Hospital Bag Thread

K&Elizabeth · January 2016

Alright, ladies. I believe we are all in 3rd Tri (or its right around the corner) and are starting to think all things labor. Let's start discussing hospital/birth center/wherever you're having this baby bags. STM+ moms: what did you pack last time that you actually used? FTMs: questions? Is this early? Maybe, but I'm a sucker for a good list and some solid research helps eases my planning neurosis

runningwild · January 2016

I don't remember needing/using a whole lot last time. From what I can recall:
Socks, a couple sets of pj's/nightgown, a light robe, phone charger, small amount of makeup for pics, hair ties/clips, basic toiletries such as toothpaste/brush, deodorant.

The hospital provided the gigantic pads and fancy mesh underwear, which I definitely took advantage of.

That's all I can come up with for now.

eta: also breastpads and lanolin

spicedice · January 2016

NOLA520 said:

I'm guessing the answer to this is yes, but is it important to pack PJs with easy boob access for BFing?

If you plan on breastfeeding, I would recommend having either PJs that unbutton in the front for easy access, or just wear a light robe like I did on top of PJ pants.

cmjenkies · January 2016

@NOLA520 I wore yoga pants, a tank and a light robe. Just pulled up/down the tank for initial BF in hospital

As far as a bag is concerned, I didnt really pack myself a bag until like the night before my induction. This may depend on your proximity from your hospital, but I only live 3 miles from ours and so I'm not particularly concerned if I forget something. All I really needed was something to wear for me/babe, basic toiletries, cell phone/charger, hair brush/ties, and a pillow. Everything else was provided.

spicedice · January 2016

I forgot a TON of things. I should have brought a sleep sack or swaddle, since DS refused to sleep swaddled in a blanket.

I would recommend bringing some bathroom supplies, since you'll probably want a shower after giving birth.

Phone charger! You have no idea how long you may be at the hospital.

Two outfits for LO, just in case they spit up on the first one. Don't worry about diapers. They'll have those at the hospital for you.

Loose clothing for going home in. I would recommend a dress versus pants, just because pants may be incredibly uncomfortable after giving birth.

Slippers and socks.

Breastfeeding pillow if you are planning on using one.

RoseShadow873 · January 2016

So hospitals have showers for the patients to use? Would you need shower shoes then?

brie_and_almonds · January 2016

I stayed in the hospital gowns & socks the whole time I was in with L... didn't want to bring home a bunch of dirty laundry. Things I brought and used:
-Boppy pillow
-"Going home" outfits for me and baby
-pillow for DH in a non-white case
- pj pants for DH
-hair ties
-net book (To video-chat with my brother who couldn't come see us. We also played sporcle while I was in labor.)
-phone charger
-toothbrush

Additional things I will bring this time
- nursing bras / tanks
- robe?
- eyeliner, mascara, tinted chap stick - this seemed so stupid before, but I look gaunt in all our hospital pics with L. My lips especially look washed out.
- hairbrush (just took a comb last time... it was not enough)

dayj11 · January 2016

I'm on #4 and just hit the third trimester! Yay. So ready!!!
I packed the following:

yoga pants, tank top, nursing bra, belly bandit

undies and my own pads although I'm seriously considering depends on the suggestion of a friend. I'm thinking it might be better? Anyone else try this??

my phone & charger

makeup bag & brush -yes these were necessary for me. I felt so much better waking up and showering and getting myself together the next day.

Bar soap, face wash, tooth brush & toothpaste, going home outfit for baby & blanket

i did pack hubbys bag
with sweatpants, t shirt, undies, phone charger, toothbrush, toothpaste

spicedice · January 2016

RoseShadow873 said:

So hospitals have showers for the patients to use? Would you need shower shoes then?

Usually the room will have a shower that you can use. They clean it between patients. At least, that has been my experience.

Ready4theParty · January 2016

RoseShadow873 said:

So hospitals have showers for the patients to use? Would you need shower shoes then?

You might want to find out if you share a bathroom or not. We are delivering in the same hospital we had DD, but 3 yrs ago we had to share the bathroom with the room next to us and as fate would have it they were booked out for the entire time we were there.

MrsCayEye · January 2016

Get some extra/cheap pillows & pillow cases, the hospital pillows sucked so it was nice to have extra. Bring your own towels (or get some cheap ones) to get a shower because, again, the hospital towels suck. (You will bleed/leak on things, so i wouldn't worry about anything fancy).

Otherwise I just cared about having nursing tanks, pj pants, slippers and/or flip flops, my phone charger, and some dry shampoo (and other basic toiletries).

Ready4theParty · January 2016

1. Phone charger
2. Camera battery charger (camera)
3. Yoga pant, nursing tanks, zip goodie
4. Shower essentials, make up - something I didn't do last time was shower and I regretted it. I did take a couple baths but that is different.
5. Throw away shoes like old Navy flip flops.

jasmuin · January 2016

I second the camera batteries!! For both my girls somehow we forgot or never charged the batteries ☹
also your own conditioner and shampoo if you're picky like me.

olivemomma · January 2016

1. Bathroom essentials (toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, hair ties, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, etc.). Basically anything you need to feel clean.
2. Makeup
3. Breastfeeding friendly pajamas and go home outfit (something you would have fit into around the 5-6 month pregnant timeframe, do not expect to get into pre-pregnancy clothes).
4. Warm socks or slippers
5. Breastfeeding pillow and lanolin cream
6. Going home outfit for baby (if you go term I would suggest 1 newborn and 1 0-3 month option).
7. Pillow - make sure the pillowcase is not plain white as to not get confused with hospital pillows
8. Towel, hospital towels aren't that great
9. Big sister gift from little brother
10. Phone, iPad, charger
11. Car seat pre installed
12. Depending on weather extra blankets for baby and hat
13. A days worth of clothes and basic essentials for DH
14. Maybe a few snacks for after the birth and a big water bottle

and if possible, I would also recommend showering before you go to the hospital! Most women have plenty of time in early labor.

thaisac1 · January 2016

STMs, what are some of the things you packed in your first hospital bag but didn't need afterall?

K&Elizabeth · February 2016

@thaisac1 I brought things to entertain myself that never left the bag. I never even thought of turning in my laptop while I was there and won't be packing it this time.

dayj11 · February 2016

I packed a diaper bag for my first. So not necessary as the hospital provides it all @thaisac1

Ready4theParty · February 2016

Didn't need:

1. Hard candy - supposed to help with dry mouth, but didn't need it

2. Ipod - birthing coach suggested this to help relax, but it was more annoying than anything.

3. Water bottle - hospital provided one

mrstrax · February 2016

The biggest thing here to me is to find out what your hospital provides. Mine provides a robe, mesh panties, giant pads and all a kit the OTC meds you could possibly need including lanolin cream, and pretty much everything for baby (including gowns to wear while they're there and a swaddle sleepsack) but doesn't have pacifiers or the little mittens.

Anyway, here's the list that I wrote up after DD was born for future me

For Me:

For Labor

Thick pillow
Sports bra
Dark zip up hoodie/jacket (preferred to robe)
Phone + charger
Fuzzy socks/slippers (grippy's required)

For Recovery:

Flip flops
Non-gown clothes option: black pj pants, nursing top and bra, socks

dark top for pictures

Toiletries - Chapstick, hairbrush, extra hair ties, light makeup for pictures, toothbrush/paste and deodorant, little shampoo/conditioner
Going-home clothes: loose pants, nursing top, nursing bra and "maternity undies"/depends

For Mike:

Paperwork folder: pre-registration form, insurance card, driver's license, check for birth certificate, contact list for first announcement
2 Changes of clothes
Pajamas/Slippers
Blanket/pillow
Toiletries - Deodorant and toothbrush
Snacks
Laptop & Cord
Phone & charger
Camera & charger
Extension cord
DVD's and other boredom busters

For Baby:

Car seat in van
Coming home outfits (1 Carter's NB and 1 other NB or 0-3 mo.)
Outfit/hat/blankets/props for pictures
Pacifiers - didn't use but will probably have in the diaper bag

Extra bag - for all the stuff from the hospital for me and for baby.

mrstrax · February 2016

@dayj11 I'm definitely trying Depends this time around. I'm a size 2 pant pre-pregnancy and the mesh panties literally fell off of me in the hospital with the weight of the mondo pads. I had to knot the hips to keep them on. Between that and not having the freedom to go to the bathroom at any given moment (because toddler) I'm hoping the Depends make me feel more secure about leaks.

AmadorRose · February 2016

mrstrax said:

@dayj11 I'm definitely trying Depends this time around. I'm a size 2 pant pre-pregnancy and the mesh panties literally fell off of me in the hospital with the weight of the mondo pads. I had to knot the hips to keep them on. Between that and not having the freedom to go to the bathroom at any given moment (because toddler) I'm hoping the Depends make me feel more secure about leaks.

Ooh it's good to know those mesh ones are big! I would be so mad if I didn't have a back-up plan!

dayj11 · February 2016

@mrstrax I had the same issue. Which is why I brought my underwear last time but I do think the depends are going to be easier. I won't have to worry about leakage or the pad moving.

mrstrax · February 2016

AmadorRose said:

mrstrax said:

@dayj11 I'm definitely trying Depends this time around. I'm a size 2 pant pre-pregnancy and the mesh panties literally fell off of me in the hospital with the weight of the mondo pads. I had to knot the hips to keep them on. Between that and not having the freedom to go to the bathroom at any given moment (because toddler) I'm hoping the Depends make me feel more secure about leaks.

Ooh it's good to know those mesh ones are big! I would be so mad if I didn't have a back-up plan!

They look tiny but are definitely made to have a LOT of stretch, so the weight of the ginormo pads were enough to over-stretch them for me. I bought a pack of the cheap cotton Hanes bikini undies that I didn't mind accidentally destroying in a size up (to fit the pads) for pp. That was much better for me than the mesh because I still didn't worry about leaking onto them but having them fall off. I still have all but one pair of the pack from DD so I can go back to those if I don't like the Depends.

redselig · February 2016

Would night time extra long maxi pads suffice? I bought several boxes of those but now I think I should also buy a box of Depends...

spicedice · February 2016

redselig said:

Would night time extra long maxi pads suffice? I bought several boxes of those but now I think I should also buy a box of Depends...

I used those with DS and that worked fine. I can't decide if I want to try the Depends this time or just do the pads again.

RoseShadow873 · February 2016

What kind of depends would work for this? It looks like there are a variety of depend products.

mrstrax · February 2016

redselig said:

Would night time extra long maxi pads suffice? I bought several boxes of those but now I think I should also buy a box of Depends...

I used the mammoth pads from the hospital for the first few days at home and then switched to the big night time pads after about day 5 (3 at home) and saved the last few hospital pads for overnight (so I didn't HAVE to go all the way to the bathroom every feeding). That was definitely enough, but I still worried about leaking. I'm only trying Depends because of how I've heard people rave about the sense of security.
I'm also going to try to remember to steal/take some of the absorbent liner pad things (like puppy piddle pads) they put between you and the sheets this time to help protect the mattress from blood or milk leaks.

brie_and_almonds · February 2016

RE:pads

My hospital had me wear two at a time (side by side, overlapping a bit in the middle - they were like plain kotex ones which were super fluffy and had no wings), and it was glorious. I had a lot of cushion down there, and leaks were never an issue.

I was a huge fan of the mesh underwear and will be hoarding more this time around.

momofmanyinthemitten · February 2016

At the hospital, I will use the mesh undies, but once I get home, I will be using my homemade mama cloth. I have bled for the whole 6 wks with all three of my babies. Wearing unbreathable plastic for that long gets really uncomfortable and gross. As for my hospital bag: moo moo and sports bra for delivery (my doula recommends not wearing the hospital gown so you don't feel like a patient who is sick or injured-made a difference for me last time), fun cozy button-down jammies and a nursing tank, toiletries, camera and charger, laptop and charger (I will be spending a lot of time alone while I am there, since DH will probably need to be with our 3 kids for the majority of the days and nights), Chapstick, going home outfits for baby and myself, slippers, robe, pillow from home (maybe). Our hospital is literally one block from our house, so bringing everything right away isn't essential for me. I brought a nursing pillow with #1 and never used it, so I didn't bring it with the others. There was always an abundance of pillows in my bed that I could use. And, really, they're so tiny at that point that it's not hard to just hold them in position.

emgee27 · February 2016

Only thing I have to add is my friend with 2 babies suggested I pack my own, nice hand soap since I, as well as DH and visitors, will be washing hands so much and the hospital stuff is a bit harsh. Sounded like a nice, little extra.

Thanks for these lists, everyone! Super helpful!

sbw193 · February 2016

As a c-section STM, I will pack (again) facial wipes that don't need rinsing. Right after the c-section they have you as a fall risk for quite some time plus you can't feel your legs. It was nice to be able to wipe off the grime and make up. I ordered a sample of depends (free!) so I would have them as well. They worked out well for me and I didn't have to worry about leakage or ruining my own underpants. They won't let you use them right away at the hospital while they monitor your bleeding but they worked our really well for me at discharge and the first week of recovery. And flip flops for the shower and room.

brit&nate2010 · February 2016

Baby #3 for me. I will prob pack a bag around 35 wks since I'm high risk

-couple pairs of sweats and tank tops
- toiletries, like shampoo, hairbrush, hairtie, light makeup, tooth brush
-shower shoes
- couple outfits for baby,
-blanket for baby
- pillow
- sweats and change of clothes for dh.
-chargers
-

Jules08 · February 2016

STM, this is what I plan on packing / coming in wearing:

Black yoga pants, 2 pair
Tanks & Fleece jackets to layer (with all the hormone changes, I remember getting hot and cold easily)
Basic toiletries
iPad & charger
phone charger
Empty bag (to take home extras from the room, my birthing center also stocks you up on diapers: NB & sz 1)
My pillow
Flip flops to walk the halls
Big Brother gift/ activity bag
Take Home Outfit

Not my professional camera - I will take those pictures later
Not my boppy - my birthing center provides 8000 pillows, so no need for it
Not my pump - my birthing center provides one if needed during your stay
Not breast pads - these are a probably not. I was induced on a Monday, had DS on Tuesday, we were released on Thursday, and my milk didn't come in until Friday and I didn't have any leaking with the colostrum.

I take the minimum with, because: 1. you just don't need much and 2. you have to take it all home after along with baby and any and all gifts, balloons, and flowers you receive while there.

Regarding the care and products to help promote healing after:
I bought tucks & Always overnights for at home, but I only needed them for a few days
My birthing center sent me home with the mesh undies, giant pads, the peri-bottle, and dermoplast
Also, my nurses gave me ice diapers. Ice diapers are flipping AMAZING and pretty much the best thing ever!

AnnikaD20 · February 2016

I overpacked with my first, and then had complications and an extended stay and sent people to get me more things from my house a couple times. So you never know.

People here already have good lists, so I'll just name my favorite few things that I had packed.

cute sports bra to deliver in
open front cardi for warmth/modesty and nursing convenience (some people like light robes, but I love my sweater)
boppy! Yes, you can just use regular pillows, but learning to nurse was tricky enough with the easy mode nursing pillow.
small amount of makeup. I liked being able to look put together while people were taking a million photos. Not like full evening makeup, but BB Cream, lip gloss, mascara, concealer for my black undereye circles that I always get when I'm sleep deprived.

Joness11 · February 2016

Thanks for posting this thread! I wouldn't have thought to bring extra pillows, towels or bathroom toiletries like shampoo and soaped an extra bag to bring home freebies. I don't know I didn't think of toiletries, it's not like we're staying at a hotel haha

I do have a question though. I'm a FTM but having a scheduled c-section due to complications from a prior issue, so would you all suggest bringing everything in when we go in for the c-section or just having DH bring it once the baby is here and I'm out of recovery and we're settled in a room?

brie_and_almonds · February 2016

@Joness11 I would wait until you are setled into a room since otherwise you have to schlep it everywhere and it's really no use to you until you are settled anyway.

Joness11 · February 2016

brenlo42 said:

@Joness11 I would wait until you are setled into a room since otherwise you have to schlep it everywhere and it's really no use to you until you are settled anyway.

That's what I was thinking. I figured I could just have the stuff in the car and have DH go get it when we're settled. Plus we only live a few miles from the hospital so it won't be hard to send DH or someone for things we forgot.

Monicagail1 · February 2016

Re: Pads

I thought the giant ones were nice for the first couple of days, but after that I found them hot and bothersome. I preferred the Stayfree overnight "thin" pads. Much more comfy for me.

blonde_mama · February 2016

Monicagail1 said:

Re: Pads
I thought the giant ones were nice for the first couple of days, but after that I found them hot and bothersome. I preferred the Stayfree overnight "thin" pads. Much more comfy for me.

Agreed. My bleeding wasn't that heavy even with a third degree tear. I had bought depends because I had heard they were awesome but never ended up using them because even the big hospital pads were overkill imo.

Goldsgirl9 · February 2016

I also used depends when I got home and they were so much better than pads but I didn't bleed very much. In the hospital I used the mesh underwear and pads they provided.

Here is what I packed/will pack:

* Shower sandals for SURE!
* Make up/toiletries, blow dryer, etc etc etc
* Comfortable button down pajamas with a nursing tank underneath
* Clothes to go home for both baby and I
* 3 outfits for baby. The hospital only provided a paper shirt and cheapy hat. I also recommend the kimono outfits. So easy and no rubbing against umbilical cord.
* Phone charger
* nipple cream
* pacifier for ride home. Nursing consultant told me not to feel guilty using one and that we would need it, she was absolutely right and I was thrilled I had one with us.

MamaRoni · February 2016

Baby #5 here... and this will be my 3rd csection.... I use those fat hospital pads only until they let me get up. ... then I switch the the kotex tween pads.... honestly, they fit so much better and absorb so much.... I never need those giant pads.

I do all of the toiletries etc mentioned above and add my own otc things like tylenol and gasx and such.... our hospital is 30 min from our house so I plan accordingly. I also pack biofreeze for achy joints etc.... giving birth no matter the method is hard and you will have some aches and pains and the biofreeze feels wonderful.

I think u girls nailed everything else

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