So I am starting to think about my hospital bag...
It is hard for me to even say that.
Could I really be to this point already.
Packing my hospital bag.
It just sounds absurd.
Anyway, I am 8 weeks (single digits...whaaat?) away from my due date so I thought that I should start gathering up all the things that I might need.
What was in your bag?
Did you really need everything you brought?
What did you wish that you had/or left at home?
I have looked at some checklist online and in some of the books that I have read and it seems like some of them are over doing it. I was thinking of taking my small weekender bag and from the looks of some of these lists I need a large suit case. I mean...if I need it I will bring it. I just don't want to over pack. I tend to do that. I know Will needs things to and that we need a few things for the baby.
Anyway...
Y'all hooked me up with some great advice before so I thought I would turn to you guys again!
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This topic is fresh on my mind since I just barely unpacked my hospital bag. Here's what I found I needed/didn't need/wish I had... but it might be different for you so you'll have to think about your likes and dislikes.
Definitely glad I brought:
My favorite soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. The hospital gives you essentially antibacterial hand soap and that's it. You'll want to smell like a human as soon as possible so bring your favs. Also don't forget to bring hair ties so you can quickly pull it back into an easy 'do. You probably won't want to spend lots of time managing your hair.
Magazines. I found that I wasn't up for any heavy reading but magazines were perfect for keeping me semi-entertained, yet not being anything I really needed to think about. They were also handy for Kyle, who had something to look through, too. After awhile, t.v. just gets old.
Lots of comfortable pajamas. You'll want to get out of that hospital gown asap, plus you'll look so much better when guests visit. I don't much care for nursing tops, so I just brought pajamas that buttoned down the front. It wasn't obviously "nursing wear" but it did provide easy access when I needed it.
What I didn't need:
Makeup! I brought all my makeup, a hair straightener, perfume - you name it. I thought I'd care about my appearance when friends and family came to visit. Turns out, I didn't use a bit of it! People come to see the baby - not to fret about how you look. And, it doesn't make sense to get all dolled up only to go back to bed and watch t.v.
Fancy clothes. I brought blue jeans and a nice button down outfit to wear home from the hospital. And, when the time came, I really regretted my choice. You're still going to be somewhat sore and uncomfortable when you're discharged. So, wearing anything that's overly complicated is just totally impractical. I wish I'd brought yoga pants and a loose-fitting top, since that's what I immediately changed into when I got home.
Diapers. The hospital gives you essentially everything you need for your baby - diapers, wipes, soaps, lotions, you name it... The only thing I really used that I brought for Holland was clothing, since I didn't care for the half-shirt the hospital put him in. Plus wearing more identifiable clothes will make it easier for family and friends to pick him out in the nursery. Just don't pack anything too complicated. Onesies and nightgowns worked nicely, as well as a little hat and socks.
Baby book. The nurses stamped his feet directly into the book and it was nice to be able to write down some special memories during the quiet moments we had.
Slippers. You'll be glad you have them when you're making early am treks back and forth to the nursery in your pjs. Plus, hospital floors are gross to me - don't quite know why.
What I wish I'd brought --
My pillow - the hospital gives you tons but they just aren't super comfortable.
Phone charger - Kyle and I had to share one we had in the car and one of our phones was almost always dead. You'll need your chargers, for sure!
Snacks for hubby. The hospital feeds you and the nurses will bring you whatever extras you need/want. But, poor daddy will be high and dry. Either bring cash for the vending machine or pack some extra snacks. This will make life easier for dad!
Extra space in your bags. We were packed to the brim and it turned out to be a mistake. So many people will bring you extra gifts and the hospital will send you home with tons of paperwork and baby items. To save Will from making lots of extra trips back and forth to the car when you're discharged, I recommend bringing an empty bag or two to carry everything.
This is just the knowledge I gleaned from my latest foray at the hospital. Like I said, it might be different for you. But, I hope this helps! Good luck!
I agree with everything Holli said. I would double thumbs up on making sure you have your own pillow. I also wanted to have my own blanket.
Since you're going to breastfeed and this is your first one, I would have some Lansinoh and maybe some of those little gel soothers.
Our baby was jaundice and therefore, had to spend the nights in the nursery and only be brought to us every three hours. Since I had the opportunity to "get some sleep", I wish I'd had earplugs to drown out Husband's snoring and all of the stuff going on out in the hallways.
Also, make sure you have all of your medications if you take any. I had pretty severe heartburn still after the baby was born and they woulnd't give me anything for it without my doctor's approval. It was maddening!
Oh, and I don't know how you are about having a bra on, but (look out, TMI), my nipples were SO sore with the breastfeeding that a nice, cotton nursing bra was the only thing that didn't rub them even more raw.
Pillow! I put a bedbug/allergy/waterproof cover on mine first though. And brought socks that I didn't mind tossing when I got home. Hospitals totally ick me out!
Wish I brought snacks because you will not believe how ravenous you'll be after getting that angel here. I pretty much ate around the clock for the first month or so!
Phone/camera chargers, PJs, any toiletries you'd take to a cheap hotel so you don't have to use their funky shampoo. Yes on the baby book! I never had time to write in it but you could have footprints done there and visitors sign it. We had my nurse sign too.
And what you really want to know? Lanolin for the nips but I needed it more once we were home that first week. They stock you up on all kinds of girly supplies but I was so glad I brought my own pads and didn't have to wear one of the hospital ones home. Have you actually seen them? Wowza. I hadn't. They serve their purpose, but still... take some! I went home in maternity jeans and a comfy polo. I was just ready for normal clothes. Maybe I'm totally vain, but I knew there would be a million pics taken and I would end up in a few. Take what you need to feel comfortable smiling for the camera instead of avoiding it, be it a flat iron, makeup, or whatever. You may not get around to using it, but a little lip gloss goes a long way for morale! I wish I had, because I was anemic while pregnant, and delivery didn't help matters, so I look pretty ghostly in all the pics from the first few weeks. Oh, and don't forget to take home whatever you want including diapers and such. You're paying for it anyway!
I agree with what everyone else said except on the makeup/hair stuff deal. I am with Meghan on that. I brought some light make-up and I am so glad I did. You may or may not feel like putting it on but I was glad I had the option because like Meghan said, pictures are going to be snapping everywhere and when all you can do is sit in a bed and feel nasty because of what your body is going through, a little make-up can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself with people coming in and out of the room, even if it is just some mascara and chapstick.
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