Here is the list that I have put together of hospital stuff. Please read through it and be honest. Is there something I left off? Is there something that I just really don’t need? I need help!!
•Camera/charger
•Video Recorder/charger
•Laptop and/or iPad
•iPhone/chargers
•underwear
•socks
•house slippers
•PJs and clothes I don’t mind getting ruined
•robe
•cute hospital gown
•nursing bras/tanks
•disposable nursing bra pads
•flip flops/shoes
•bath towel {I’m hearing the hospital ones are thin and yucky}
•nipple cream!
•shampoo and conditioner
•shower gel and puff
•tooth brush, tooth paste, mouthwash
•deodorant
•lotions
•eye mask
•ear plugs
•going home outfit for me/baby
•make-up
•hair straightener
•hair dryer
•hair clips/rubber bands/ headbands
•boppy pillow
•my regular pillow
•magazines/books
•snacks/drinks
•notebook to write in
•baby book to at least get foot/hand prints in
•insurance card and IDs
•breast pump in the car (just in case)
•car seat in car
•wooden massager for my back
•birth plan
•paci’s
•blanket for baby
•socks/mittens for baby
•baby onesies/gowns/hats
*Joe's bag (I'll let him be in charge of this one)
23 comments:
are you going to do full makeup for pics or no? I hear people do that these days. ha! i like the idea of craigslist, but we have to be so careful bc of the bed bug epidimic here. i had a friend who got them in her furniture and it cost 10 grand.
I just stumbled on your blog and since I'm a newly preggers mom (almost 12 weeks) I've been scoping out some other bloggers who are also preggers. Can't wait to read more.
It sounds like you are perfectly packed!
I would make sure to bring some warm socks! My feet were cold even during labor. I would also say your own pads...b/c the ones at the hospital are pretty big LOL! Don't forget a ponytail holder :)
Yes warm socks! As far as the breast pump I just rented one from the hospital when I needed it. You get all new attachment parts. That way you aren't having to worry with taking yours. Also, we had cute laminated Brody letters for the outside of the hospital door.
Your list looks good to me. You may not need the eye mask or massager or ear plugs, but it doesn't hurt to pack them just in case. For us, there was no time to read magazines/books.... During the early part of labor, I was being checked so often and family was in and out that we didn't read at all. It was the shortest 12 hours of my life! And once the baby arrives, you'll be so amazed/transfixed/in love/ busy staring at her that you won't read. Take books/mags just in case, but you'll probably be too busy. :)
Be aware that if things don't go according to plan and you have a c-section, you won't get to take a shower for at least 24 hours. So, make sure you bring ponytail holders just in case. For me, I couldn't stand the hospital gown and was out of that and in my regular comfy clothes as soon as possible after the baby was born.
If you have any immediate questions for the pediatrician on your mind now or once Sally arrives, be sure you have them written down for when the pediatrician stops by the hospital. That way you can be ready to ask them.
Here's another tip we've always heard.... Be sure you take all the diapers/ready made formula bottles (just in case) from Sally's little bed/cart. The hospital disposes of any that have been opened anyway. Also, be sure to take the aspirator,alcohol wipes, etc. when you go home. Since you're being charged for them whether they're used or not, take them!! :)
The most important thing, though, is just to relax and enjoy the day. It will be like no other! I'm excited for you guys!
Sarah, if you have the ability to even think about doing anything more than washing your hair you are a better woman then i am. the hair dry, etc . . . will just take up space in you hospital bag.
You will need maxi pads!
Don't forget the neck support thing for the Carseat. We forgot to put it in for Olivia. Also, I wouldn't bother with nursing pads, because your milk probably won't fully come in until after you are home.
If you want your babies first hospital blanket you need to hide it in your bag. I snagged Dex's. :)
Don't take your breast pump. It will just take up space and be something else to carry. If you need one while you are in the hospital, they will provide it AND give you a little kit of stuff like collection bottles, flanges, etc. that you can take home with you. I kinda agree about the magazines. You will have so much going on that you prob won't need them and if you have a laptop that should be enough to keep you entertained. I would have a small stash of snacky stuff for Joe and you (I remember being starved after having CH and someone had sent a basket of snacks to our room. I was sooo grateful for something to eat)! Oh, and I don't think you REALLY need to take the boppy, but that's just a personal preference!
Thanks so much for posting this! I was just thinking about what I'll need to pack too and your list and the feedback from everyone is helpful!
Sounds great! I think you definitely need the boppy. Once I figured out nursing in the hospital with it, it seemed like I always had to have it afterward. Much easier on your arms!
I also would leave pump at home. If you need one at hospital, they will provide it.
I never read or looked at a laptop either and I was in labor 16 hours! It went by fast between checks and family visitors. But it won't hurt to have it. Once Sally arrives, you won't need it unless you want to upload pics. If you aren't holding her or nursing, you will want to rest!
You don't need to take the breast pump. If you were to need to pump in the hospital (which they will discourage unless it is necessary), they will provide you with a pump AND give you a kit of supplies that you get to take home with you. They will also give you nipple cream, and you can take all of the formula/diapers/supplies from the rolling baby cart as someone else mentioned. I personally wouldn't worry with all of the magazines if you have a laptop available. There will be very little time that you aren't being visited/checked on/sleeping/staring at baby Sally. I WOULD take a small stash of snacky food. Joe will appreciate it while you are laboting and you will be ravenous after labor. Someone delivered a snack basket for us and it was WONDERFUL! Hope this helps!
I took a shower, did full makeup, dried and straightened my hair the morning after Brianna was born, so I was thankful to have all of that stuff with me. Also, I used nursing bra pads even though my milk hadn't fully come in, I was leaking a bit. I think your list looks great! We packed hospital bags this past weekend . . . makes it all seem so close and real!
As a tip, I packed a backpack for the L&D room (with camera, chargers, socks (feet may get cold), chapstick, snacks/drinks for Chris and a bit of makeup to freshen up with after labor, etc), then packed a seperate bag for the postpartum room so that all the other stuff won't be in the way during L&D. Don't forget to bring snacks/drinks for YOU for the postpartum room. I was in labor for 24 hours, and not allowed to eat that whole time with Brianna. The next day, I was STARVING all day and the hospital food just was not cutting it!
Great tips and list! Even though I have done this before I don't remember! Also, I made your shrimp scampi recipe tonight. So yummy!
Looks like you are super prepared! I was too. Not a bad thing. You may want to bring some dry shampoo in case you have a c-section and can't shower for a day. It's so exciting to start packing and know that it could happen at any minute! At the time I hated feeling so anxious, but now I miss it.
you are super prepared! my best advice . . . is to be open and not so connected to your birthing plan that you let it ruin the day if it doesn't go according to plan!! that is super hard for us type-a personalities! each time i tell myself . . . my goal is to leave with a healthy baby and i will be okay no matter what happens to accomplish that. i have so many friends who said it ruined their whole experience when the birth plan went out the window!
as for your bag . . .i say keep the lap top, one of you might want it for something. there will be times when the baby leaves the room and there is very little on the 5 channels on the hospital tv. i agree that you probably won't need the eye mask & ear plugs especially once the baby arrives. definitely bring your pillow and the boppy. trying to figure out nursing is not always easy and it is better to have the boppy than not. joe will want his pillow, too!! forget the breast pump and nursing pads. like others said, your milk will probably not come in until after you return home and if you need one, the hospital will provide one. you can also leave the pacis at home. if you plan to nurse, you won't need them any way and if for some reason you do, the hospital will provide it, too. a few other tips suggested that i highly agree with . . . pack a separate bag for labor and delivery. once they move you, joe can go to the car and grab everything else. and, snag her first everything and hide it in your bag. i have all mine's first hat, shirt and blanket. also, take everything in her bassinet and everything they give you, even if you don't think you will need it. you can always throw it away later, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
one last thing . . . when we had carter, we had a dog. josh took the first hat (they will give her another one) they gave carter home and let the dog smell it and investigate it while we were still at the hospital. then, when we arrived home, i went in first and he brought carter in behind me. there was never a bit of jealousy and she was so protective of carter. this was advice we were told and read and it totally worked for us. i just wanted to share because your dog is your first baby and you have to make accomodations for them when you bring in the next baby!
I think you looked prepared!! :)
That's a good list!!
Hard Candy(if you're a fan). There may be a period of time where you're not allowed to eat and this helped keep my mouth from getting too dry and was more interesting than ice chips.
Chapstick and a pretty pillow case. I just put mine on top of the hospital pillow. It makes a world of difference in those just after delivery pictures!! Bright and colorful!
Welp, this post kind of rocked my world...I suppose its about time I start thinking about a hospital bag as well. Thanks for the ideas!
I noticed that several people said not to bring the breast pump. I agree that you might not "need" it for actual pumping, but I actually brought mine just so the lactation consultant could show me how to use it! I am not the best at totally getting something from just reading instructions, so it was helpful for me to have someone actually get out the parts and show me how it's done!
My only other suggestion, and it's a weird one (that I might have mentioned to you already?) is Depends! A friend recommended them to me and I found them far more comfortable than the mesh panty/huge pad combo that the hospital offers. You'd be amazed how slim and streamlined they are, and they fit more snuggly than the hospital panties, so I just felt more secure in those and not like a pad was going to fall out of my pants in front of my visitors :)
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