Hospital Bag Recommendations - NOT A DEBATE

Lady Heather - posted on 02/07/2011

I didn't use anything that I brought other than the camera. The outfit I picked wasn't comfortable enough (ended up in my husband's pjs), there was no time to eat snacks or read or whatever until afterward and at that point I spent all my time trying to feed the baby. I didn't give a shit what my hair or face looked like. Baby was too small for her going home outfit. It looked like it ate her so bought a preemie outfit later and she just stayed wrapped in blankets.

Next time I think I will just bring a camera. rofl.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 02/07/2011

If you give birth vaginally, make sure the send you home with a SITZ bath...they forgot to give me mine, and i ended up having to go out and get one when I get home...even if they say you don't or shouldn't need it, you will.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 02/07/2011

Ok, these were my musts...I am not reading anyone elses to see if I can do it without looking..LOL

~Nice looking blanket to lay baby on for hospital pictures...some places aren't very creative
~crocks and nice socks to walk around in
~camera
~chapstick
~big pads with wings
~hairbrush (I didn't bother with toiletries except toothbrush and toothpaste, brush)
~glasses
~your own extra pillow and boppy (hubby does not need to bring this in asap, this is for mommy comfort AFTER)
~carseat
~you should not need diapers, wipes, hat...hospital should provide
~cash for vending machines incase they don't have a food area (both hospitals I was in provided this though, it was nice)

The only thing on your OP list that I would not bother with is the makeup...no matter how good you feel, I just don't see that happening. I think that is all I can think of, if I have any other ideas, I will be back.

Natasha - posted on 02/06/2011

I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all you wonderful women. I think that I now have a fully completed list of items that I want to take with me. I am trying to not take too much, but still have enough if I have to stay longer than just one day/night. With my son I was there for 3 days because he was born after discharge hours and then the dr forgot to discharge me the next day, although he did sign the papers for my son to go home...

And Tracey, I laughed so hard when I read your suggestion that I couldn't read it outloud to my husband. He and my mom (who happened to be here this weekend) thought that it was hilarious.

You have all been so helpful, and i can't wait to meet our new bundle of joy. :) Thanks again :)

Tracey - posted on 02/05/2011

Don't do what the lady next to me did, she packed educational toys and told the midwife it was never to early for baby to start learning to whjch she replied "he is 12 hours old, he eats, shits and sleeps, what do you want him to do recite shakespeare?"

Veronica - posted on 02/04/2011

I brought a nursing bra -- i couldnt go braless, my nipples were too sensitive and sore - and they (my boobs) are huge, so i needed some support anyways. I brought my own pads just in case, slippers are awesome to have - the hosp. floor is so cold, comfy clothes to go home in, granny panties felt great ;) outfits for the baby, and take home clothes and blankets for baby when we leave (depending on the weather). I brought my shampoo, body wash, skincare products, and makeup (along with other toiletries) - i couldnt stand the hospital soaps and stuff - they dried out my hair and skin. Pony-tail holders - to keep my hair out of my face.

One thing i always forgot was food!! In between meals and nighttime hours i was always starving from nursing -- they had a few things they gave me (chicken soup, pudding, icecream or fruit) but it wasnt satisfying enough - so i would bring plenty of snacks for those moments. As for anything else - i brought books and stuff before -- but i never did anything with them, because i either slept or nursed and cared for my baby when i was in - i just didnt have the focus or care to do anything else.



Congratulations on the pregnancy, I wish you the best with labor and delivery -- everything will go great - and if you forget something, or want something after the fact - you can have your SO or friends/family grab it for you, too. Take care :)

Sal - posted on 02/04/2011

pads, the hospital gave them to us but they were crappy, and the thing that really made a difference to me was washing powder, i was a fair ways from home (110km) getting someone to pop home and get more clothes or soak something was impossible, but the hospital had a washing machine and drier, i saved all the little smaple packs i got in mags or what ever, the girl who shared my room had to use some of mine as she bleed very heavily and needed to wash pj's even though she took extras she still ran out.

Liz - posted on 02/04/2011

I brought PJs, a soft terrycloth robe, a book, toiletries, camera, babies stuff, and my own pillows.

Shauna - posted on 02/04/2011

Dang, i should have brough a ipod. My hospital said i could bring cds... when i put them in they were like "no this is too distracting for you put in something softer" and wouldnt let me turn it up!!! i was so disapointed!!!
Just put in some heavy metal and let me push this baby out!!!! ---------- i blame that for why i had to have a c-section :-) they wouldnt let me listen to music.

Jenny - posted on 02/04/2011

I brought all the basics.



My best extra was an Ipod. My roomate had her husband there at all times of the night and the hospital was noisy so I liked being able to tune it out and play solitaire. I will never forget listening to My Hero by the Foo Fighters (acoustic version) while breastfeeding my brand new boy alone at 4 AM. It was also playing when he was born as Skin and Bones was our music choice in the operating room. As a sidenote I bawled my eyes out when I saw them live and they played that song.

Shauna - posted on 02/04/2011

This is the stuff i actually used out of the huge bag i brought.
Chapstick
Pj pants!!! and robe... NURSING TANKS!!!! if you plan on nursing they are vital!!!!
laptop ---- couldnt have lived without it
medela cracked nipple stuff
slippers
baby jammies
i brought mags and stuff to read but found i was too anxious to want to read them.

Nikkole - posted on 02/04/2011

I brought my laptop,movies,camera,clothes,tooth paste and tooth brush,shampoo,baby clothes,pads,housecoat,slippers and i think thats it!

Bonnie - posted on 02/04/2011

Personal size DVD player with a bunch of movies.
One thing that I brought that I personally am so happy I did, was my hair straightener LOL. I was in the hospital for a week and although I didn't use it for the first 4 days because I didn't give a crap what anyone thought of the way I looked, once I started to feel a lot better, I just had to straighten my hair. It gave me such a confidence boost.

Nikki - posted on 02/03/2011

Take your own overnight pads, the ones most hospitals have must be pinned in. It is good to have another layer of protection from leaks. Also, we took the laptop and some funny movies, mostly stand up comedy because laughter is a stress relief and takes your mind off of the pain.

Bring your own shampoo too. And if you have older kids make sure the have a small bag packed to bring when they come visit you. Change of clothes, sippy cups, small games, a book, etc.

Rosie - posted on 02/03/2011

chapstick and hard candies for when you are in hard labor.
camera
i brought a nightie, i didn't like walking around with my ass hanging out of the hospital gown, lol.
i am a big makeup wearer, and looking like i did after birth depressed me, so the last time i brought makeup and felt a thousand times better. it really made a difference for me.
movies
:)

Amie - posted on 02/03/2011

I had my book to read and a cross word book to work on.
Change of clothes for me, an outfit for the baby.
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. for showering after I gave birth) Hair brush/comb too!
Car seat was left in the car/van and only came in when we left.
Pads, I had to have my own pads. The hospital ones are like wearing a diaper. The underwear was neat but I preferred my own pads.
I also bought Dettol to use instead of epsom salts that the hospital provided. I remember one of the nurses recommending it to me when I went for our hospital visit before I had my first. I used it with all 4 of mine after that.
I didn't take a cell phone. Cell phones are only allowed in a few areas of the hospital here anyway and there is a phone in your room, so it wasn't needed.
A camera was in there too but we didn't take pics until we were done everything.

I think that's all I took. I'll have to think.