Hospital Bags!

KaylaLovesNoah · June 2015

I've been perusing Pinterest posts about what you should and should not pack in your hospital bags, and there is a TON of conflicting stuff on there! As a rookie I'm absolutely positive I'm looking into this thing too much and just making it worse for myself, but it's either Pinterest or dishes...Pinterest it is! So my questions....what are you packing and when?! I saw something saying you should start gathering things around 30 weeks (which is where I am) but that seems a little bit like jumping the gun, thoughts?

Miz_Liz · June 2015

I would check with your Dr if they have a recommended list specific for your hospital. Different hospitals provide different things, so that is a great starting point. Keep in mind, you will leave with 10x more than you come in with (gifts, hospital stuff such as diapers, etc.). You honestly won't need a TON, but you want to make sure you have comfy clothes to go home in, a take home outfit (or two) for baby, toiletries, some comfy slippers....a boppy if you plan to BF (you can use a hospital pillow, but this is much easier). Don't forget things like cell phone chargers. If you don't live far from the hospital, you can always send someone to get something if you forget it. Make sure you have cash too if your SO is staying with you, they often have to pay for their meals/snacks, yours should be covered.

Miz_Liz · June 2015

Oh, and as for when to pack...personally I am just going to have a list ready and pack when I go into labor since I use most of the stuff regularly so I don't want it packed away. Most women are in labor for quite some time, so you should have plenty of time to pack (I showered before I left, stopped for lunch, etc.).

abbybaby19 · June 2015

I think i waited until 35 weeks to pack, but made a list of things a couple weeks before that. It also depends on if you have any factors that could cause you to have an early labor. If not, i think youre safe waiting a bit.

KaylaLovesNoah · June 2015

Ooooohhh, lists! Good idea! Really any reason to make a list makes me a happy camper...I may need list rehab 8-}

abbybaby19 · June 2015

Me too! I am an obsessive list maker! And every item on my lists have to have nice little boxes to check off next to them. Lol.

PurpleBookmark · June 2015

I would aim for 35 weeks to be at least semi-packed. I usually pack what I can and make a small list of last minute items like toiletries.

Definitely bring your Boppy if you have one, they're not only good for nursing but you can sit on it if you are really sore after birth.

hclzmm14 · June 2015

I feel like there was just a post about this exact topic a few weeks ago. You should check it got a lot of responses.

benmel31 · June 2015

I want to be packed with most stuff by 35w. I will then have a list of the things I use regularly that I will add to the bag. Last time, my water broke in the middle of the night at 36 w. I was not ready and there were definitely things I didn't pack and didn't realize I was missing until too late, like an outfit for me to wear home.

Thj417 · June 2015

I packed at 37 weeks last time. And the bag sat in my car for a month, haha! Late baby...

Comfy nursing top/tank, socks, wear home clothes. Baby outfit and wear home (my hospital offered to take pictures there so I had some props for that as well). Basic toiletries. I packed make up but never used while in the hospital. Boppy we had in the car, didn't bring in until after delivery.

Skip packing undies - the mesh ones the hospital gave were perfect!! I even got a few to take home.

keetlebeetle · June 2015

I'm going to try to get everything that I don't use on a regular basis packed by 34 weeks, just to have it out of the way. I definitely plan to bring our own pillows. Hospital pillows are awful. They usually can provide you with various toiletries there but they're low quality, so I'll bring my own shampoo, face wash, toothbrush, etc...

lvrunningirlie · June 2015

I will pack around 36 weeks. My first came early at 38 weeks so there is a chance this one will come around the same time or maybe earlier. I'll also remember to put my bag in the car (last time I had to leave from a doctors appointment straight to the hospital and had no bag).

I'll make a list as it get closer, but I'd recommend taking all those lists from pinterest and just deciding what YOU actually will want and need. Sometimes they include everything under the sun, which is a good starting place, but you probably wont need everything on the list. Also (like someone else said) see what your hospital provides. We brought diapers, but the hospital gave us a ton.

Honestly, don't stress about it though. It's only 2 days, and chances are if you forget anything your hubs or someone else can get it for you. The big things for me are chargers, comfy post birth clothes, my ipad (for the kindle), maybe movies to amuse myself while I'm there, and clothes for her to go home in. I didn't even think/have time for a shower or bath the last time so I didn't bring anything shower related.

love4yourlocks · June 2015

I have been packing my bag as I buy things. I just have a duffle bag in the nursery closet and throw things in as I get them. All the things I have packed are things I don't need before baby.
-Nursing bras (2)
-Nursing tank
-Nursing nightgown (2)
-Light cotton robe to cover up when guests come
-Fuzzy socks with the grippers on the bottom
-Travel size toiletries because I don't want to have to worry about being my own and bring them home
-tooth brushes for me and hubby, again I don't want to bring home tooth brushes from the hospital
-hair clips
-bobby pins
-hair ties
-dry shampoo
-comb
I will throw a little makeup bag in right before I leave
-2 coming home outfits for baby (one NB size one 3M)
-baby socks
-baby hat
I'll pack a small overnight bag for hubby probably at the very very end or when I am in labor and also add my coming home outfit (something comfy).

carleym93 · June 2015

I found the one on Pregnant Chicken to be the most helpful (and so funny.) Plus it comes with a print out list to check things off and it includes a list for DH. Score! I'm not going to pack mine until 37-38 weeks.

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/5/21/hospital-bag-what-to-pack.html

Boslove · June 2015

Based on my last bag from what I can remember:

-sweatpants/tshirts = going home outfit

-2 outfits for baby

-toiletries

-electronics and chargers

-Fuzzy socks

I stayed in my hospital gown most of the time and used their mesh panties.

This time around I will bring the same except an actual lightweight night gown and robe combo to wear when visitors come.

I also forgot my License smh so I couldn't sign her Birth Certificate right away - I would recommend making sure you and your SO have that.

lelesmom · June 2015

Honestly, I over packed for DD. I packed movies and tons of clothes for baby and myself. I was hurting too bad to watch any movies during labor and admission and afterwards I was still hurting and had so many people coming and going and then having to take care of baby and feed every hour I never even turned the tv on! The only clothes I needed was something lose and comfy for afterwards and going home I didn't want to dress up like I thought We didn't need burp rags, diapers, wipes, nipple cream, all the snacks and drinks, giant now for baby that was bigger than her... A little over prepared can be a bad thing bc it was more of a hassle to go through it all to get to the stuff I needed. Check with your hospital bc mine provided diapers, wipes, drinks, snacks, 3 meals for me and DH, manual breast pump, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. I could of had a small tote bag instead of a 29" suitcase for just me

pabeybaby · June 2015

I saw "jewelry box" and "curling iron" on one of the Pinterest lists. Can you believe that? Lol!

One thing I read was to bring an extra empty bag for the things the hospital will give you to bring home. I thought that was a good idea.

emmacake08 · June 2015

If your hospital cafeteria closes like ours does at night, pack snacks. I was so ravenous after giving birth and with breastfeeding, I couldn't make it through the night without eating.

ashbash1012 · June 2015

I'm one of those "neurotic " moms, with my DD I packed at about 25 weeks (don't judge me). But with this pregnancy I plan on packing this week. I'm 27 weeks today, I cannot take waiting til the last minute. (I'll have a scheduled c-section )

I will pack
Undies
soap
toothbrush and paste
my bath sponge
A nightgown
Socks
night shoes
my favorite pillow!
maybe some make up and my flat iron this time so I don't look a total hot mess when visitors come.

Side note I taught my hubby to flat iron so he can do it while I'm resting!

ashbash1012 · June 2015

My baby's bag has been packed for about 3 weeks!

)

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