TTMA Your Hospital Bag

[ginabini]

Sooo my brother in law freaked me out the other day and said we should start think about packing our hospital bags so that we don't have to worry about it. It seems so early, but at the same time time is flying by so maybe not?

So for the STM's out there...
1) What are the essentials to pack?
2) What did you pack before that you didn't need?
3) How soon is too soon to pack?
4) Any other words of wisdom?

[acorn99]

1) What are the essentials to pack? I packed clothes (including nursing tops), toiletries, kindle and kindle charger. I think we had some granola bars and water in there, too. I also packed some clothes for my H, but not enough stuff. His sister had to bring him socks and underwear and shirts. We also brought a stocked diaper bag with baby clothes and blankets for the ride home.

2) What did you pack before that you didn't need? Too many clothes. I spent almost the entire stay in a hospital gown and only wore real clothes the last day. And underwear was pointless, too. I wore those wonderful mesh panties for days and days. We also lugged our fucking boppy with us, which I never used (I pretty much never used the boppy, even at home). It was a pain to carry around, especially once we had a baby to bring home with us. I just used all the hospital pillows to help with nursing so it was useless to me.

3) How soon is too soon to pack? Meh, it is never too soon, I suppose. I think I had my bag ready to go by about 36 weeks. But if you pack too soon, just make sure you pack stuff that will fit comfortably to wear home. By the end, there were only a few items that fit comfortably, so I didn't pack those until right before we left for the hospital. And, dont pack bras until closer to the end. Those things will just keep getting bigger.


4) Any other words of wisdom? Do not overpack. Remember that when you leave, you will also need to take all that shit, plus a baby, plus all the crap the hospital gives you. I think I only used about 1/4 of what I packed. I will still use a bigger bag, but this time leave room for all the things I will have to take home with us. My H was like a packhorse leaving the hospital.

[TheTuna15]

ginabini, Do not be freaked out. It's not a big deal. First of all, the odds that you're water will break, you will immediately be in hard labor, and will be giving birth 30 seconds later is somewhere in the ballpark of less than 1%. Most of the women I know packed their bags when they started getting contractions and then sat around for 5 hours before heading into the hospital. And remember unless you live an hour from the hospital family and friends will be able to run home/the store to pick stuff you may need. I'll tell you what I packed.

Comfortable clothes to wear postpartum.
Toiletries: travel size toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, loofah.
Boppy pillow for bf-ing
Coming home outfit for K one in NB one in 3 month.
Car seat blanket.
Baby book (they put her footprints directly in for me)
A bag of trail mix to nibble on.
All identifying information/forms/insurance.

That's all I packed and needed.

[TheTuna15]

Oh. Also bring an empty bag to bring all the hospital freebies home.

[tootsie]

I'll probably start packing when labor starts, lol. I imagine most of the crap I plan on bringing is stuff that I use every day, so I don't want it sitting in a bag for weeks and weeks. I don't even remember what I packed last time, although I had a birthcenter birth and I didn't have to stay overnight, so I'll probably bring more this time.

Toothbrush + other toiletries
robe
socks
make-up
blow drier
baby outfit
hidden snacks
phone charger
nursing friendly clothes
leggings

Don't stress about it. This is one of those topics that I truly think people devote way too much time thinking about.

[ginabini]

tootsie, I always felt the same way (that people devote too much time to it). My BIL just made it sound like life or death! haha But I guess it might feel more that way for the SO's.

I see lots of nursing friendly clothes... I guess I was under the impression I'd wear a hospital gown while I was there? Did most of you prefer your own clothes?

[TnT10]

www.jennifromtheblog.com/2012/09/hospital-bag-packing-list.html

This is a link to the list that I used when I was pregnant with my daughter. Jenny was also a fellow J14'er and I found it to be very helpful for me. I didn't pack everything on the list, but found it to be a great starting point to get me thinking about other things I might need and what I don't need from the list. I've already started collecting some travel-size toiletries when I think of it.

I had preterm labor (that was thankfully able to be stopped) with my daughter at 30w, so I packed shortly after that. This time I will probably have things ready around 32-34w just to be on the safe side. I kept my things in a rolling duffle bag last time and will do the same this time so it's easy to transport. I will likely take it in and out of the car everyday from 36w+ just because we both work close to the hospital but 30 min from home; it wouldn't be realistic to go home and get it if I were to go into labor at work.

[TnT10]

Mar 29, 2016 10:13:22 GMT -5 ginabini said:

tootsie , I always felt the same way (that people devote too much time to it). My BIL just made it sound like life or death! haha But I guess it might feel more that way for the SO's.

I see lots of nursing friendly clothes... I guess I was under the impression I'd wear a hospital gown while I was there? Did most of you prefer your own clothes?

I preferred my own clothes but you don't have to have them.  All of this is just convenience for you to have your things to make you more comfortable.  People go into labor without their bag all of the time I'm sure, so it's definitely not life or death haha! 

[jewelsofthenile]

1) What are the essentials to pack? For me a nursing pillow, nursing bra & clothes and clothes to wear while there and sandals. I brought snacks for the nurses and for me. Toiletries. Baby going home outfit.
2) What did you pack before that you didn't need? Make up i only brought it in case we took professional newborn pictures at the hospital we didn't end up doing that so i didn't need it.
3) How soon is too soon to pack? I dont think i packed until 36-37 weeks i dont really remember. Probably wont pack that early this time.
4) Any other words of wisdom? I felt much better after taking a shower and putting my own clothes on after the first day pp. The nurses/doctors check your bleeding and uterus a lot the first day so the hospital gown was easier for that.

[glaze]

With the first I way over packed. The hospital had almost everything I needed. I'm planning on packing:

-Comfy going home outfit for me.
-Going home outfit for baby (one in 0-3 month size too, my first baby didn't fit into newborn clothes).
-Receiving blankets and gowns/onsies for baby in the hospital (my kids have super sensitive skin and they bleach the crap out of the hospital ones so I'm planning on bringing these to use after the first bath)
-Mini shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush/paste. (I prefer my own but the hospital did have these.)
Hair dryer, straightener, makeup, hair ties. (It was so nice to do my hair and feel semi presentable after a shower.)
-Snacks (mostly for DH)
-Clothes/toothbrush for DH although he will probably be going home after all is settled to be with the older two kids.
-Camera, phone/charger, laptop.
-Baby book for footprints.
-Presents for big brother/sister from the baby.

I think that's pretty much it. I pack everything that I can and then make a list of the stuff to grab when I go into labor.

[sarcaztic10]

I am a STM and we totally failed at having a bag with anything ready when we had DS. He was born at 41 weeks too so its not like we didn't have the time or fair warning. I will be following this to get ideas... Maybe this time we will be prepared.

[mcktymck]

Mar 29, 2016 10:13:22 GMT -5 ginabini said:

tootsie , I always felt the same way (that people devote too much time to it). My BIL just made it sound like life or death! haha But I guess it might feel more that way for the SO's.

I see lots of nursing friendly clothes... I guess I was under the impression I'd wear a hospital gown while I was there? Did most of you prefer your own clothes?

FTM but I plan on bringing my own nursing-friendly sleeping dress thingy and robe for the hospital stay. That way when people come to visit I feel a little more put together (and hopefully more comfortable too).

[TheTuna15]

Mar 29, 2016 10:13:22 GMT -5 ginabini said:

tootsie, I always felt the same way (that people devote too much time to it). My BIL just made it sound like life or death! haha But I guess it might feel more that way for the SO's.

I see lots of nursing friendly clothes... I guess I was under the impression I'd wear a hospital gown while I was there? Did most of you prefer your own clothes?

I wore my own clothes. Literally just sweatpants and a tank top. But I felt a million times better when I showered and changed. I only packed one outfit, but I was only in the hospital for a day so I didn't need more.

[lostinfaith225]

The other ladies did a great job listing items!

1) What are the essentials to pack?
For me, clothes to wear home. I stayed in the hospital gown until I left. I also lived in mesh underwear from the hospital.

I packed toiletries, camera and charger, phone charger, going home outfit in nb and 3 months. A baby blanket for the ride home, the hospital was well stocked with Buckeye hats for the baby. . I packed snacks for dh and I. A towel because hospital towels are sooooo small.

2) What did you pack before that you didn't need?
Um, extra underwear. Haha

3) How soon is too soon to pack?
It is never too soon. I think I packed at 34 weeks? Maybe?

4) Any other words of wisdom?
Eat before you go! I was soooooooo hungry!!!

[glaze]

Mar 29, 2016 10:13:22 GMT -5 ginabini said:

tootsie, I always felt the same way (that people devote too much time to it). My BIL just made it sound like life or death! haha But I guess it might feel more that way for the SO's.

I see lots of nursing friendly clothes... I guess I was under the impression I'd wear a hospital gown while I was there? Did most of you prefer your own clothes?

I had brought a nursing gown to wear with my first but I never ended up wearing it. I was perfectly fine in the hospital gown but I know a lot of people do prefer their own clothes.

[ellebelle]

I think you've gotten some good suggestions so far. I will definitely be packing my bag around 35 weeks this time. DD was a spontaneous delivery so the OB has already said we need to be at the hospital at the first sign of labor or this baby will be born at home. The one thing I will add that I haven't seen mentioned is a nail file or baby nail clippers. Our hospital did not stock these and DD came out with claws. She scratched her face up so bad and all our newborn photos have her with a giant scratch across her cheek.

[lostinfaith225]

Mar 29, 2016 14:06:26 GMT -5 ellebelle said:

I think you've gotten some good suggestions so far. I will definitely be packing my bag around 35 weeks this time. DD was a spontaneous delivery so the OB has already said we need to be at the hospital at the first sign of labor or this baby will be born at home. The one thing I will add that I haven't seen mentioned is a nail file or baby nail clippers. Our hospital did not stock these and DD came out with claws. She scratched her face up so bad and all our newborn photos have her with a giant scratch across her cheek.

Yes to this!!!!! Ds came out and immediately gauged his eye. He still has a scar. Bring the no scratch mittens!

[comicSans]

I believe it was suggested to have my bag packed around 37 weeks and I abided by that.

I wore sweats and a nursing tank in the hospital starting the second day, after I was able to shower. I wore a maxi skirt and maternity top home. I had a going home outfit for baby and she stayed in a hospital shirt and swaddle most of the time. One friend brought a premie sized sleeper (she was full term but tiny) and we put her in that one day. Friend had prewashed it. Other than that camera, phone, chargers, toothbrush, face wash, deodorant. In the US the hospital supplies so much.

H went out and bought snacks and packed his bag after my water broke. That's probably not the best way to plan it, but it worked out fine for us.

Eta slippers and flip flops for walking around.

[mcktymck]

I had no idea babies could come out already needing their nails clipped, wow! Good to know!

[jenn83]

I didn't pack a bag last time. I went straight from an OB appt to L&D and stayed there for a week before being induced. H went home and brought everything. I like most of the items listed.

I will probably pack a bag at about 34 weeks. And I will be a minimalist. When we left the hospital last time we had a full buggy of things to take home. It was ridiculous!

[harlowjune1984]

I packed a ton of stuff, and didn't use half of it. So I will comment with the things that I did actually use:

1) What are the essentials to pack? Carseat/Boppy/diaper bag with outfits that I wanted for baby (we left those in the car and brought them out when we needed). Chapstick. Comfy clothing for me. I was there for five days and went in wearing a tank and sweatpants (I actually still had my tank on during my c-section), wore the hospital gown for three days, and then on the fourth day, I had cozy sweats on again (with a zip up hoodie to keep me warm, but allowed easy access to my boobs). My own pillow. Snacks (I couldn't eat while in labor, but MH needed easy things to grab, and they were nice for after baby was born when I woke up in the middle of the night hungry). Charging cords. Laptop (my husband had to work, he will have to during this labor/delivery as well). Toothbrush for MH and I, and toothpaste. Shampoo/conditioner. The hospital provides it in the room, but it was cheap kind that really dried out my hair and then I could hardly brush it. Deodorant. Spare hair tie! I was fixing my ponytail when mine broke....I really wished I had brought a spare!

2) What did you pack before that you didn't need? Underwear. I ended up using the mesh hospital ones during the first few nasty days, and they were high enough they stayed off my incision. We were going to bring a DVD player, but found out during the hospital tour that they had TONS of movies in the room tv.

3) How soon is too soon to pack? I packed at 36 weeks, except for a few random last minute items that we were still using up to delivery day (like charging cords), but we kept those items in one location so we could grab them easily.

4) Any other words of wisdom? Don't bring a lot of stuff. If you have any visitors, a lot of times they will bring stuff like balloons, flowers, gifts, etc. Which means you aren't walking out with a baby and paperwork from the hospital, you are talking out with a lot of other random stuff that collected along the way. Every time your spouse goes out to the car or heads home for a bit, have him/her take some of the gifts or items you don't need with him, so you are slowly bringing stuff out of the room and it isn't a ton of stuff in the end. If you forgot something, ask the nurse, sometimes they have what you need. I also agree with eating before you go. Only getting water, ice, beef/chicken broth, and jello for 28 hours, sucked.

[harlowjune1984]

Mar 29, 2016 15:31:00 GMT -5 mcktymck said:

I had no idea babies could come out already needing their nails clipped, wow! Good to know!

Yeah some come out with crazy long fingernails! Our hospital would provide nail files, but DD's nails were so soft, that it made it really hard to file them. I ended up putting on the newborn mittens, just so she wouldn't scratch her face while we were in the hospital, and waiting on her nails until we got home and I had the clippers. 

[rungirlrun]

I think the only thing I used that I packed was my toothbrush. I stayed in the hospital gown the entire time (people were continuously coming in to check my stitches and me for hemorrhoids so it was just easier to basically be as close to naked as possible). And I didn't really care how I looked so no makeup or good looking hair for me. And I guess obviously I'll have an outfit for baby and an outfit for me to go home in (something comfy and either maternity or stretchy bc I know I still looked 6 months pregnant when I left the hospital). Definitely don't stress - there really isn't anything you HAVE to have, and if there is, hopefully someone can bring it to you.

[littlesthobo]

At 39 weeks last time we were half-packed and had a conversation about how we really needed to finish packing. Then I went into labour hours later and DH rushed around packing.

1) What are the essentials to pack? I liked having "real" clothes for when visitors came- track pants and a loose sweater. Nursing tanks. Change for the vending machine in case you go into labour at night. Snacks. One of those sippy cups with the straw was amazing- DH could feed me water between pushes. Velcro swaddle blanket for baby (I still cannot swaddle to save my life!). Jammies, onesies for baby. Magazines and iPad to pass the time (we stayed two nights). Nipple cream (lanolin). Toiletries. Phone charger.

This time I'm packing my own formula since the nurses were asshats about giving me formula when I was running on two hours sleep, upset and struggling with breastfeeding. But that's another story.

2) What did you pack before that you didn't need? Boppy, breast pump. I didn't end up showering but maybe should have, everyone tells me how much better it made them feel!

3) How soon is too soon to pack? I wouldn't pack now, but maybe start around 35 weeks?

4) Any other words of wisdom? Someone mentioned eating before going to the hospital, I second that! Once I realized I was in labour we got pizza. Neither of us ended up eating again until well after DS was born. Keep a towel in the car to sit on in case your water breaks (or baby arrives in the car!)

[housecarder]

1) What are the essentials to pack?
-For me I packed PJ and yoga pants along with baggy t-shirts and tanks with built in bras. I was not up to "real clothes" but a 4 day stay because of my C-section I liked having my own stuff. I still used their mesh panties and stuff.
-travel size toiletries if you are picky. My hospital has hairdryers there. And chapstick! It is so dry there.
-ways to entertain yourself if you are expecting a C-section. The first day or so was super busy with visitors but by day 3-4 I had big chunks of time when LO was sleeping. So I had my ipad to update Facebook or browse pics. And chargers!
-snacks for you and H. My hospital has a little man cave area for H with a mini fridge.
-Boppy and an outfit or two for LO if you want to take pics.
-car seats

2) What did you pack before that you didn't need?
All the baby crap (diapers, formula, tons of outfits). I never really touched my real clothes, I might have put some eyeliner on one day. I honestly wore the outfit I came to the hospital in home.

3) How soon is too soon to pack?
My MIL bought me a cute bag and toiletries for Easter so mine is half full in the closet. As long as my OB doesn't say "Hey we might have to go this week" I'll be packing the last of the stuff the weekend before my Wednesday C-section date.

4) Any other words of wisdom?
Try not to stress too much. The hospital has most things there (even car seats) its just a matter of having the things that make you feel comfortable and more at home. And ideally you'll only be there a day or two so you can live without a lot for that short amount of time.

[cabbagecabbage]

I'm a light packer by nature.
1. Warm socks, maternity yoga pants, nursing tank, cardigan or robe, toiletries, coming home outfit for baby. A fabric headband was really helpful in labor.
2. I brought magazines and books I never touched.
3. Probably can't be too soon but I think I was well into the 30s week wise when I packed.

[allison7]

1) What are the essentials to pack? Camera, iPad and charger (phone, too), going home outfit for baby and me, comfy and loose clothing to wear during stay, snacks for DH, blanket for baby, nipple cream, breast pads, sheet/blanket for DH, pillow for DH, boppy (which I used as my pillow -hospital pillows suck), toiletries (showering felt so good), flip flops
2) What did you pack before that you didn't need? Underwear, multiple outfits for baby, diapers, just don't pack the baby bag too full because there is a lot of stuff (diapers) to take home from the hospital.
3) How soon is too soon to pack? Eh, I was half packed from about 34 weeks, but threw most stuff in after my water broke. I will do the same thing again this time.
4) Any other words of wisdom? The hospital tour was what let me know that I needed to pack a pillow, sheet and blanket for DH. The tour let me know what I needed and what I could leave behind. Also, get a list of places that deliver to hospital in case you end up in your room after the kitchen is closed.