I have been spending some time checking out other month boards, and I realized we haven't talked about this yet. I have started a tentative list based on what I saw on other boards, but would love to hear what you are thinking!
Not as much you think, at least in my first experience.
- Comfy top for nursing, yoga pants, and a robe. BIG underwear. You may use these things, you may not. I decided to just stay in the gown until the day we left - Baby Clothes: we packed one newborn sleeper and one 0-3 sleeper. Good thing because newborn was too small for my huge kid. We also packed a swaddle blanket and headband. -I used the hospital underwear and pads while at the hospital but once bleeding slowed down a bit, I swore by the always infinity pads. Those things are awesome - Tucks pads, bottom spray, peri bottles were all 'down there' essentials once you get home. Take everything the hospital has and stock up! - camera, chargers for electronics, ipad/book - essential toiletries - SNACKS! Granola bars, fruit snacks, and gatorade were awesome for the MOTN post birth. And for H during labor.
ETA: make sure you take home the hospital nasal bulb sucker thing and, my favorite baby device, the little shampoo brush thing they use for their head. That coupled with Mustela's foam shampoo was our favorite for bathtime until like age 1 LOL.
Stuff I like to have includes: Comfy clothes (pajama pants, tanks/sweatshirts), comfy slippers, chargers for electronics, nice camera, makeup/toiletries). Plus car seat in the car and going home outfit for baby.
I labored at home both times so didn't need anything for labor at the hospital.
I have thought about this a lot. I have a lot of different lists going with what other moms have said as well as what our birth class suggests, and things that I think I will want. Obviously I have no idea what I will actually want, so that part is all just a guess I will come back and share my list later! Maybe some of the second time plus moms can help me narrow it down!
The one thing I highly recommend is take advantage of the mesh panties and pads the hospital gives you. Bring clothes you don't mind getting stained...you never know how messy it's gonna get. I got some cheap loose skirts from old navy...it will be bulky down there with ice packs and that will hide all that and they shouldn't rub on c/s incisions either. Hoard the ice packs from the nurses and stock them away in your suitcase. When I got home I had those huge fruit of the loom granny panties that I lived in for a while and didn't mind trashing if they got stained. Some other things I can think of...
Boppy Pillow...maybe your own pillow as well for you or H because hospital pillows do suck. Little mitten things for baby's hands...I'm weird about pictures and didn't want face scratches for our expensive newborn pics! Although I'm sure photog could edit them out. Soothie gel pads for sore nipples...I loved these things! I brought my heating pad for labor to help back pain.
Oh! I thought of a total post partum splurge, but I swore by it. Bellefit corset! I got mine on Amazon and I wore it about 1 week PP for 5-6 weeks. I would like to credit it with my weight loss/getting my figure back.
Post by violetrose on Feb 22, 2017 11:46:43 GMT -5
With DD, I made the mistake of packing multiple bags and WAY too much stuff. With DS, I did a lot better at packing what I actually needed but since he came so quickly and suddenly, I ended up just throwing a bunch of extra crap in my bag at the last minute. This time around I plan on only packing/taking what I really, actually need.
Anyway, my list is as follows:
2 pairs of leggings/yoga pants (most likely maternity) 2 nursing tank tops 2 t-shirts/shirt nightgown/nursing PJs 2 pairs of underwear (most likely won't wear, but will bring just in case) 1 nursing bra comfy/fluffy socks phone charger small makeup bag blow dryer and hair brush toiletry bag with shampoo, conditioner, face wash, face cream, eye cream, deodorant, tooth brush and tooth paste snacks (both of my babies were born in the middle of the night and nothing was open for food) prescription medicine flip flops for the shower shoes for going home
For baby: 2 newborn sleeping gowns 2 newborn sleepers halo swaddle sleep sack 2 swaddle blankets car seat newborn mittens
That's about all I can think of for now. I try to keep it as simple as possible but have enough in case of a c-section and my hospital stay is longer than expected. I should add that I don't pack a bag for MH or worry about stuff for him. He always grabs a few things he needs as we head out for the hospital and he doesn't stay overnight with me because I like him home with our other kids to keep things as "normal" as possible for them.
This is so not on my radar yet, but after reading previous posts, the only thing I can think to add is a towel. I took a shower at the hospital the day after DS was born and the hospital towels were so tiny and thin, I really wished I had a big fluffy towel!
Post by trebletrouble13 on Feb 22, 2017 15:34:09 GMT -5
My list, copied from my notepad: Clothes: Comfy pants, Nursing tanks, Sweater/robe, Going home outfit Electronics: Nook & Charger, Phone & charger (I just use my phone camera) Baby things: Boppy, Nursing shield (I use a smaller size then the hospital has), Blanket, Stuffed owl, Going home outfits (and accessories), Car seat
violetrose I also sent DH home at night when my second was born and will do it again this time, assuming I have another vaginal birth. I figure unless I've just had surgery, he should hang out with baby and me during the day but take care of getting our other kids to and from school and get some normal sleep at home.
I also prefer to just use hospital pillows for nursing and hospital towels/underwear/etc so I don't get my own stuff messy.
Post by starsandshamrocks123 on Feb 22, 2017 16:14:53 GMT -5
These are great lists. I have no idea what I even brought with me. The 5 days post c-section were a blur. I was not expecting to have one and I'm sure I made someone bring me stuff from home at some point. I might need to stalk any pics I took.
I do recall being very happy that I brought my own pillow to the hospital/labor. Of course with a case that I didn't mind disposing of after the fact. I don't even know if there was a shortage of pillows or I didn't like the feel of the ones they provided. Who knows. I'm picky like that.
Post by violetrose on Feb 22, 2017 17:20:57 GMT -5
Just wanted to share this here in case anyone else was interested. I think I may buy one of these hospital gowns for after delivery to hang out in. Still easy access for doctors/nurses and I won't be worried about getting my normal clothes soiled.
Post by applemuffins on Feb 22, 2017 18:17:28 GMT -5
I had a whole bag packed for the hospital before DD was born but barely used it. I ended up going to the hospital straight from a scheduled doctoe appointment since I was already significantly dilated so I didn't have my bag with me. Then I didn't want to send DH to get it, since we rely on public transportation and I didn't want him to miss the birth or spend $80 r/t on car service. So the few things I packed to help manage my labor and such was irrelevant. Then, he did bring it the next morning, but I could barely stand up so changing clothes and showering and all that was totally out of the question, so all that was irrelevant. I can't remember what else was in there, but the only things I ended up using was my change of clothes to go home, my phone charger, and change of clothes for DD to go home in.
This time, I will pack much lighter. I do wish I had brought a nipple shield and a list of lactation consultants, but I didn't know I'd need the shield and I thought I could rely on the lactation consultants at the hospital, but it was a holiday and DD was born in the evening so there was nobody available until close to 24 hours, so I also wished I had my manual pump with me. But I was a first time mom and didn't really know better. Nurses just kept saying it was fine and never suggested the hospital pump until the lactation consultant said something. I will also bring baby wipes I think. It's a different hospital so I'm not sure what they provide, but the hospital I went to only had dry wipes for the baby. You had to add water yourself if you wanted a wet wipe. They were super hard to use for cleaning merconium poop, I'll tell you. So I'll bring regular wipes this time just incase.
Not really related to packing the bag, but I wish I had had an extra person/photographer taking photos or video of the birth. I didn't think it was something I would want, and I wouldn't want action shots, but I wish so desperately that I had video of DD's first cry. I wouldnt want DH busy with that though since I want him to be able to be fully soak up the moment too. And pictures of us together during the time would have been nice. Even cell phone quality would have been fine, wouldn't have had to be a pro. I'm torn on doing it for this one since I didn't for DD.
Post by starsandshamrocks123 on Feb 22, 2017 19:45:13 GMT -5
applemuffins thanks for reminding about the nipple shield! The nurses gave me one since I didn't know they existed. However they only had the standard size. I needed a bigger one *embarrassed of my abnormally large, flat left nipple*
With DD, I only had one bag packed for DH and I together, and I still over=packed a bit. We never actually ate the snacks we brought-but I think that depends on what kind of food is available from the hospital and at what hours. This time I'm sticking with basic toiletries, slippers, and a couple changes of loose clothes for post partum time. I don't think I even ended up using my own underwear after I delivered since the hospital mesh panties were comfy and I wasn't worried about throwing them away if they got soiled. I'll bring my phone, and my kindle for MOTN feeds, but that's probably about it aside from an outfit to bring the baby home in.
Post by applemuffins on Feb 22, 2017 20:54:27 GMT -5
I learned about nipple shields while I was in the hospital desperately googling for help about newborns who won't latch. The lactation consultant refused to give me one. I ordered it once I got home and it helped sooo much. I don't think I could have had a successful breastfeeding story if I hadn't used one in the beginning.
Chapstick for dry lips after all that labor breathing. Quarters for the vending machine. MH is a pop addict so it was handy to have the change.
OMG THE CHAPSTICK. YES! Seriously one of the most important things I had with me. Thanks for the reminder! Making sure it goes on my list.
Yes to the chapstick! When I went to the hospital with DD, the two things I wish I had more than anything were chapstick and hair ties. I was a silly FTM who took a shower and did my hair and makeup thinking I would be this "effortless" pretty woman who just gave birth. Well- 18 hours later and 3 hours of pushing all I wanted was a makeup remover face wipe to take all the crap off my face, chapstick for my super dry lips, and a hair tie to get my freshly washed hair out of my face. lol
Me: 29 DH: 35 NTNP since May 2013 charting since June 2014 dx: Graves disease (radioactive iodine), Crohns disease (abdominal surgeries) MMC October 2015 (9 weeks) Severe MFI diagnosis July 2015
These are the things I used last time, so I will be bringing them again:
Bath robe (I stayed in a hospital gown until I left and just covered up with a robe) Slippers My own shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and body wash Pillow Baby sleepers in newborn & 0-3 (DH had to run home for some sleepers last time because DD had problems with her body temp dropping and the nurses recommended putting warm clothes on her in addition to the swaddles) Phone charger And of course chapstick, but I always have that with me wherever I go Comfortable clothes to come home in
Post by eucalyptus on Apr 17, 2017 18:01:35 GMT -5
I have talked to a couple of people who delivered at my hospital for ideas and think this is my list for now (though I reserve the right to change it as it gets closer!):
Toiletries: shampoo and conditioner nursing pads bobby pins brush lotion toothbrush and toothpaste chapstick
Post by ihatepizza on Apr 17, 2017 19:14:54 GMT -5
I was just thinking about this today, especially since delivery seems super close. I'm going to deliver many hours away from home so I'm thinking I'm going to pack for at least a two week stay (in case baby needs NICU time). Any STM's deliver not near home? Does that change anything? I'm pretty confident in my list as the hospital gave us a really good one (unfortunately they don't provide the baby essentials and make us bring them)
Me: 29 DH: 35 NTNP since May 2013 charting since June 2014 dx: Graves disease (radioactive iodine), Crohns disease (abdominal surgeries) MMC October 2015 (9 weeks) Severe MFI diagnosis July 2015
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