what are the essentials to bring for mom and baby. we are going to do the bunting thing for the carseat instead of a baby coat.

Going home outfits for both of you. You'll want to wear something comfy.. (I wore a comfy lounge type dress because I couldn't stand anything touching my incision) Your own toiletries, hairdryer and comb.. Comfy slippers.. SOCKS for you and baby. Carseat, diaper bag, baby book (I filled out quite a bit of DD's while I was in the hospital)

Extra comfy clothes for you, because you won't want to wear anything with buttons. :no
Your own pads ( the hospital ones blow)
I am sure i will think of other things, my hamster is taking a nap

Extra comfy clothes for you, because you won't want to wear anything with buttons. :no
Your own pads ( the hospital ones blow)
I am sure i will think of other things, my hamster is taking a nap

Pads are a necessity! The hospital ones don't have any adhesive.. you'll also want tons of extra underwear, the mesh ones the hospital provides SUCK!

ok thanks ladies

ok thanks ladies

Have you taken a tour of L&D yet?

I guess Im the oddball....I liked the hostpial panites and pads...I also had a C-section so thier mesh panties went above my incision, all mine are bikini style so they hurt.

I took PJs because I wanted to be as comfy as possible. Take some clothes for the baby to wear home. Shampoo, conditioner, brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, hair ties, house shoes, nursing bra and pads, pacifier for baby if you want to use one, thats all I can think of for now.

not yet. they have me a week behind on my appts because the baby is about a week small so though conception date puts her at 28 weeks but the growth size is about 27 weeks. i don't want some froofy list that i can get offline but what you ladies have used :)

I used:

socks
my pillow
a robe
a comfy tshirt & pants/sweats

and then just your normal toiletries.

I brought my own pads, but I liked the hospital ones better b/c they were long & bulky...:lol I wasn't bleeding like a maniac, so it worked for me b/c they absorbed well and I didn't have to constantly be changing them. I didn't mind the panties either. They were easy to get on and off when I'd use the bathroom.

i posted a huge post about this awhile back, let me find it :)

http://forum.militarysos.com/showthread.php?t=88291&highlight=hospital

thanks bex :)

I used:

socks
my pillow
a robe
a comfy tshirt & pants/sweats

and then just your normal toiletries.

I brought my own pads, but I liked the hospital ones better b/c they were long & bulky...:lol I wasn't bleeding like a maniac, so it worked for me b/c they absorbed well and I didn't have to constantly be changing them. I didn't mind the panties either. They were easy to get on and off when I'd use the bathroom.


Oh yes, a robe is a must! My mom bought mine and matching house shoes as part of my shower gift.

I had comfy granny panties during my pregnancy, so I wore them and regular pads.. and I also placed a pad in the front (long ways) across my incision in the hospital. That and the binder they gave me made me feel so much better.

i just have to agree with the underwear and pads. I actually ended up wearing Depends because they were the only things that didn't leak. You may want to pick up a pack, just in case.

(are you having a c-section? Some of the replies seem like you are, so sorry if I missed a post!)

I know I'll think of more...

With my first baby the epi and IV made me swell a lot so I could only fit into the hospital panties for about two days. but they were very comfy and easy to put on. I also loved the ice packs for sitting on.

I recommend bring an outift to go home in for you, should be maternity size still. Most women do not shrink that much right after birth. And some (like me) are a bit puffier for a couple of days. Going home out fit for baby and toiletries. You can fit everything into one duffle or over night suit case. There are not a lot of needs in the hospital. With my first I paked way too much stuff because I followed some lists and well it was just silly. Have fun.

I took a suitcase for me and a bag for Ava.
I took shampoo, conditioner, soap, pads
Socks, a pair of clothes, but I ended up wearing the same clothes I wore in. lol! underwear and houseshoes. I also took her baby book and some crossword puzzles. Also in my suitcase I had my birthplan and phone numbers just in case dh forgot his copies. lol!
In Ava's bag I brought two blankets, hat, booties, diapers (just in case) wipes (just in case) and her going home outfit. Dh brought the car seat in before we left.

I brought panties and pads, but mainly I used theirs. They have these mesh panties and extra huge pads with no sticky. lol!

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. RAZOR!! Your own pads..however, I too like the hospital mesh undies...they were very loose and did not hurt my incision. Loose nightgowns (although the hospital stuff isn't that bad), robe, socks and slippers. Magazines/books, announcements/baby book and ipod/etc. A couple of baby outfits in different sizes and your outfit (an outfit from your 4-6 month mark maternity wardrobe works well...lol). A dress is a GREAT option...I came out looking like I was 6-8 mos pregnant for the first week so be prepared for the possibility of not being able to fit into anything.

what size bag/suitcase did you bring? i'm thinking of just like a gym bag size

I didn't wear my own gown either I wore hospital gowns,and just my robe and house shoes. How could I forget, telling her to take a razor. Yep take that too! lol!

I just brought a small suitcase. a Gym bag would work

lots of socks are a must! *TMI ALERT* you are going to be moving slow so when you shuffle across the floor to get to the bathroom change your pad and your pad leaks cuz you are too slow you are going to want to change them..sick i know but its true...i must have been at a good hospital..they had soap and shampoo and the pads there rocked they were huge but they held well and they also had iced ones that you rotated and they also had stickies and the mesh panties rock!

My packing list(what i took):
change of clothes for dh (he was there pretty much the whole time)
going home clothes for me and baby
ipod
tennis balls to rub my back during labor
pads
toothpaste and tooth brush
soaps
makeup (for pics and day home)
slippers
socks
panties and bras

My packing list(what i used):
change of clothes for dh
going home clothes
toothpaste and toothbrush
makeup
slippers
socks
bras

my biggest recommendation is everything you need for the day home and not for the stay goes in your diaper bag or at least a seperate bag and then you can leave it in the trunk and the day you leave send your dh to go get that and the car seat..that way you have less to lug up when you are in labor you will be moving from triage to delivery to post partum you take it all up at once and something could get lost!

hope i was some help!

lots of socks are a must! *TMI ALERT* you are going to be moving slow so when you shuffle across the floor to get to the bathroom change your pad and your pad leaks cuz you are too slow you are going to want to change them..sick i know but its true...i must have been at a good hospital..they had soap and shampoo and the pads there rocked they were huge but they held well and they also had iced ones that you rotated and they also had stickies and the mesh panties rock!

My packing list(what i took):
change of clothes for dh (he was there pretty much the whole time)
going home clothes for me and baby
ipod
tennis balls to rub my back during labor
pads
toothpaste and tooth brush
soaps
makeup (for pics and day home)
slippers
socks
panties and bras

My packing list(what i used):
change of clothes for dh
going home clothes
toothpaste and toothbrush
makeup
slippers
socks
bras

my biggest recommendation is everything you need for the day home and not for the stay goes in your diaper bag or at least a seperate bag and then you can leave it in the trunk and the day you leave send your dh to go get that and the car seat..that way you have less to lug up when you are in labor you will be moving from triage to delivery to post partum you take it all up at once and something could get lost!

hope i was some help!

that's a great tip thank you

I took make up too! lol! I guess I had a big bag! lol! I loved the mesh panties. The hospital I was at had shampoo and soap, but I just like my stuff that was why I took it.

I didn't bring that much... a couple blankets and outfits for the baby, a couple shirts and pants for me, loose fitting underwear so it didn't bother my incision, toiletries, chapstick, purse with makeup and cell phone, and I think that was about it. You're usually only there for a day or two so you won't need a ton of stuff. Just mainly comfort items that you want.

Gym Bag with: Clothes to go home in, PJs, Socks, slippers, travel size shamp/cond, razor, facewash, book, address book, other stuff cant remember. I liked the hospital pads and undies because I had a C and was bleeding profusely. Didn't want to ruin my own stuff either.

We took a baby bag. They provide diapers, but you will need wipes. Clothes, mittens so the baby won't scratch herself, and socks and clothes. Hat too, but tand wouldn't wear his.

I bought pads but the ones at the hospital I ended up loving more lol. Bring emery board because the baby will need those finger nails done :lol. Also bring something loose in case you end up having a section. I bought jeans and had to send DH out. Also I would definetly bring a night gown..they have some you can use there but they are open around the breast area and are really big so they always choked me when I layed down and I felt uncomfortable when people visited. Also calling card unless your cell doesn't work in the hospital...and snacks and drinks for your DH.

I am taking movies and dvds, pads, undies, lounge clothes, and a outfit to leave in...I am also bringing my own toiletries...

And then for the baby, some diapers, wipes, clothes, and the essentials.

oh yeah DVD's saved my DH :lol

i'm thinking my ipod, some dvds, really soft lounge pants for going home, nursing bras, some slide on sneakers (i hear your feet swell afterwards), going home outfit for her, socks for her, hat for her, wipes, maybe some diapers, lots of socks for me, some pads for me, cell phone, maybe some nightgowns for afterwards

ETA: toiletries and a brush of course

For me this was our list:
For me(but it all went in the same bag)
change of clothes for db(2 pairs plus underwear and socks)
clothes to come home in(I brought maternity pants and a t-shirt that was bigger)
shampoo
conditioner
soap
rasor
toothbrush
toothpaste
brush
makeup
dvd's for after my epidural so we could pass some time
digital camera
disposable camera since you never know when digitals will fail or mess up the pics
an outfit for pics at the hospital for austin
going home outfit
another nursing bra and nursing pads
couple of onsies
a hat to go home for him
2 receiving blankets
socks for me and for austin

I ended up using the hospital gown since if it got wet from my colostrum or if i leaked off my pad i could just change my gown there and they were free. I also used their robes since I only used it to go get meals and to walk for an hour or so to get labor going. I also LOVED their pads and the mesh panties hell I took extra home and the pads because they made me feel VERY secure instead of worrying I was leaking EVERYWHERE. But that's me our hospital has nice stuff.

makeup & hairbrush help you to feel pretty also-I know that sounds silly but its true:yes

I guess Im the oddball....I liked the hostpial panites and pads...I also had a C-section so thier mesh panties went above my incision, all mine are bikini style so they hurt.

I was the same way! My mom worked at the hospital so I got her to give me more of the panties and I wore them for a few days at home just because they didn't rub my incision.

i'm thinking my ipod, some dvds, really soft lounge pants for going home, nursing bras, some slide on sneakers (i hear your feet swell afterwards), going home outfit for her, socks for her, hat for her, wipes, maybe some diapers, lots of socks for me, some pads for me, cell phone, maybe some nightgowns for afterwards

ETA: toiletries and a brush of course

If your hospital is anything like ours was I wouldn't worry about diapers and wipes. Ours gave us PLENTY and even after our stay there were a lot left to bring home.

My daughter was 6 weeks early so i wasnt even prepared or anything when i went to the hospital...but you definately wont comfy clothes and tooth brush and stuff like that...everything else really depends how long you'll be there...i had a c section so i was there for 3 days...my cousin had hers naturally and was released with in 24 hours.

Don't wear your nightgowns when you leak (you bleed a lot after giving birth it is normal BUT can get messy) you don't want to get blood on your nice things wear the hospital gows and let them do the washing up,
Pads, (I liked the hospital mesh panties and the HUGE pads so use those and ask for more!)
clothes for the ride home (bring maternity clothes they will fit better and be more comfy on)
make up for the trip home if you want,
shampoo,
conditioner,
toothbrush,
body wash,
nursing bras,
spare under pants because you will leak,
tooth paste,
lanolin for your nipples,
hair bands to put your hair up,
hard candy to suck on during labor,
chap stick in case your lips get dry,
slippers,
anything else you want with you during labor,

For baby:
Going home outfit,
blanket,
and anything else weather wise you might need

DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THE CAR SEAT THAT WAS NOT IN THE BOX OR MADE BY THE CAR SEAT MAKER FOR YOUR SEAT. That includes bunting that goes under the baby. It will void your warranty in the event the seat fails.

Have your DH go and start the car and meet you and the baby at the patient drop off area. You wait with the baby inside the doors. Then when you see him pull up with the car go out and put the baby in. The baby will be fine with a hat, mittens and blanket over her for the brief moment outside.

the bunting we have goes around the carseat. it zips around it not under the baby at all

the bunting we have goes around the carseat. it zips around it not under the baby at all

Make sure you remove it after you put the car seat in the car you can not put anything on the car seat it voids the warranty of the seat. I don't know why they even sell all of that stuff because the car seat manufacturers say not to use it.

You wont need to bring any diapers to this hospital they have plenty. What ever you don't use make sure you bring them home. I think I brought home about 20 extra diapers. They do not have wipes here so if you don't want to use some kind of cloth ones that you have to wet then bring wipes.

You wont need to bring any diapers to this hospital they have plenty. What ever you don't use make sure you bring them home. I think I brought home about 20 extra diapers. They do not have wipes here so if you don't want to use some kind of cloth ones that you have to wet then bring wipes.

ahh thanks for the tip. we plan on using cloth ones anyway so i wouldn't mind that too much.