Hospital bag...is it just me?

SashaDenn25 · June 2015

I always preface my stuff with the fact that I am a FTM, so I really have no experience to go by. However, ive been going on pinterest a bit to get an idea of what I want in my hospital bag and well most of the lists seem super excessive!! They look like pack for a weeks vacation!! They brought diapers and wipes...arent these provided by the hospital? I was bringing a picture outfit (kind of). Im a minimalist when it comes to cute photography..im going white onsie with cute headband. For myself, just some comfy sweats to go home in, house shoes, and robe for while im there (along with a small shower kit). Im also bringing a pillow for me and hubby and nursing pillow. Hubby will have an extra pair of shorts and shirt packed for him and we will have some snacks for both. I can fit all of this in a small thirty-one weekender tote I have. Do i really need more than this??

Lalala2326 · June 2015

The only thing I will say is remember that there is always the possibility of ending up with a c-section (or other complication) which means a longer hospital stay for you and baby. Make sure you at least have some stuff accessible at home for your SO to grab easy if you end up needing it.

I had to have a c-section due to DD being breech, so we knew ahead of time. I had to have a few days easy, comfy clothes (much more comfortable than hospital gowns), and I preferred to be able to dress DD in sleepers rather than just the onesies they provided at the hospital in addition to our "special" coming home outfit which was just a sleeper with matching hat. I didn't do diapers/wipes cause they were provided. I brought our nursing pillow though I actually didn't use it much. I think we had some snacks/drinks and maybe a change of clothes for DH that we left in the car (we only like 15-20 min from the hospital, so he went home to shower/change and such each day). Small set of stuff for the shower along with lotion, chapstick, and contact lens stuff. I also brought a handful of baby books and did read to the baby while in the hospital when trying to pass time while recovering. Chargers/phones/etc... are needed. That's essentially what went last time and what will come again this time.

thesportsgal · June 2015

We were sent straight from the doctors office for a possible emergency C so we had nothing - stupid, yes

. But I'm just saying you really don't need a lot. Comfy clothes, pjs, toiletries, baby outfit, car seat, phone charger. Pack for a basic overnight and you should be fine.

Thj417 · June 2015

I didn't use half the stuff I packed. I wore the hospital gowns and socks with pride. I used my toiletries and a couple of photo props/going home outfit for baby. Everything else was added weight. Glad I had an extra bag though for all of the pads and gauze panties they gave me!!

lvrunningirlie · June 2015

I take those lists as giving every possible thing someone might want... It's a good starting point but I'd definitely trim it down from those lists. Especially if your SO can get things from home for you. Especially if your minimalist (I brought way too much the first time that I just didn't use lol)

cosplaymom · June 2015

My top 10 list is here!

https://polkadotsandthunder.wordpress.com

I should add a charger to that list though haha!

pabeybaby · June 2015

FTM here too and I agree some of the lists are ridiculous! Who's gonna bring a curling iron?? If you do, more power to you to be feeling up to the deed!

ammc07 · June 2015

I way over packed with DD because I went by all the online lists. This time the only thing I'm bringing for baby is a coming home outfit and nursing pillow (i used this a lot when we were in the hospital). And for myself, 3 pairs of comfy bottoms (Csection so ill be there longer), nursing bra and camis, my robe since I'll have to walk to hallways, cell phone charger and toiletries. simple stuff. DH will go home and shower/change since we're maybe 5 mins from the hospital.

amylianne · June 2015

When you do your hospital tour, take a glance at their towels. They weren't great at our hospital, and I like to have my own towel and my own pillow.
I did use the nursing pillow, big panties that can fit the honking pads, and 2 outfits for me. The days and nights start to blend together, so neither baby or I needed many outfits even for a longer stay.
Also, we packed a small split of champagne to celebrate!

fionalouise007 · June 2015

Minimalist here too!! I'm using the lists as an extreme version of what I might need and picking and choosing what suits me and my hospital. Your hospital should be able to provide you with a list of things you need to bring at a minimum and then you can add whatever you want for you and your husband on top of that.

kettlekitten · June 2015

I packed the basics last time, the only thing I would Probably change this time is to take a couple of extra tops and bras, I ended up in hospital for a week and, with a spewy baby and BF difficulties, I ended up having to change my clothes multiple times in a day...lucky we live close to the hospital so it wasn't too hard for DH to nip home to do laundry for me!

amybabbay · June 2015

Didn't your hospital give you a list of stuff to bring ? Mine did so I will just follow that as not much on there apart from I'll bring my own formula and bottles as I'm not BF

emmacake08 · June 2015

Yes, don't overpack. It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate during just a 2-3 day stay and suddenly at discharge time you're wheeling out 2 carts worth of stuff to your car... I will say to pack snacks. My hospital cafeteria is closed from 10pm-6am and I was ravenous through the night post birth and DH kept having to run to the store for food like granola bars and dry cereal. I swear those Pinterest lists are all made by a type A person who gets comfort from organizing and packing while I do not...

laurasuzanne2006 · June 2015

Those lists are so crazy

ann_jeremiah · June 2015

Find out what your hospital provides. You'll most likely need a lot less than what you think!

squigles28 · June 2015

All the lists say bring your makeup...am I even going to want to do my makeup to go home? I'm tempted to say nah!

kelseyrayay · June 2015

I saw something on Pinterest called the minimalist hospital bag. It looked like a great list. Now personally I am a huge over packer. I would take my house with my if I could. I want to be ready for anything and everything that could happen. For example if I go on a trip somewhere I always pack for 3 days extra. I've always been that way. And I never use the extra things but I feel better if I'm prepared for anything.

ginger8484 · June 2015

@Lalala2326 thankyou for sharing. I never thought about bringing a book to read to the lo.

CaliforniaDream87 · June 2015

laurasuzanne2006 said:
Those lists are so crazy

This. Honestly, I could fit everything into a tote. I will be bringing as little as possible and leave room to fill my bad with all the goodies we get from the hospital.

hcook321 · June 2015

I'll be packing 2 bags. I know it sounds crazy but I'm planning a birth center birth in which you're discharged anywhere from 4-12 hour after birth, so that bag will be essentials only. The hospital bag will be packed in case of an emergency transfer to the hospital where I may need a few more items for a longer stay. I think you just need to judge what's necessary to you and plan accordingly.

Miz_Liz · June 2015

If you are worried you may want some stuff but aren't sure and you live too far away for someone to just run home - leave some extra stuff in the car that you take. That way you aren't taking 5 suitcases in, but it is there if you want it. I personally think less is more, you leave with so much more than you come in with already.

mamaloaf · June 2015

squigles28 said:

All the lists say bring your makeup...am I even going to want to do my makeup to go home? I'm tempted to say nah!

I did my hair and makeup each day we were there. Babies sleep a lot and I wanted to feel good around all the guests. It's just a habit.

PurpleBookmark · June 2015

I think it sounds like you are a minimalist and you will probably be happy with what you are packing. My only suggestions would be lip balm, hair ties and mints/gum.

This will be my third baby, for me I'll be taking 2 sweats/tshirt outfits, one for after birth and one to go home. With my first I stayed in my gown the whole time, second I showered and changed and just felt a little more "me". Definitely a light robe so if you have visitors while still in gown your bum will be covered. Slippers to cover feet (I prefer socks but my hospital insists on slippers, they think people will slip in their socks), deodorant, toothbrush, plus two outfits for Baby - newborn and 0-3 months in case they're bigger. My boppy pillow for feeding, plus baby book for foot prints.

As a side note with my first for his take home outfit we just brought a onesie since it was summer. I would throw a pair of pants in for the car seat, DS seemed bugged by the feeling of his legs on the seat.

ann_jeremiah · June 2015

squigles28 said:
All the lists say bring your makeup...am I even going to want to do my makeup to go home? I'm tempted to say nah!

I've brought my makeup, but have never used it.

eule1991 · June 2015

The only thing I have laid out so far is the babys outfit. I'm just gonna have a couple shirts and shorts for me and toothbrush, phone charger. The hospital is pretty close my husband can just go back home if I absolutely need something.

SashaDenn25 · June 2015

@Miz_Liz DH swears he wont be leaving to run home to shower and will just do so at the hospital, but we only live 30 mins from hospital so im pretty sure he will change his mind and decide that drive really isnt too far. (I would so rather use my shower at home if roles were changed.) Might have the couple maybes packed up at home so its easy for him to grab if I decide I want them....you know blow dryer, curling iron...LOL JK!

Miz_Liz · June 2015

@SashaDenn25 check with your hospital...mine did not allow dads to shower there, just the moms...

SashaDenn25 · June 2015

Never thought about that...maybe I wont even check and just tell him he cant and to go home and get cleaned up...hes going to need a breather from the hospital. Poor thing just doesnt realize it yet!

PurpleBookmark · June 2015

Miz_Liz said:
@SashaDenn25 check with your hospital...mine did not allow dads to shower there, just the moms...

My hospital as well, the in-room bathrooms are "patient only".

daniellepanda · June 2015

I overpacked toiletries last time. This time I will just have a robe, yoga pants, undies, nursing tank/bra, dry shampoo, deodorant, good heavy lotion/Chapstick (the hospital is SO dry), makeup remover wipes, phone charger, socks, basic makeup like bb cream mascara and blush, and a brush/hair ties. For baby I will bring a few outfits in newborn and 0/3, a&a swaddle blankets and car seat. Maybe my boppy pillow. The hospital here gives you plenty of diapers, wipes and plain white baby snap shirts.

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