I have some friends who in the process of growing babies, and some others who are in the process of thinking about it. One friend recently asked me what might be good to take to the hospital for the baby, which got me thinking about what I did (and didn't) pack for our hospital stay with Evelyn.
There are tons of lists available all over the place if you poke around online. They'll all tell you different things. I started with a list from our Bradley Birth workbook, which included the following items. I tweaked some of them and only included here the ones I thought were good:
In the Car
- chux pads (super handy to have these around after you get home too)
- pillow (with plastic bag under pillow case so it's waterproof)
- small basin (for the puking! Oh, the puking...)
- 2 large, clean, old towels
- clean blanket
- two tennis balls wrapped in a tube sock (can put against lower back against the seat as you sit to give yourself some counterpressure/massage on the drive)
- full gas tank
- safely installed car seat (go to your local fire station or other inspection place and have them check it!)
I had this all in a bag and ready in the car, but because I was induced, we didn't use any of this. But if you're actually in labor and on your way to the hospital, it's good stuff to have!
For Mom:
- birth coach
- nightgown
- flip flops (hospital bathrooms/showers are icky)
- nursing tanks
- warm socks
- your favorite pillow or two, with colorful and soft pillow cases
- hair bands, bobby pins, etc.
- chapstick
- personal toiletries
- yoga pants
- cardigan
- comfortable, big cotton underwear
For Coach:
- insurance cards
- IDs for you and mom
- copies of birth plan
- treats to take to nurse's stations (two sets of treats - one for labor nurses and one for maternity)
- lotion (unscented or a scent mom can tolerate for massage during labor)
- tennis balls for back rubs
- music and portable player (hospital might have this - we brought our ipod and sound dock)
- soft washcloths
- small cooler with nourishing liquids for mom in labor (I liked gatorade), and snacks for you and mom
- flex straws
- personal toiletries
- something to time contractions
- swim trunks if there might be some tub laboring
- changes of clothes (prepare for all "weather" situations - our room sometimes got cranked up to 80 if I had the chills, or down to the 60s if I was hot)
- phone and charger
- laptop and charger
- camera and extra batteries/charger
- video camera
For Baby
- 1 outfit to wear home
- 1 alternative outfit to wear home
- kimono style undershirts with hand covers built in
- newborn pants with feet attached
- several receiving blankets
- baby book for footprints
Now, let's get a little bit specific. Jonathan can attest to the fact that I always pack my own stuff last. Packing our hospital bags was no exception. I made sure to pack all of his stuff, with multiple changes of clothes, extra boxers, etc. only to find that I only packed one pair of pants and one nursing tank for myself. Not good! I also didn't take the right things for Evelyn. I had one of those long gowns and a hat for her to wear home, and I realized on the day that we were going to have to go to the hospital that she was going to need something with legs for the carseat. I stopped at the boutique at the Birth Center and grabbed some footed pants that were WAY too big, but at least it was something!
So, in retrospect, here's what i really wish I'd taken. Next time I'll have all my bases covered just in case I have to go to the hospital for a birth again...
1. My own hospital gown. I know, I know. I thought it was ridiculous too when I looked at "designer" hospital gowns. And some people are happy as clams in the hospital-issue gowns. I didn't really want to be in the hospital in the first place, so everything that felt and smelled like hospital made me feel kinda icky. Next time I probably will spring for my own sturdy, "cute" gown that I can wash at home and take with me.
2. A simple, thick, comfortable headband. And I'll grow my hair long enough to put in a ponytail before I go into labor. Because when I had Evelyn, my hair was at that horrible length that's not long enough to stay up in a ponytail, so I was left begging Jonathan to just hold it up during labor and then cursing the frizzy mess I had the rest of the time I was in the hospital. This sounds really trite along with number 1 there, but it's just me. I am happier when I feel like my hair is not frizzed to the max and I'm in clothes that feel and smell good. I feel good. I wouldn't go so far as to say that you need makeup in the hospital, but some little things that can make you feel good about yourself are important.
3. Cute newborn-sized hats for that lil' newborn noggin. Hospital caps are thin and generic. Next time I'm going to make a few for the baby and take them along.
4. Newborn-sized pants with feet! Curses on little baby socks. Footed pants are the way to go if you don't want to chase after socks all day long.
5. Receiving blankets. The hospital ones are... adequate... but what you really want is a big square blanket. Or five. Some thick, some thin. You're going to learn to swaddle that little bean and a square blanket is the way to do it.
6. Long-sleeved kimono-style newborn-sized shirts. I like the shirt and pants idea because their little belly buttons aren't healed yet, and this lets the stump air out a bit and not get rubbed too much. Plus these shirts are just adorable and really easy to get on and off. And they have built-in mitten cuffs. Hooray! Oh, also, the hospital told us to only bring clothes to take Evelyn home in and so we did. But it turns out that all they had to dress her in during her stay were hats and WAY too big kimono shirts. Lame. I'm going to take a few simple and small enough to fit outfits with us next time.
7. Fun, colorful pillowcases on at least two of your favorite pillows. Don't bring white because you'll get them mixed up with the hospital's stuff. And remember that they'll be in a ton of pictures with you and the wee one, so choose your favorite design accordingly.
8. Nursing tanks! Don't futz with bras. Go with tanks. And make sure you like them. I can't say enough good things about the Bravado tanks. At close to fifty bucks a pop, they do break the bank a bit, but oh how they're worth it. The flaps come down entirely, rather than just coming down to reveal a circle through which you nurse (as Target tanks and most other do). That might not make sense until you really look at nursing tanks, but I promise. If you have any sort of fullness in your chest (and you will, with milk), go for the Bravado. They are thick and high quality and worth it. And they come in really big sizes for the really well-endowed.
9. Cardigans. Comfortable ones. Because at times your room will be a tropical jungle (e.g., during baby's first bath when she's naked and the room needs to be warm), and at times it will be extra chilly (e.g., if you married a Polar Bear, like me). Be prepared.
10. Yoga pants. Not tight, but also not too flowy and loose. And when you're spending all that time sitting in bed, try to sit with your legs out straight rather than criss-crossed like I did for the first three days. It'll help with the healing.
-----------------------
So there you have it. A packing list, another packing list, and extra tidbits thrown in for good luck. What other things do you wish you had (or hadn't) taken to the hospital, experienced moms?
There are tons of lists available all over the place if you poke around online. They'll all tell you different things. I started with a list from our Bradley Birth workbook, which included the following items. I tweaked some of them and only included here the ones I thought were good:
In the Car
- chux pads (super handy to have these around after you get home too)
- pillow (with plastic bag under pillow case so it's waterproof)
- small basin (for the puking! Oh, the puking...)
- 2 large, clean, old towels
- clean blanket
- two tennis balls wrapped in a tube sock (can put against lower back against the seat as you sit to give yourself some counterpressure/massage on the drive)
- full gas tank
- safely installed car seat (go to your local fire station or other inspection place and have them check it!)
I had this all in a bag and ready in the car, but because I was induced, we didn't use any of this. But if you're actually in labor and on your way to the hospital, it's good stuff to have!
For Mom:
- birth coach
- nightgown
- flip flops (hospital bathrooms/showers are icky)
- nursing tanks
- warm socks
- your favorite pillow or two, with colorful and soft pillow cases
- hair bands, bobby pins, etc.
- chapstick
- personal toiletries
- yoga pants
- cardigan
- comfortable, big cotton underwear
For Coach:
- insurance cards
- IDs for you and mom
- copies of birth plan
- treats to take to nurse's stations (two sets of treats - one for labor nurses and one for maternity)
- lotion (unscented or a scent mom can tolerate for massage during labor)
- tennis balls for back rubs
- music and portable player (hospital might have this - we brought our ipod and sound dock)
- soft washcloths
- small cooler with nourishing liquids for mom in labor (I liked gatorade), and snacks for you and mom
- flex straws
- personal toiletries
- something to time contractions
- swim trunks if there might be some tub laboring
- changes of clothes (prepare for all "weather" situations - our room sometimes got cranked up to 80 if I had the chills, or down to the 60s if I was hot)
- phone and charger
- laptop and charger
- camera and extra batteries/charger
- video camera
For Baby
- 1 outfit to wear home
- 1 alternative outfit to wear home
- kimono style undershirts with hand covers built in
- newborn pants with feet attached
- several receiving blankets
- baby book for footprints
Now, let's get a little bit specific. Jonathan can attest to the fact that I always pack my own stuff last. Packing our hospital bags was no exception. I made sure to pack all of his stuff, with multiple changes of clothes, extra boxers, etc. only to find that I only packed one pair of pants and one nursing tank for myself. Not good! I also didn't take the right things for Evelyn. I had one of those long gowns and a hat for her to wear home, and I realized on the day that we were going to have to go to the hospital that she was going to need something with legs for the carseat. I stopped at the boutique at the Birth Center and grabbed some footed pants that were WAY too big, but at least it was something!
So, in retrospect, here's what i really wish I'd taken. Next time I'll have all my bases covered just in case I have to go to the hospital for a birth again...
1. My own hospital gown. I know, I know. I thought it was ridiculous too when I looked at "designer" hospital gowns. And some people are happy as clams in the hospital-issue gowns. I didn't really want to be in the hospital in the first place, so everything that felt and smelled like hospital made me feel kinda icky. Next time I probably will spring for my own sturdy, "cute" gown that I can wash at home and take with me.
2. A simple, thick, comfortable headband. And I'll grow my hair long enough to put in a ponytail before I go into labor. Because when I had Evelyn, my hair was at that horrible length that's not long enough to stay up in a ponytail, so I was left begging Jonathan to just hold it up during labor and then cursing the frizzy mess I had the rest of the time I was in the hospital. This sounds really trite along with number 1 there, but it's just me. I am happier when I feel like my hair is not frizzed to the max and I'm in clothes that feel and smell good. I feel good. I wouldn't go so far as to say that you need makeup in the hospital, but some little things that can make you feel good about yourself are important.
3. Cute newborn-sized hats for that lil' newborn noggin. Hospital caps are thin and generic. Next time I'm going to make a few for the baby and take them along.
4. Newborn-sized pants with feet! Curses on little baby socks. Footed pants are the way to go if you don't want to chase after socks all day long.
5. Receiving blankets. The hospital ones are... adequate... but what you really want is a big square blanket. Or five. Some thick, some thin. You're going to learn to swaddle that little bean and a square blanket is the way to do it.
6. Long-sleeved kimono-style newborn-sized shirts. I like the shirt and pants idea because their little belly buttons aren't healed yet, and this lets the stump air out a bit and not get rubbed too much. Plus these shirts are just adorable and really easy to get on and off. And they have built-in mitten cuffs. Hooray! Oh, also, the hospital told us to only bring clothes to take Evelyn home in and so we did. But it turns out that all they had to dress her in during her stay were hats and WAY too big kimono shirts. Lame. I'm going to take a few simple and small enough to fit outfits with us next time.
7. Fun, colorful pillowcases on at least two of your favorite pillows. Don't bring white because you'll get them mixed up with the hospital's stuff. And remember that they'll be in a ton of pictures with you and the wee one, so choose your favorite design accordingly.
8. Nursing tanks! Don't futz with bras. Go with tanks. And make sure you like them. I can't say enough good things about the Bravado tanks. At close to fifty bucks a pop, they do break the bank a bit, but oh how they're worth it. The flaps come down entirely, rather than just coming down to reveal a circle through which you nurse (as Target tanks and most other do). That might not make sense until you really look at nursing tanks, but I promise. If you have any sort of fullness in your chest (and you will, with milk), go for the Bravado. They are thick and high quality and worth it. And they come in really big sizes for the really well-endowed.
9. Cardigans. Comfortable ones. Because at times your room will be a tropical jungle (e.g., during baby's first bath when she's naked and the room needs to be warm), and at times it will be extra chilly (e.g., if you married a Polar Bear, like me). Be prepared.
10. Yoga pants. Not tight, but also not too flowy and loose. And when you're spending all that time sitting in bed, try to sit with your legs out straight rather than criss-crossed like I did for the first three days. It'll help with the healing.
-----------------------
So there you have it. A packing list, another packing list, and extra tidbits thrown in for good luck. What other things do you wish you had (or hadn't) taken to the hospital, experienced moms?
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