June 2016 Moms
nightwitch
member
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What to pack for the hospital?
nightwitch
member
FTM here who would appreciate any advice from moms who've done this before on what things you wish you'd had your first time around, other than the really obvious stuff. Thanks
Re: What to pack for the hospital?
For the mom, my first experience I packed bags of crap for healing down there and didn't use a lick of it because the hospital packed it all. Bring nipple cream if you plan on nursing you'll need it and nursing pads/ nursing bra. Bring a soft warm robe to throw on to cover up when company comes. That was my lifesaver plus I stay cold bring one in a dark color. Bring a comfy outfit to wear home I brought a very loose black maxi dress in case of c-section. And your toiletries for showering and you should be good less is more and trust me you anyone will be willing to go grab you something from Walgreens if you are in need!
In my bag I put:
1-2 changes of clothes, 1-2 pairs of PJs, makeup and toiletries, toothbrush, socks with non slip bottoms, chap stick (very important), a phone charger, camera, snacks, and slip on shoes.
The most important thing that I brought ended up being my pillow! I will probably grab two this time because DH was stuck with the crappy pillow at night. iPad/iPhone's & chargers. Quarters for the vending machines, snacks for DH during labor.
For baby:
1 NB & 1 0-3 outfit, just in case
Nipple cream (for you)
Swaddle blanket for the ride home
Car seat
My hospital supplied all post partum supplies & everything I could have possibly needed for LO including clothes and blankets.
I also liked having:
my laptop and the charger
makeup/dry shampoo/etc
shower stuff
the boppy (nursing and to sit on because it was amazing after a vaginal birth)
kindle even though I didn't use it much,
CAMERA!
multiple NB outfits and baby legs because we were in the NICU a few days and he could wear clothes (some are more limited depending on wires, conditions)
Triplets due 6/29/16 also from an IUI!
For baby-
One nb outfit
One 0-3m outfit
Hat (I like mine more than the stripe one they supply)
Pacifier just in case
For me-
Nursing bra
A couple tank tops
Comfy yoga style pants
Leggings
Flip flops
Slippers
Lotion
Hair ties
Chapstick
My own pillow (this is important imo)
Soft blanket
Cell phone and charger
Laptop and charger
Camera and lenses
Snacks
I will also pack a bag for my H since we will be so far from home
I know my hospital supplies any thing I need for after care of any type of delivery. They also send it all home with you since they can't re-use it. They will supply diapers and any blankets needed in the hospital. They also have shirts, but recommend skin to skin so they encourage you not to clothe baby while there. The supply a robe for mom too.
I would ask what is avaliable to you when you do a hospital tour so you know what you need to bring for yourself.
For me, I am planning on:
- nursing tanks
- yoga pants
- breast pads for leakage
- nipple cream
- Chapstick and hair ties
- snacks
- travel sized toiletries
- my own towel and pillow (colors other than white - my friend brought her white towel and pillow-case, and the hospital cleaning staff thought they were hospital-owned, took them to wash, and she never saw them again)
- phone chargers
Did you guys change right out of the hospital gown after giving birth/skin to skin into your own clothes/PJs? Do you wait a little bit as to not get your own clothes bloody?
Triplets due 6/29/16 also from an IUI!
I would take a gown, slippers/socks, a few baby gowns (you might change a lot of diapers and gowns are easy access), baby socks, baby hat, a warm blanket for baby, 6 month size maternity clothes for you, basic toiletries for you and H, phone charger, camera/phone, books/kindle app, granny panties, giant pads/depends. Also, some hospitals offer newborn photos at the hospital, so a cute outfit for baby.
Also everyone told us not to bother with newborn clothes but our daughter was small despite being nearly 2 weeks late. Wish i had a newborn outfit for her to leave the hospital.
Things i was glad to have:
- iPad (for music and movies) and charger
-chapstick
- robe
- extra hair bands
- nursing bra
- maternity yoga pants (this time ill bring a maxi dress since im due in june vs december)
- notebook (i took notes at breastfeeding class and tips from nurses - yes, im a nerd)
- iphone charger
Cellphone
oil diffuser (would bring this if I was doing a VBAC or first time)
Champagne (hell no! So many people said I needed to bring a bottle. That sucker stayed in the suitcase for a good month after I gave birth)
Hair dryer - yes
earth mama nipple cream - I preferred lanolin and the hospital provided it.
Boppy pillow (meh - it's pretty hard to nurse with this the first few weeks)
cotton shorts (will probably wear these there)
comfy pants (didn't wear these)
2 nursing tops (didn't wear these. They were too uncomfortable to wear with my c-section incision)
sweater -yes
Nursing bra (probably wore it there but didn't use it past getting there)
Socks for baby (didn't use these)
Baby nail clippers and/or nail file (I'll bring this incase LO's nails are long and I feel like trying to trim them. I was/am terrible about trimming DS's nails and he doesn't let me trim them now without screaming bloody murder)
For DH:
3 t-shirts
2 boxers
shorts
pj shorts
long sleeve shirt/sweater
glasses
--
I'd suggest bringing shorts/shirt and a dress because you don't know how your body will feel after you've given birth. I had one nursing dress and I wore it every day during recovery. I didn't want to wear a hospital gown and couldn't wear shorts because it was too uncomfortable where it hit on my incision plus my shirts felt too tight (they weren't really tight, they just felt that way)
If you're going to breast feed make sure you have a black top! In my experience every other color will get a white milk ring stain if you leak.
*The car seat, with the base installed rear facing (Seriously, I had a friend forget theirs!)
*1-2 outfits in NB and 0-3 months
*Mittens, in case nails are long
*A binkie (I knew the brand I wanted my babies using was different than what the hospital would provide
The hospital will provide NB diapers and wipes, so don't worry about those. You'll most likely have enough left to throw in the diaper bag. If you don't, ask for a few for the road.
For You:
*Your own pillow(s)
*Large, comfy, cotton panties. You'll be using elephant sized maxi pads, so you'll want something that will keep it in place and that you won't mind getting bloody.
*Night gowns, skip the pants. I didn't have a constant stream like a period, I gushed as my uterus started shrinking down to normal size. I'd have gone through a lot of sweats. I just lifted my nightgown when I got into bed and sat on the absorbent pads that were laid down for me.
*Nursing bra/pads (the hospital will provide nipped cream/lanolin)
*Toiletries
***Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, loofah, one of your own towels (the ones provided suck), body lotion, hair brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, and stuff to style your hair and makeup. (Frankly, I didn't style my hair or put on makeup until the day we left, but that's just me. I didn't feel the need to put on airs for visitors. I had just been through hell, they knew it and they didn't mind.)
*Flip flops or comfy slide-ins. I'm not a socks person, I much prefer my flip flops. But if you do take socks, get some that have grippy stuff on the bottom.
*A book or magazines in case nothing on TV interests you and FB is slow.
For your husband:
*His pillow(s)
*Changes of clothes for 3 days
*Hygiene supplies
*An entire duffle bag of snacks. The hospital most likely won't feed him like they will you, and while you can order lots at meal time and let him share, it might not be enough. Hospital food is expensive in the cafeteria, so bringing in food is helpful when the munchies hit (they'll probably hit you, too).
For Labor:
*iPod
*Camera
*Hard candies to help keep your mouth moist
*Chapstick
*Unscented massage oil (if you think that you'll use it for relaxation and coping)
***This one is totally optional, but I have to suggest it because of personal experience, lol! A Pretty Pusher labor and delivery gown. Lol! I know it sounds ridiculous, the hospital provides you with a gown. I've delivered 3 children (expecting my 4th) and during my first 2 L&D's I used the hospital gowns. Both times I was ragingly hot. They had the air conditioning up so high in my room that other people were wearing coats! Anyway, at my last L&D my Doula gifted me with a Pretty Pusher at my baby shower. I instantly thought it was ridiculous but thanked her graciously. What a waste of money, right? When I got home I tried it on and I instantly loved it! It was amazingly comfortable, kept my boobs up and in place without a bra, and it was SO CUTE! Most importantly, I was not anywhere close to hot during labor. I was very comfortable and it was never an issue. Google Pretty Pushers. You can find them on Amazon.com for $30-45 depending on style. Best money you'll spend! (I've already ordered mine for this time around! Lol!)
Hope this list helps!
Triplets due 6/29/16 also from an IUI!
Also, I would like to add to my previous post that I will pack a toothbrush and toothpaste to.