March 2018 Moms
ashleyf911
member
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What's in your hospital bag?
ashleyf911
member
I thought this might be a fun thread as we're all starting to think about final preparations.
So, ask any relevant questions or share what's on your packing list so we can get some ideas! Or secretly side-eye you for packing your expensive white pajamas.
So, ask any relevant questions or share what's on your packing list so we can get some ideas! Or secretly side-eye you for packing your expensive white pajamas.
Re: What's in your hospital bag?
I felt better and more human in my own clothes rather than the gown for breastfeeding that the hospital provides so I pack sweatpants or yoga pants in black, a nursing bra/sports bra and comfy tank plus a shirt to wear over it. I also pack my own gown for laboring. For me, it’s the little comforts that make a huge difference. Oh and dark towels. The hospital towels were like half of hotel sized.
Camera, iPhones, iPad, chargers, coming home outfit for Baby.
For laboring I brought a yoga ball, my playlist, a string of lights so I could keep the overhead lights off, grippy socks ((the hospital should provide them too)), water bottle or Yeti cup, snacks for MH and on the way we picked up coffee for him and my doula.
I took all the pads and mesh underwear I could with me when we left, the first blanket he was swaddled in and two baby hats. The hospital ones stayed on better than anything we had at home.
We had excellent nursing staff and they were so attentive with my first and helpful, that MH went out and picked up a six pack of Starbucks drinks from the store and then enough fresh frappacinos from Starbucks for the people on duty before we checked out as a thank you. Not everyone may feel the same way or have the same experience, but it was a big deal to the nursing staff because no one had ever done that before.
https://www.lucieslist.com/newsletter/week-36-pack-bags/
https://www.lucieslist.com/newsletter/week-38-recovering-delivery/
https://www.lucieslist.com/newsletter/week-38-really-happens-postpartum/
https://www.lucieslist.com/postpartum/going-home/
I packed a couple different bags - I had a bag to bring in right away for during labor - then a bag to use after birth and for baby. DH had his own bag.
For me:
Nursing Accessories - my hospital had lanolin, but I brought my own Earth Mama Nipple Butter. My hospital also had soothies available - lactation consultants are amazing resources! I will be bringing my nursing pillow (My Brest Friend) this time. I also installed an app to keep track of feedings/sides.
Loose clothes that will be easy for nursing - I was super puffy from the IV/epidural. It was recommended to bring clothes that would fit you at 6 months pregnant - but I found those were too tight with all the extra fluid retention. I brought a robe and slippers too.
Misc - CHAPSTICK (hospitals are dry), hair bands, mini toiletries, basic makeup, toothbrush/paste, glasses/contacts, flip-flops (for hospital shower), gum/mints
Something to do - I brought my tablet and a crossword puzzle book (I was in labor for 24 hours and was glad to have them, but didn't use them post birth.)
For baby:
Going home outfit, baby book - the nurses did footprints for us, zip-up swaddles (loved these for the newborn stage)
Misc/Dad:
Snacks - granola bars, yogurt, crackers, DH's fav candy. (The hospital only provides the parnter one meal - I got three a day post birth.) Chargers, camera, couple of changes of clothes for DH, ID and insurance cards
Bring a bathing suit for you (top only, sports bra would work too) and your SO if you want to be in the tub/shower.
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
I have my list 95% of the way done... I'm sure I'll add or remove a couple things before I actually pack.
For me (repeat c-section):
Stretchy nursing tanks
Yoga pants
A warm nursing wrap sweater/cardigan
Hard soled slippers
Toiletries: body wash, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, dry shampoo, chapstick, hair ties, hairbrush
Phone charger
Camera and spare batteries
For babe:
Going home outfit
An outfit or two for pictures (our hospital has a professional photographer come in)
Boppy
Car seat
For DH:
He'll be going home for a little bit each evening to do the bedtime routine with our 2.5 y/o DS so he won't need a ton, he can get what he needs daily each night.
Laptop for Netflix
Toiletries: toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant
Phone charger
Pillow and blanket
For DS:
A few "big brother" gifts from the baby for when he comes to visit - I found some cute ideas on pinterest that had a Big Brother tote bag, the Daniel Tiger big brother book, some snacks, a new coloring book and crayons, a disposable camera (so he can take his own pictures of baby sister!), stuff like that.
She'll be 19 months when this baby arrives - any gift ideas? I can't see her really caring at this point, but maybe a soft stuffed animal.
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
One thing I strongly recommend is a pillow and blanket for hubby. I didn't take one last time and was in labor for 20 hours. I felt real bad for him.
other then that, I haven't put much thought into it yet....last time I packed at around 35ish weeks and then went a week over, and the suitcase just got me nervous the entire time
This time around im going to worry more about entertainment for DH more than anything. He was pretty bored last time. Laptop for Netflix and some more snacks for him. He brought his pillow last time and will definitely bring it again this time!
Our hospital provides meals meals for us and everything for the baby and me after delivery. My biggest concern is my first was born in July (in Texas) it was 100 when we left the hospital. I’m worried it’s going to be so cold! And I don’t have very many cold weather nursing clothes, guess I need to invest in a couple more nursing shirts before I have him.
I brought toiletries for me, a change of clothes for each day (I was there 3 days), and an extra long phone charger. I was glad I brought clothes, even though they were just comfy clothes because it made me feel more human. I didn’t bring my favorites though, just in case I bleed through.
I did did a big sister gift for my stepdaughter. She loved her bag! It had a snack in it, a big sister book, an art activity (that wasn’t messy... I think it was one of those magic marker things), and a disposable camera. I put it all in a bag that said big sister. She loved it!! Took so many pictures and still uses the bag today! Now she’s 9 and her little sister is 2.5, so I’ll have to figure out what to put in each of their bags.
My friends reminded me to take the open diaper pack from the hospital and a couple extra of their giant pads. I also was able to bring home the tucks pads and spray. All were lifesavers!!
This time around (second) I haven't given much/any thought of what to pack until now but want to avoid over packing as that just adds to stuff to deal with (especially if you already have other kids to wrangle).
And DH is a grown man so he can figure out his own hospital bag. Not going to worry about what snacks, entertainment, etc. he has. DH and I though will need to put some thought into ensuring we have some entertainment (books, simple toys, etc.) and snacks for our daughter when she comes to visit. A kid friendly camera as PPs have mentioned is a great idea I'll have to steal.
*edited to fix the format
Things I was happy about in my bag/that I brought outside of normal toiletries:
- A large, soft cotton long sleeve robe
- My own pillow
- PJ pants for post labor
- Dry shampoo
- Granola bars
- Footed jammies as a going home outfit for DD1. I looked on etsy for a super cute going home outfit, but by the end of my pregnancy, I ran out of steam. I was just done with buying baby stuff. When we were getting ready to leave the hospital waiting for them to bring in DD1, they rolled in this other little baby. Glittery outfit, headband with this huge bow on her head, and my husband and I looked at each other like we've already failed in the effort department. However, when I saw my little DD1 in a soft, comfortable footed jammie, she just looked so much more comfortable. I'm going to go the same route this time and leave the over the top going home outfits for the other moms.
Things I wish I would have brought:
- Nursing bras - I brought a couple of nursing tanks, but they weren't supportive. I've spent a lot more time this pregnancy trying to order different nursing sleep bras and comfortable nursing shirts. I was so unprepared for the clothing world of breastfeeding. That had to be one of the worst parts of the whole thing. To my large chested lady friends, start now. Don't think you're going to walk into target, buy an XL nursing bra that fits you now, and be good to go. When your milk comes in, those XL bras will be useless. I couldn't fit back into those until maybe 6 months PP.
PP Supplies at home:
I went all out on buying tucks pads, a few perineal bottles, perineal coldpacks, puppy pee pads, and depends. I put a pee pad under my side of the bed sheets in case of my water broke in bed or if I bled PP. I didn't really need them though. The depends were a LIFE SAVER. My water broke at home before I was dilated, so it was pretty much out of nowhere. I put one of those things on, and it helped contain the mess while I got things ready for the hospital and waited for my husband to get home from work. Also for the car ride and initial check in to the hospital. I have no idea what I would have done otherwise - just leaked all over everything?? It's just like a steady stream of water non-stop. My hospital hooked me up post labor with all kinds of PP supplies, but I was still thankful for the perineal bottles and cold packs back at home. Some women freeze pads, but the cold packs you just bend in half to activate, and you're good to go.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLE60T4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As for my husband, he can pack his own bag. I'm about to give birth to a human being, I don't have the stamina to figure out what you need. Ha! He just threw in his toiletries and some clothes last time, and it worked out just fine. He'll have to run home anyway because we have a toddler, so anything we left or need, he can grab. Last time, he brought a bunch of DVDs. I'm vomiting and running between the bed and the bathroom, and he's all, "How does Jurassic Park sound?" No, hun. Just no.
My husband did a horrible job packing his bag last time, still makes me laugh. I think he had a bag with magazines and playing cards.... haha
For me:
- License and insurance card
We had packed a pillow and stuff for DH, but our hospital actually provides a little bed/pillow for dads in the delivery room. And then after DD was born, DH actually went home at night to sleep, since we sent DD to the hospital nursery. We figured he may as well get some sleep while he could. So he used basically nothing that we brought for him; all of the above is just me being over-prepared.
I bring an outfit for me to wear home, one for the baby.
Phone charger and toothbrush
That's about it.
@missnc77 I'm a lady with a lot of boobs lol do you have any nursing bras you've found you be highly rated?
Edited because words are hard these days
For something more real in the beginning with no underwires, I did have success with Cake bras at Nordstrom. Pricey, but they were super comfortable. I’ll probably order a couple more this time around.
https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-bras/cake~8516/nursing-bra
I also splurged on two Natori wired nursing bras during my last pregnancy that I was finally able to fit back into around 6 months PP. They weren’t super comfortable at first, but sometimes I needed an underwire (date nights, girls nights, etc.).
It sucks having a larger chest and having to splurge on good support, but it did make me feel more human again. I’m so jealous of ladies that can walk right into target, pick out a few nursing and sleep bras, and be good to go.
We went the comfy route for coming home too. We actually did take a really cute romper, but we decided he would be much more comfy in a onesie, so we just dressed him in that and threw a receiving blanket over him (August baby). This time, I think we'll do footie pajamas since it will be cold.
@becausescience, DS will be 19 months old when this baby arrives too. I've been trying to figure out a good sibling gift for him, but I'm not coming up with anything. I would love to get him a nice stuffed animal or something that he would hopefully enjoy for a long time, but he doesn't seem very interested in them right now.
I wanted to BF but it didn't work out so I didnt need any and was glad I didn't not buy them ahead.