What do I put in my diaper bag?!?!

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

I finally bought one, and it's empty, and I feel like I need to put something in it! I get admitted Wed night for Thursday induction, but it seems like I don't need much for that? Blanket, take home outfit, hat, etc..? I'm starting to worry this little guy needs a jacket already - I haven't bought him winter bunting or anything yet either. Bad mom?

Also, should I buy nipple shields?!?

74dragonfly · October 2014

So excited! Bring extra take home outfit in case of outfit change. No coat needed you can put blanket around him when he is in car seat. I never used nipple shields.

74dragonfly · October 2014

One tip on day of birth have someone go buy newspapers and magazines to keep for baby.

juliagulia38 · October 2014

I didn't take my diaper bag to the hospital. I just put whatever LO needed in my overnight bag. I brought extra clothes, blankets, socks and hats. The hospital will provide diapers and wipes. I wouldn't use a nipple shield, see how it goes first. My DS was dependent on them and I couldn't nurse him without. It was such a pain! I brought Dermoplast numbing spray with me. That was a life saver.

ErinO21 · October 2014

I wouldn't worry about a shield yet. Plus my LC just gave me one. Pack nipple cream though. Next time I want to pack an extra outfit or pjs for baby to have something other than the baby kimono things my hospital provided. Some might say its a waste of space or laundry. Just a preference of mine.

thesportsgal · October 2014

Don't put much in your bag so you have room to bring everything home with you, or bring another empty small suitcase. They gave me diapers, wipes, tons of pads, tucks, all of the parts to the breast pump, a fleece sleep sack, unused bottles/nipples, etc.

I would just bring two outfits and a blanket. So excited for you!!!

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

cashhh said:

Pretty much (to your first question). The hospital provides diapers and wipes. You may not need a nipple shield and I would only use that as a last resort. It is really hard to wean them from it. I would wait to see if you need it. They should have an LC that will be really helpful.

ETA: Do you have Tuck's, etc for yourself?

@cashhh

I ordered 2 things of tucks and some massive always overnights from amazon, and I've been told to try to steal some extra pads from the hospital, and also mesh underwear? Is there anything else I should have waiting at home for myself?

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

74dragonfly said:

One tip on day of birth have someone go but newspapers and magazines to keep for baby.

@74dragonfly

Good idea!

Montgomerysmomma · October 2014

What @cashhh‌ said about the nipple shields. I would try to avoid if possible. I stuck some disposable breast pads and lanolin in my bag in the beginning. Also burp cloths in the diaper bag were key in the early days for cleaning up spit up or other messes. Oh and pads for yourself for the pp bleeding. The hospital ones were like bricks. Super uncomfortable.

ErinO21 · October 2014

cashhh said:

ErinO21 said:

I wouldn't worry about a shield yet. Plus my LC just gave me one. Pack nipple cream though. Next time I want to pack an extra outfit or pjs for baby to have something other than the baby kimono things my hospital provided. Some might say its a waste of space or laundry. Just a preference of mine.

My LC said to just express breast milk on it and that worked better than nipple cream.

I've heard/read that too. I would just hate to not have it and feel like I needed it lol. Plus milk doesn't come in right away.

thesportsgal · October 2014

mcncheese said:
Someone also suggested to me if you do pics in the hospital pack a premie outfit. Nb clothes may still be super baggy.

Lol, dressing LO for the first time was a freaking nightmare. Her NB outfit was HUGE. I wish I would have left her in the hospital outfit and put a cute blanket over her

.

74dragonfly · October 2014

Warm comfy socks for you and a cardigan. I was either hot or cold. Post partum hormones

Ltpugs · October 2014

I think all the ladies have great advice. We brought home sooooo much stuff an extra bag would've been handy. Maybe a tote that folds up small so it doesn't take up a lot of room.

One thing I would do differently... I would've preferred a nursing night gown instead of the hospital gown. It provides more coverage for breastfeeding when visitors are there and still allows the nurses to examine you. Personally I think it would've been more comfortable.

mamashan12 · October 2014

I remembered a cute take home outfit for LO and managed to not bring the kid socks! Premie size is a good idea, NB was huge on her.

Yoga pants, nursing top, robe, comfy button down pjs, lip balm and the Boppy were all things I was super happy I had. I was also glad to have my own reusable water bottle as my thirst when I started breastfeeding was a hundred times worse while than when I was pregnant.

Also, bring your own shower stuff and towel- the stuff the hospital provided was TERRIBLE.

Congrats!! And good luck!

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

Thanks ladies, I'm reading these all and taking note!!

@mcncheese Never thought of the preemie outfit - I am going to buy one this evening when we go to get the car seat.

Will def pack my nursing nightgown and robe, though I have a strong preference for pants.

( Right now there are yoga pants, nursing tank, nursing bras slippers, long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, socks and towels in my bag.

I hadn't planned on bringing the boppy, but it should fit in my suitcase, so not a big deal to add! Will bring an extra tote bag, though I've heard that since it's an academic hospital we don't get that much stuff!

Boo!

I never heard of dermaplast so will look that up now!

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

cashhh said:

OMFG, I AM GETTING SO DAMN GIDDY THINKING ABOUT BABY FISH COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@cashhh

The final Dec13 baby is finally arriving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

amberpro · October 2014

Seriously, though... I am overwhelmingly happy for you

. I'm so excited to see a beautiful pic of you holding your precious baby tight in your arms alongside this overstuffed diaper bag.

tyedyeme12 · October 2014

sweett11 said:
Oh make sure you have stool softener for when you go home. They'll give you some while you're in the hospital but you'll want it for home.

Colace is magical.

katebusse · October 2014

You received some great advice. Many, many blessings to you and your little family:) After this long journey over the rainbow, you'll have your little pot of gold so soon. Sincerely happy for you!

Kermode61581 · October 2014

Maybe have baby outfits in a few different sizes. I had intended in dressing LO in the same outfit as her sister to come home in but I had a monster baby that came out needing 3 month clothing. Also lip balm, my lips were so dry and it drove me nuts.

JRT512 · October 2014

I have a great packing list that I typed up for expecting friends. PM me if you'd like me to email it to you since it's in a word doc. Yay for baby GDF!

lifesaverz · October 2014

The ladies have given great advice! I would also add tennis balls (seriously, SUCH a lifesaver for back labor...have someone push them into your back, best thing ever), your own pillow, in a trash bag to keep out germs (hospital pillows suck), & then personally I loved having music on an iPod, & brought DVD seasons of my favorite show to put on too.

Next time around I actually would bring a nipple shield too. The LCs that saw me right after LO was born really should've given me one, looking back, but they didn't & things spiraled awfully until a LC I saw about a week later that gave me one. I had no idea that was what I needed.

Also, I can't believe this is finally happening!! I'm seriously so freaking happy for you!

lifesaverz · October 2014

Oh & I also totally wish I had brought my exercise ball! Would've been so handy for labor, although a pain to hall around I'm sure, but I'm totally doing that next time.

Danicali · October 2014

Biggest things I was glad to have for me: headband, nipple cream, new mom bottom spray/tucks. For baby: we just had him naked and in diapers his hospital stay. Put him in an outfit right before we went home. We are in canada. And our hospital only provided 5 diapers. So we brought diapers. And our own wipes. I don't think they had wipes. I also brought my own swaddling blanket. The hospital ones gave him SUCH a bad rash!! I didn't use nipple shields so I have no advice on that. Sorry!

Danicali · October 2014

Oh and I second the water bottle. Way better than having to fill up a stupid jug thing all the time.

ameegee · October 2014

mcncheese said:

Nabours3 said:

SailorTink said:
Another pants-preference here after the big day. Made me feel more like myself. I forgot to wear a nursing bra to the hospital so when she was born and started comfort nursing I had to wrangle my bra over all the hospital cords. Oops!

Also... THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST WEEK EVER!
I did this too! Forgot the bra thing we ended up cutting mine off! I had zero patience for the nurse trying to help get me out if it through the cords that I just said cut it off !!
Wait are yall talking about right after delivery? You wore a bra?? Am I the only one who was butt ass naked during delivery?? My poor Dr and DH were freezing yet I couldn't get cold enough. I wanted to rip my skin off.

Exactly the same. I think I still had the gown on. But barely. I kept making them bring me ice. Not to eat. To cool me the eff down. I didn't wear a bra until we left I think lol

mamaj1220 · October 2014

I have nothing to add for your bags but I wanted to tell you good luck! It really feels like D13 will be complete!!!!

mamaj1220 · October 2014

Oh I do have one thing to add! Take thedamn pain meds! I tried to be all oh iI'm okay and about five minutes later my vag was crying.

ameegee · October 2014

sweett11 said:
If you don't have a pump yet, I'd get at least a hand pump. I was so engorged when my milk came in and it was nice to pump a little for comfort.

I actually had to pull my full pump out at 2am and pump for a couple minutes the night my milk came in just so she could latch.....

MaryBB77 · October 2014

Slippers or flip flops to wear home in case your feet swell up. Mine were huge!
Very best of luck to you

backoffunicorn · October 2014

Everyone covered it. Bring 2 things of Chapstick. We left mine in L&D by mistake. Agree with Sooz, lanolin sucks. Try to get them to prescribe you Newman's nipple cream. It was amazing!

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