Hospital Bag?

[jm0848]

I'm pretty sure we had a thread of this on TB, but I'm lazy and don't feel like heading over there right now.

What's going in your hospital bag? how are you organizing it?

I'm thinking have a tote with me as the labor bag, an after bag, and then diaper bag for LO.
No clue really on what's going in everything.. I still need to do my tours to figure out what all my hospital provides

[MauiBliss]

I am actually pulling everything together this weekend and letting my husband pack it in one of my large, triathlon backpacks. That way, when I'm exhausted or can't move around and I say, "Hey, honey, I need my chapstick and my squishy blanket" he knows where they are. I am bringing a large backpack I use for carrying my gear to races, he is bringing a small backpack, and we are bringing Spawnlet's stuff in the diaper bag. I have seen too many friends in the hospital with huge rolling suitcases and it seems excessive to me.

Right now, I'm bringing a couple of changes of comfortable clothes for me, extra hoodies because I get cold, my favorite blanket, a going home outfit and some toiletries, plus chargers and my nook, which we will toss in last minute. Baby's bag will be pretty bare since I know he'll get stuff from the hospital. We may bring a few of his diapers so we can try them out to see if they work for him right off the bat and a couple options for his going home outfit, depending on weather.

H will bring the camera, the hypnobirthing stuff, the portable speaker for my iPod, and then his personal items.

[rquinlin]

You may also want to bring an extra grocery tote or something to put all the freebies in.

[djoliet]

Last pregnancy I paked a bag for myself and brought the diaper bag for my son and also brought my pump with me. Also I brought my own pillow from home because after 2 prior stays in labor and delivery I learned how much their pillows suck. In my bag I brought a pair of pj pants and a sphagetti strap tank since I didn't have a nursing tank to make breastfeeding easier, granny panties aka panties I didn't mind getting ruined by blood, toothbrush and paste, shampoo and conditioner, and body wash. I brought enough of that to share with my ex too in case he wanted to shower but I think he ended up going home to do that. I also brought my blow dryer and straightener though I don't know why since I was too tired to use both and just threw my hair up in a ponytail. Also make up which I did use so I didn't feel totally a mess. I also brought my pack of always pads but I didn't end up using them and used what the hospital gave me. And slippers and warm socks. Also camera and phone charger.

In my son's diaper bag I put in a few diapers for the ride home which ended up being too big because he was tiny and needed premie and wipes. I put like 2 onsies which he didn't use because he just wore the little shirt and diaper his whole stay and his go home outfit and socks. I also packed a couple little hats and gloves. I brought a receiving blanket and a thick blanket as well.

I also haven't done a tour of my hospital yet so I need to do that soon and find out what they provide. This time I will pretty much lack the same things give or take a few things.

[thenetwork]

I packed very light last time and I'm pretty sure the hospital staff thought I was nuts. I will probably pack more this time.

I brought one change of clothes for myself (and extra undies) my hair brush, toothbrush and tooth paste. For DS I brought two outfits in different sizes, a tiny thing of wipes and like two diapers.

I lived in my hospital gown for two days, used the hand soap stuff in the shower for shampoo/face/body, and diapered DS in their diapers, swaddled in their blankets, etc. I believe the only other things I brought were my wallet, phone and charger. Everything for me and baby fit in one small bag.

[snarkysparklefart]

I used the small/ overnight suitcase type of bag last time, and took only 2 extra gowns, a ton of granny panties, a pair of sweats, slippers, 2 options for baby going home outfits, my own always super maxis, and a small/ airplane travel toiletry kit (highly recommend packing chap stick or lip balm of some kind, lotion, your own shampoo/conditioner, and soap in travel sizes, my hospital's kind was awful). I packed the camera and charger cords In Hs bag, which also had 2 changes for him, a roll of quarters, and $40 broken into smaller bills (our hospital doesn't provide a meal for anyone other than the patient, though I've heard some will feed SOs too). I packed minimally because I was fully expecting the c/s I had. I only sent DH home for 2 things- my pillow & the boppy. This time I may pack a few things for entertainment in my Hs bag, maybe a deck of cards or a magazine, since I'm aiming for a VBAC.

[racegurl87]

I'm using a rolling bag for pretty much everything. I have my diaper bag packed with a couple outfits and a receiving blanket for LO. I haven't put much in my bag yet, but so far I have: loose sweatpants, cheap flip flops (for shower/walking around), toiletries (some will go in right before we go to the hospital).

I'm planning on adding: nursing tank, going home outfit, pillow (with extra pillowcases that can be tossed if they get gross), snacks (for me, H, & nurses), ziplock bags (there's a community kitchen that we can keep food in, it just needs to be in a bag with my name on it), take out menus, accordion file for all the paperwork we'll get. There's probably more I'll think of, but that's all I've got for now.

[cwbandthenewbie]

I packed light: a pair of loose pajamas that I never wore (I was too traumatized to change out of the hospital gown, yikes), an loose outfit to wear home, and slippers. I brought travel toiletries so that I could leave there whatever I brought. iPhone chargers! Ipad. Glasses. For baby, I did bring his diaper bag with his going home outfit, diapers and wipes for the ride home, blanket in case it was cold outside, one paci, and that's it. I brought my own birth ball. No pillows, no sports bra (I labored in the gown or butt naked). I also brought my lunchbox and ziploc baggies for my placenta.

[snarkysparklefart]

Jan 16, 2015 14:06:25 GMT -5 cwbandthenewbie said:

I packed light: a pair of loose pajamas that I never wore (I was too traumatized to change out of the hospital gown, yikes), an loose outfit to wear home, and slippers. I brought travel toiletries so that I could leave there whatever I brought. iPhone chargers! Ipad. Glasses. For baby, I did bring his diaper bag with his going home outfit, diapers and wipes for the ride home, blanket in case it was cold outside, one paci, and that's it. I brought my own birth ball. No pillows, no sports bra (I labored in the gown or butt naked). I also brought my lunchbox and ziploc baggies for my placenta.

Somewhat unrelated, but what did you do with your placenta if you don't mind sharing? I have a friend who encapsulates but I just don't think I would use that or a tincture. With DD they took mind to pathology (because it abrupted, not really clear on the details there), but I was thinking of taking it home, possibly using it in my garden (I'd heard it's fantastic for flowers and I thought that would be something nice for our kids to enjoy). 

[NatashaBromanoff]

I'll link the other thread since it just got bumped.

I actually just got a new weekender bag I started packing this week. I don't have everything just yet, but I've got a lot of space for stuff. I'm going to bring travel toiletries, clary sage essential oil for labor, a few sets of comfy clothes/pajamas (yoga pants, tank tops, pajama bottoms, etc), a robe, warm socks because my feet get cold, slippers, nursing bras, our own formula (my husband's picky about it), my manual pump and a syringe (I hear it's good for collecting colostrum), a couple of bottles as a backup, nursing pads, some tucks pads, phone charger, ipad + charger, headphones, backup battery charger (just in case), diapers, wipes, a pillow, two going home outfits in case he doesn't fit one, a swaddling blanket...

I think that's about it.

ETA to add good idea rquinlin, I will shove a tote bag in there as well for freebies.

[JCWhitey]

Last time my hospital bag stayed in my car until we were ready to leave and I needed pants. I don't plan to put much thought into it again this time. Most things I need there I need on a daily basis now (phone, camera, chap stick, etc.) so I will just remember to bring my purse with. Then I'll throw some coothes into a duffle bag. I don't plan to have a long stay and if I end up having to have a c-section or longer stay for some reason I'll send someone home with a list of things to get. Or to run to a store and buy.

The one thing I'll be sure to do this time, thou, is grab something for DH to wear to bed and change into. He wore the same underwear the whole time last time because we didn't grab clothes for him and slept in his jeans.

[skrittens]

Does anyone recommend packing your own nipple cream, pain killers, tissues, and diapers - for the hospital stay?. Both my mother and sister said the hospital will charge extra if you use any supplies that they give you. I didn't think about this before - but technically medical goods such as tissues and diapers are products and would not be covered by insurance - if the hospital were to itemize bill.

I guess in the heat of things I'm not going to care, but my mom said my sis was charged 40 for a tube of breast cream she was given and used in the hospital that she could have bought for 7 in the store. And I'd rather pay for things that I know I want (my Puffs Plus) than cardboard tissues.

[snarkysparklefart]

Jan 17, 2015 7:27:42 GMT -5 skrittens said:

Does anyone recommend packing your own nipple cream, pain killers, tissues, and diapers - for the hospital stay?. Both my mother and sister said the hospital will charge extra if you use any supplies that they give you. I didn't think about this before - but technically medical goods such as tissues and diapers are products and would not be covered by insurance - if the hospital were to itemize bill.

I guess in the heat of things I'm not going to care, but my mom said my sis was charged 40 for a tube of breast cream she was given and used in the hospital that she could have bought for 7 in the store. And I'd rather pay for things that I know I want (my Puffs Plus) than cardboard tissues.

Nipple cream and tissues maybe, if it is a matter of personal preference. Our hospital provided all of those things, and I have no recollection of whether the charges were excessive for any of it,(IIRC, everything was billed at a standard daily price for 'newborn nursery care/ room in' and there were separate charges for the bili light, but that's it). I would not pack your own pain killers. If you do decide to take your own, definitely let the nurses know what you've taken and when, so they can add it to your chart as well. 

For what it's worth, when we were leaving they asked us to take all the items beneath the bassinet, because they'd have to throw them away even if they were unopened. We wound up with quite a few diapers, a prescription skin cream for DD, wipes, baby toiletries, and all of the pumping supplies I'd used in the hospital, along with extra chux pads, mesh panties, and postpartum supplies. 

[pantspantsrevolution]

Jan 17, 2015 7:27:42 GMT -5 skrittens said:

Does anyone recommend packing your own nipple cream, pain killers, tissues, and diapers - for the hospital stay?. Both my mother and sister said the hospital will charge extra if you use any supplies that they give you. I didn't think about this before - but technically medical goods such as tissues and diapers are products and would not be covered by insurance - if the hospital were to itemize bill.

I guess in the heat of things I'm not going to care, but my mom said my sis was charged 40 for a tube of breast cream she was given and used in the hospital that she could have bought for 7 in the store. And I'd rather pay for things that I know I want (my Puffs Plus) than cardboard tissues.

That's crazy.  Our bill wasn't itemized (seriously, that's insane) but I did bring some of our own stuff - nipple cream, colace (so I wouldn't have to wait on them to take it - I took that sucker like within 30 mins of delivering - I was SO SCARED of the first PP poop), some of my own pads.....I did bring our own diapers but the hospital provided tons.

BRING AN EMERY BOARD.

I forgot it last time/had no clue - poor Mike had scratches on his face (which will happen anyways but he had a lot and trimming a nb's nails=bad idea, they tell you to file them only for a reason - so many moms accidentally clip their kiddos which in the big scheme of things is nbd but when you are hormonal, pp, sleep deprived and you accidentally cut the baby and they are bleeding ...get an emery board) and then when I sent DH out for one he got a metal one which ....bring an emery board.


If you are having a boy and plan on circ - bring a tube of petroleum jelly jic the hosp doesn't provide you one.  Ours did, dunno if all do.


Painkillers - don't bring them.  A-those are meds so even itemized your ins should cover them; b- let the hospital remember your pain med management/schedule postpartum.  You'll be tired enough worrying about other things - let them do that part for you.

[pantspantsrevolution]

Steal all the cold pack pad thingies.

No really, I asked for extra to go. And mesh undies haha.

[katydid2015]

I'm going to wait a few more weeks to pack my bags since I have to use the bag to travel to my mom's for my shower in two weeks. But I'll pack my own bag (which is actually a travel backpack), hubby will have his own small duffel bag, and I'll probably put baby's stuff in my bag in packing cubes to keep it separate and easy to grab. I'll use IKEA shopping bags to throw our pillows, blanket, bath towel, and the boppy in.

For me I'm planning to bring a comfy going home outfit, a pajama gown from Etsy to wear post-birth, black ankle socks with grippy texture, flip flops, nursing tanks, sleeping bra, sports bra (for during labor), toiletries, hair bands, nipple cream, and coalace. Possibly bringing my own exercise ball if the hospital doesn't have ample ones on hand. Oh and a tennis ball for massaging during labor.

For baby, a blanket, hat, mittens, going home outfit, pacifier, vaseline, few wipes, baby book, extra outfit and plain white undershirts, burp cloths, hand sanitizer, and car seat of course. And adding an emery board to my list!

Miscellaneous includes phone chargers, water bottle, vending machine change, snacks, pillow and blanket for hubby, and my DSLR camera.

[missycee]

I haven't packed yet, but when DD was born I didn't bring a lot. H and I shared a bag and I brought a diaper bag for the baby's things. For me I just packed a couple outfits, toiletries, my phone and charger, the boppy and a pillow. I had more stuff for the baby than myself and really went way overboard. This time I plan to just pack a couple outfits, receiving blankets, wipes (I didn't like the hospital wipes), and pacifier for the baby and the same stuff as last time for me plus my tablet and camera and maybe a blanket from home. We live close enough to the hospital that it would be easy for H to run home to grab anything we needed so I figure it's better to pack light and have less to worry about. The hospital provides diapers, pads, mesh undies, and so on so I don't have to worry about those things.

[luvsponies]

I just (mostly) packed over the weekend. I packed a labor bag, an after bag and a diaper bag. H is bringing a bag for himself, plus a tote bag for all the freebies. Being a FTM, I had no idea what should go in each bag so I just looked at some of the lists online and TB thread, and it helped me pick the items I wanted.

I wrote down this huge list and now I can't find it. Ugh! Basically, for the labor bag I packed, grippy socks and slippers, a robe and gown for after, hard candy toiletries/makeup, hair dryer/flat iron, brush, razor, change for vending machines, our DSLR, phone chargers, flip flops, sports bra, extra tank top and nursing tanks. For the after/going home bag I packed my pjs/sweats for in the hospital, lots of granny panties, pads, my going home outfit, shoes and I think that's it. The diaper bag has all of LOs stuff in it - going home outfit and a few blankets.

[chunkymonkeylvr]

Ugh I need to pack mine in the next couple of weeks. Probably get to it the first week of Feb.

Last time I was in the hospital less than 25 hour and didn't need much. This time I think I will pack an outfit to go home in for the baby.

My smallest maternity outfit for me to go home in. 2 tank tops, 2 pj bottoms, and two sports bras.

I will wear the gown until after birth where I will shower and get on I'm clothes.

Slippers or house socks plus regular socks and shoes.

Personal care items: I really think I might order a kit for the shampoo etc, I can always use it on vacations etc. Gotta find a cheap one.

Power cords and charges and a deck of cards other than that I'm set. The cafeteria at my hospital is amazing and walmart I'd just up the road for anything else I might need. The family lounge has plenty for DH to drink and eat.

I will take advantage of everything the hospital has to offer, because I get charged no matter what.

[jm0848]

I found out today that my (mostly likely) hospital doesn't do pretty much anything for moms other than give you pads. Soooo...this should be fun.

[NatashaBromanoff]

jm0848 That blows. Do they just have the expectation you'll bring everything else? Have you gone on a tour yet?

[goofygoff]

I'm just going to copy n' paste my spreadsheet. Yes, my spreadsheet.

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Hair brush
Shampoo
Conditioner
Q-Tips
Robe
Nursing gown
Slippers
Going home clothes
Lip balm
Flip flops
Scrunchies
Nursing bra
Maxi pads
Stretchy drawers
Nipple cream
Nursing gel pads
Witch hazel
Coalace
Puppy Pads (for home and Ruby)*
Boppy
Chargers
iPad
MacBook


*Ruby is our Forester and the puppy pads are in case of water breakage/leakage.

This list is just my crap. Dad and baby will have their own bag.

[busterrose]

I am trying to keep it minimal this time since last time I over packed. But I definitely recommend bringing the baby book for the foot prints. Your SO should also pack any meds or pain relievers since the hospital can't provide those (my H had a pounding headache last time and they couldn't do anything for him) and snacks and/or money for the vending machine so your SO can eat if nothing is provided.

[dm718]

I have a tote bag in my nursery that I'm throwing stuff into (instead of putting away to pack later). Right now it contains nursing pjs, nursing nightgown, and a robe. There are two pillows in a bag in my car for childbirth classes - those will probably get transferred to Kris' car once classes are done (or if we take his car to class).

As for organization: tote bag for recovery / going home clothes. Labor supplies either in their own bag or on top of tote (all I can think of is socks, lip balm, tennis balls - need to see if they have those at the hospital). I guess paperwork goes with labor supplies. Bag for husband: clothes, bathing suit (we were reminded this week - partners need suits to go in tubs / showers with us). Husband bag or separate bag - food / snacks for him. He's T1 diabetic - definitely need to be prepared for his nourishment (though I'm just picky and if I was in his shoes, I'd want food I know I like vs hitting up a vending machine when the cafeteria is closed).

[clobert]

There are lists everywhere and I'm a ftm, so I won't bother telling everyone all the things I'm packing. One idea I had was to pack a small bag with things for actual labor and my essentials like toiletries and maybe a change of clothes for after labor. This way if I go into labor by myself and for some reason i need to go quickly (unlikely) I can carry what I need and jump in a cab and have dh or someone bring everything else later. I'll have a bigger bag with things for him and baby things and nice to have items.

[drudolph11]

Im linking TB thread on this because it really had A LOT of great info on what to pack

forums.thebump.com/discussion/12495308/what-to-pack-in-our-d-day-its-effing-go-time-bags/p1

[ac123185]

When I was in the hospital for my dd, I wasn't there for long and didn't really need much.  I had packed a couple of comfy outfits for myself, but honestly didn't use anything until it was time to go home.  I was so swollen and uncomfortable that the loose hospital gown actually felt great, and it was super easy to breastfeed with. I had packed nipple cream, but didn't end up using it as the hospital provided some.

This time around I will probably pack similarly, and pack light.  I ended up coming home more than I came with as far as a breast pump, diapers, and gifts that visitors brought.  I'll bring a bag with a couple of outfits for myself, one or two for the baby, and basic toiletries.  I'm sure my fiancee will also pack light, we're only about 10-15 minutes away from home, so if there is anything we really need he can swing by the house and grab it. 

After re-reading this I realize it may not be helpful, I just a minimalist and don't need much.  I know how easy it is to over pack.

[ruemorgan]

I have packed my preferred toiletries, prep h, stool softeners, and tucks pads. Still need to pack clothes, but I cant decide on what. I also need to go buy snacks for my DH.

Im wondering what kind of bag everyone is using. Im inbetween the vera bradley grand traveler and duffel bag. Both the same size bag but the traveler has more pockets.

[flmama622]

This was my blog from DD. Everything was great and I didn't really need anything else. Last minute I decided to only take newborn clothes for DD instead of newborn and 0-3.

ourownkindofparadise.blogspot.com/2012/12/baby-g-our-bags-are-packed.html

[jessuh]

I'm having a birth center birth if all goes well, so I only need things for labor and a few hours after birth. I'm still working on my list slowly and I know I will likely get a suggested list at my next appt
Bathing suit top/sports bra (they have tubs)
Maternity leggings (2)
Nursing tank (2)
Change of underwear (2-3)
Hair ties
Chap stick
Lotion
Slippers
Socks
Wet bag (for wet clothes)
Robe
Jacket
Water bottle
Chargers

For MH:
Swim trunks
Pj pants
Tshirt
Hoodie
Charger

For baby:
A&A blanket
Swaddleme
3 sleepers (2 nb 1 0-3mo just in case)
Car seat
Extra blanket

I will ask about things like nipple cream and I'm still debating whether or not we will use cloth from the first diaper or wait until the meconium passes. The average stay after birth for my BC is 4-6 hours. They provide everything you need like diapers and pads and all but don't send you home with extras.

I don't plan on packing my bag until my next appt or maybe even later. A lot of the things I will pack are things I wear or use now so they will get thrown in last minute