couple of occasions. It may not have been completely necessary but we were glad to have my health care directives clearly defined and on hand.

It doesn't sound morbid to me. This is a reality that most people don't think of when going into labor or in the hospital period. It is very important to have one. I've been in situations where I had to make decisions for relatives not knowing what they wished. It is a very tough situation to be in god forbid something went wrong.

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