Hospital bags yo.

[singingsea]

Have you packed or thought about what you're packing in your hospital bag? I'm nesting like crazy so I started working what I've jokingly called my "bug out bag". Thanks doomsday preppers

So far I've packed:

2 nursing bras. One with underwire and one without. Not sure how my boobs will wanted to be treated so I packed both
Disposable nursing pads.
2 burp cloths
1 nursing cover
Diapers, although the hospital will provide you some. I just wanted to bring my own.
Wipes
Going home outfits. Packed 2 NB and 2 0-3 months. Both cold and warm weather appropriate options.
1 receiving blanket.


I got a gift for DS "from the baby" but I'm probably just going to give that to him at home.


What I plan on packing:

Insurance info and ID.
Dry shampoo. It took them forever to let me take a damn shower and this time I'm prepared lol.
A small travel sized bottle of my favorite body wash. Seriously that first postpartum shower is the best thing ever.
Granny panties I plan to burn afterwards.
Sneaking in a granola bar. They didn't let me eat for 30 hours. Fuck that.
A comfy leaving the hospital outfit.
Phone and charger.
Possibly my own bathrobe but an older one.
Some cash. They have a Timmy Ho's and Subway in my hospital. I'll be hitting that shit.
A couple movies. I was in labor a long time with DS.



For references/ideas

Childbirth: What to pack for the hospital or birth center

[f14mama]

I realized that I way over packed with DS, so I'm going to scale it down. I'll probably bring some travel toiletries for myself, a going home outfit for myself and the baby, and a couple nursing bras. With the c-section, I never got out of my hospital gown, and the hospital pretty much gives you everything you need for the baby, so I never used anything I brought. I know all hospitals are different though.

[LadyNymeria]

I haven't even started thinking about it yet. Been thinking about starting to think about it, maybe make a list sometime soon since I like lists.

[beckyrosen]

I already wear my nursing bras (they're so comfy) so I'll already have one on when we go so I won't pack another.
I'll bring my slippers, and some toiletries, maybe my makeup so I don't look like death (but I probably won't even put any on, I just want the option lol).
Dry shampoo is a good idea, and maybe a snack.
I'm planning on wearing my black Lularoe leggings home from the hospital with. Comfy shirt. Those leggings are amazing, and for some reason the black ones I have fit looser than the other ones, so they should be perfect for coming home in.
A going home outfit for baby.

Oh oh, nipple cream! Don't forget that shit if you're planning on nursing. My nipples kept getting stuck to my gown or bra last time and peeling them off hurt. I must remember to throw that in my bag.
I didn't really use much last time, stayed in the hospital gown, used the disposable undies and pads they provided, they gave me a robe, they had diapers and a blanket for baby.

[sodapop]

I'm not there yet at all. Dry shampoo is a good suggestion. I only stayed one night last time, but things could be different this time around. I'll be taking notes here. Thanks for starting this.

[watermelonseed]

I actually just packed my yesterday. #panicpacker

Has anyone brought or used pineapple juice like I've seen reccomened online?

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 11, 2016 9:58:11 GMT -5 watermelonseed said:

I actually just packed my yesterday. #panicpacker

Has anyone brought or used pineapple juice like I've seen reccomened online?

Never heard a pregnancy use for pineapple juice before. What's it for / what's it supposed to do?

[singingsea]

Also personally speaking I don't recommend makeup. I put on makeup for my induction thinking I wanted to look nice for postpartum pics with baby. Wrong. After 30 hours I looked like Marilyn Manson. This time I'm going natural.

[sodapop]

Jul 11, 2016 10:09:00 GMT -5 singingsea said:

Also personally speaking I don't recommend makeup. I put on makeup for my induction thinking I wanted to look nice for postpartum pics with baby. Wrong. After 30 hours I looked like Marilyn Manson. This time I'm going natural.

Good girl, lol. Unless you're going for a planned c-section, your make up will be a mess. I had no make up and looked like crap though. There's no winning here.

[singingsea]

Jul 11, 2016 10:14:19 GMT -5 sodapop said:

Jul 11, 2016 10:09:00 GMT -5 singingsea said:

Also personally speaking I don't recommend makeup. I put on makeup for my induction thinking I wanted to look nice for postpartum pics with baby. Wrong. After 30 hours I looked like Marilyn Manson. This time I'm going natural.

Good girl, lol. Unless you're going for a planned c-section, your make up will be a mess. I had no make up and looked like crap though. There's no winning here.

Yeah I think I still would have looked horrible even if I hadn't done my makeup. I lost a lot of blood with DS and everyone later on kept telling me how "white" I was.

[NJgirl84]

I emptied out my diaper bag and started packing. I have a going home outfit for DS2 and a few hats. Looking back I wish I had brought cuter hats for DS1 instead of the basic hospital hats. I have a nursing nightgown, nursing bra for leaving. Bag of toiletries including face wipes and lip balm. Car seat cover.

To be packed: going home outfit for me, basic makeup so I don't look like my pale self afterwards. Nipple cream. Phone charger, camera.

[mc13]

I also overpacked with DD and will be much simpler in my packing this time.

**One thing to remember is that if you got the Rhogam shot, they like you to have the little paperwork that goes with it that states the date you had it.

[annapunkalunka]

Jul 11, 2016 9:33:21 GMT -5 f14mama said:

I realized that I way over packed with DS, so I'm going to scale it down. I'll probably bring some travel toiletries for myself, a going home outfit for myself and the baby, and a couple nursing bras. With the c-section, I never got out of my hospital gown, and the hospital pretty much gives you everything you need for the baby, so I never used anything I brought. I know all hospitals are different though.

This. I so over packed. I'll bring the boppy this time. An outfit for him and me and a couple of bras. Shower stuff and grab my phone charger as we leave. DH will be coming home for the nights (as long as I'm not in labor/birthing) so if I need anything, he can grab it and bring it back in the morning. The hospital provides so much stuff.

[mc13]

Jul 11, 2016 10:19:54 GMT -5 NJgirl84 said:

I emptied out my diaper bag and started packing. I have a going home outfit for DS2 and a few hats. Looking back I wish I had brought cuter hats for DS1 instead of the basic hospital hats. I have a nursing nightgown, nursing bra for leaving. Bag of toiletries including face wipes and lip balm. Car seat cover.

To be packed: going home outfit for me, basic makeup so I don't look like my pale self afterwards. Nipple cream. Phone charger, camera.

I will also be packing cute little hats. I bought two "hospital hats" from Etsy with bows on them -one pink and one purple- so we can tell the babies apart in pictures down the road. Even if we weren't having twins, I would still pack cute hats this time.

[lovetruly2015]

I had started thinking of what to pack in mine way way early. DH even bought a bag though the only thing we had in it was some slippers and a blanket. Im cold all the time so thoes where a must for me. Personally for me I say dry shampoo and some slippers or socks are a must also a towel if you plan on showering. That is not really a need but hospital towels are small and sucky. I could barely move after my c-section so taking a shower was not happening and walking around a hospital barefoot is obviously not a smart idea. Since I barely left my room other than to seen Jackson I was either barefoot or in slippers. In fact in the almost two weeks I was there I didn't even realize I didn't have shoes until I was discharged. The nicu was a long walk from the room I was in so I was in a wheelchair everytime I went.

[pismoduo]

Jul 11, 2016 9:45:11 GMT -5 beckyrosen said:

I already wear my nursing bras (they're so comfy) so I'll already have one on when we go so I won't pack another.
I'll bring my slippers, and some toiletries, maybe my makeup so I don't look like death (but I probably won't even put any on, I just want the option lol).
Dry shampoo is a good idea, and maybe a snack.
I'm planning on wearing my black Lularoe leggings home from the hospital with. Comfy shirt. Those leggings are amazing, and for some reason the black ones I have fit looser than the other ones, so they should be perfect for coming home in.
A going home outfit for baby.

Oh oh, nipple cream! Don't forget that shit if you're planning on nursing. My nipples kept getting stuck to my gown or bra last time and peeling them off hurt. I must remember to throw that in my bag.
I didn't really use much last time, stayed in the hospital gown, used the disposable undies and pads they provided, they gave me a robe, they had diapers and a blanket for baby.

I may have just involuntarily grabbed my boob at the thought of that feeling. Ow.
Save

[f14mama]

Jul 11, 2016 9:45:11 GMT -5 beckyrosen said:

I already wear my nursing bras (they're so comfy) so I'll already have one on when we go so I won't pack another.
I'll bring my slippers, and some toiletries, maybe my makeup so I don't look like death (but I probably won't even put any on, I just want the option lol).
Dry shampoo is a good idea, and maybe a snack.
I'm planning on wearing my black Lularoe leggings home from the hospital with. Comfy shirt. Those leggings are amazing, and for some reason the black ones I have fit looser than the other ones, so they should be perfect for coming home in.
A going home outfit for baby.

Oh oh, nipple cream! Don't forget that shit if you're planning on nursing. My nipples kept getting stuck to my gown or bra last time and peeling them off hurt. I must remember to throw that in my bag.
I didn't really use much last time, stayed in the hospital gown, used the disposable undies and pads they provided, they gave me a robe, they had diapers and a blanket for baby.

Oh yes! The nipple cream! Also, if your hospital doesn't offer nipple soaks, ASK. They will give you bottles of saline that you put in dixie cups, then kind of suction them to your nipples. The soaks seriously were such lifesavers for the pain and bleeding. 

[beckyrosen]

Jul 11, 2016 11:11:27 GMT -5 f14mama said:

Jul 11, 2016 9:45:11 GMT -5 beckyrosen said:

I already wear my nursing bras (they're so comfy) so I'll already have one on when we go so I won't pack another.
I'll bring my slippers, and some toiletries, maybe my makeup so I don't look like death (but I probably won't even put any on, I just want the option lol).
Dry shampoo is a good idea, and maybe a snack.
I'm planning on wearing my black Lularoe leggings home from the hospital with. Comfy shirt. Those leggings are amazing, and for some reason the black ones I have fit looser than the other ones, so they should be perfect for coming home in.
A going home outfit for baby.

Oh oh, nipple cream! Don't forget that shit if you're planning on nursing. My nipples kept getting stuck to my gown or bra last time and peeling them off hurt. I must remember to throw that in my bag.
I didn't really use much last time, stayed in the hospital gown, used the disposable undies and pads they provided, they gave me a robe, they had diapers and a blanket for baby.

Oh yes! The nipple cream! Also, if your hospital doesn't offer nipple soaks, ASK. They will give you bottles of saline that you put in dixie cups, then kind of suction them to your nipples. The soaks seriously were such lifesavers for the pain and bleeding. 

I've never heard of that before!

[watermelonseed]

Jul 11, 2016 10:07:52 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Jul 11, 2016 9:58:11 GMT -5 watermelonseed said:

I actually just packed my yesterday. #panicpacker

Has anyone brought or used pineapple juice like I've seen reccomened online?

Never heard a pregnancy use for pineapple juice before. What's it for / what's it supposed to do?

I've read on a bunch of online packing lists it's good for breastfeeding. Who knows - I enjoy the taste normally so didn't think it'd hurt.

[olive]

I wayyyy over packed for DS. One thing I didn't bring last time was a nursing pillow and I highly recommend doing that! Number one thing on my list this time!

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 11, 2016 11:17:40 GMT -5 watermelonseed said:

Jul 11, 2016 10:07:52 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Never heard a pregnancy use for pineapple juice before. What's it for / what's it supposed to do?

I've read on a bunch of online packing lists it's good for breastfeeding. Who knows - I enjoy the taste normally so didn't think it'd hurt.

Good to know. I LOVE pineapple so whether or not it actually helps any I certainly wouldn't mind drinking it. Not sure I'll bother packing any, but wouldn't hurt to have it in the fridge at home.

[olive]

I feel like I've heard of people using pineapple to induced labor but never for breastfeeding! That's a new one for me!

[merryrissmas]

I way over packed both times so I'm going to try to keep it lighter this time. Going home outfits for me and baby, phone charger, basic makeup/shampoo/hand lotion, flip flops for the shower, my own pillow, a pacifier in case my hospital doesn't give them out anymore, the baby book for those first footprints, and I think that's about it. Maybe a robe or PJs but I don't think I got out of the gown until it was time to get ready to go home the previous times.

[fem]

The only things I remember using last time were my own maternity robe (over the hospital gown), slippers, and outfits for me and DD to go home in.

I'll probably bring some snacks too

[danizee]

This time I'm definitely bringing a blanket. I was freezing at the hospital and then it was even worse when I got my epidural. They piled sheets on me but it didn't really help. I think my own blanket would be nice. Also, those nipple soothies that stick on. Those are a must!

[cbrandt1]

Jul 11, 2016 9:58:11 GMT -5 watermelonseed said:

I actually just packed my yesterday. #panicpacker

Has anyone brought or used pineapple juice like I've seen reccomened online?

I used pineapple juice when I got my boobs done to prevent bruising and I didn't have a single bruise.

I also ate lots of fresh (or canned) pineapple to get labor going. I didn't want to go over 40 weeks. Between RRL tea, EPO pills (orally at 37w, vaginally at 39), and pineapple I went into labor at 39w5d. Not sure if those things mattered or not, but I plan to do it again.

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 11, 2016 16:12:27 GMT -5 cbrandt1 said:

Jul 11, 2016 9:58:11 GMT -5 watermelonseed said:

I actually just packed my yesterday. #panicpacker

Has anyone brought or used pineapple juice like I've seen reccomened online?

I used pineapple juice when I got my boobs done to prevent bruising and I didn't have a single bruise.

I also ate lots of fresh (or canned) pineapple to get labor going. I didn't want to go over 40 weeks. Between RRL tea, EPO pills (orally at 37w, vaginally at 39), and pineapple I went into labor at 39w5d. Not sure if those things mattered or not, but I plan to do it again.

I'm definitely planning to get some RRL tea soon. I was drinking it during the non-TWW portions of TTC and I actually really like it so I figure why not see if it helps out!

[cbrandt1]

singingsea, that's a huge hospital bag! I definitely overpacked last time. This time I won't be taking as much.

Baby stuff:
2 going home outfits (NB and 0-3), nail file/clippers, 1 blanket to go home, hat, and socks...yep, that's about it. I took way too much last time, and I used their blankets and everything the whole time since he was spitting up and dirtying things every 5 min. I'm paying to use their diapers and wipes and stuff so I might as well use them.

For DH and I:
Shower towels, pillows, blanket for DH on the couch bed, Bose speaker, Chargers, 2 nursing sleep bras (if my milk doesn't come in while I'm there, I'll likely just wear the hospital gown the whole time again), a going home outfit for me. I may buy I nice cotton robe or something to wear instead of the gown, but the amount of mess that is child birth and after birth is not something I want to take home.

Eta- face and body wash for the shower. Washing my face before I was able to shower was THE greatest thing ever!!!

[singingsea]

cbrandt1 most of it is small stuff so I don't think it will be that bad

[lpj]

I'm planning on packing mine this coming weekend I'll probably just take a few button-up night gowns, a pretty cotton robe, slip-on shoes and a few soft/stretchy breastfeeding clothes for me. For baby I'll take some nappies, a blanket and two or three little outfits. I'm birthing through the midwifery group practice this time which has a natural birth focus and aims for you to go home directly from birth suite (ie 4-6 hours after delivery) assuming there are no complications. However if this baby comes early like last time I will probably have a few days at least on the ward, so I want to be prepared for that eventuality too!