Hospital bags - packing list?

[pinotgrig]

This is also on my to do list to finish up. my list is at home, but I'll add tonight. What's on your list to pack?

[D2M]

I pre-packed my bag last night This was my list:

Pack in advance
-- In an envelope: filled out birth plan, Group B strep results, insurance card
-- Clothes for me during labor/recovery: comfy maternity pjs, 1 maternity tank top, 3 pairs undies, slipper socks, flip flops, 3 nursing tanks, bralette
-- Outfit for going home (comfy dress)
-- Toiletry bag: travel-sized body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, 3 hair elastics, face cream, contact lens solution, mini toothpaste, chapstick, mascara, lip gloss, razor, toothbrush, eyemask
-- 2 cartons coconut water + snacks + reusable water bottle
-- For baby: newborn outfit, 0-3 months outfit, mittens, cap, Miracle Blanket
-- Baby book

Pack when leaving
-- hair dryer
-- journal
-- pillow
-- phone charger
-- camera + camera charger
-- hair brush
-- cardigan

[narockshard]

I'm going to be working on this today so I'm curious to see what people add! So far I plan on bringing all the toiletries I would bring for overnight/weekend trip, but I'd like to see what others pack as far as postpartum and baby supplies.

[thatgirl2478]

I'll be having another c-section, so I'll be there a bit longer than normal so here's what I will probably bring:

- Shampoo/conditioner/toothpaste/toothbrush/floss/mouthwash/lotion/chapstick/moisturizer/basic minimal makeup (ie not my naked palette)/hairbrush/ponytail holders
- Slipper socks/comfy pants & top for going home (the rest of the time I plan to hang out in the gown they provide since they have to come in and look at your incision a lot anyway. Plus, at first they help you change your pad so it's easier than pants)/nursing bra.
- Limited snacks - we brought a bunch and ended up not eating them because while being induced they didn't want me eating anything (may be the same for natural labor too) and after I was able to order from the cafeteria whatever I wanted at no cost and at any time.
- Baby outfit/blanket/car seat
- Camera (though, we'll probably just use our phones)/phones/laptop/kindle - I may sub out the laptop for the kindle with a bunch of new apps so I only have to bring 1 thing (it's a pain in the ass to have too much in the room with you).
- My own pillow from home (hospital pillows suck).
- A change of clothes for DH - though we are close enough to home to let him run home to shower & change if he decides to stay the night.

[smock]

My list:
-Toiletries, some makeup, ponytail holders, chapstick, contact lens stuff
-Nursing bra and nursing cami
-a few regular camis, undies, yoga pants, t-shirts, flip flops (I'm not sure what clothes I'll need, or if I might get cold!)
-a few snacks in case she's born when the cafeteria is closed!
-phones, chargers, camera, kindle
-some paper for extra copies of her little baby footprints (I want to give them to family)
-NB and 0-3 outfit for taking baby home, a few diapers, two light blankets, car seat

[D2M]

May 19, 2014 10:37:51 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

D2M Are we supposed to bring our own Group B results? I thought all medical information was saved in my chart.

My doctor handed me my results at my appointment last week and said stick this in your hospital bag, so I did.  It probably varies?  I'd ask your doctor.

[thatgirl2478]

OH - FYI - when shopping for first outfits, it might be a good idea to get footless and/or two piece outfits. DD1 was too long for the NB sleep-n-play's but too skinny for the 0-3mo one's. She was 21 inches long & 7lbs 9oz or so (I'd have to look it up in her baby book). Of course your baby will be different, but it's not something I expected.

[tigress]

May 19, 2014 11:01:19 GMT -5 thatgirl2478 said:

OH - FYI - when shopping for first outfits, it might be a good idea to get footless and/or two piece outfits. DD1 was too long for the NB sleep-n-play's but too skinny for the 0-3mo one's. She was 21 inches long & 7lbs 9oz or so (I'd have to look it up in her baby book). Of course your baby will be different, but it's not something I expected.

Really? My girls were both 20 inches long and in the 8 lb range and still fit in newborn stuff for approx 2 weeks. 

[bowies]

Maternity PJ set (comes with light robe), slipper socks, nursing sleep bra
Boyshort undies
Going home outfit (likely a dress/tank), nursing sports bra
Baby clothes (2 outfits), blanket
Toiletries, hair dryer, hair elastics
Couple of old towels
iPad, iPhone, camera, and chargers
Couple of magazines
Pillow and blanket for me
Medications
Toiletries/Clothes for H
Copy of birth plan, childbirth class booklet, pediatrician paperwork, insurance company phone number

On the fence:
Nursing pillow, breast pads, nipple cream
Nursing tanks (I don't own any yet)
Snacks

[chickadee77]

Oooh, thanks for this. So far, I have

Toiletry kit
Slippers (someone mentioned once that their feet were too swollen for flip flops after delivery)
Kindle and magazines
Phone and camera and charger
Nursing bra and nursing tank
Pajama pants
Nursing nightie (still need to buy)
Baby book
Cash
Snacks
Carseat
Going home outfit for baby (newborn and 0-3)

[earlgreyhot]

May 19, 2014 12:11:49 GMT -5 bowies said:

Maternity PJ set (comes with light robe), slipper socks, nursing sleep bra
Boyshort undies
Going home outfit (likely a dress/tank), nursing sports bra
Baby clothes (2 outfits), blanket
Toiletries, hair dryer, hair elastics
Couple of old towels
iPad, iPhone, camera, and chargers
Couple of magazines
Pillow and blanket for me
Medications
Toiletries/Clothes for H
Copy of birth plan, childbirth class booklet, pediatrician paperwork, insurance company phone number

On the fence:
Nursing pillow, breast pads, nipple cream
Nursing tanks (I don't own any yet)
Snacks

Definitely recommend...I didn't last time and comparned to pillow propping I think I will appreciate it. It might be one of those things that I send DH home to get once the baby is delivered, though.

[MrsDarcy]

May 19, 2014 12:01:05 GMT -5 tigress said:

May 19, 2014 11:01:19 GMT -5 thatgirl2478 said:

OH - FYI - when shopping for first outfits, it might be a good idea to get footless and/or two piece outfits. DD1 was too long for the NB sleep-n-play's but too skinny for the 0-3mo one's. She was 21 inches long & 7lbs 9oz or so (I'd have to look it up in her baby book). Of course your baby will be different, but it's not something I expected.

Really? My girls were both 20 inches long and in the 8 lb range and still fit in newborn stuff for approx 2 weeks. 

My son was 9lb10oz and 23 inches and he fit into NB clothes for about two weeks.

[anna7602]

May 19, 2014 10:06:38 GMT -5 D2M said:

I pre-packed my bag last night This was my list:

3 pairs undies

I exclusively used the hospital-issued mesh undies when I had DD. They even gave me some to take home. 

Also, considering that I can barely shave my legs now, I am pretty sure that I will not be taking a razor to the hospital!

[D2M]

May 19, 2014 12:52:16 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

May 19, 2014 10:06:38 GMT -5 D2M said:

I pre-packed my bag last night This was my list:

3 pairs undies

I exclusively used the hospital-issued mesh undies when I had DD. They even gave me some to take home. 

Also, considering that I can barely shave my legs now, I am pretty sure that I will not be taking a razor to the hospital!

Oh yeah, me too.  I was thinking about my underarm hair.  Also, thanks for the tips in the other post re: pads and lanolin.  I'll stick them in my bag.

[flgirl]

May 19, 2014 12:49:24 GMT -5 MrsDarcy said:

May 19, 2014 12:01:05 GMT -5 tigress said:

Really? My girls were both 20 inches long and in the 8 lb range and still fit in newborn stuff for approx 2 weeks. 

My son was 9lb10oz and 23 inches and he fit into NB clothes for about two weeks.

I was thinking the same thing.  Even my son who was 23 inches fit into newborn clothes for a few weeks.  I always found the 0-3 to be too big until they were about 3-4 weeks old.  I have all 8+ pound babies too.

[VillainV]

What I used:

- nursing nightgown and thin robe
- camelback water bottle (because it's one-handed)
- boppy (leave in the car or get your husband to bring it from home)
- iPhone and iPad
- going-home outfit for me (yoga pants, nursing tank, cardigan, flip flops)
- going home outfit for baby

What I brought but I didn't use:
- makeup
- manual pump
- a few extra sets of clothes. (I'd rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them)

Remember you can leave stuff in the car or send your husband home (or to the store) to get stuff

Eta: he was 9lb 14oz, 21.5 inches long, and there was no way he was ever going to fit into a NB onesie, but the pants fit him fine for a few weeks. Long torso, short legs....never once fit into a NB diaper though...

[flgirl]

My list is different for a c-section then it was for a vaginal birth;

Socks: my kids bought me my c-section socks this time. They are bees that are shea infused.
Makeup, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.: I always take a shower, it makes me feel human again.
laptop, phones, chargers, etc
A nursing nightgown and robe: After a c-section I can't pull up my own underwear, let alone pants. After the vaginal birth I wore the same thing because they are checking your pad and I am more comfortable in a nightgown in bed then pants. And then at least one other nursing nightgown.
I use the same outfit I go to the hospital in as my going home outfit.
Nursing bra
Breastfeeding pillow
Clothes and toiletries for DH
Going home outfit, and a few other outfits for the baby because I like to get them out of the ugly hospital stuff. The nurses always comment on how nice it is to see all the cute baby clothes.
My own pillow.

[VillainV]

You will most likely not need breast pads unless you stay for a few extra days...like 4-5 instead of 2-3. Otherwise your milk probably won't come in until you're home. But a few sets don't take up much space in your bag if you're worried about it.

[smock]

May 19, 2014 12:11:49 GMT -5 bowies said:

On the fence:
Nursing pillow, breast pads, nipple cream
Nursing tanks (I don't own any yet)
Snacks

I was on the fence about snacks until I read a blog post where the blogger gave birth at like 2am and the cafeteria was closed. Then I researched the hours of the cafeteria at my hospital, and decided I better pack some snacks just in case!

[tigress]

May 19, 2014 13:20:04 GMT -5 smock said:

May 19, 2014 12:11:49 GMT -5 bowies said:

On the fence:
Nursing pillow, breast pads, nipple cream
Nursing tanks (I don't own any yet)
Snacks

I was on the fence about snacks until I read a blog post where the blogger gave birth at like 2am and the cafeteria was closed. Then I researched the hours of the cafeteria at my hospital, and decided I better pack some snacks just in case!

My hospital had like a little lunch thing they gave us after I gave birth as both my births were in nighttime (10:33pm and 1:42am). So I wouldn't vote against snacks, but I wasn't starving to death as they did have something to provide even though the cafeteria was not open.

[thatgirl2478]

May 19, 2014 12:01:05 GMT -5 tigress said:

May 19, 2014 11:01:19 GMT -5 thatgirl2478 said:

OH - FYI - when shopping for first outfits, it might be a good idea to get footless and/or two piece outfits. DD1 was too long for the NB sleep-n-play's but too skinny for the 0-3mo one's. She was 21 inches long & 7lbs 9oz or so (I'd have to look it up in her baby book). Of course your baby will be different, but it's not something I expected.

Really? My girls were both 20 inches long and in the 8 lb range and still fit in newborn stuff for approx 2 weeks. 

huh - maybe my NB stuff had shrunk... possible since a lot of it was hand me downs.

[jeaniebueller]

I hate hospital gowns and am not nursing, so I bought a few cheap nightshirts to bring and wear (having a c section, so I'll be there awhile)