Wow! Its almost been three months since the hubby and I made our way to the hospital to welcome Teagan into the world! Since then I've found out a BUNCH of my friends and SISTER is due this year!! Since my sister is due in the next couple months I thought I'd make a list of what I ACTUALLY used while we were at the hospital. There are a BUNCH of lists out there and I went off them but didn't use everything... so here's what I like as a bear minimum.
We were only in the hospital for the minimum required 24 hours after a birth because I was SO TIRED of all the doctors and nurses coming in and doing all the checks and wanted some sleep! Also I have the philosophy of if it's not medically necessary for me to be there then I wont waste a bed! I did pack for another day's worth of clothing but didn't end up needing those clothes. Plus we were lucky enough to be only 25 minutes from the hospital so anything I needed I sent the hubby to bring back after checking in on the dogs.
Must have packing list for the hospital (this is in mind for a regular birth with a normal 48 hour stay after baby is born, if you have a planned C section or plan on staying longer, just pack more clothes!):
***All the paperwork you’ll need for the hospital***
·
IDs
·
Insurance info
·
Birth plan (I brought mine but never took it
out, I just made sure my hubby was aware of my wishes)
FOR MOM
Toiletries travel sized everything! No need to bring a whole
bottle of shampoo unless you are sharing with all the other moms in the
hospital!
·
Toothbrush
·
Toothpaste
·
Facewash (I bought a pack of the face wipes)
·
Makeup- if you feel like getting dolled up (I
brought mine, but never wore it!)
·
Hairbrush and hair ties (feels so good to have
your hair brushed, and no one wants hair in their face while they are pushing a
baby out and when trying to learn to breast feed!)
·
CHAPSTICK! (all the huffing and puffing dries
out the lips!)
·
Shampoo, conditioner, bodywash (whatever you
need for a shower, I actually packed a couple sample packs that I got for free and it was the perfect amount!)
·
Big fluffy towel (hospital towels are better for
a foot mat.. they are so thin!
·
Deodorant- you WILL sweat!
·
Glasses/
contacts & solution
·
nipple cream – they should give you some at the
hospital (sample sized) but good to have on hand just in case!
Clothes (If you are planning for a C-Section double these
items!)
·
Nursing bra – I wore this out of the hospital (a
little more support, but no underwire until your doctor clears you and your
milk comes in… underwire is the #1 cause of mastitis and you don’t need to deal
with that when you are figuring out how to nurse!)
·
Nursing tank top – I wore this in the hospital,
with all the doctors/nurses/lactation specialist looking at your chest this
gives you a little more coverage, plus the tank top holds your belly in a
little bit more!
·
Pajamas- I wore these after birth, in the
hospital, comfort before fashion for me! (I didn’t allow any visitors in the
hospital so I had no one to impress)
·
Fuzzy socks- just because who doesn’t love fuzzy
socks!? Plus hospitals are cold!
·
Loose fitting sweater/robe- preferably a button
down or zipper for easy access to nurse.
·
Outfit home- I did yoga pants and a loose
fitting shirt- you don’t want anything too tight around your belly or your
under parts (lady diapers give a little extra padding)
·
*optional- pack of cheap undies you don’t mind
throwing out, don’t bing your nice undies in case you leak through!
Breast feeding pillow- You’ll thank me, it’s so helpful when
you’re figuring out a latch you don’t have to worry about your arm falling off
from being tired
FOR DAD
·
a couple sets of comfy clothes, I’d recommend
sweats and loose fitting shirt for the labor process (that way if he needs to
climb into bed and support you during labor tight jeans wont get in the way)
and more normal after – although a button down will be great to add so he can
do the kangaroo hold with your newborn J
·
Extra blanket and PILLOW (hospitals seem to be
REALLY low on these) for the very uncomfortable couch bed
·
Snacks and money for the vending machine – the
more snacks you pack the less you’ll have to get from the vending machine!
·
Any toiletries you aren’t willing to share with
him.
ENTERTAINMENT &
Extras
·
Laptop/tablet and charger – bring some dvds with
you… after the baby is born or if labor is taking a while you’ll have some down
time
·
Camera and charger
·
Cell phone and charger (your call list too for
who to call after the baby arrives!)
·
Baby book (we brought our so they could do the
footprints for us, just keep the page out and bookmarked!)
·
SNACKS!! Pack lots! Vending machine snacks suck…
plus they are expensive, yes the hospital will give you three meals a day, but
when you want a twix… yeah they wont bring you one!
·
Any other items you have for the birthing
process (if you are going at it all natural: things like your heating pad, massage
wand, essential oils etc.)
FOR BABY
·
Car seat- they wont let you take your baby home
without one!
·
Diaper bag- you really don’t need too much
because they provide SO MUCH at the hospital… here’s what we actually used:
o A
couple gowns that open from the bottom
o Going
home outfit
o Diapers
and wipes
o Muslin
blanket
o Hand
sanitizer
o Changing
pad
Make sure you take
home all the freebies they give you!!!
Some things to have AT HOME will be my next post!!
Until next time!
Bre and Teagan
No comments:
Post a Comment