The Hospital Bag Thread

Panaceia · December 2021

Everyone seems to be keen on having a dedicated thread for this so here it is! Even if you already posted in the weekly thread, re-post here! I know I like to have this to go through when packing my bags in case I miss anything since other people always rember the things I forget!

So let's hear it! What's in your bag?

Panaceia · December 2021

Copying and pasting from the weekly thread with a couple of additions that I missed...

I am a c-section so might be a bit different since I don't need anything for labour...although I didn't bring anything for labour with my first either and that labour was 27 hours. I mostly plan for a hospital stay after. I was there far a week with my first but only 3 days with my second.

I usually pack 2 bags, 1 for me and 1 for baby. I try to only bring the essentials.

For me:
Change of clothes for going home (I only wear hospital gowns at the hospital so I don't ruin my own clothes)
Socks
Sandals (waterproof so I can wear them in the shower)
Brush / comb / elastics
Shampoo and conditioner
Deodorant
Phone and charger
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Pads (they give us pads but I prefer my own thin ones)

For baby:
A couple of sleepers (in case we're there a few days...it is always cold at night in the hospital we deliver at)
Sleepsacks
Appropriate outdoor clothes for going home (they give us a hat but they put it on baby right away so it can get dirty)
Pack of diapers (hospital supplies these but if the maternity ward is really busy it can take time to re-stock the rooms)
2 packs of wipes (they give us cloths to use but I prefer using wipes...especially with those first few black tar poops)
Blanket (to cover baby in car seat...I have a fuzzy one that I used for the girls so want to bring the same one. I use the hospital's blankets while in the hospital though)

That's pretty much all I take. I rely on SO for entertainment and if we feel fancy or end up needing to stay for an extended period of time we get a TV subscription while we're there. This time SO will have to pack a bag and cooler too since I don't think he'll be allowed to come and go.

goldfishcraker · December 2021

Change of clothes for me

Shampoo, soap, conditioner

Deodorant
Brush

Toothbrush/paste
Peri-bottle

Pads

Phone and charger

Snacks
Epi-pen

Slippers

Hair tie

Lip chap

Wallet/ID

Lotion

Water bottle

Baby going home outfit x2

Car seat with winter cover attached and blanket

Diapers

Pacifier-just in case.

DH can make sure he packs a change of clothes for himself, into my bag, and any toiletries he needs. As well as water bottle for himself

Last time I was told I didn't need to bring shampoo etc. I won't be making that mistake again...I got amniotic fluid In my hair, and it does NOT come out just with water....
The photos are mortifying...

ETA the formatting is all wonky when I post and I can't figure out why

rachelredhead · December 2021

My bag (repeat c section):
pretty robe for me
comfy clothes (maternity leggings, nursing tank, breast pads)
charger
journal and pen
wedding earrings (they’re just pretty studs I wore when DS was born)
Nyssa postpartum underwear (they have a pocket for an ice pack)
slippers
makeup (helps me feel normal)
my own little bottles of shampoo (again, normalcy)
my own water bottle
skip-Bo game to play with husband if we have time to kill
Trail mix (for husband and I)

For baby:
NB and 0-3 month sleeper options for going home (all other stuff is provided by hospital)
blanket I’m knitting (if I finish in time)
probably a car seat cover (March in Minnesota)

We will see if DH can come and go this time. Last time he was stuck there the whole time and we didn’t love the hospital food so this time if it’s the same system we’ll bring more snacks.

nursejenn5 · December 2021

Hospital bag.

Me:

Labor gown

Socks!

Nursing bra

Pp undies (the mesh undies at the hospital are comfy at first. But like to feel more normal sooner than later)

KB Joggers

Maternity leggings.

Nursing sweater/shirt/Nursing tank

Shoes

Robe

Chapstick

Toiletries: Hair stuff(brush, hair ties, headband, travel soaps) Teeth stuff. Contacts stuff. Glasses. Makeup. Deodorant. Lotion.

Nipple butter! (I hate lanolin and used this stuff religiously last time, after the cracks and the bleeding so hopefully will be on top of it this time!)

Snacks. water bottle

ID, insurance card

Baby:

Going home outfit. (NB and 0-3mo)

Extra outfit

Velcro swaddle x2

Boppy. Feeding with DS1 started off horribly(then lasted horribly for 3.5 weeks), so I’m hoping to start this time off better and will use all my tools.

Aquaphor! For before those first sticky poos

Car seat blanket

ETA: I might try to collect some colostrum prior to delivering this time around. DS1 never gave us the sleepy first night and we had just the night two cranky always up feeding from the getgo. 😂 If I do I will be bring this frozen/refrigerated as well just as a top off if needed after feeds. I may also bring my haakaa.

Panaceia · December 2021

Oh, for any FTM...if you end up with a c-section and you are in the hospital for a few days you might find your feet/legs are super swollen by the time you're discharged (it's just the fluids from the IVs working their way out) so I would be sure to have stretchy pants and some sort of foot wear that is easy to put on for when you go home.

Sarah0335 · December 2021

Does anyone bring a breast pump with them? I’ve heard some people advise this because the lactation consultants will help you. Being a FTM, I feel like how breastfeeding will work is a big mystery to me.

jennifer_m21 · December 2021

My hospital bag (C-section):

For me:

Nursing tank/tops/comfy high-waisted pants/PP underwear to wear home and boots with no shoelaces!
Warm socks with grippies on the bottom
May bring a robe (I tend to get hot, so may not need it!)
Tablet for entertainment (will load shows to watch/books to read)
Cellphone charger
Snacks
Chapstick/lip gloss
eyeglasses
Toiletries (contacts because I'm not a big fan of wearing glasses all day! body cream, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, face moisturizer)
A few makeup items: mascara and blush
Water bottle

For babies:

Going home outfits (preemie/NB) DS was born small, and only brought NB/0-3 month. Probably a sleeper, hat, mittens, socks.
Warm car seat cover for the infant car seats
Extra bag to bring home hospital diapers, swaddles, PP items, etc.

DH is on his own, so I hope that he brings what he thinks he needs! We live 10 min away from the hospital, so he can run home and grab anything that we are missing. We are fortunate that the hospital provides a lot for babies and Mom, and we can bring whatever we want home! Last time, I brought home a ton of mesh undies, pads, ice packs, baby blanket, baby swaddles, etc.

@Sarah0335 I used the pump the hospital provided. It was a Medela one.

night_nurse · December 2021

@Sarah0335 definitely a good idea to bring your own pump. The LC who sees you can help you make sure it’s set up correctly and show you how to use it. I know some women begin expressing for 15-20 mins after each time the baby feeds just to help their milk come in. I have a history of undersupply so that’s something I’m going to be doing with a manual pump while in the hospital.

rachelredhead · December 2021

@Sarah0335 no harm bringing your own. I used the hospital one and then you can take the manual part home with you, which is nice.

@Panaceia oh my word, the SWELLING after a c section is crazy! My legs felt like tree trunks.

nursejenn5 · December 2021

@Sarah0335 I’d say most moms don’t bring their pump. But if you do a lactation consultant would LOVE to help you figure it out. I generally advise(for my patients) against pumping prophylactically unless there are signs baby needs more food(which your nurses/docs will help you decide this) or your milk to come in quicker (or know you have low supply, but even this can sometimes be different for each baby!) because we’ve gotten lots of moms with overproduction which can be just as hard and frustrating!

night_nurse · December 2021

Im planning an unmedicated vaginal birth so this list will reflect that, all of it may not apply to everyone.

Labor bag:
bluetooth speaker
essential oil diffuser and oils
TENS unit
massage balls
long phone charger
hair ties
chapstick
gum
snacks
extra nursing bra
affirmation/acupressure reminder cards for DH
wallet with ID/insurance

Recovery bag:
womens depends
blue dermoplast spray
witch hazel pads
toothbrush/toothpaste
shampoo/conditioner
dry shampoo
deodorant
minimal make up
slippers
leggings
nursing tops/tanks
ipad with movies loaded
kindle
nursing pillow
snacks
body armour drinks
manual breast pump
going home outfit for baby
warm blanket for car seat

I’ll bring a couple nice muslin blankets and matching bows to hopefully get a few fresh 48 pictures of babe since we can’t have anyone come in and get those pictures for us.

kgg2241 · December 2021

@sarah0335 I just used the hospital pump. One less thing to bring and worry about keeping track of.

I think you've all covered it really well. I will do two bags, one for me and one for baby. I pack light and want to get my money's worth out of the hospital haha.

Along the same lines as a hospital bag... I'm overthinking what to do with DD. We will have her go to my sister in law's house when I'm in labor, but I feel weird about her staying there for multiple days. I've been thinking about having my husband pick her up at night so they can be home together. Is that crazy? Did you all feel like your husband needed to be there with you all the time? I'm planning on around two nights/three days in the hospital.

Panaceia · December 2021

@rachelredhead Right????? The swelling is the worst part. It's soooo uncomfortable!

@Sarah0335 With DD1 my milk didn't come in. I just used a hospital pump and then rented it directly from the hospital and just took it with me when it was time to go home.

@kgg2241 I wanted SO to go home to be with DD1 but she was with my parents anyways so he ended up just staying with me. I definitely did not fell like I needed anyone there with #2. Honestly he just slept uncomfortably in a chair the whole night anyways. I did all the changing/holding/feeding anyways. He could easily have gone home and gotten a good night's sleep and I wouldn't have missed him at all throughout the night. If you will feel more comfortable with him picking her up at night then I say do it! Honestly I felt like I wanted him to be with DD1 more than I needed him to be with me when DD2 was born.

faithmovesmountains · December 2021

Definitely going to reread this when I pack my hospital bag.

Things I packed when I had my son:

(For Me)
-Nursing dress to go home in.
-Change of clothes for DH
-Robe (Didn’t use because I felt so gross down below I was paranoid it would just get crusty and smelly somehow. Considering a nursing friendly sweater and nursing tank combo this time. Won’t likely be allowed visitors so the nurses can deal if I’m just rocking mesh/ disposable undies down south)
-Cozy non-slip socks
-Toiletries pack with a bit of shampoo, body wash/soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, mild deodorant, brush, comb.
-Long phone charger cord (Helps if you get an epidural and you’re awake in the bed for a long period and want a distraction)

(For Baby)
-Two going home outfit options (Thank goodness. DS peed on our original choice because we got it too close during our discharge time diaper change.)
-Water wipes for meconium
-Diapers for the road (Hospital gave us some, though so wasn’t totally necessary.)
-Baby blanket, mostly for pics.
-Special board for birth announcement

This time I am bringing my breast feeding pillow because hospital pillows are a nightmare.
May also sneak in some snacks for postpartum/ for hubby while I labor.

This time I’m also packing for DS a ‘what if’ bag in case no one can watch him at our place when things happen, it will be a bag containing all the basic things he’ll need.

If we do get our ideal situation, I intend to have a basic written schedule for DS to give rough ideas of when to feed/nap him and such as well as a stock of things he likes to eat. I want to make his first night without me as easy as possible for him and his babysitter.

goldfishcraker · December 2021

@Sarah0335 we don't have LC at hospitals here so my experience isn't likely helpful.
I don't plan to bring mine, because it's just an extra thing to carry around, and I hope to EBF this one (hopefully I get lucky and actually get a supply this time....)
If something bad happens, and we are stuck in hospital for more than the 24 hours, and baby can't nurse for some reason, I'll either have someone bring me the pump, or, I'm TOLD that the hospital does have amazing quality ones available. So I'd probably just use that. But I'm reeeeally hoping pumping won't be necessary this time for me!

Panaceia · December 2021

@Sarah0335 Just to add...I made an appointment with a LC before DD1 was born. She went through different holds and techniques with me etc and I found it incredibly helpful! It was also great to have a ready made contact which for me I ended up needing since DD1 had a tongue tie and my milk didn't come in. She saw me for weighted feeds, got my assisted lactation set up, got my prescription for Domperidone, told when to pump and when to stop pumping and just let things go however they were going to go, fixed the tongue tie etc. But I was so glad that I had made the time to see her before baby came. It was a huge help to me.

313Meg · December 2021

Ah I’m so not ready to even think about this yet. I guess I better start tho.

realhousewife519 · December 2021

I’m a csection mamma! Third time around the block:

Things I’m bringing:
nursing/maternity dressing gown - it’s like a regular dressing gown but it has slits to access the boobs for feedings.

Eye masks for me and hubby (hospitals are bright and nurses sometimes flick on the light at 3am -lol)
noise machine/speaker for me and hubby (hospitals are beepy - gotta drown out that noise with a Spotify sound bath!)
toothbrush/toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties, soap, face wash, moisturizer etc.
Pack of adult diapers - even for a csection, this is a must. Regular underwear with a pad gets too close to the incision and isn’t comfortable.

Sturdy but comfy Slippers - they make you take a walk every few hours after surgery.

Book - just in case I have time or inclination to read

Clothes to go home in
Lots of receiving blankets for packing baby into car seat for way home.

Going home outfit for baby
Phone charger

things I won’t worry about bringing on third time around
- clothes for me - I’ll stay in nursing gown
- breast pads - milk is not abundant enough for me to be at the stage of leaking until I’m well out of hospital
-clothes for baby - so much skin on skin and diaper changes, I just leave baby in diaper and then swaddle for naps. No fussing and changing baby in and out of clothes.

- diapers, diaper cream etc - as others mentioned, the hospital has supplies for days
- breast pump - I usually don’t start pumping until week 2.

- pacifier/bottle - I won’t introduce pacifier that soon and I don’t expect to need a bottle.

- shampoo/conditioner - not a fan of the showers in hospital, if I can get away without taking one I will. If I do take one, it’s a quick rinse and I don’t wash my hair.

-makeup - if I’m too lazy to shower, I’m probably also too lazy to do my makeup. Lol

Things I should add to my list after reading all of your comments above:
- oil diffuser - so luxurious!

- cooler full of snacks and food - genius! I noticed most of the cafeteria at the hospital is closed due to Covid when I was there with my son for his surgery this week.

- nursing pillow - for the life of me I can’t remember if I normally bring it but it sounds like something one should have

A tip for any other mammas like me who are borderline workaholics - disable email from your phone before you go to hospital if you can so you’re not tempted to compulsively check it or do work from hospital.

Question: should I bring a mini bottle of champagne to toast with hubby after baby is born? I’ve always joked about doing this but never have. This is my last baby, so therefore last chance to toast in hospital!

Nik102 · December 2021

My list is similar to what has been listed. Only thing I’m bringing that I haven’t seen listed is my own pillows and a small blanket (more of a throw). I bought 2 cheaper pillows at target and have an old throw blanket packed. Not only are the hospital pillows awful but working in the hospital has tainted me and I have seen what happens to the pillows and linens….no thanks lol. I would bring my own gown but I feel like that’s just too much.

Definitely bringing a long phone charger and plenty of snacks!

@realhousewife519 champagne sounds wonderful!

morgantu · December 2021

@realhousewife519 eye masks! So smart- definitely adding that one. I want to do champagne too- I'm assuming that's frowned upon in L&D units?

friends-fan · December 2021

@Nik102 I like the pillow and throw idea! I'll have to add that. I'll be at a different hospital so not entirely sure what to expect but I think it's a nicer place

animator_mama · December 2021

I'm a FTM and this thread is so helpful. I'm making a list of things. I had no idea what to bring. I feel so unprepared and really overwhelmed. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to cry because of the weight of the knowledge that I have NO IDEA what to expect. We are starting prenatal classes in January, and I'm hoping that some things will be explained, but I feel totally at a loss. So, thank you to everyone who has posted their hospital bags. I can't tell you how incredibly helpful it is to see these lists.

rachelredhead · December 2021

@animator_mama deep breaths! The class will be great and it’s an awesome environment to ask ALL the questions you have. Just rest assured that no FTM knows what to expect. And even beyond that first child experience, every birth is different. You’re going to do great!

gembud · December 2021

If you’re bringing your own pillow - which I definitely would - make sure you don’t use a plain white pillow case or hospital cleaning staff may accidentally take it

nursejenn5 · December 2021

Also on the pillow/blanket subject. Things may get really dirty. Use a pillow protector on the pillow. Etc. a patient of mine brought a favorite pillowcase and ended up puking all over the pillow. The whole thing went in the garbage. I know people I work with try to remove the personal items when/if things might be messy. But you just never know

Nik102 · December 2021

@nursejenn5 I bought two pillows relatively cheap at target that I’m totally ok and prepared to not bring home. Their only purpose is for the hospital, if they make it home that’s a bonus. I would bring my own sheets, gown, and tele leads too if I could 😂😂.

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