Hey ladies, I've been reading a lot about what you do and don't need to bring to the hospital. Same for dads. I was wondering what your list of must haves and what you can skip and leave at home might be? I feel like I'm gonna pack my whole house and use two things outta my bag. Some suggestions even say bring your blow drier and straightener for the day your released. I mean, are us FTM's really gonna feel up to doing our hair and makeup? I'd like to think I would walk out looking "somewhat" decent but I'm thinking it's highly unlikely. Suggestions? Life savers? Ehh, leave it home ideas and/or lists?
Re: STM's - Must haves for packing a hospital bag?
I brought makeup... Didn't use it.
Brought one pair of yoga pants and like 2 maxi dresses.
I wore flip flops home since it was early Oct. This time, I'll probably go our and buy crocs or some kind of cheap slip on shoe.
Buy super cheap underwear because you will bleed... A lot.
grip socks
A magazine or 5 and snacks. Hospital food is crap.
A phone charger is a must.
That's about all I can think of at the moment.
-Camera
-Phone charger
-Chapstick
-Snacks
-I brought my iPad to watch Netflix on and was glad I had that.
-Your own pillow, hospital pillows suck
-Boppy or other nursing pillow
-Comfy sweatpants
-Travel size shampoo, condition etc.
-I am on board with bringing your straightner, I didn't care what I looked like going home but I did use it for during my hospital stay when I had visitors and took pictures.
I found that both times I had babies I always packed too many clothes. You wear the hospital gown for awhile so keep that in mind.
I loved: boppy
I stayed in a gown and robe with the mesh undies til they kicked me out. There was no way I was putting on pants or anything until it was necessary.
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hair brush and hair tie
Nursing bra and nursing pads
I wore the mesh undies home so no need for underwear
Loose pants
T-shirt
Light robe (nice to put on after having baby, mid length and cotton)
I wore spaghetti strap sun type dress at the hospital even in cold February
Electronic device and charger
Baby outfit and blankie
Shampoo and conditioner travel size is great!
Stool softener (hospital can give you this to)
Slip on shoes for walking around the hospital
Deodorant
I never did my makeup but I am more natural anyway, also no hairdryer a ponytail is just fine for me. I never used a nursing pillow at the hospital either, but if your concerned about nursing and you get to see a lactation nurse before you leave you might want to take one to make sure you get the right feel. I just used pillows.
I took everything home from the hospital that I could, big pads, disposable undies, peri bottle, diapers, other baby stuff, binkie, thermometer, baby powder, wipes....
Also remember to freeze some pads or diapers for when you get home . They make great ice packs!
- slip on shoes
- nursing pillow
- baby nail clippers!!!
- yoga pants / loose shirts
I threw away some until I realized HELLO I can wash these!! I wore them until the heavy bleeding stopped and was glad I held onto them because my third was at a birthing center and they didn't have those!
One unecessary thing that I brought and appreciated having was a short string of Christmas lights, it was so much more relaxing than the overhead lighting.
-hair ties
-hair brush
- snacks!!!
-extra chargers
-camera
-take as many mesh undies as you can!! Save your panties they are awesome and comfy.
Word on the street in my area is that they don't give you any extra mesh underwear. Sounds like a big THUMBS DOWN!
I'm a FTM so I guess I'll go prepared with some cheapo undies.
My own blanket! (I am ALWAYS cold)
A super soft, light robe
Yoga pants
Loose, soft, comfy tees
Chapstick
Makeup (the bare necessities - bb cream, mascara, tinted Chapstick)
Toiletries(shampoo, conditioner, body and face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion)
My own underwear!
My comfiest nursing bra
Nursing pads
Nipple cream (I prefer the Lansinoh brand)
Diaper bag
Warm baby blanket
Swaddle blanket
I don't bring the Boppy since I usually just use pillows when they're newborns and I only bring a going home outfit since I keep the baby in their newborn shirt thing for easy access for LOTS of skin to skin and quick and easy diaper changes.
I have a travel toiletry bag that is always ready to just throw in a suitcase and go for over night trips, so I usually pack that and a few clothes.
I truthfully never bothered showering at the hospital...I just wasn't comfortable with the idea of using a public shower, and always waited until I was home.
I don't often wear make-up, so I never bothered bringing it, but I do recommend lip balm of some kind, as my lips always got really dry in the hospital.
Some form of entertainment is a good idea. With DD2, I was stuck waiting in the hospital for a few hours after my water broke because contractions didn't start on their own, and nothing was happening. I brought one book, but got bored of reading it. I really wish I had thought to pack a deck of cards or something else to help pass the time!
Snacks is a good idea too, as not all hospitals have a snack lounge, and unless you have a scheduled C-section/induction, you can't guarantee the kitchen will still be open when you get hungry.
I would also suggest bottled water or juice. I remember being sooo thirsty after DS was born. DH had gone home for the night, the night nurse was pretty busy, and I wasn't ready to take a walk to the 24 hour coffee shop they had, so I had to wait until there was a lull in the nurse's schedule to ask for some water. Not a great situation when you're planning to nurse.
We also always packed a small amount of cash ($20-$40) in the hospital bag for whatever came up. Snacks, drinks, a souvenir from the gift shop, something unexpected or forgotten from the pharmacy, etc. You could probably use debit or credit cards for any of these things, but we liked to have some cash on hand as well just in case.
Also, wet wipes for baby! The hospital DS was born at only had dry wipes (basically a really large, thick and soft napkin) and they were horrible for wiping off the first few bowel movements. I was very glad I brought my own pack of wet wipes! It was so much easier to clean up dirty diapers that way!
-straightener and make up is optional.(bring chap stick and hair bands). I brought my straightener but never used it. I showered after delivery and let my hair air dry. I was too tired. My hospital had a hair dryer.
-comfy socks/flip flops or uggs
-your own pillow and a boppy to nurse - I wore the hospital gown the whole time out of convenience so I didn't need a nursing bra. The tank I wore to he hospital had a built in nursing bra so that saved room.
-some people like to wear their own pajama set after delivery. Motherhood carries pants nursing tank and robe sets. They are super soft and comfy. I would invest in one!
-my hospital had excellent food but I brought money for the cafes and gift shop snacks.
-one outfit for baby. Baby will be swaddled the whole time and they give them a kimono and hat to wear.
-cell and iPad charger. I brought my iPad but hardly used it to be honest. Bring a camera and make sure its charged if you aren't just using iPhone or cell camera.
-hospital supplied me with clean gowns, diapers, wipes, formula if used, mesh undies, tucks, dermoplast, etc..
They also give you these awesome ice water pitchers with a lid and straw that they constantly fill. They are super convenient.
There's other companies too, but I have Amazon prime so I usually order from there. Just search for postpartum underwear, tons of mommy companies have them.
going home outfit
blanket
carseat
baby book to get footprints stamped in
For mommy:
Robe and slippers
Lip balm and hard candy
Wear outfit in that you'll wear home
Own pillow and blanket for comfort
Phone charger
I took a tinted moisturizer and mascara
-change ($$) for DH if he only has vending machine option
-leave room in bag/bring an extra bag to carry any diapers/other stuff from hospital home
-change of clothes for DH