Have we discussed the hospital bag?

[allisong87]

Forgive me if this was already discussed but I'm wondering what you guys are packing in your bag and when you are going to start doing so? I can't remember from the first time around!!!

[pibblemom]

It was discussed a bit in the master to-do list thread. I will be 37w this week and mine has been packed for probably 2 weeks, but I have changed and rethought it a few times.

This is copied and pasted from my post in that thread:

I have a separate labor bag and overnight bag, so we can just grab the labor bag out of the car initially.

Labor bag:

Bluetooth speaker
Headphones
Lacrosse ball (for massaging)
Water bottle
Blender bottle with protein powder pre-measured (so H can run and fill it with water when I start to get hungry or fatigued)
Simple snacks for both of us
Advil for him, with explicit instructions not to tell me he has a headache or backache.
Sports bra for tub (planned water birth)
Button down night gown that I don't care if it gets gross
Chap stick
Phone chargers
Camera
Camera charger
Extra hair ties

Overnight bag:
Nursing tanks
Comfy loose pants
Lots of always infinity pads
Travel size toiletries
Big granny panties
Bath towel
Socks, but I plan to use the hospital slipper socks
Extra empty duffle to raid hospital supplies and whatever else they give us

Baby's bag
2 burp blankets
Swaddle blanket
Wipes (mostly for me TBH)
Bibs
Hats
Onesies
Socks
Going home outfit
Fluffy blanket in the car seat to cover her with.

I don't know if all the stuff in the baby bag is necessary, but it fits and I want to be prepared.

Also adding a boppy/bf pillow when we get it for BFing. It might stay in the car, but have been told they're very convenient.

[shellbell]

I'm taking much less than last time.

2 baby outfits
Nightgown/robe
Outfit for me to wear home
Toiletries
Hair dryer and brush
Granny panties
Pads
Nursing bra
Phone chargers
Camera and charger
Slippers and/or flip flops
Roll of quarters for vending machine (unless they take credit cards?)
Maybe a magazine or something
Gift for DS

[oldbaylover1024]

My list is pretty short:

Baby take-home outfit
Outfit for me to wear home (granny panties, nursing tank, sweat pants/leggings, sweat shirt, TOMS)
Nursing bra
Toiletries
Hair dryer (I think the hospital rooms had one, but I can't remember)

I'll have my purse with me, which contains:

Phone charger
Chapstick
Makeup (LMAO... yeah right LOL)
Insurance info
Cash/credit/debit cards
ID

I'm relying heavily on the hospital for pads and some toiletries. I'm also planning to wear all the hospital socks, gowns, and mesh undies.

[shellbell]

I will just take my wallet so I have my insurance card and ID. Don't forget a picture ID!

[musicallyinclined]

I'm pretty sure this is what I'm taking...

Nursing tanks (2)
Nursing bra
Disposable nursing pads
Nipple butter
Althletic shorts
Sweatpants (for the ride home or if I want to walk the hallway)
Zip up jacket
Slip on shoes
Underwear for the ride home
Going home outfit for baby
Boppy
Phone charger
Chapstick
Shampoo/conditioner
Hair brush
Tooth brush

DH will have his own bag, although he will be going home periodically to check in on my mom and DS.

And wallet/ID/insurance info.

[flyinghorses6]

What I have packed:
2 newborn pajamas, 1 onesie, 1 pants, 2 sets of newborn socks, 2 sets of scratch mittens
1 swaddle, 1 thicker blanket to cover babe for the ride home
A few different pacifiers
A small thing of wipes, 2-3 diapers (although I know I won't need these for the hospital)
A small nail clipper
A warm knit hat for the baby to wear home

What I plan to still pack:
Robe, lounge type pajama pants, nursing tanks/bra, 2 undies although I do plan to use mesh ones while there
Water bottle (the ones provided at my hospital are a bit small)
Toiletries- all travel size
Hair brush
Phone/charger
Shower sandals
Gift of DD
Car seat

[shawnabm1320]

For me:
- slippers and flip flops and a pair of socks
- chapstick
- hair tie and hair brush
- robe
- soap, shampoo, conditioner, face wipes, BB cream, eye liner, toothbrush, toothpaste (my hospital doesn't give out toiletries)
- glasses and contact supplies
- cell phone and charger
- wallet
- pajama shorts
- nursing tanks (2/3)
- going home outfit (probably yoga pants and a maternity top plus cardigan
- nipple cream
- bottom spray
- gel soothies for the nipples
- water bottle (for labor - they didn't give me the big hospital one until after DS was born)
- possibles: nursing cover, kindle (to help keep me awake motn), journal, thank you notes for the nurses)

For baby:
-2 NB outfits,
-2 3-month outfits
- blanket
- car seat cover
- hat
- 1/2 swaddlers
- 1/2 burp cloths
- possibly a diaper or two, maybe a pacifier

[littleredfish]

Not packed at all yet, but based on what I used/wanted last time, and the hospital stay time here only being a required 2 hours for a smooth delivery, I'll probably pack a labor bag and an overnight bag. That way we can grab it depending on the time of day or if there are complications requiring a longer stay I can send DH home and not make him find things. I plan to pack a bag for my girls just in case the ILs decide to take them back to their house if things drag on.

Labor bag
-slippers
-hair ties
-chap stick
-phone charger
-wallet
-phone
-extra nursing bra (they are all I wear these days anyways since they fit my giant boobs)
-pj pants
-nursing tank
-sweater
-baby take home outfit and scratch mitts

Overnight bag
-change of clothes for both DH and I
-extra granny panties (but apparently our hospital has mesh ones and the pads)
-extra socks
-toiletries and nipple cream
-laptop
-my peri bottle (since I wasn't given one in hospital when I had DD2 and ended up getting my own)
-belly binder

Bag for the girls
-Diapers and wetbag for DD2
-Change of clothes for both
-Pjs for both
-their lovies
-toothbrushes
-a note for instructions for where they can find the Boba, outside clothes, diapers, etc in case they need extra things and can't reach us right away.

[shawnabm1320]

littleredfish, I am seriously jealous of the 2 hours required stay. I am so hoping I only have to stay 24 😕

I forgot to mention that mine isn't packed yet. I just wrote out my list. I'm hoping everything fits!

[EmMilAlly]

littleredfish 2 hours? Wow. I think my hospital norm is at least two days!

[littleredfish]

Jan 9, 2017 20:17:51 GMT -5 shawnabm1320 said:

littleredfish , I am seriously jealous of the 2 hours required stay. I am so hoping I only have to stay 24 😕

I forgot to mention that mine isn't packed yet. I just wrote out my list. I'm hoping everything fits!

I was shocked too!! My last 2 births in another province required a minimum 24hr stay, that was just their policy. I asked if it was because I have a midwife this time, and she said, "nope, that's just our general policy". She also said if you don't FEEL ready to go you will not be asked to leave, and if it's late or the middle of the night they don't expect you to leave either which is nice all around. 

[shawnabm1320]

Jan 9, 2017 20:21:02 GMT -5 littleredfish said:

Jan 9, 2017 20:17:51 GMT -5 shawnabm1320 said:

littleredfish , I am seriously jealous of the 2 hours required stay. I am so hoping I only have to stay 24 😕

I forgot to mention that mine isn't packed yet. I just wrote out my list. I'm hoping everything fits!

I was shocked too!! My last 2 births in another province required a minimum 24hr stay, that was just their policy. I asked if it was because I have a midwife this time, and she said, "nope, that's just our general policy". She also said if you don't FEEL ready to go you will not be asked to leave, and if it's late or the middle of the night they don't expect you to leave either which is nice all around. 

I'm not sure I would feel ready to leave after 2 hours, but having the option sounds amazing!

[littleredfish]

Jan 9, 2017 20:27:12 GMT -5 shawnabm1320 said:

Jan 9, 2017 20:21:02 GMT -5 littleredfish said:

I was shocked too!! My last 2 births in another province required a minimum 24hr stay, that was just their policy. I asked if it was because I have a midwife this time, and she said, "nope, that's just our general policy". She also said if you don't FEEL ready to go you will not be asked to leave, and if it's late or the middle of the night they don't expect you to leave either which is nice all around. 

I'm not sure I would feel ready to leave after 2 hours, but having the option sounds amazing!

Oh for sure! My first was a VERY long labor and I was only just ready to leave right before the 24 hour mark and we hung around to sign papers and left, but with my 2nd she was almost born in the car so I was full of adrenaline and ready to go right away lol. This could go either way so I'm really excited about having the option. I never sleep well in hospital, it's so uncomfortable and the less time I have to be away from my girls the better. 

[crazycatlady6]

Jan 9, 2017 20:17:51 GMT -5 shawnabm1320 said:

littleredfish , I am seriously jealous of the 2 hours required stay. I am so hoping I only have to stay 24 😕

I forgot to mention that mine isn't packed yet. I just wrote out my list. I'm hoping everything fits!

Double check to make sure things fit now so you have time to order/buy something if you need to.  I did this Friday night and discovered that none of my nursing tanks fit and only 1 nursing bra did so I Amazon Primed both and will be getting them tomorrow.

[shawnabm1320]

Jan 9, 2017 21:31:42 GMT -5 crazycatlady6 said:

Jan 9, 2017 20:17:51 GMT -5 shawnabm1320 said:

littleredfish , I am seriously jealous of the 2 hours required stay. I am so hoping I only have to stay 24 😕

I forgot to mention that mine isn't packed yet. I just wrote out my list. I'm hoping everything fits!

Double check to make sure things fit now so you have time to order/buy something if you need to.  I did this Friday night and discovered that none of my nursing tanks fit and only 1 nursing bra did so I Amazon Primed both and will be getting them tomorrow.

Oh, I meant fits in my bag... lol. I'm using my nursing tanks from last time, and they're all stretched out, so I'm sure they'll fit

[crazycatlady6]

Jan 9, 2017 21:47:22 GMT -5 shawnabm1320 said:

Jan 9, 2017 21:31:42 GMT -5 crazycatlady6 said:

Double check to make sure things fit now so you have time to order/buy something if you need to.  I did this Friday night and discovered that none of my nursing tanks fit and only 1 nursing bra did so I Amazon Primed both and will be getting them tomorrow.

Oh, I meant fits in my bag... lol. I'm using my nursing tanks from last time, and they're all stretched out, so I'm sure they'll fit

Oops, my bad! 😺

[flyinghorses6]

Guys I did it- I'm 99% packed.

[cosmicav]

I am almost all the way packed too because of my preterm paranoia. I'm delivering in the same hospital I did last time, and I know what they provide, so I won't be bringing the mesh undies and diaper pads and whatnot--they would charge me for it even if I didn't take them so we'll be taking everything they have in the room lol.

My hospital bag currently consists of:
-3 baby onesies (with baby mittens!) in differing sizes
-a coming home outfit for me (sweats and a big tshirt lol)
-large crocs for my inevitably swollen feet
-phone charger
-snacks
To add: toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo

My bag for my DS for when he stays with someone else:
-toys
-diapers
-snacks
-books
-changes of clothes and pajamas

[cosmicav]

What kinds of things do you need to pack for breastfeeding? It was such a failure for me the last time, and I want to set myself up for success as much as possible this time.

[musicallyinclined]

cosmicav, the only thing I was grateful to have last time was nipple butter and pads to keep my nursing tank from getting grease spots. DS was not so good at latching and I needed all the soothing I could get for my nipples.
That being said, I am bringing a boppy this time. Trying to stack pillows was super frustrating for me and the pillows were scratchy and rubbed my arms raw. I would also tell them ASAP that you want an LC to come by, it was super helpful for me to know what a good latch felt like and looked like.

[shawnabm1320]

cosmicav, I found the following things really helpful:
-lactation consultant
- breastfeeding pillow
- Earth Mama nipple butter (my hospital gave me lanolin, but I felt like the Earth Mama stuff soothed my horrible bleeding, cracked nips better)
- Lansinoh or Medela gel soothies (http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-soothies-gel-pads-2-ct/-/A-12729475)
- lots of water and snacks

My DS had a lip and tongue tie, so nursing was so incredibly painful for me until we got his ties revised and my nipples healed. Hopefully it wouldn't be the same for you, but those things are all coming with me to the hospital just in case.

[shawnabm1320]

What are you all bringing for snacks? My hospital doesn't have snacks you can order (well, I'm sure they have snack machines), and last time the trail mix I brought didn't cut it after I was done laboring at 1:30 in the morning. I was soooo hungry.

[oldbaylover1024]

cosmicav - For breast feeding stuff:

- The Boppy. Stacking pillows didn't work well for me.
- Nipple guards. I like the Medela ones. They're thin and easy to clean. I'm bringing two with me. The hospital gave me some, but I didn't like them as much as the Medela ones I bought later.
- Lansinoh or Aquaphor for my nips.
- Nursing pads, but I *think* my hospital gave me some. I'm stashing a few just in case.
- Ask about the LCs available.
- Maybe also ask about a hospital grade pump to help get production started.

[allisong87]

I thought this thread would make me feel better but instead it's making me 10x more anxious for some reason. The anxiety is crazy this time around.

[oldbaylover1024]

allisong87 - I am a firm believer that the hospital will have everything I need. Seriously - we joked in another thread that I would walk in with a shopping bag with a change of clothes for me and baby and that's it. I feel like my list is damn close LOL

Plus, it's a few days away from home. If you forget something, it's not so bad. Family or SO can always make a run home or to the store to pick up ancillary things you forgot.

And damn it, if guests show up without food/drinks, they can see themselves to the door LOL! I expect chocolate or booze or carbs in hand. Bonus points if you bring all three when visiting me

Maybe I'm too blasé about the hospital bag... but at this point, it's the least of my worries!

[shellbell]

I'm not taking anything for nursing except a soft nursing bra. And maybe my nipple cream ended up in my bag because I didn't know where else to put it.

[dancerspose]

allisong87 while I obviously want to be as prepared as possible I also keep reminding myself that I'm giving birth in the 21st century. Whatever the hospital doesn't give me or I forget can be easily attained by DH or someone else.

Also, the hospital I'm delivering in has this concierge service 7 days a week where they'll go out and pick up anything for you. All you have to pay for is what you're buying, no charge for them to go get it!

[cosmicav]

Jan 10, 2017 14:50:56 GMT -5 allisong87 said:

I thought this thread would make me feel better but instead it's making me 10x more anxious for some reason. The anxiety is crazy this time around.

Try not to stress about it too much! The first time, my water broke too early and I didn't have a bag packed at all--we just went to the hospital with the clothes on our backs and the basics (wallet, keys, and phone). They provided pretty much everything for us except for clothes to leave in. My H drove to the nearby Walmart for snacks and other small things while we were there. I would have liked to have our own stuff (which is why I am trying to get ahead in the "pack a bag" game) but it's not super necessary.

[cosmicav]

What size do you guys get in a nursing bra? Can you get one at any store? Are they expensive? I remember that WIC gave me one last time but there's no way that will fit me now, and we dont qualify for that this time around.