Let's begin with a HUGE disclaimer that I'm not an expert (on anything - ever) and everyone has super different preferences when it comes to ... everything. So, of course! the hospital bag essential list is no different. I'm a big fan of medicated births (this has nothing to do with Simon - he is very pro "Grace going natty" one of these times and Grace is so not) and so my birth plan consists of a polite and verbal, "epidural, please" and an apple juice on the rocks.
This is pretty basic (I didn't include undies - I would imagine you know those are necessary although you will rock a snazzy pair of mesh unders for a bit after your precious bundle enters the prem) and I think in most cases your baby daddy can probably run home after the baby is born if you are really dying for a certain something (your favorite mascara or maybe a large bag of Swedish fish ... who am I to judge?). I don't go rolling in with a suitcase on wheels but ... if you do ... that's fine.
I also like to stay in the hospital for as long as possible. I don't hate it there and when Julia was born I was excited to get home and start life but now I appreciate the hospital and the nurses and the food and the tv and the channels and everything so I stay until my insurance starts giving me dirty looks (just two nights -- nothing crazy).
So without further justification ...
I present to you ...
my obnoxious opinion on something else!!!
:::trumpets:::
Curtain UP.
Let's go.
1. Open Cardigan - one of the very first things I do when I get to my recovery room is change out of the gorgeous hospital issued gown. I've been really happy wearing a nursing tank and yoga pants and an open flowy cardigan. It's nice if it ties (this one is super cute and I've been pleasantly surprised by Forever XXI's cardigan quality) for when if/when you have visitors so you feel somewhat presentable. And if you get the Target one I linked to - order a size up or NEVER dry it - I quite literally cannot fit my arms in the one I bought and washed and dried. Yikes.
2. Nursing Tank - I'm a big fan of ye old Target tanks. I'm sure there are greater ones out there but these have served me well over the years. I just buy a size up to account for the leftover uterine swell and the baby food sources. I generally don't wear bras for a week or five post delivery. Tanks and cardigans forever. Although ... I've never had a summer baby so we'll see how I hurdle that conundrum in May.
3. Boppy Pillow - oh, regular old pillows will work just fine but it's SUPER nice to have the Boppy for nursing support and to help older siblings hold the new baby. If you're in the market for a unique and gorgeous Boppy cover .... join me in swooning (and I'm not a swooner) over ALL OF THESE. Every single one.
4. Going Home Outfit - for the baby. I just wear what I've been wearing (yogas, tank, slippers, cardigan - and a smile to tie it all together) I just found this one on Amazon but I have a similar one that my great aunt gave us that is cute and white and unisexy. I prefer the built in footie situation for the ride home but if you want to get fancy with jegs and socks ... I will never judge that. But- don't forget a hat! Or a blanket! We forgot a blanket with Theo and thieved the hospital blanket and felt like irresponsible shadesters.
5. Yoga Pants - okay that's just a stock photo pictured but the link is to my favorite yoga pants from Gap. Nothing has ever come close to beating them. (UPDATE: these have! These are amazing if you prefer a less-flared leg) I've been wearing them since Sebastian's pregnancy and they haven't lost an ounce of stretch and they just hold things in very politely. They go on sale all the time so keep an eye out if you're in the market for the best yogas of all time.
6. Nursing Pads - Anna actually gave me a box of these when I was pregnant with Julia as part of her super sweet baby gift and they were so SO appreciated. I've tried a few different types and brands and always come back to these because they have an adhesive and they are absorbent. While it will take a few days for your milk to come in it's still nice to use the pads to protect your tank from getting stained by whatever type of nipple cream/ointment you prefer (I just like the Lansinoh the hospital has but I'm sure people feel strongly about different brands/kinds/yadda).
7. Slippers - I mean - you could shuffle around in socks but you might slip and I felt a little weird being in just flip flops so ... slipper-shoes it is. I have this exact pair and wear them as shoes all the time. And when paired with black yogas and a nice cardigan - you almost look like a respectably dressed human.
8. Lip Balm - My lips always get chapped during labor ... tuck this or your favorite chapstick in your gown and apply. I don't know - you know what to do with lip balm. I generally don't go crazy without lip stuffs but I always want want want some in the delivery room. Just passing on my one cent here. I'm loving Baby Lips these days.
9. Toiletries: I bring them ALL. Well - mostly. Definitely my makeup and hair products (the hospital usually has hospital grade shampoo and conditioner in the shower so I bring little travel size ones from previous hotel stays). They SHOULD have a subpar blow dryer and I always bring my curling wand. What? I like to take advantage of the peace and quiet and nothing feels better than the first shower post-baby .... as long as you don't take a gander in the mirror. Joke. I know it's all very beautiful ... if not slightly to wildly jarring especially when the mesh unders are factored in. I am a big fan of face wipes ... in case you can't properly wash your face right away. Bring a little travel pack ... trust me.
10. Camera - duh. We have a Canon Rebel T1i that we bought on eBay a few years ago but I'm not a photographer. At all. (And after reading and reading and saving and saving I bought this lens but this is a great beginner lens (and I'll always be a beginner - always). We've been really lucky and nurses have volunteered to take photos right after the delivery (not during, thanks). And it's fun to try to take nice photos of the adorable sleeping newborn in the unbelievably quiet hospital recovery room. I'm still super guilty of taking a zillion phone photos, of course.
Misc:
+ We've always brought our laptop to watch a little Hulu so maybe think about that or if you have an iPad ... that would be acceptable, I suppose.
+ Snacks for Dad ... unless he loves cafeteria food or you happened to time your labor for directly after a meal the size of Thanksgiving.
+ Pacifiers. People plant themselves firmly in "nipple confusion" camps but I like them and only one of my children has ever become attached to it beyond week two so I think it's worth a shot if you want to corrupt the little bruiser early on. Wink.
+ I know I should be adding more here. I will.
Don't bring:
+ diapers and wipes
+ okay bring whatever you want but they have all of that and you'll get charged for it either way so just use it.
Several first time pregs have emailed and asked for a list like this but I know I'm forgetting some super important things ... what would you add for these sweet mums-to-be? Help a forgetful Grace out ... please?
This is pretty basic (I didn't include undies - I would imagine you know those are necessary although you will rock a snazzy pair of mesh unders for a bit after your precious bundle enters the prem) and I think in most cases your baby daddy can probably run home after the baby is born if you are really dying for a certain something (your favorite mascara or maybe a large bag of Swedish fish ... who am I to judge?). I don't go rolling in with a suitcase on wheels but ... if you do ... that's fine.
I also like to stay in the hospital for as long as possible. I don't hate it there and when Julia was born I was excited to get home and start life but now I appreciate the hospital and the nurses and the food and the tv and the channels and everything so I stay until my insurance starts giving me dirty looks (just two nights -- nothing crazy).
So without further justification ...
I present to you ...
my obnoxious opinion on something else!!!
:::trumpets:::
Curtain UP.
Let's go.
1. Open Cardigan - one of the very first things I do when I get to my recovery room is change out of the gorgeous hospital issued gown. I've been really happy wearing a nursing tank and yoga pants and an open flowy cardigan. It's nice if it ties (this one is super cute and I've been pleasantly surprised by Forever XXI's cardigan quality) for when if/when you have visitors so you feel somewhat presentable. And if you get the Target one I linked to - order a size up or NEVER dry it - I quite literally cannot fit my arms in the one I bought and washed and dried. Yikes.
2. Nursing Tank - I'm a big fan of ye old Target tanks. I'm sure there are greater ones out there but these have served me well over the years. I just buy a size up to account for the leftover uterine swell and the baby food sources. I generally don't wear bras for a week or five post delivery. Tanks and cardigans forever. Although ... I've never had a summer baby so we'll see how I hurdle that conundrum in May.
3. Boppy Pillow - oh, regular old pillows will work just fine but it's SUPER nice to have the Boppy for nursing support and to help older siblings hold the new baby. If you're in the market for a unique and gorgeous Boppy cover .... join me in swooning (and I'm not a swooner) over ALL OF THESE. Every single one.
4. Going Home Outfit - for the baby. I just wear what I've been wearing (yogas, tank, slippers, cardigan - and a smile to tie it all together) I just found this one on Amazon but I have a similar one that my great aunt gave us that is cute and white and unisexy. I prefer the built in footie situation for the ride home but if you want to get fancy with jegs and socks ... I will never judge that. But- don't forget a hat! Or a blanket! We forgot a blanket with Theo and thieved the hospital blanket and felt like irresponsible shadesters.
5. Yoga Pants - okay that's just a stock photo pictured but the link is to my favorite yoga pants from Gap. Nothing has ever come close to beating them. (UPDATE: these have! These are amazing if you prefer a less-flared leg) I've been wearing them since Sebastian's pregnancy and they haven't lost an ounce of stretch and they just hold things in very politely. They go on sale all the time so keep an eye out if you're in the market for the best yogas of all time.
6. Nursing Pads - Anna actually gave me a box of these when I was pregnant with Julia as part of her super sweet baby gift and they were so SO appreciated. I've tried a few different types and brands and always come back to these because they have an adhesive and they are absorbent. While it will take a few days for your milk to come in it's still nice to use the pads to protect your tank from getting stained by whatever type of nipple cream/ointment you prefer (I just like the Lansinoh the hospital has but I'm sure people feel strongly about different brands/kinds/yadda).
7. Slippers - I mean - you could shuffle around in socks but you might slip and I felt a little weird being in just flip flops so ... slipper-shoes it is. I have this exact pair and wear them as shoes all the time. And when paired with black yogas and a nice cardigan - you almost look like a respectably dressed human.
8. Lip Balm - My lips always get chapped during labor ... tuck this or your favorite chapstick in your gown and apply. I don't know - you know what to do with lip balm. I generally don't go crazy without lip stuffs but I always want want want some in the delivery room. Just passing on my one cent here. I'm loving Baby Lips these days.
9. Toiletries: I bring them ALL. Well - mostly. Definitely my makeup and hair products (the hospital usually has hospital grade shampoo and conditioner in the shower so I bring little travel size ones from previous hotel stays). They SHOULD have a subpar blow dryer and I always bring my curling wand. What? I like to take advantage of the peace and quiet and nothing feels better than the first shower post-baby .... as long as you don't take a gander in the mirror. Joke. I know it's all very beautiful ... if not slightly to wildly jarring especially when the mesh unders are factored in. I am a big fan of face wipes ... in case you can't properly wash your face right away. Bring a little travel pack ... trust me.
10. Camera - duh. We have a Canon Rebel T1i that we bought on eBay a few years ago but I'm not a photographer. At all. (And after reading and reading and saving and saving I bought this lens but this is a great beginner lens (and I'll always be a beginner - always). We've been really lucky and nurses have volunteered to take photos right after the delivery (not during, thanks). And it's fun to try to take nice photos of the adorable sleeping newborn in the unbelievably quiet hospital recovery room. I'm still super guilty of taking a zillion phone photos, of course.
Misc:
+ We've always brought our laptop to watch a little Hulu so maybe think about that or if you have an iPad ... that would be acceptable, I suppose.
+ Snacks for Dad ... unless he loves cafeteria food or you happened to time your labor for directly after a meal the size of Thanksgiving.
+ Pacifiers. People plant themselves firmly in "nipple confusion" camps but I like them and only one of my children has ever become attached to it beyond week two so I think it's worth a shot if you want to corrupt the little bruiser early on. Wink.
+ I know I should be adding more here. I will.
Don't bring:
+ diapers and wipes
+ okay bring whatever you want but they have all of that and you'll get charged for it either way so just use it.
Several first time pregs have emailed and asked for a list like this but I know I'm forgetting some super important things ... what would you add for these sweet mums-to-be? Help a forgetful Grace out ... please?
This is so excellent! Thank you for all the advice; us first timers need all the help we can get (or maybe it's just me, but I neheheeeed it).
ReplyDeleteQuick sort-of-on-topic question: I just got a 50mm lens for my birthday but I am SO not a photographer. If you used any at all (because I think your photos are gorgeous), do you have any tutorial videos, articles, etc. that you found helpful in terms of learning to use the lens well? Thanks for any help!
I tried every kind of nursing pad and those are the very best! I also was wondering what camera you use!!! I love how you can get the kids jumping and all that! Please tell!
ReplyDelete"I'm a big fan of medicated births (this has nothing to do with Simon - he is very pro "Grace going natty" one of these times and Grace is so not)."
ReplyDeleteI feel like this takes a certain amount of chutzpah to suggest to a woman as a man who will never have to endure childbirth. :)
I recently bought Baby Lips and some how it got smuggled into the back seat. Mary Francie ate/schmeared it all over her car seat and ruined my favorite pair of her jegs. Wipstick! Brutal.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! And I totally understand enjoying the stay in the hospital! With my first two I was impatient to get home as soon as possible. Last time I enjoyed eating food I hadn't cooked and not having little kids crawling all over me right after having a baby! And I stayed for a crazy amount of time (four days!)!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this list, I got super worried, "Oh goodness, I haven't packed my bag yet!" and "What if my hospital runs out of diapers and wipes?!" And then I remember, "Oh, yeah, I'm having a homebirth." Way to think things, through, Joanna, way to think things through.
ReplyDeleteI had a home birth with my daughter (loved it) but there's a while other prep check list for that situation! Plastic cover for bed? Check!
DeleteSeriously though... The cardigans are an awesome recommendation as are the nursing tanks. I've been wearing mine for a year and they still going strong!
I am loving all these, I mean I just had a baby not too long ago but I wouldn't rule out another ;) I am a very minimal packer as well, no sense in bringing the whole nursery. I never had an epidural but apple juice on the rocks is always a go-to!
ReplyDeleteThis list is excellent! I brought way too many things "to do" with my first...when in reality, you spend 99% of your time staring at the baby or fumbling through feedings. If you're really feeling pro-active, you can bring a baby book to fill in the required sections (that may not get re-updated for several months) and/or catch up.
ReplyDeleteYup. That's pretty much what I've been wearing in the two weeks since I've had my baby. Bra, optional always. I brought flip flops to hospital (California's winters aren't real) and I ended up slipping in my own amniotic fluid (gross) and stubbed my toe. Even with the pain of labor and a subsequent c-section, I REMEMBER the toe stubbing! Next time: definitely bringing moccasins or something akin to that.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
ReplyDeleteAlso a fan of staying in the hospital... but my insurance had other ideas. I had my daughter at 11:17pm, after arriving at the hospital about 9:30pm. According to insurance those 43 minutes of my daughters birthday were night 1. We didn't get a meal or a recovery room until the sun had risen the next day... but somehow allowing me 2 nights of sleep before dealing with reality was just too much... (SHAKING FIST AT BLUE CROSS)
My advice, if you're approaching midnight hold the baby in. I will have 12:01am baby if that ever threatens to happen again!
So, for real- I do not understand people who are excited to leave the hospital and worried the hospital will keep them there longer than they desire! My last three kids (I have c-sections) my husband and I have been close to divorce when he tells them I'm ready to leave after three days! I always want to add an extra day. And, no joke, I JUST said to him yesterday "you know, the only reason id consider another kid at this moment is the hospital stay, I love the hospital stay!"
ReplyDeleteNew Mama Bottom spray made by Earth Mama Angel Baby. Seriously amazing when your nether region has seen better days.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love their nipple butter too. It's wonderful.
DeleteAn alternative to the Boppy is the My Brest Friend---I know, people get up in arms about the name, it's a silly one! But it's flat so there's no "crack" for the baby to slide into, and it' s buckles around you, so it stays put and also has some back support.
We loved having out iPad at the hospital to facetime with some far away friends and family.
Yes, my advice would be to buy one or the other (Boppy or My Brest Friend), but if it doesn't seem to work right for you after the baby's born, don't hesitate for a second: go out and buy the other one! Best $40 ever to just get the right one. You really can't know in advance which will work best for you...but they are so helpful, and people do seem to just love one or the other.
DeleteBottom spray? This is what I need to know more about!!!
DeleteI love the hospital stay especially the breaks when baby is in the nursery. Stone me now!
ReplyDeleteAgree with all of this! Keep it simple and don't over pack!
ReplyDeleteComfy clothes for sure! - Don't bring "real" clothes, tons of outfits, or pre-pregnancy clothes.
Toiletries and makeup are a must! The first thing I've wanted to do after all of mine was wash the "labor" off. Being able to use my favorite things made me feel good and putting on some makeup helped distract me from the puffiness that was my entire body.
Snacks - yes, laptop - yes, those exact nursing pads - yes, lap balm - yes (though eos is my fav)
Also, cell phone charger was a big one for me.
Yup, yup and yup. Although I really didn't need the nursing pads. Things were BONE DRY until a week later.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend took the extra pads and mesh undies from the bathroom every time the nurse restocked, so I would have LOTS when I was home. I think I lived in those things for like a week. So I would suggest NO UNDIES and steal, steal, steal the mesh and mini-diaper every chance possible.
Agreed! I stole ice packs and the giant pads as well. Not cute, but so very functional.
DeleteI wish I had brought more to do at the hospital when I had my son (I brought one book, which was "Pride and Prejudice"...my favorite novel, but too cerebral to read postpartum), but then again I got stuck at the hospital for an extra 12 hours because the greater Boston area was on lockdown. The only thing to watch on TV was news coverage of the manhunt. Hopefully nothing like that happens when Patton #4 arrives!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about taking the maximum time allowed in the hospital. It's this mommy's own personal vacay where she can get served food three times a day that she didn't have to make (or clean up after) and watch all the mind-numbingly dumb TV she wants and doze off and snuggle a precious little newborn…sounds good.
ReplyDeleteDue to details I won't go into here, with my second son, I went to the doctor for a check-up and then to the hospital to deliver. Except the midwife told me to take my time, get some lunch or whatever first. So I went to the nearby grocery store and got lunch, and then I bought food. For my hospital stay post-partum. Because the hospital food at my local hospital is THE. WORST. Think fish sticks. And also, the stingiest. Seriously. My meal card even said "nursing mother," and I still only got, like, a quarter of the food I would normally eat. I'm too accomodating to be buzzing nurses all the time for snacks, so I brought bread and peanut butter and potato chips with me. I learned with my first son.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that might just be the small hospital in the small city near us, though. A lot of people seem to really like the food at their hospitals. Lucky.
I just have to admit that I love the mesh granny panties. No worries about fit or grossing up my own undies.
ReplyDeleteI do not love being in the hospital because I just want to sleep and they keep taking my vitals! Plus at our hospital, the baby stays in the room, so it's not like you get a break with a nursery.
This probably counts as toiletries, but I have to have a nice smelling lotion and spray so my room and I don't smell like hospital.
Great list, I've never worn a nursing tank before, but i just bought two, so welcome to the 21st century to me!
Oh and my friend who is a nurse recommends bringing your own stool softeners to up the dosage from the ones they give you. Because we all know how scary that first time is!
DeleteYour list matches what I brought to a T (whatever that phrase means--weird phrase, I think). Only additions I'd make are as follows: 1) an additional pillow from home--in a pillow case that you'll recognize so you don't forget it there when you leave (this only applies if you're used to sleeping with a bajillion pillows at home...not that I used three or four our five...no judging!). 2) Robe and nursing nightie or pjs or whatever. Felt so good to get the heck out of my gown and into some soft, new pajamas. And 3) Cash/change for a vending machine for your partner. If you have an evening labor or between-meals-labor or if you're in labor at all, chances are he or she wouldn't mind a quick trip for a soda or bag of chips. Or maybe it'll be 11p and you're postpartum and YOU want a Coke and you need it and you need it right now. Vending machine, baby.
ReplyDeleteOh this is a good one. A way more thought out and accurate one than I tried to accomplish. Bookmarked.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely bookmarked this. Yep had no idea about nursing pads....all of the maternity/baby posts I've been reading just convince me more that I don't know what I'm doing (thought 7 siblings and med school would give me a leg up but nope). And I'm all about the natty birth (so is Stephen but I told him he doesn't really get a say because he doesn't have to push the babe out) but we will see what actually happens.
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about Simon's thoughts on the medicated/unmedicated birth debate. I know from your birth stories that you are strongly in the medicated camp but I was curious if he has a reason(s) for preferring unmedicated. I've had both but am not sure what to do for number six (you'd think I would know by now).
ReplyDeleteOh he doesn't care either way. Ha - he just likes to give me a hard time :)
DeleteGood luck deciding!!
Lol medicated births all the way. John is in the "au natural" camp but let's me do what I do haha. I got a gap nursing tank for this time but don't like it so far bc the top seems to fit weirs under the arms ( we'll see when I actually use it in a few weeks...) I've been stalking all the target ones but haven't pulled the plug on one yet.
ReplyDeleteI had completely forgotten about the New Mama Bottom Spray...even though there is still a bottle in my closet. It's wonderful post birth! Now if someone could just remind me again in 5 months...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I ever even THOUGHT about going all-natty. Seriously, every preggo just needs to get the juice!
ReplyDeleteIf, and if, you are up to trying a different nipple cream, try this one. I will never see another BFing day without MotherLove nipple cream. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/8457062281410005808?q=mother+love+nipple+cream+review&rlz=1C1AFAB_enUS464US464&oq=mother+love+ni&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.5582j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ei=a64GU9igKIn02gWHoYGAAw&ved=0CKYBELok
The hospital stuff just didn't do it for me and little boy would just mess around before all the stuff was licked off before he would actually latch on. Frustrating! A friend passed this on within my first week home and holy soft - my nipples felt brand new by the time the next feeding was up and Lukas didn't bat an eye on the taste (prob because it has marshmallow root in it!). I'm not even big into the "natural" products, but it is all-natural and only has 4 ingredients, so that's a plus. This stuff is my new go-to gift when I have a shower for new mama friends!
Love your suggestions! That was pretty much what I packed for my summer birth this past year and since I'll be there again this summer, looks like I'll be doing it again ;) I opted for cute slippers from Target that were pretty much flip flops (sans the fuzz) for the quick trips to the bathroom. Oh, and since it's your first summer baby, yes - you will prob ditch the cardigan once at home! I too lived in just the nursing tanks because>> hot Texas summer (and our A/C went out, not once but THREE times!!).
I'm going to jump on getting some of those yogas.
And no more rambling. I'm SO excited for Patton Cuatro. :)
Motherlove nipple cream is the best! Bit of sticker shock, but it's worth it. AND you can actually make something very like it at home if you're so inclined.
DeleteNipple shields. I wish i had brought my nipple shields to the hospital 2 weeks ago when i gave birth. I've never put on a swipe of makeup at the hospital, but i am not normally a big makeup wearer.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much wore that exact outfit from right after labor until now, my daughter is now 4 months old. If I still had the mesh panties, I'd be rocking those, too. We also brought snacks and they were awesome for my husband while I was in labor for 22 hours and for me to eat the second my baby was out.
ReplyDeleteI love these posts! I'm due with my first in July and feel like the minimalist, you don't need to bring everything you own advice is super helpful. Also, the closer it gets, the more clueless I feel about what I need to bring or buy before baby comes. And, since you've done this 3 times, I feel like you probably dispense more useful advice than most!
ReplyDeleteI needed extra clothes/pajamas for sleeping in. The first night or two, I sweat buckets at night because I was losing all that water weight. I would wake up drenched so I changed clothes more than once a night. Also, I prefer a skirt or dress over pants for those first few days. There is so much leakage going on and since I spent so much time sitting in the hospital bed, I would just hike it up and put a sheet over my lower half so that any leaks were going on the bed pad rather than my clothes.
ReplyDeleteI mean a skirt or dress in LIEU of pants... not literally a skirt or dress over a pair of pants. Just to clarify!
DeleteWow, you stay as long as possible? Gah, that would make me nuts. Last time I made my OB promise to release me at 2 days (post c-section) if there were no major issues. And I push myself with the walking and independence as soon as they let me out of bed.
ReplyDeleteBite your fashion pride and purchase/pack granny panties. For my first, I just packed my same old undies, but bikini panties hit right on a c-section incision and it's just intolerable.
I have a history of my milk coming in early, a hand pump in this case is invaluable for relieving engorgement. I forgot mine last time (baby arrived 3 weeks early and I wasn't packed) and really regretted it, even though I was only in the hospital for 48 hours.
haha - I must just have really exceptional hospital experiences compared to some?? and once I'm home it's just me and the wolves so I really enjoy the break :)
Deleteand -- thanks for the c-section point!! I should've addressed that (not that I have any experience there thus far!!)
Most hospitals give away free hand pumps if you ask. Typically the nice expensive ones like medela or ameda :)
DeleteOh AMEN to granny panties. Black granny panties (we call them undies here in Australia, but panties will do).
DeleteAnd mercy yes, stay as long as possible. even longer.
xx
First baby was in the hospital room that could have been a 4 star hotel room + medical equipment. My OB came in to round and found me prowling around my room like a caged animal. One of the big cat variety. Wise man that he is, he asked if I wanted to go home.
DeleteBaby #2 was in the ghetto hospital with entirely inedible food and the only thing that got me through was my OB's solemn word that she would let me go home at 48 hours if everyone was okay. It was that bad.
I would add granny panties! The mesh panties are really not comfy.
ReplyDeleteWater bottle for the unquenchable thirst that comes from those nearly days of nursing. Sure the hospital will fill up your pink plastic mug but sometimes ( all the time) you can't wait for the nurses to come. For my third baby the big pre labor splurge was a fancy new water bottle that actually keeps water really cold ( July baby) and I could tuck it in bed right between me and that sweet new bundle and seriously it was the greatest idea in ever had
ReplyDeleteWith my first my husband was SO anxious to get out of there that the following morning (!!) he was asking when we were leaving. This time I'll have a map drawn from the hospital to our house where he is welcome to take himself and sleep in his own bed if he likes, should he get the urge to suggest that again. He can handle our toddler for two days/nights if I can do it for a year and a half and she's still alive and reasonably adjusted.
ReplyDeleteToiletries. Hospital toiletries are awful. I sooooo agree on target nursing tanks and lansinoh breast pads. They are the best out there.
ReplyDeleteWow, I missed the bottom of your list where you had toiletries.
DeleteI totally brought a big bag of swedish fish for my last birth thinking my husband would need some energy food while I was in labor. Then my baby came after only 20 minutes at the hospital and I ended up scarfing down all the swedish fish during the rest of our hospital stay. Definitely a necessity on my list. Face wipes were another one of my favorite items I packed. And, chargers- don't forget your chargers!!!
ReplyDeleteHa this happened to me too. We had a 2lb bag of twizzlers along with a mountain of other snacks and we were only in L&D for 45 minutes or so...they sure hit the spot at 2am the next night though.
DeleteWe forgot a blanket with baby number 3 too and had to take the hospital one too! I actually had it laid out in the car seat but my fleece-blanket addicted kids (they each have 3 in their crib/bed) stole it before Joe brought the car seat to the hospital. And I totally agree with this list...for me musthaves are make up, face wipes, and slippers. And I always forget how dry and cold hospital rooms are til I am there. And in addition to saying yes to pacifiers I let the baby go to the nursery as much as possible at night so I can rest before coming home to the crazy kids :).
ReplyDeleteI had a no-time-for-an-epi natural labor this time. Wow. My first was a marathon after my water broke without contractions, so I was unprepared for that. Had brought cheap slippers for the hubs, so he could throw them away if he stepped in the bloodbath like he did with our first - he still had his jacket on when she arrived. Snacks, prunes, and chargers are the essentials. Also bring an extra take home outfit in a larger size if you have a behemoth.
ReplyDeleteMouthwash. Maybe it's only a natural labor thing, but my mouth (and breath) always gets kind of funky during labor. A swish n spit helps keep everybody happy. (Sorry to be gross, but, really, very little about the birth process is not kind of gross!)
ReplyDeleteChargers!! Bring all your chargers for all your things or you will be a very sad panda when all your devices die and you can no longer take 8000 pictures and text them to everyone you know. Not that I would know....ahem....
ReplyDeleteMusic!! It's invaluable!
ReplyDeleteI like extra pajamas for me and I err on the side of an extra outfit for the baby. I've had too many times where I dressed the baby and then the checkout took forever and the outfit got ruined by a diaper disaster. I go natural, so I can't comment on the epidural but I'm a firm believer on going whichever way feels best for the mother. And I'm so happy to hear you talk about staying in the hospital for the maximum time - all my friends are anxious to get home as soon as possible and I'm the opposite. Especially when there are others at home. I like the "me" time with just the new baby and once you're on baby #2-3-4, I find that the nurses generally leave you alone.
ReplyDeleteFor the first day in the hospital I prefer a nightgown over yoga pants just because I feel like I was checked a zillion times and pants are just too much for me to deal with. I am also firmly in the "steal as many mesh panties as you can" camp- I know they're polarizing but I LOVED them.
ReplyDeleteI also bring two coming home outfits for baby- I only brought a 0-3 month size for my first, and it was gigantic on her! So now I also bring a newborn size just in case... (unless everyone does that- i feel like all the advice I read said to just bring 0-3).
Also, DO NOT listen to any nurse who suggests that you don't need the Colace after you have used the bathroom once. Girl, you NEED the Colace for a considerable while..... at least I do! TMI, but it might save someone!
A big canvas bag for all of the freebies! I'm not advocating the stealing of the loot, but at least at my hospital, anything that was in an opened package would have to be thrown away! So we took the diapers, wipes, mesh undies, ice packs, water cup, plastic bins (perfect for washing bottles + pump parts), etc. We were told to take anything and everything except for the linens, so we did. We also got lots of random things from lactation consultants and other hospital staff, like pumps and pamphlets, so it was nice to have an extra place to put all of that!
ReplyDeletemy pillow from home! the hospital bed and pillows seem so hot to me due to the vinyl covers.
ReplyDeleteand an extra long phone charger.
my pillow from home! the hospital bed and pillows seem so hot to me due to the vinyl covers.
ReplyDeleteand an extra long phone charger.
Extra bags for carrying all the stuff you collect somehow! A couple sizes of going home clothes for baby--mine was born already too big for the newborn thing I brought! The hospital ice packs are heavenly! I couldn't really walk much less change clothes and didn't shower til the day I left! Y'all are making me feel like a slob, but... Trues true.
ReplyDeleteI hated the hospital food so I was eating lara bars a lot, and drinking all the fluids I could get my hands on, so bottled water is a good idea!
Oh my gosh. FORGET the mesh undies. A friend of mine told me to get Depends and quite frankly I am so glad she did. I only wish I had thrown those bad boys on immediately after delivery instead of deal with the mesh nasties for the first 24/48 hours. I'm not going into the lovely details of all that could go wrong with those mesh panties but ... yeah. Next time, Depends immediately.
ReplyDeleteSECONDED! Depends are absolutely essential post partum gear for me now.
DeleteNIPPLE CREAM. (So glad you mentioned this)
ReplyDeleteI now buy this as a baby gift for all expectant moms I know.
I would choose to forget my underwear and entire suitcase over forgetting my nipple cream the first few days...
I had my babies SOOOO long ago that my list included change for the pay phone. Not joking. Also... my nurses were sticklers on *must wear a bra at all times* something about the milk coming in but I don't remember exactly. Our pastor and his wife were visiting after baby number 3 - they had not had a child yet, we were friends from way back in school so they were super informal and casual and just hung out for awhile - that is until Pastor started going through my gifts and found the box of giant ice maxi pads and pulled one out to investigate. He turned shades of red that I didn't know existed! They made a hasty exit after that.
ReplyDeleteWipes?!? Our hospital never had wipes, just these pink dry towel things that sucked at cleaning up the first tar poo. I would recommend finding out what the hospital has available. The mesh undies are the bomb! NO ONE told me about them and I ripped stitches laughing so hard at them. Good Times... Love your list!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely bring breath mints (or a dental rinse you can spit out) for bad labor and delivery breath that every mom gets and your favorite lip balm or Chapstick for chapped lips!
ReplyDeleteYou should do the 7 posts in 7 days… it's getting ebarassing how often I keep looking for new posts…
ReplyDeleteAlso, I second the bring your pillow from home!!
ReplyDeletelook, i'm just here to say you're a flipping babe. To me, your an expert and life (and humour).
ReplyDeleteI know you said nursing pads, and perhaps you were being tasteful by neglecting to mention maternity pads, but please ladies, do NOT go into hospital without them. Lots of them.
as you were, babe face.
Love the bag! Anorak was started by our friends in the UK!! Great stuff!!
ReplyDeleteI like your list, and I'm going in for #5 in June, so it's good to have reminders!
ReplyDeleteMaybe somebody already mentioned this, but don't let this be the one time you forget your phone -- bring that with you so you can call everyone who wants to know that you had the little munchkin. A charger, too, if you're going to be there for a while. (Chargers for other electronics are also helpful, too.)
Don't forget your baby carseat, either, because they won't let you leave without it.
Also, a friend of mine who is more organized than I am gave me a folder to take to the hospital with one of my kids. This was SUPER helpful, because they insist on giving you ALL KINDS of paperwork, as if you're in any position to keep track of that. But if you just take it and stuff it in your folder, you can then sort out later whether it's anything you should actually care about.
My sister always recommends taking a post-it pad and marker so that you can put notes on your door, such as, "DO NOT DISTURB UNTIL 4 A.M." because of the lovely experience of having people promise to leave her alone to sleep for 3 hours straight before they took her blood pressure again, then show up again after 1.5 hours, which is NOT 3 hours, "just to check on her."
A very thick body lotion. My skin was a dry mess after I had my baby.
ReplyDelete