What to Pack for the Hospital

[ombradellarosa]

Searched and didn't see another post on this topic, so I thought I'd start one. My friend who's due five days after me already has her bag ready to go and I feel so behind! I haven't got my car seat installed yet either.  

So, for the sake of being prepared:

What are you planning to bring to the hospital? 
STM+s, what were your must-haves and what did you think you would need, but didn't?
How are we supposed to pack things we use everyday weeks in advance?

[ombradellarosa]

Being term this week is messing with my head. I feel like I should already be completely ready and I'm not. I haven't ordered much less washed my cloth diapers, done more than think about packing, or cleaned out the car to install the car seat. Our nursery is not at all ready and the rest of the house is worse. I haven't made freezer meals yet either or done my returns or the rest of my shopping. I have a plan to get everything done but the feeling that I should have done it already is hard to fight. I wish all that stuff was done and I could just relax, watch Once Upon a Time, and crochet. Sadly, this is not reality so I have to deal.

The only things I know I should bring are toiletries, postpartum supplies (Tucks, pads, etc), and clothes to leave in. Lists are usually my friend but looking them up is too much right now and I feel like they'll tell me to bring too much anyway. Really hoping some people who have been through this whole thing before will give it to me straight so I don't have to stress.

[billyhorrible]

I've got mine packed except for electronics (phone, camera, chargers, etc.)

This is what I actually used last time, and what I packed this time.

Otter Pops
Pillows for DH and I (Use brightly colored pillowcases so they don't get mixed in with the hospital. Mine are purple)
Robe
Toiletries - contact stuff, glasses, face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and paste, brush, hair bands, headband
2 nursing tanks
yoga pants
slippers
flip flops
outfit for the baby (onesie, pants, cap, swaddling blanket)
Boppy

Everything else - pads, underwear, dermoblast, birthing ball, diapers, wipes, etc. is provided by the hospital.

[missjenniebean]

I have lip balm packed. That's about it. I only have that packed because someone gave it to me as a shower gift and all moms were like MAKE SURE YOU PACK THAT FOR LABOR and into the diaper bag it went. I've been lectured by ma y people that I need to get my bag ready, especially since doctor can feel baby's head. Lol

[omgtree]

Take home outfit for baby. Outfit for you. Lotion and lip balm. Hair tie, comb, makeup if you want it, slippers and a robe.

[leenziepops]

ombradellarosa,I have that annoying situation as well. The leggings, sweater dress and pj's I want are things I'm still wearing now. I figured I'll probably have time between contractions to throw them in my suitcase. I'm thinking of writing up a short list of things to bring at last minute so either I or DH will throw that in.
missjenniebean, Thanks for the lip balm reminder.

Also, I don't know if this is useful, but I'm thinking of having the things I want for actual labour in a separate small bag for easier quick access. Things like hair ties, lip balms, slippers, top for birthing etc. I would hate for DH to waste time rummaging through a suitcase of stuff. STM's, thoughts?

[missjenniebean]

They actually recommended separate bags for labor and then after in my l&d class, for that purpose and BC you don't need the rest until after.

[Widget123]

May 11, 2015 1:29:12 GMT -5 missjenniebean said:

They actually recommended separate bags for labor and then after in my l&d class, for that purpose and BC you don't need the rest until after.

Yes I did that last time, it will make things a lot easier.

[stinybean]

Hopefully this works. This should be a link to a previous post on hospital bags and postpartum needs:
goodbyecb.proboards.com/thread/32512/

[Widget123]

May 11, 2015 5:44:55 GMT -5 stinybean said:

Hopefully this works. This should be a link to a previous post on hospital bags and postpartum needs:
goodbyecb.proboards.com/thread/32512/

I'm glad you found this!  I knew we had another post but couldn't find it in the search function.

1.  See my response in the other thread.  I tend to overpack, but try not to do that, there really won't be much that you actually need, the hospital takes care of almost everything.

2.  I think I mentioned something about this in the other thread, but hospital internet sucks (at least at my hospital) so you don't need tons of electronic gadgets and I kind of laugh when people say they are going to bring puzzles, games, books, etc.  I was at the hospital for about four days but didn't need or want any of that... my concentration for such things wasn't there.

3.  Simple answer, buy another one, such as travel size toiletries.  My postpartum clothes were cheap but not things that I had worn so I didn't have to worry about them not being in the bag.

Also something that I said in the other thread that I want to echo again, you might need an actual check to pay for the birth certificate.  I don't usually carry a check with me so I had to make a conscious effort to bring one with me when DD was born.

[stinybean]

Widget123 I "starred" it when it was posted because I knew I'd need it.

[lalamomma]

I'm buying an extra long phone charging cord. I wanted one anyway.
I need to start packing things that won't be needed until then.
I got one of the "go" bags out last night. I will fill it as I get things and think of them. I am 33 weeks but if this baby comes as early as DD I've got 4 weeks left.

[trixi282]

My list is similar to Billyhorrible

This is what I actually used for my first, after over packing with clothes to wear in the hospital and other misc stuff that I never used....

ChapStick/Vaseline
Robe
flip flops
Toiletries - contact stuff, glasses, face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and paste, lotion, brush, hair bands, and claw clips (Hosp did have stuff if I forgot something)
Outfit for the baby
1 relieving blanket (we used to drape on way to car)
Outfit for me (I packed a dress, it was 100*+ so it was perfect, plus I had an unplanned csec)

Right before we left we grabbed:
Camera +charger
Phone charger
Wallet
Pillow for me in our pillow case, not white

[veggiemo]

Only thing I have to add which I've mentioned before is some kind of mints/sucky candy. This is going to sound weird but during labor my mouth tasted funky and I would have loved some tic tacs or jolly ranchers or something. I had Taco Bell right before my water broke, so that didn't help matters. Eww!

[trixi282]

May 11, 2015 1:29:12 GMT -5 missjenniebean said:

They actually recommended separate bags for labor and then after in my l&d class, for that purpose and BC you don't need the rest until after.

I did separate bags the first time and realized I just over packed so much because of it.... One medium sized bag would have worked.

I did however have a small toiletry bag with hair ties, chapstick, lotion, and things I knew I'd want in both places, so it was easy to tell H "chapstick please, it's in the small red bag in the front pocket".

[trixi282]

And yes, bring your checkbook if you do t normally carry it, just in case. We had the option of sending it in ourselves after we got home, but it was so much easier to write the check and let them do it for us!

[laurenlou83]

I finished packing mine this weekend!

In a cosmetic bag I have:
Hair ties & Bobby pins
Chapstick
Shampoo/Cond
Hair brush
Lotion
Bar of Dove soap
Face cleansing towlettes

Snacks:
Lots of Cliff bars
Homemade chex mix
Skittles
M&Ms
Gum
Mints

Clothes:
Yoga pants
Crop leggings
2 nursing tanks
1 Long sleeve top
1 Short sleeve top
2 Nursing bras
3 pairs of underwear
Flip flops
Slippers
Lightweight robe

For baby:
Pacifiers (our hospital doesn't have them/hand them out)
1 a&a blanket
1 receiving blanket
Going home outfit
Backup outfit just in case
3 hats - 1 cute wool one, one plain white/blue and one Michigan State hat to make daddy happy

Things to add:
Possible maxi dress to wear home
Camera
Phone charger
Deck of cards for DH and I
Boppy pillow

[lalamomma]

I already tossed nipple cream into my bag. It was the first thing in today lol.

[noeliav]

What are you planning to bring to the hospital?
Birth center, so planning a much shorter stay but:
lounge clothes (PJs)
labor and delivery clothes (knit skirt, nursing/sleep bra, socks)
Clothes for baby
(going home clothes will be whatever I wore there, I think. That worked well enough for DD.)
Big underwear
Toothbrush (one for me and one for DH)/paste/floss
Breath mints
Chapstick
Hair ties
Massagers (labor aids)
Snacks (energy bars, honey sticks, coconut water)
Nursing pillow
Woven wraps
Birth plan/important papers (photocopies of IDs/insurance cards/etc)

STM+s, what were your must-haves and what did you think you would need, but didn't?
I must have socks. I can't stand to have my feet uncovered walking on a common floor (lol), so if I'm not in the shower or tub, I need my socks. Also, I was able to brush my teeth just before leaving for the hospital, but if I have to go straight from work, I want to be able to have a clean mouth while laboring. I know that sounds weird, but having a gross mouth/breath actually mattered to me in labor, lol.
I thought I would need my labor/yoga ball, but didn't touch it at all. The birth center has some available if I need/want one this time around.

How are we supposed to pack things we use everyday weeks in advance?
I just buy duplicates (socks, dental care stuff, toiletries).

[noeliav]

I did do separate bags for L&D and postpartum last time. If we were planning a hospital birth, I'd do the same for this one.

[Widget123]

laurenlou83, are you a FTM? IMO you overpacked, particularly with regards to clothes for you. I would say you def dont need all of those hats for baby but at least they are small.

[erbear]

So far I've got :
my bag of toiletries (and I'll need to throw in my face lotion)
A nursing tank
A stretchy cotton bra
Yoga pants
A robe and a nursing nightgown
Flip flops
A folder with my birth plan/pediatrician info and I'm adding a blank check when I get home!
Baby's coming home outfit(s) (depends on her size)

I need to add pillows, mints/lollipops, nipple butter and spray, something for me to wear home (likely a maxi dress for comfort). And electrical things - camera, chargers, and my iPad. Im trying to keep it light! I'll put clothes for H in there, too, since he doesn't plan on leaving.

Stm+ - did any of you bring a reusable water bottle, or were you okay with what your hospital gave you?

[laurenlou83]

Widget123, yes, I am a FTM.
The 3 hats -- the wool/knit one is from my 91 year old grandma and I want a picture of him in it because I promised her, but I have a feeling it'll be too much/hot for him, so I packed a regular one, too. The MSU hat is for my DH for photo purposes.

In regards to my clothes -- I figure I'm there for 2 days minimum, so I have a tank top and tee, pants and underwear for each day. I can't imagine I'd want to stay in the same 1 outfit for my entire stay, but I could be wrong. I also live in Michigan where it could be 60 or 90 degrees in June depending on the day, so whether I wear the tank top of long sleeve tee home is dependent on that, too.

I may find I overpacked, but it all fits in my small bag I'm bringing, so I figure why not!

[Widget123]

erbear my hospital gave me a big cup with a lid and straw. I think its totally unnecessary to bring a water bottle

[sidneyvicious]

I guess I'm failing to see an issue with erring on the side of overpacking. I've overpacked for every trip I've ever taken, but it was NBD. As long as it fits in your bag and you have a husband/mother/friend willing to carry said bag, I say if you think you might want it/need it, why not. Live and learn.

[ladysif]

Also don't forget the baby book or blank piece/s of paper if you want baby's footprints on anything for keepsake purposes (scrapbooking etc.). They did that right away in the delivery room for me so I was glad we had that with us, don't leave it in the car bag if you go that route.

[erbear]

ladysif my hospital did mention that; thanks for the reminder!

[noeliav]

erbear
My hospital did not provide any reusable cups, but I was fine with the plastic ones until I got home. NBD. This time, though, I'm bringing my own straw cup because I've become unreasonably attached to it lately

And thanks ladysif for the reminder! I don't have a book for baby boy yet (poor second child) so I'll grab one of the blank pages from DD's book. Tiny wee new baby footprints!

[nettje]

May 11, 2015 7:54:52 GMT -5 laurenlou83 said:

I finished packing mine this weekend!

In a cosmetic bag I have:
Hair ties & Bobby pins
Chapstick
Shampoo/Cond
Hair brush
Lotion
Bar of Dove soap
Face cleansing towlettes

Snacks:
Lots of Cliff bars
Homemade chex mix
Skittles
M&Ms
Gum
Mints

Clothes:
Yoga pants
Crop leggings
2 nursing tanks
1 Long sleeve top
1 Short sleeve top
2 Nursing bras
3 pairs of underwear
Flip flops
Slippers
Lightweight robe

For baby:
Pacifiers (our hospital doesn't have them/hand them out)
1 a&a blanket
1 receiving blanket
Going home outfit
Backup outfit just in case
3 hats - 1 cute wool one, one plain white/blue and one Michigan State hat to make daddy happy

Things to add:
Possible maxi dress to wear home
Camera
Phone charger
Deck of cards for DH and I
Boppy pillow

I'm packing about the same amount of things. You just never know what you'll need. And your stay may end up being longer depending on the circumstance (which hopefully will not happen for you). I've got nursing pads on my list too just in case I end up leaking.

[trixi282]

ladysif - I totally opened this thread again to mention the baby book too! I brought it with our 1st but with an unplanned c-sec I never did get prints in the book. I was bummed.

They did give us the paper with them on there though so I just stuck that in the baby book. I did actually write a few things in the baby book though while I was in the hospital so I wouldn't forget them!

I need to get one for this baby still... damn.