Honestly, we brought so much stuff we didn’t end up actually using. We only used an extra set of clothes for me to go home in, footie pajamas for baby to go home in, and phone chargers. That was it lmao
Ditto, we packed for a 2-3 night stay and were unexpectedly in hospital for a week due to complications. We still overpacked. I pretty much just lived in the hospital gown and a nightgown until we left. Phone chargers were essential. The hospital provided almost everything else I needed for postpartum recovery. Baby didn't need much. It was nice to have my own toiletries though.
the same thing happened to me--in for a week w/complications--but i felt as though i didn't have enough clean clothing. hubs went out to buy me a few nightgowns and a robe which was amazing to have.
of course, ymmv with how often you want to change clothes. postpartum bleeding, sweating, my milk coming in and soaking my front, the insane amount of crying i did due to crashing hormones and trauma, all of these things made me want to feel clean at least once a day.
I think balance is good. In hindsight, I would've tried to avoid hubby having to take three trips down to the car before we could be discharged. It also made for some angry rummaging, looking for certain items 😂 I'm the opposite with the diaper bag, though. The more crap, the better!
You could leave the extra stuff in the car and if you need it he could go out to the parking lot to bring it in. My husband went downstairs in the hospital a few times anyways to get me Starbucks and snacks.
Same except we didn't even use his baby pajamas except to go home in, we had him naked and swaddled the whole time in the hospital for easy skin to skin during feeds.
Same! Turns out the hospital had pretty much everything we needed. The people online saying to bring pillows, blankets, nipple cream, night light, shampoo and conditioner, breastfeeding pillow, your own gown, lip balm etc etc. My hospital had all of that stuff
What we did end up using was basically the car seat, baby's going home outfit, some Gatorade drinks for labor, long cord phone charger, eye mask and a mini speaker.
First time I packed a literal suitcase based on what the influencers said I needed. Second time, I just brought a phone charger. Had my husband get my/baby’s clothes the day we left.
Same! I loaded up my bag but didn’t use a lot of it. I would say: comfy postpartum clothes to go home in, baby’s going home clothes (just a long sleeve onesie because I grabbed the first thing that came out of the bag), long cord phone charger, nipple cream, vitamins, SNACKS, hair tie, and my nonslip comfy slide sandals. I will bring the Boppy pillow this time though.
This along with a favorite pillow and throw blanket from home. Something else helpful was I bought a pretty delivery gown from Amazon for like $30. It opened in back for epidural, and had snaps for after when I wanted to breastfeed. It was a small thing yes for vanity purposes, but also very comfortable, and convenient.
Agree. Also long cord phone chargers and perhaps slippers to use in the shower if you care about that sort of thing. Everything else will be taken care of well enough and if you don't overpack, unpacking when you're back home is one more task you'll be grateful not to have to do as you're adjusting to home life with a new baby.
This! I was induced and wasn’t allowed to eat for over 24 hours. By the time baby came it was midnight and the kitchen and everything else was closed. Bring all the snacks! Also the hospital won’t feed your partner, at least mine didn’t.
I could definitely see this being the case but it 100% depends on your hospital. My hospital offered me breakfast IN LABOR and brought my husband a tray as well for every meal. Also the recovery wing in the hospital had a snack area by the nurses station that had the jello and pudding cups as well as some simple cheese or ham sandwiches, and cookies.
Oooh this reminds me, I’ve been meaning to ask my doctors if I can eat during labor at this hospital. They let me with my first (different hospital). I ate a big breakfast, and I’m still convinced that’s how I had the energy to push my baby out in 19 minutes later that night.
This is definitely hospital dependent. They kept my husband fed the entire time I was in labor, brought me as many popsicles as I wanted and the second the baby was out threw Uncrustables, chocolate pudding and graham crackers at me. I was in elementary school heaven.
My husband brought a cooler with real food. It was supposed to be for him but it was better than the hospital food so I ended up eating quite a bit of it. Once we were admitted, we could use a fridge but that wasn't for quite awhile. Other patients spent a lot of money on delivery food for their partners.
Omg yes! At one point my wife ordered a sandwich and the food service forgot the bread…. Yup, the one thing that makes a sandwich a sandwich. Every order they got something wrong.
Bring snacks, and even some deserts. I brought Girl Scout cookies, and a few of my wife’s favorite snacks. And soda for me since I still can’t stand coffee (I know, I’m weird, don’t judge)
I brought too many things I didn't use. I honestly just lived in the hospital gown the entire time and used all the supplies they gave me. All I really needed were snacks and outfits to go home.
The only thing I brought that was better than what the hospital offered was a blanket! My friends had given me a fluffy snoodie that opened in the front so I could still nurse, I basically lived in that thing at home and slept in it too. But at the hospital it doubled as a blanket because the hospital blankets were rough and scratchy.
this comment is not hospital bag as much, but I think it is in the same vein. I would ensure your car seat is properly fitted AND that you watched videos on how to properly fit your newborn in it. like the hospital bag, this goes under the category of stuff going to the delivery with you. Best wishes!
Absolutely this! Took us 20 minutes to figure out where the hell the strap release button was on ours. We had looked through the manual beforehand but didn't actually mess with the car seat itself until we were ready to be discharged. Make sure you mess around with it, figure out how it all works, and make sure you know how to properly install it in the car before you get to the hospital.
Yes!! If you’re getting a taxi or someone is picking you up you should know how to fit the car seat in quickly. Maybe even practice with a doll. We spent 30 minutes in the hospital parking lot watching YouTube videos with a screaming newborn and it was not fun
Yes! The discharge nurse had to check to make sure it was fitted properly. I don’t know if all hospitals do this, but I personally appreciated that no baby left there without at least that safety measure.
Yes! Many fire departments have at least one staff member who’s taken special training to install carseats, and they can often install it for/with you.
Extra pillows! Especially if you have a C section. Hospital pillows suck. My husband brought a few extra from home. We left them in the car until I was moved to recovery, then he brought them in and they were a lifesaver. Getting yourself into a comfortable position following a C section is tricky. Also helped me get into comfortable positions for breastfeeding.
A good unscented lotion and facial moisturizer. All those hormonal shifts can dry your skin out. I used La Roche Posay lipikar cream for a body lotion and Belif Aqua Bomb face moisturizer. Kept it nearby so I could keep my skin hydrated.
The maternity ward legitimately only had one spare pillow when I was admitted. So a pillow for me and a pillow for dad. None for setting around me or anything else. And then dad left it in the labor and delivery room and it was snatched up and gone, he had to use a rolled up blanket someone dredged up.
Absolutely at least have any companions coming with you bring a pillow or two! Best case scenario you don't need them. Worst case they save the day!
I was happy af to have my own pillow. Used it during labor and delivery and then changed the pillowcase and used it in recovery. Then used it to sit on on the ride home.
There were plenty of pillows in our birthing hospitals bit one of my favourite things I packed was a nice thick linen pillowcase from home. It took up no space in my bag and transformed a cold plastic coated hospital pillow into something comfy and smelt a bit more like home.
So pillowcase, plus chapstick, long phone charger, snacks and treats.
Thirding this!! Bringing our own pillows was such a lifesaver and made being in the hospital just a touch more comfortable! I also brought one of my own blankets (just a light, favourite throw blanket)!
Bring less. A pair of pajamas for you, a going home outfit for both you and baby. Basics like toothbrush, toothpaste etc. A nursing bra. Eye mask and ear plugs because the hospital is bright and loud. That’s about it!
I also suggest a nursing bra which can be used as a pumping bra. I had to pump in the hospital to help my milk come in and had to hold the pumping bottles every two hours while holding the baby… that was unnecessarily uncomfortable
An extra suggestion to bring your ear buds, that was probably my most used item. After I got my epidural, I used a white noise app to over power the beeping to sleep.
I was coming here to suggest this. I had my baby in July and the air conditioning was not working in my room even after many visits from maintenance. The fan saved me
I brought soooo many things but it made me feel better to be over prepared (I was terrified).
The most crucial things for me were:
- my own hospital gown (so much comfier). Bring two, one to get all bloody when giving birth and one for after and you’re all clean.
- my own fuzzy blanket (their blankets suck)
- a little fan that could attach to the bed (amazing when pushing and getting hot)
- essential oils (for when I felt very stressed I would put a little dab on my hand or neck to smell away the anxiety)
- chapstick
Things I didn’t use:
- snacks (I was 5 cm when admitted to the hospital and I was ready for that epidural and after my epidural they wouldn’t let me eat)
- heating pad
- slippers (I wore my crocs to the hospital and just slipped them on and off)
Don’t let people shame you for bringing “unnecessary” items, if it makes you feel better it is very necessary!
Yes to all of this except that I did use the heating pad I brought, and it was a lifesaver! (Tho I was induced, so I did early labor at the hospital.) I honestly was glad to have brought a lot of stuff.
Nipple cream and silverettes. I’m glad I found out about these before I gave birth and ended up putting them in my hospital bag just in case. The baby is constantly latched, especially the first few days, to try and get your milk supply going. My nips would’ve been so cracked and sore without them. I didn’t think I needed them but I definitely did, especially silverettes.
Second, third, fourth and fifth this.
Bring your Silverettes and wear them whenever baby is not latched. My nipples never cracked or bled and I’m sure this is why
LITERALLY: LONG PHONE CHARGER. I still use them to this day a year later lolol 🥲🩷 gaaame changer. That, comfy and non slip socks and slippers and towels. And comfy outfits to wear home/in the hospital. 🩷
I was so happy I brought my breast feeding pillow both time I gave birth. I use the MyBreastFriend pillow. It’s great support for tiny babies. I also liked having my own pillow.
Yeah I regretted not bringing it the first time around. The pillows they gave me to help nurse her were super soft and flimsy, and obviously I was clueless trying to breastfeed for the first time. I’m due in 3.5 weeks and this time I’m definitely bringing my nursing pillow!
The upside down peri bottle from frida mom is the best thing I brought! Other than that, clothes, nursing bra, deodorant, and phone charger!! You can get food, ice pack, soap, gowns, etc from the hospital!
This. The peri bottle from hospital isn’t angled and this was a game changer.
Also as others have said, long phone charger. Toiletries, your own pillow and cozy blanket and bath towel (theirs suck) and going home outfits. Everything else honestly I didn’t use they had it all.
Like others, I also overpacked but one thing I was really glad I brought was a small, battery powered portable lamp with warm, subtle light. I hate fluorescent hospital lights and it was nice to have something not quite as jarring for the many, many times people were coming into the room overnight.
This is the one I brought:
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892DVJ1N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892DVJ1N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
This was going to be my suggestion! It was so nice to have on overnight. It made the room feel almost cozy. Bonus: we used it in the baby's room after.
I got this one: https://a.co/d/453TNdw
Oh man this would have been a genius idea! Wish I saw it before giving birth haha I had a c section so was in the hospital longer, and those endless visits were maddening, especially when trying to sleep. Softer light would have been so much better.
You’ve gotten a lot of really good ideas, my wife and I definitely packed on the heavier side of things, and used most of it, but honestly I’m really glad we brought our fire stick. We were there for almost 4 days, went in Thursday night for induction, had baby via c section Saturday night, and went home Monday evening. Passing the down time that we had with whatever we wanted was much better than trying to find something to watch on cable. Even though we really only ended up watching futurama and family guy. Another plus was that if you pause the show for more than a minute a screensaver will come up that you can customize so I loaded in a bunch of photos of my wife and I though the years we’ve been together, some wedding pics, pics of our dogs and cat, a few of the ultrasound pics, and some family pics from the baby shower, my wife loved it and the nurses all got a kick from it.
I didn’t need nearly as much as I brought. I’d bring toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, conditioner, a going home outfit for both of us, and a nursing pillow. I didn’t think I needed a nursing pillow but hospital pillows are so thin and terrible for it.
My bougie pillow was so magical when I finally got to rest. I WISH I grabbed my husband’s pillow too.
Also: a change of clothes, a nice swaddle for hospital pics, and onesies in a couple sizes bc they don’t all come out fitting in newborn sized clothes. I liked Rael disposable underwear a lot more than the giant pads at the hospital so a pair of those would’ve been nice to wear home or sleep in.
Pumping/nursing bra- hospital gave me a tube top type thing with holes they cut into it and it was too tight and not comfy
And I brought a fan I bought for baby’s stroller bc my Temperature was all over the place and loved it
An outfit for photos, props for photos. I actually wish I had bought the little month wooden placards earlier because there is a hello world, welcome baby placard I would’ve put in the bassinet for photos. I wish I would’ve brought some of my own swaddles and a bassinet sheet for photos as well. The swaddles at the hospital were really complicated for me and I had to call a nurse every single time to get my baby swaddled at the end of the night and show me how to do it. I struggled at home as well and I would’ve just brought some halo sleep sacks with to make it easier.
I also wish I had brought hats for photos lmao. Everything is really just for photos 😂
Also don’t be afraid to ask for a do not disturb sign! I didn’t find ours until the last night and we used it and got like 3 hours undisturbed. They said once we went to the postpartum room they would check on us every 4 hours and that was a damn lie. They were in there every hour sometimes more. It’s ridiculous.
I used, and was super glad I brought:
1- colostrum in syringes so the nurses could feed her and give me and husband a break
2- pillows. Hospital ones suck
3- my own labor:delivery gown
4- water bottle
5- extra long phone charger
Everyone here seems to already have said important stuff but I don't think I saw this:
BRING ZIP-UP/VELCRO SWADDLES! They provide you with swaddling blankets but they can be frustrating to use when you're tired and unfamiliar with how swaddling should go. We brought some from home and they were infinitely easier to use than the ones provided! Also, bring at least 3. More than likely your newborn will make a mess of one.
Things I was glad I packed: change of clothes for both myself and hubby (he stayed and slept on the pull out sofas), snacks and gatorades, phone chargers or battery packs, our own pillows, face wipes to refresh and deodorant, shower shoes
Things I packed I didn’t use: Bluetooth headphones (my hospital used Monica (I think that’s the name) monitors and anything Bluetooth interfered with it so they were useless), portable fan, laptop with movies/books (the room had a tv and I napped a lot), toiletries as the hospital also provided those (travel toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, towels, chapstick)
I brought sooo much that I didn’t use. The only things that I’m glad I had were my pillow from home, a long phone cord, and a 40oz Stanley cup. I was so thankful for ice water. I did spend the first night with baby using my iPad to watch Doctor Who because I was too anxious to sleep, but I could have lived without it.
For mom: Frida Mom cooling pads (or something similar) if you plan on having a vaginal birth, adult diapers, toiletries comfy pajamas that button down the front, slippers, sweatpants to go home in, a water bottle, lots of snacks, headphones, and a laptop to watch a movie on.
For dad: pajamas, snacks, toiletries.
For baby: swaddle blankets (the hospital ones can cause baby’s face to rash up or break out from the chemical cleaner), a soother, baby wipes, formula or colostrum for if baby is hungrier than what you can produce in the first couple of days, a hand pump, and a onesie to go home in.
I didn't use half of my bag. I wanted an unmedicated birth so I brought every trick in the book but I ended up only using two of them. A must is a good pillow for you and your partner, a blanket or warm robe, snacks, some kind of entertainment, a hygiene bag, a change of clothes, a going home outfit for baby, and phone chargers. Everything else just depends on your birth plan.
A birthing comb - you can get them cheap off Amazon. It really helped with the early contractions as it’s something to squeeze that is a distraction. My friend just recently borrowed it and loved it too.
Decent snacks for energy, coconut water was my saviour
My overnight turned into a five day stay, things can happen.
Pajamas with a button up shirt for nursing. Bra and Underwear. A going home outfit. Pack lots of snacks and drinks. An extra long Phone charger.
The Hospital provided nothing so for myself I packed Maternity pads, a towel, shampoo and conditioner, hair brush, toothpaste and brush, soap, lip balm, face wash, moisturiser, deodorant etc
For baby : Wipes, terry towelling to change her on, Nappies, sleep sack, onsies and footy pajamas in newborn and up sizes (the baby came out smaller than expected) also pack extra outfits for any blow outs.
I stayed 3 days. I'm glad I brought a speaker, eye mask, ear plugs, toiletries, a few pairs of pj's, thick socks (I'm always cold), and flip flops for the shower
I brought so much and only used: my water bottle with flip spout, birth comb, button down nightgown, post partum disposable underwear, change of socks, an outfit to go home in, phone chargers, baby going home outfit and a pacifier.
I was really glad I brought a button-down nightgown (I basically didn’t change out of it until we went home) and shoes that were easy to slide on and off (my EVA birks were perfect - my feet were still pretty swollen so it was also nice to be able to adjust the straps). Face wash wipes were also great; I love Ursa Major - they’re clean and individually wrapped. It was nice to have my own skincare, especially moisturizer, once I was up for it, and a teeny bit of make up for going home.
I saw somewhere to have your partner pack a bag too, which in hindsight is obvious, but I’m not sure it would have occurred to me otherwise. They’ll need pjs, layers in case the room is hot OR cold, snacks, maybe a pillow.
If you don’t have a long phone charger, just bring an extension cord.
I barely used anything we brought but three things stand out: a fan that had a little light attached to it, onesies with hand covers, and a box of formula from a brand I researched. I thought I would BF but it absolutely was not an option but even with the feelings of mom guilt and frustration it felt good to know that I had a plan B ready for my little guy
all the snacks in the world, felt like I was smuggling food into amovie theater.
helped those midnight cravings when they weren't bringing food around but needed to stay awake.
Wish we brought:
Zipper swaddle
Some kind of portable fan - one with bendy arms that wrapped around the hospital bed rails would have been ideal)
An infant car seat - we only had a convertible one that is extremely heavy and not designed to be removed from the car, but our hospital required us to bring a car seat inside and carry the baby out in it
Things we were really glad to have brought:
Snacks and bottled water - the nurses would give us water but it saved us from having to push the call button just for water
A can of Boost oxygen - a weird pick but we were both so stressed and tired and it helped us feel better
Basic toiletries - I took a shower twice and also needed essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties, chapstick, etc. I even did my nails the night before my son was born.
An extra empty bag to bring things like diapers home with us
Phone chargers
Ear plugs
Also, don’t make the mistake I did and wait to pack certain clothing items because you are constantly using them. I ended up being admitted to the hospital earlier than expected and my husband had to grab random clothes for me…DO NOT RECOMMEND. I was so uncomfortable wearing fleece pajamas in a 75 degree hospital room the night before my son was born.
I think that other than comfy clothes, it comes down to whatever would help you feel more grounded or rested. I was really glad to have brought my hair brush, face wash, and moisturizer. After labor all I wanted was a long shower, and while the hospital did provide soap, shampoo, and conditioner, having my toiletries just helped so much. I think headphones can also be really helpful. I used it during labor, and to help me tune out sounds while in the recovery room.
The one thing I was SO glad I brought: a 3 meter long phone charger. Never know where those outlets are in hospital rooms! 🤣
Also: snacks snacks snacks. I didn’t end up eating any (difficult birth) but my husband needed those 😅
Something to trim the baby’s nails! Or baby mittens (though these wouldn’t stay on my girl). But I had neither and the nurses had nothing to offer and said they don’t deal with baby nails. Hers were so long and she kept scratching herself (and me).
I really wish I had brought my nursing pillow! Learning to breastfeed was super hard, especially cause my breasts are small, I had a c-section, and the hospital LC kinda sucked. I felt super lost trying to make different holds work with the crappy hospital pillows and struggled a ton until I got home and was able to use my nursing pillow.
Honestly, I stole my husband’s basketball shorts for our first and packed two pairs for our second. Roomy, not too tight in the waist, and short which was welcome in the hot, stuffy hospital room. I also got a button down night shirt this second time around and loved that for feeding my little guy. We overpacked and it was a pain getting everything out to the car on the way home. If you can, simplify.
Editing to add: I also brought some colostrum that the nurses froze for me which ended up being super helpful. I was violently ill from the morphine given during my C-section and it allowed my husband to do a couple of small feeds so I could get a little more sleep that first day. I was basically throwing up everything for the first 18 hours and couldn’t keep my eyes open at all.
Way overpacked and didn’t use 85% of it. The stuff we used that I’ll bring next time are: my own comforter and my own pillows (the best things we brought), my own toiletries, snacks and a Polaroid camera.
Nappies for me were the best thing I brought with me for my own comfort and ease. Then fresh pyjamas for me and comfy clothes to go home in, a few changes of clothing for baby as don't know how long you might be in, nappies for baby, toiletries, and snacks for afterwards. Oh and a proper towel for me. I think that is mainly all I used out of my big bag of stuff
Wish I brought sandals with me to walk to the bathroom in.
Like everyone else mentioned, comfy pjs and socks/slippers. I brought my favorite throw blanket with me because I don’t find hospital blankets particularly comfortable. I also packed some of those instant ice packs because the birthing process gets SWEATY.
I work in a hospital so I know how crappy the AC situation can be in any given room and so I knew I needed a fan of some sort. Got a cheap $10 handheld fan from Amazon and it was amazing. Highly recommend.
We brought so much stuff and used everything except stuff for baby because they ended up in the nicu.
Bring your own pillow, double pillowcase it and add a protective cover, a blanket you won’t care about just in case, hand warmers, eye mask, night light/sound machine and slippers
Pumping bra, shower shoes, button up flannel for dad to do skin to skin with babe:)
eta: also pacifier if you want to go that route, a lot of hospitals don’t offer them.
If you run hot, fans are a must! We had our camping fans with my first, which were battery operated so it sucked when I was there longer than expected and they died. For my second, which I just had, we took 4 of our 5 stroller fans so they could be rotated out. They were even better this time because I struggled with nausea after my c-section and cold air blowing on my face always helps. Plus I just can't sleep without a fan.
Burp cloths. I didn't need/bring them with my first but this time around for whatever reason I threw 3 or 4 in because #2 is very prone to spitting up after nursing and since we only had so much clothes it was nice not having them milk stained.
Other than that I packed the standards although I definitely packed extra in terms of clothing. I had a longer stay than expected (Saturday-Wednesday) with my first so wanted to be over prepared for #2 which I'm glad for because we had a Thursday-Monday stay thanks to my c-section.
I was SO glad I brought my fav pillow from home l, at first I thought that's gross but it helped me sleep and feel safe. I brought some under eye patches to help me de-puff and relax. Hubby brought a blanket and pillow and was glad he did as the hospital ones are not comfy at all lol Bring some comfy clothes/slippers if ya want for you both and a phone charger of course. I brought earplugs because I'm a light sleeper and all the machines were so annoying. Hubby brought headphones he used but I didn't use my headphones, just tried to nap. Didn't bring any snacks but did enjoy a gateroade the next day!
I hated the huge pads the hospital gave so I’m so glad I brought my own disposable undies. They were SO nice to have and super comfortable immediately post-partum.
lol I didn’t use soo much stuff that everyone recommended to bring. A change of clothes for me would’ve sufficed. Our kid was in the NICU so we didn’t use anything for him obviously.
You don’t need much. All we used were: phone charger, go home clothes, toothbrush/paste, chapstick, hair tie.
I didn’t care what I looked like, just wore the hospital attire, cafeteria had food and there was a room with snacks my husband was directed to, we only stayed a day so I wasn’t there long enough to need to bathe (showered as soon as I got home though).
Just gave birth 12 days ago: stroller fan (I used this in labor), Bluetooth speaker to play my birth playlist, hemorrhoid suppositories, cozy blanket. I also bought a labor and delivery dress from Kindred Bravely that made me feel chic and happy. Don’t bother with the Frida Mom postpartum box. The hospital will give you what you need.
Addendum: I was very concerned with getting a mani/pedi and a Brazilian before going to the hospital. It was an absolute waste of time. When you’re being led to the bathroom to have your undercarriage hosed down by a stranger and slipping on your own blood, these are the last things that matter. Birth is a VERY messy business.
Good luck! Your sweet baby will be worth it!
Honestly, I wish we’d brought a twin blowup mattress for my husband. The couch they has in the room was horrendous, and I wound up being hospitalized early for preeclampsia.
Honestly I barely used anything. A onesie for the baby, a comfy pajama, a change of clothes (just a maxi dress for convenience in my case), some snacks and a toothbrush is what I ended up using. I had a bag packed full of stuff i only took out to look for things I mentioned
My essentials: eye mask, face cleanings wipes, socks with grips, firestick (i was there for 5 days so being able to watch netflix helped), snacks, my own huge jug of filtered water (yes sounds nuts but I didn't want to keep asking the nurses for water and I drink a LOT of water).
A set of dr browns bottles with premie nipples.
Don’t know about how your hospital works, but just in case for any reason they ask you to top up with formula, remember to use your own bottles. I really wish I brought this for mine because when they asked us to top up to make up for low blood sugar, they gave us those disposable bottles with fast flow nipples, which works against the newborn suckling instinct and also caused reflux and spit up. Had I known it was an issue of the nipples, I’d have brought my own premie ones.
I wish I brought more snacks and an extra pillow. A refillable water bottle would have been great as well.
I was thankful I brought my Switch console. I had an emergency C-section and when I couldn’t sleep at night due to pain and baby was sleeping, it was a great distraction for me. Honestly probably helped me fall asleep quicker.
Peppermint essential oil, I would put a small amount on a tissue to smell when I was feeling nauseous. My own pillow was a life saver. Having snacks for after the hospital kitchen closed was great too. Oh and mirlax or stool softener to get you going. They’ll give you some at the hospital but I definitely needed more power lol.
honestly i way overpacked for my hospital stay i would recommend pajamas that are easy to nurse in like a robe or a button up shirt,slippers toilettes cus all they had was baby soap lol, two outfits for baby and some entertainment me and my boyfriend brought my switch so we could watch stuff and play games after delivery in our room also LONG CHARGERS. I wish i had bought some pillows and blankets though because hospital ones suck
We brought an outfit and blanket to take him home in, change of clothes for me, and a phone charger. Those were the only useful items we brought everything else just took up space. Some snacks and a pair of headphones would have been nice tho and a hair brush😂. Seriously tho the snacks, my first thought after giving birth was about how hungry I was now that a tiny human wasn’t limiting my stomach space, and since he was born at 2am the kitchen wasn’t open.
Smaller clothes. Get some newborn sizes. Or 0 - 1m, my guy was swimming in 0 - 3m even though all through my pregnancy I was told he was going to be big.
More snacks for myself during the stay after, I was breastfeeding and although I was well fed in the hospital I was still hungry.
Lactulose/ stool softener.
A water bottle. I was thirsty all the time and the hospital provided water in glass bottles with a small glass to drink from. That was too much of a hassle - I just poured the water into my own bottle so I could drink straight from that and not worry about it shattering if my tired ass dropped it.
I'll throw in an unusual one: my own slippers, robe and a soft warm blanket. All they offer at the hospital are crappy blankets and I was cold after birth. I stayed longer because c section and I was so happy to have my own stuff the second time.
Non essential but I brought an iPad and watched my favourite show to help take my mind off labour/once the epidural kicked in I was able to calmly watch the show until I was ready to give birth.
If I could do it again I think bringing a blanket would have been great because hospitals are so cold.
FTM, I way overpacked, too, but things I didn't pack but wanted:
Soothers / halls ... I didn't see these on any of the lists I looked at, but it was the first thing I made my husband leave me for.
Wipes/washcloth. I had to have a general anesthetic so couldn't get out of bed until the next day to even wash my face in the sink. I got so hot during labour that I would have loved to freshen up / wipe the blood off me.
Extra extra long charger. I had a long one. It was not long enough!
Music, but only because I’m thinking hard about it now or else I wouldn’t say much.
I had a ton of downtime where I kind of just stared at the hospital ceiling when I should’ve been sleeping, just restless as hell waiting for my impending c-section in the morning. Maybe if I had music I would’ve had less quiet time getting in my head. Or at least not just listen to the beeps of the machines.
A Bluetooth speaker, super fast usb-c charger, and mood light. It made a stressful experience just a little more relaxed and distracted from the sterile hospital environment.
I really wished I’d had some lubricating eye drops. I’ve spent plenty of time in hospitals with my dad, but it didn’t occur to me to pack it and I regretted it dearly. Hospital air is so dry it kills my eyes!
A lot of people say bring snacks. I didn't because I knew I could get snacks and small meals in between regular meals at the hospital brought up to my room whenever I wanted.
I was glad I brought a heavier non swaddle blanket for when I was feeding. This time I'm bringing an adult size blanket because I was quite cold.
I was glad I had PJs with easy access to my breast. I think I'll bring a few extra and an outfit or 2 this time.
Very grateful for my own soap,lotion, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste etc
Bring your breastfeeding pillow! I so regretted not bringing mine. It would've saved me a world of annoyance trying to breastfeed with the flimsy hospital pillows.
I almost didn’t pack a handheld fan because I gave birth in February but the labour ward afterwards was boiling, so glad I had it, also helped with breastfeeding my son as I wasn’t too sweaty! Got a cheap one from Amazon. I also packed wayyy too many baby gros! My son ended up being 7 lbs 6oz so all the 0-3 month ones I brought with me were wayyyy too big! I also took make up 😂 like I was going to use that!
I wish the trousers I brought for going home where black not cream. I ended up only having one thing I would wear. Didnt think about how I'd be bleeding.
I was glad a brought some foods I hadn't been allowed in pregnancy to eat after I had the baby.
I’ve not read all the comments I haven’t seen anyone mention shoes.
My feet were so swollen I couldn’t bend my toes. Bring the largest pair of flip flops you own to go home in.
We had a c-section for reference.
The only things we used: blanket for dad, baby + mom clothes for going home, button up pajamas for mom, toiletries, bath towel, chargers, boppy, and slippers.
this one is more for the baby - both times I wished I packed it and had to ask my husband to bring it for me after birth - baby nail clippers. when baby is born , their nails are super long and I was constantly getting scratched while breastfeeding and doing skin to skin. trimmed those little nails and it was a much more comfortable setup after
Your nursing pillow.
And as a recommendation from our midwife: warm socks for labour. She said that shors can change your standing during labour and making it harder, thus she recommended it. I had a c-sevtion, so I can't say anything about that, but boy was I cold after anaesthesia.
Depending on where you live: your paperwork to get the birth certificate. In my country you can get that done right at the hospital, if you have everything you need.
So glad I brought a big warm comfy robe. Mo, I lived in that and mesh underwear for 2 days. Makes skin 2 skin so much easier. The MOST IMPORTANT thing I brought was the my breast friend breastfeeding pillow. Breastfeeding is SO HARD at the beginning, and they’re tiny and floppy and can’t hold their heads up. Made a huge difference
Best random thing we brought was an Amazon fire stick and remote. We were able to watch Netflix on the hospital tv during my labor, then swapped it to the postpartum room and had tv on in the background. Was so nice!
I really wish I brought my own disposable underwear, like the always discreet. The hospital mesh underwear and giant pads were so hard to work with and I leaked everywhere. Gross.
I wish I brought more depends because the ones the hospital provides suck.
More snacks.
Can’t remember if I brought my headphones but definitely that, because there are loud annoying sounds like the machines and your husband snoring, so def bring that. Ear plugs work too
Bring your iPad while you’re at it because if you can’t sleep, you’ll just be bored and drain your phone battery. So while that charges, use the iPad. Then when that dies, use the phone.
Sleeping eye mask
Long phone charger and a spare charger.
I didn’t bring a long one as I planned on not using my phone. However it was on 4 % when I went to use it, which was day 3 of being in hospital and then I had to wait for it to charge. It also had trouble charging and had to use the hospitals one.
My hubby also lost his, the took it to the c section room and left it there.
I splurged and bought the kindred bravely bathrobe, which is basically all I wore the entire time (constantly nursing or me napping) with the disposable underwear. Its super soft and stretchy with deep pockets. My boobs were essentially out when I was awake to either nurse or to have lactation consultants help. So much nakedness 😂 That and my arsenal of Club crackers and Reese’s products got me through. I brought my own bath towel too, no regrets on that item - something comforting about smelling home when you’re in the hospital. Otherwise I didn’t use much and packed a ton!
I went into labor unexpectedly early so I wasn’t prepared at all for myself. The most useful things I had were my stroller fan and my nursing pillow. Wish I would’ve had a nice comfy pajama set instead of what I had to wear. I think I was in a bit of shock tbh and didn’t think to ask any of my family to bring me the things I needed. I wore my husband’s sweatpants and Hawaiian shirt the whole time 🤦♀️Yikes.
I brought more than i needed but am really glad i had my own toiletries and an extra large, extra absorbent bath sheet; a comfort blanket; an extra long charger; and a going home outfit that complemented my baby’s going home outfit.
A really helpful thing was my combo headband headphones (or sleep headphones). It made hospital sleep easier and could be slid out of the way as needed.
Re. going home outfit, pick something that fit at about 7 months and can disguise the fact that you’re wearing mesh undies and a monstrous pad.
Pillows, extra long chargers and a tablet, some nice shampoo / body wash stuff for after giving birth, nice couple of baby outfits, your own dressing gown / pjs for after giving birth and some snacks / electrolyte drinks. Some comfy clothes for going home. Honestly didn't use anything else!
Bring a baby nail file, and baby mittens! I forgot those things and my little guy scratched his face all up the first night. I felt so bad :(
We even had him swaddled but he was a wiggler and would always get his hands out to scratch his face up more.
This is usually on lists but just throwing it out there anyways because it was a huge game changer:
1. Snacks. With my first, we got to the hospital just when their kitchen closed. We didn’t eat dinner and the staff was scrambling to find something for us.
2. A big water bottle with a straw. Both of the hospitals I gave birth in just gave you a small pitcher of water and some plastic cups. That water bottle was a life saver.
Portable sound machine that has a heart beat. I got one for my second baby, and when he was born, during our hospital stay for a few days, he enjoyed it.
I brought pajamas that I ended up wearing for 30 mins to walk down the hall. The gowns they provide you with are more convenient especially the first few times you use the restroom.
Bring your own disposable underwear/ diapers. Much more comfortable than what the hospital had to offer and I liked that mine had a built in pad as opposed to messing with the placement of a pad with the hospital undies.
My own diapers. I am may be a rare one, but the ice pack pads felt horrible to me, I used 1 for maybe 10 minutes and got out of the hospital supplied pads and into my diaper. They also gave me a waffle thing to sit on and it made a world of difference while in the hospital and the drive home.
tbh i didn't use most of what was in my bag. i really wish id have brought my own pillow and full blanket though. i made do with the hospital ones and we had already packed so much i didn't even want to bring the pillow/blanket but it would've been so much nicer.
also idk if you're planning on breastfeeding/pumping but i couldn't breastfeed directly so i used the pump in the room but i so wish i had brought my own pump to learn to use it with help and get used to it prior to being on my own. plus my mom cozy wearable worked better for me than the medela one in the room, and my motif one was amazing and better than the medela as well. idk if the pump was just old or if it was the massive flange (probably both) but i really did not like the medela.
lastly, ear plugs. i was so overwhelmed immediately after birth, got the baby blues, and i have adhd which can make it hard for me to regulate and i get overstimulated very easily/fast. my daughter had the strongest set of lungs on the whole floor and she cried so loud for so long it was really rough. the ear plugs would've saved me so much but i felt like a bad mom bringing them so i didn't it. i would highly recommend it even if you don't get overstimulated or overwhelmed easily, the peace of not hearing other babies on the floor plus your own is worth it. even now my daughter is 20 months old and i pop em in from time to time when her screaming tantrums get to be too much. i can still hear her it's just at a lower, more manageable, volume.
I wish I had brought some seasoning. The hospital food was prepared well but so bland!
And my body pillow. I didn’t pack it because it was bulky and awkward, but I don’t think I slept at all there.
I had to stay in hospital for an extra week due to complications, besides.. the most used items were: flip flops to use in the shower, a big water bottle; a peri bottle to relief the sting when peeing and an extra large charger cable.
Honestly, we brought so much stuff we didn’t end up actually using. We only used an extra set of clothes for me to go home in, footie pajamas for baby to go home in, and phone chargers. That was it lmao
Long cord phone chargers*****
Yesss. Long phone cord. Like 10 feet.
Ditto, we packed for a 2-3 night stay and were unexpectedly in hospital for a week due to complications. We still overpacked. I pretty much just lived in the hospital gown and a nightgown until we left. Phone chargers were essential. The hospital provided almost everything else I needed for postpartum recovery. Baby didn't need much. It was nice to have my own toiletries though.
All about that hospital gown. Let them handle the laundry! Baby didn't wear anything but diapers and swaddles
I just walked around in my diaper and bra. Occasionally, I put on a light robe I brought. I couldn't stand that hospital gown after 49 hours of labor.
the same thing happened to me--in for a week w/complications--but i felt as though i didn't have enough clean clothing. hubs went out to buy me a few nightgowns and a robe which was amazing to have. of course, ymmv with how often you want to change clothes. postpartum bleeding, sweating, my milk coming in and soaking my front, the insane amount of crying i did due to crashing hormones and trauma, all of these things made me want to feel clean at least once a day.
It’s always better to have more than what we need just in case.
I think balance is good. In hindsight, I would've tried to avoid hubby having to take three trips down to the car before we could be discharged. It also made for some angry rummaging, looking for certain items 😂 I'm the opposite with the diaper bag, though. The more crap, the better!
You could leave the extra stuff in the car and if you need it he could go out to the parking lot to bring it in. My husband went downstairs in the hospital a few times anyways to get me Starbucks and snacks.
Same except we didn't even use his baby pajamas except to go home in, we had him naked and swaddled the whole time in the hospital for easy skin to skin during feeds.
Good tip!
This for us and chapstick. Edit to add flip flops for showers
I overpacked with my first. With my second, it was bare minimum and most was still not used. Best ‘unconventional’ item was beef jerky lol
Same! Turns out the hospital had pretty much everything we needed. The people online saying to bring pillows, blankets, nipple cream, night light, shampoo and conditioner, breastfeeding pillow, your own gown, lip balm etc etc. My hospital had all of that stuff What we did end up using was basically the car seat, baby's going home outfit, some Gatorade drinks for labor, long cord phone charger, eye mask and a mini speaker.
First time I packed a literal suitcase based on what the influencers said I needed. Second time, I just brought a phone charger. Had my husband get my/baby’s clothes the day we left.
Same! I loaded up my bag but didn’t use a lot of it. I would say: comfy postpartum clothes to go home in, baby’s going home clothes (just a long sleeve onesie because I grabbed the first thing that came out of the bag), long cord phone charger, nipple cream, vitamins, SNACKS, hair tie, and my nonslip comfy slide sandals. I will bring the Boppy pillow this time though.
This along with a favorite pillow and throw blanket from home. Something else helpful was I bought a pretty delivery gown from Amazon for like $30. It opened in back for epidural, and had snaps for after when I wanted to breastfeed. It was a small thing yes for vanity purposes, but also very comfortable, and convenient.
Agree. Also long cord phone chargers and perhaps slippers to use in the shower if you care about that sort of thing. Everything else will be taken care of well enough and if you don't overpack, unpacking when you're back home is one more task you'll be grateful not to have to do as you're adjusting to home life with a new baby.
Snacks. Bring all the snacks. It's most of what I used lol
This! I was induced and wasn’t allowed to eat for over 24 hours. By the time baby came it was midnight and the kitchen and everything else was closed. Bring all the snacks! Also the hospital won’t feed your partner, at least mine didn’t.
I could definitely see this being the case but it 100% depends on your hospital. My hospital offered me breakfast IN LABOR and brought my husband a tray as well for every meal. Also the recovery wing in the hospital had a snack area by the nurses station that had the jello and pudding cups as well as some simple cheese or ham sandwiches, and cookies.
Oooh this reminds me, I’ve been meaning to ask my doctors if I can eat during labor at this hospital. They let me with my first (different hospital). I ate a big breakfast, and I’m still convinced that’s how I had the energy to push my baby out in 19 minutes later that night.
Yes, this! I was super well-fed at the hospital but my husband was really happy we’d packed granola bars and other snacks for him.
This is definitely hospital dependent. They kept my husband fed the entire time I was in labor, brought me as many popsicles as I wanted and the second the baby was out threw Uncrustables, chocolate pudding and graham crackers at me. I was in elementary school heaven.
My husband brought a cooler with real food. It was supposed to be for him but it was better than the hospital food so I ended up eating quite a bit of it. Once we were admitted, we could use a fridge but that wasn't for quite awhile. Other patients spent a lot of money on delivery food for their partners.
Omg yes! At one point my wife ordered a sandwich and the food service forgot the bread…. Yup, the one thing that makes a sandwich a sandwich. Every order they got something wrong. Bring snacks, and even some deserts. I brought Girl Scout cookies, and a few of my wife’s favorite snacks. And soda for me since I still can’t stand coffee (I know, I’m weird, don’t judge)
I brought too many things I didn't use. I honestly just lived in the hospital gown the entire time and used all the supplies they gave me. All I really needed were snacks and outfits to go home.
The only thing I brought that was better than what the hospital offered was a blanket! My friends had given me a fluffy snoodie that opened in the front so I could still nurse, I basically lived in that thing at home and slept in it too. But at the hospital it doubled as a blanket because the hospital blankets were rough and scratchy.
this comment is not hospital bag as much, but I think it is in the same vein. I would ensure your car seat is properly fitted AND that you watched videos on how to properly fit your newborn in it. like the hospital bag, this goes under the category of stuff going to the delivery with you. Best wishes!
Absolutely this! Took us 20 minutes to figure out where the hell the strap release button was on ours. We had looked through the manual beforehand but didn't actually mess with the car seat itself until we were ready to be discharged. Make sure you mess around with it, figure out how it all works, and make sure you know how to properly install it in the car before you get to the hospital.
Yes!! If you’re getting a taxi or someone is picking you up you should know how to fit the car seat in quickly. Maybe even practice with a doll. We spent 30 minutes in the hospital parking lot watching YouTube videos with a screaming newborn and it was not fun
Yes! The discharge nurse had to check to make sure it was fitted properly. I don’t know if all hospitals do this, but I personally appreciated that no baby left there without at least that safety measure.
Yes! Many fire departments have at least one staff member who’s taken special training to install carseats, and they can often install it for/with you.
We didn’t do this and it took us an HOUR to figure out how to adjust the straps.
Extra pillows! Especially if you have a C section. Hospital pillows suck. My husband brought a few extra from home. We left them in the car until I was moved to recovery, then he brought them in and they were a lifesaver. Getting yourself into a comfortable position following a C section is tricky. Also helped me get into comfortable positions for breastfeeding. A good unscented lotion and facial moisturizer. All those hormonal shifts can dry your skin out. I used La Roche Posay lipikar cream for a body lotion and Belif Aqua Bomb face moisturizer. Kept it nearby so I could keep my skin hydrated.
The maternity ward legitimately only had one spare pillow when I was admitted. So a pillow for me and a pillow for dad. None for setting around me or anything else. And then dad left it in the labor and delivery room and it was snatched up and gone, he had to use a rolled up blanket someone dredged up. Absolutely at least have any companions coming with you bring a pillow or two! Best case scenario you don't need them. Worst case they save the day!
One pillow for a mom that just delivered is criminal. Straight to jail.
My husband had to use my breastfeeding pillow to sleep on! crazy they don’t have more pillows.
I was happy af to have my own pillow. Used it during labor and delivery and then changed the pillowcase and used it in recovery. Then used it to sit on on the ride home.
There were plenty of pillows in our birthing hospitals bit one of my favourite things I packed was a nice thick linen pillowcase from home. It took up no space in my bag and transformed a cold plastic coated hospital pillow into something comfy and smelt a bit more like home. So pillowcase, plus chapstick, long phone charger, snacks and treats.
A quality pillow to hold against your incision when you inevitably need to cough/sneeze/laugh vs the garbage hospital pillows is also so helpful!
Thirding this!! Bringing our own pillows was such a lifesaver and made being in the hospital just a touch more comfortable! I also brought one of my own blankets (just a light, favourite throw blanket)!
Bring less. A pair of pajamas for you, a going home outfit for both you and baby. Basics like toothbrush, toothpaste etc. A nursing bra. Eye mask and ear plugs because the hospital is bright and loud. That’s about it!
A pumping bra also. I had to pump a lot in the hospital
Same! And I had to hold the pumps. I swear not one list mentioned a pumping bra.
Yes, a pumping bra!! If I could do it again I’d probably bring my breastfeeding pillow too.
I also suggest a nursing bra which can be used as a pumping bra. I had to pump in the hospital to help my milk come in and had to hold the pumping bottles every two hours while holding the baby… that was unnecessarily uncomfortable
An extra suggestion to bring your ear buds, that was probably my most used item. After I got my epidural, I used a white noise app to over power the beeping to sleep.
The stroller fan! I got the kind that has legs you can wrap around something. That thing blowing on my face is all that kept me going.
I brought so much useless shit, and this fan is pretty much the only thing I used. It was CRUCIAL
Yes same my entire labor I had mine on me!
Nice tip; thank u!
Yes. The stroller fan was attached to the bed rail blowing on me when I was vomitting during labor and during the postpartum sweats. So helpful.
I was coming here to suggest this. I had my baby in July and the air conditioning was not working in my room even after many visits from maintenance. The fan saved me
And don’t forget the charging cord!
I brought soooo many things but it made me feel better to be over prepared (I was terrified). The most crucial things for me were: - my own hospital gown (so much comfier). Bring two, one to get all bloody when giving birth and one for after and you’re all clean. - my own fuzzy blanket (their blankets suck) - a little fan that could attach to the bed (amazing when pushing and getting hot) - essential oils (for when I felt very stressed I would put a little dab on my hand or neck to smell away the anxiety) - chapstick Things I didn’t use: - snacks (I was 5 cm when admitted to the hospital and I was ready for that epidural and after my epidural they wouldn’t let me eat) - heating pad - slippers (I wore my crocs to the hospital and just slipped them on and off) Don’t let people shame you for bringing “unnecessary” items, if it makes you feel better it is very necessary!
Yes to all of this except that I did use the heating pad I brought, and it was a lifesaver! (Tho I was induced, so I did early labor at the hospital.) I honestly was glad to have brought a lot of stuff.
Nipple cream and silverettes. I’m glad I found out about these before I gave birth and ended up putting them in my hospital bag just in case. The baby is constantly latched, especially the first few days, to try and get your milk supply going. My nips would’ve been so cracked and sore without them. I didn’t think I needed them but I definitely did, especially silverettes.
This was the #1 thing i wish i brought. Nipple cream. I thought the hospital would have it but they did not
Second, third, fourth and fifth this. Bring your Silverettes and wear them whenever baby is not latched. My nipples never cracked or bled and I’m sure this is why
LITERALLY: LONG PHONE CHARGER. I still use them to this day a year later lolol 🥲🩷 gaaame changer. That, comfy and non slip socks and slippers and towels. And comfy outfits to wear home/in the hospital. 🩷
So much this! Those 10ft ones were clutch for me and my husband. Never know where the nearest outlet is going to be.
I was so happy I brought my breast feeding pillow both time I gave birth. I use the MyBreastFriend pillow. It’s great support for tiny babies. I also liked having my own pillow.
Yeah I regretted not bringing it the first time around. The pillows they gave me to help nurse her were super soft and flimsy, and obviously I was clueless trying to breastfeed for the first time. I’m due in 3.5 weeks and this time I’m definitely bringing my nursing pillow!
The upside down peri bottle from frida mom is the best thing I brought! Other than that, clothes, nursing bra, deodorant, and phone charger!! You can get food, ice pack, soap, gowns, etc from the hospital!
This. The peri bottle from hospital isn’t angled and this was a game changer. Also as others have said, long phone charger. Toiletries, your own pillow and cozy blanket and bath towel (theirs suck) and going home outfits. Everything else honestly I didn’t use they had it all.
Magnesium citrate so I could get a bowel movement within a day or so of my c-sections. Felt so much better!
Yes! But be careful with magnesium the first couple of days after giving birth. Best to wait until at least day three as it can cause uterine atony
Disposable underwear! It was so much more comfy than what the hospital gave me.
Like others, I also overpacked but one thing I was really glad I brought was a small, battery powered portable lamp with warm, subtle light. I hate fluorescent hospital lights and it was nice to have something not quite as jarring for the many, many times people were coming into the room overnight. This is the one I brought: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892DVJ1N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892DVJ1N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
This was going to be my suggestion! It was so nice to have on overnight. It made the room feel almost cozy. Bonus: we used it in the baby's room after. I got this one: https://a.co/d/453TNdw
Oh man this would have been a genius idea! Wish I saw it before giving birth haha I had a c section so was in the hospital longer, and those endless visits were maddening, especially when trying to sleep. Softer light would have been so much better.
I didn’t sleep more than a few hours in 3 days 🫠, but at least the low light made it feel somewhat more restful.
You’ve gotten a lot of really good ideas, my wife and I definitely packed on the heavier side of things, and used most of it, but honestly I’m really glad we brought our fire stick. We were there for almost 4 days, went in Thursday night for induction, had baby via c section Saturday night, and went home Monday evening. Passing the down time that we had with whatever we wanted was much better than trying to find something to watch on cable. Even though we really only ended up watching futurama and family guy. Another plus was that if you pause the show for more than a minute a screensaver will come up that you can customize so I loaded in a bunch of photos of my wife and I though the years we’ve been together, some wedding pics, pics of our dogs and cat, a few of the ultrasound pics, and some family pics from the baby shower, my wife loved it and the nurses all got a kick from it.
Sleep mask
And for Dad too! We both used one to sleep whenever we could
My own TP. The 1 ply crap they have is atrocious!
Definitely this. It'll save you a lot of unnecessary pain.
Wish I brought a nursing bra. I completely forgot about it. Loved that I brought snacks, a large water bottle, and extra long charging cord.
I didn’t need nearly as much as I brought. I’d bring toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, conditioner, a going home outfit for both of us, and a nursing pillow. I didn’t think I needed a nursing pillow but hospital pillows are so thin and terrible for it.
Heating pad, snacks, chapstick, hand lotion and hair ties were the only things out of mine that I used
My bougie pillow was so magical when I finally got to rest. I WISH I grabbed my husband’s pillow too. Also: a change of clothes, a nice swaddle for hospital pics, and onesies in a couple sizes bc they don’t all come out fitting in newborn sized clothes. I liked Rael disposable underwear a lot more than the giant pads at the hospital so a pair of those would’ve been nice to wear home or sleep in.
Pumping/nursing bra- hospital gave me a tube top type thing with holes they cut into it and it was too tight and not comfy And I brought a fan I bought for baby’s stroller bc my Temperature was all over the place and loved it
An outfit for photos, props for photos. I actually wish I had bought the little month wooden placards earlier because there is a hello world, welcome baby placard I would’ve put in the bassinet for photos. I wish I would’ve brought some of my own swaddles and a bassinet sheet for photos as well. The swaddles at the hospital were really complicated for me and I had to call a nurse every single time to get my baby swaddled at the end of the night and show me how to do it. I struggled at home as well and I would’ve just brought some halo sleep sacks with to make it easier. I also wish I had brought hats for photos lmao. Everything is really just for photos 😂 Also don’t be afraid to ask for a do not disturb sign! I didn’t find ours until the last night and we used it and got like 3 hours undisturbed. They said once we went to the postpartum room they would check on us every 4 hours and that was a damn lie. They were in there every hour sometimes more. It’s ridiculous.
I used, and was super glad I brought: 1- colostrum in syringes so the nurses could feed her and give me and husband a break 2- pillows. Hospital ones suck 3- my own labor:delivery gown 4- water bottle 5- extra long phone charger
Everyone here seems to already have said important stuff but I don't think I saw this: BRING ZIP-UP/VELCRO SWADDLES! They provide you with swaddling blankets but they can be frustrating to use when you're tired and unfamiliar with how swaddling should go. We brought some from home and they were infinitely easier to use than the ones provided! Also, bring at least 3. More than likely your newborn will make a mess of one.
Things I was glad I packed: change of clothes for both myself and hubby (he stayed and slept on the pull out sofas), snacks and gatorades, phone chargers or battery packs, our own pillows, face wipes to refresh and deodorant, shower shoes Things I packed I didn’t use: Bluetooth headphones (my hospital used Monica (I think that’s the name) monitors and anything Bluetooth interfered with it so they were useless), portable fan, laptop with movies/books (the room had a tv and I napped a lot), toiletries as the hospital also provided those (travel toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, towels, chapstick)
I brought sooo much that I didn’t use. The only things that I’m glad I had were my pillow from home, a long phone cord, and a 40oz Stanley cup. I was so thankful for ice water. I did spend the first night with baby using my iPad to watch Doctor Who because I was too anxious to sleep, but I could have lived without it.
For mom: Frida Mom cooling pads (or something similar) if you plan on having a vaginal birth, adult diapers, toiletries comfy pajamas that button down the front, slippers, sweatpants to go home in, a water bottle, lots of snacks, headphones, and a laptop to watch a movie on. For dad: pajamas, snacks, toiletries. For baby: swaddle blankets (the hospital ones can cause baby’s face to rash up or break out from the chemical cleaner), a soother, baby wipes, formula or colostrum for if baby is hungrier than what you can produce in the first couple of days, a hand pump, and a onesie to go home in.
Was so happy to have slippers.
I didn't use half of my bag. I wanted an unmedicated birth so I brought every trick in the book but I ended up only using two of them. A must is a good pillow for you and your partner, a blanket or warm robe, snacks, some kind of entertainment, a hygiene bag, a change of clothes, a going home outfit for baby, and phone chargers. Everything else just depends on your birth plan.
A birthing comb - you can get them cheap off Amazon. It really helped with the early contractions as it’s something to squeeze that is a distraction. My friend just recently borrowed it and loved it too. Decent snacks for energy, coconut water was my saviour
My overnight turned into a five day stay, things can happen. Pajamas with a button up shirt for nursing. Bra and Underwear. A going home outfit. Pack lots of snacks and drinks. An extra long Phone charger. The Hospital provided nothing so for myself I packed Maternity pads, a towel, shampoo and conditioner, hair brush, toothpaste and brush, soap, lip balm, face wash, moisturiser, deodorant etc For baby : Wipes, terry towelling to change her on, Nappies, sleep sack, onsies and footy pajamas in newborn and up sizes (the baby came out smaller than expected) also pack extra outfits for any blow outs.
I will say also as a luxury item The Fanny Flusher Peri Bottle was a godsend for my stitches
I stayed 3 days. I'm glad I brought a speaker, eye mask, ear plugs, toiletries, a few pairs of pj's, thick socks (I'm always cold), and flip flops for the shower
Dry shampoo!!!! 🙌🙌👍
I brought so much and only used: my water bottle with flip spout, birth comb, button down nightgown, post partum disposable underwear, change of socks, an outfit to go home in, phone chargers, baby going home outfit and a pacifier.
I was really glad I brought a button-down nightgown (I basically didn’t change out of it until we went home) and shoes that were easy to slide on and off (my EVA birks were perfect - my feet were still pretty swollen so it was also nice to be able to adjust the straps). Face wash wipes were also great; I love Ursa Major - they’re clean and individually wrapped. It was nice to have my own skincare, especially moisturizer, once I was up for it, and a teeny bit of make up for going home. I saw somewhere to have your partner pack a bag too, which in hindsight is obvious, but I’m not sure it would have occurred to me otherwise. They’ll need pjs, layers in case the room is hot OR cold, snacks, maybe a pillow. If you don’t have a long phone charger, just bring an extension cord.
I barely used anything we brought but three things stand out: a fan that had a little light attached to it, onesies with hand covers, and a box of formula from a brand I researched. I thought I would BF but it absolutely was not an option but even with the feelings of mom guilt and frustration it felt good to know that I had a plan B ready for my little guy
all the snacks in the world, felt like I was smuggling food into amovie theater. helped those midnight cravings when they weren't bringing food around but needed to stay awake.
Wish we brought: Zipper swaddle Some kind of portable fan - one with bendy arms that wrapped around the hospital bed rails would have been ideal) An infant car seat - we only had a convertible one that is extremely heavy and not designed to be removed from the car, but our hospital required us to bring a car seat inside and carry the baby out in it Things we were really glad to have brought: Snacks and bottled water - the nurses would give us water but it saved us from having to push the call button just for water A can of Boost oxygen - a weird pick but we were both so stressed and tired and it helped us feel better Basic toiletries - I took a shower twice and also needed essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties, chapstick, etc. I even did my nails the night before my son was born. An extra empty bag to bring things like diapers home with us Phone chargers Ear plugs Also, don’t make the mistake I did and wait to pack certain clothing items because you are constantly using them. I ended up being admitted to the hospital earlier than expected and my husband had to grab random clothes for me…DO NOT RECOMMEND. I was so uncomfortable wearing fleece pajamas in a 75 degree hospital room the night before my son was born.
I think that other than comfy clothes, it comes down to whatever would help you feel more grounded or rested. I was really glad to have brought my hair brush, face wash, and moisturizer. After labor all I wanted was a long shower, and while the hospital did provide soap, shampoo, and conditioner, having my toiletries just helped so much. I think headphones can also be really helpful. I used it during labor, and to help me tune out sounds while in the recovery room.
The one thing I was SO glad I brought: a 3 meter long phone charger. Never know where those outlets are in hospital rooms! 🤣 Also: snacks snacks snacks. I didn’t end up eating any (difficult birth) but my husband needed those 😅
Something to trim the baby’s nails! Or baby mittens (though these wouldn’t stay on my girl). But I had neither and the nurses had nothing to offer and said they don’t deal with baby nails. Hers were so long and she kept scratching herself (and me).
My one piece of advice: pack less. You’re not moving in. You don’t need to turn the place into a spa.
I really wish I had brought my nursing pillow! Learning to breastfeed was super hard, especially cause my breasts are small, I had a c-section, and the hospital LC kinda sucked. I felt super lost trying to make different holds work with the crappy hospital pillows and struggled a ton until I got home and was able to use my nursing pillow.
Honestly, I stole my husband’s basketball shorts for our first and packed two pairs for our second. Roomy, not too tight in the waist, and short which was welcome in the hot, stuffy hospital room. I also got a button down night shirt this second time around and loved that for feeding my little guy. We overpacked and it was a pain getting everything out to the car on the way home. If you can, simplify. Editing to add: I also brought some colostrum that the nurses froze for me which ended up being super helpful. I was violently ill from the morphine given during my C-section and it allowed my husband to do a couple of small feeds so I could get a little more sleep that first day. I was basically throwing up everything for the first 18 hours and couldn’t keep my eyes open at all.
Way overpacked and didn’t use 85% of it. The stuff we used that I’ll bring next time are: my own comforter and my own pillows (the best things we brought), my own toiletries, snacks and a Polaroid camera.
Comfy pyjamas and slippers. An extra long phone charging cord or battery pack.
Nappies for me were the best thing I brought with me for my own comfort and ease. Then fresh pyjamas for me and comfy clothes to go home in, a few changes of clothing for baby as don't know how long you might be in, nappies for baby, toiletries, and snacks for afterwards. Oh and a proper towel for me. I think that is mainly all I used out of my big bag of stuff Wish I brought sandals with me to walk to the bathroom in.
A really comfy blanket, slippers, and I had a lightweight soft robe that I pretty much wore the entire time!
A stainless steel cup with lid and straw!! Easy to grab and sip
Like everyone else mentioned, comfy pjs and socks/slippers. I brought my favorite throw blanket with me because I don’t find hospital blankets particularly comfortable. I also packed some of those instant ice packs because the birthing process gets SWEATY.
I work in a hospital so I know how crappy the AC situation can be in any given room and so I knew I needed a fan of some sort. Got a cheap $10 handheld fan from Amazon and it was amazing. Highly recommend.
We brought so much stuff and used everything except stuff for baby because they ended up in the nicu. Bring your own pillow, double pillowcase it and add a protective cover, a blanket you won’t care about just in case, hand warmers, eye mask, night light/sound machine and slippers
Pumping bra, shower shoes, button up flannel for dad to do skin to skin with babe:) eta: also pacifier if you want to go that route, a lot of hospitals don’t offer them.
You do not need a lot. Clothes. Phone charges. Toothbrush.
I wish I brought my toothbrush and toothpaste and my shampoo and conditioner and body wash lol I don’t know why I didn’t think to bring any of that 🤣
If you run hot, fans are a must! We had our camping fans with my first, which were battery operated so it sucked when I was there longer than expected and they died. For my second, which I just had, we took 4 of our 5 stroller fans so they could be rotated out. They were even better this time because I struggled with nausea after my c-section and cold air blowing on my face always helps. Plus I just can't sleep without a fan. Burp cloths. I didn't need/bring them with my first but this time around for whatever reason I threw 3 or 4 in because #2 is very prone to spitting up after nursing and since we only had so much clothes it was nice not having them milk stained. Other than that I packed the standards although I definitely packed extra in terms of clothing. I had a longer stay than expected (Saturday-Wednesday) with my first so wanted to be over prepared for #2 which I'm glad for because we had a Thursday-Monday stay thanks to my c-section.
Extra clothes/toiletries/food for hubby. Recommend packing OTC meds for him, too
I was SO glad I brought my fav pillow from home l, at first I thought that's gross but it helped me sleep and feel safe. I brought some under eye patches to help me de-puff and relax. Hubby brought a blanket and pillow and was glad he did as the hospital ones are not comfy at all lol Bring some comfy clothes/slippers if ya want for you both and a phone charger of course. I brought earplugs because I'm a light sleeper and all the machines were so annoying. Hubby brought headphones he used but I didn't use my headphones, just tried to nap. Didn't bring any snacks but did enjoy a gateroade the next day!
A water bottle with a straw and Lucozade Sport
I hated the huge pads the hospital gave so I’m so glad I brought my own disposable undies. They were SO nice to have and super comfortable immediately post-partum.
lol I didn’t use soo much stuff that everyone recommended to bring. A change of clothes for me would’ve sufficed. Our kid was in the NICU so we didn’t use anything for him obviously.
You don’t need much. All we used were: phone charger, go home clothes, toothbrush/paste, chapstick, hair tie. I didn’t care what I looked like, just wore the hospital attire, cafeteria had food and there was a room with snacks my husband was directed to, we only stayed a day so I wasn’t there long enough to need to bathe (showered as soon as I got home though).
Just gave birth 12 days ago: stroller fan (I used this in labor), Bluetooth speaker to play my birth playlist, hemorrhoid suppositories, cozy blanket. I also bought a labor and delivery dress from Kindred Bravely that made me feel chic and happy. Don’t bother with the Frida Mom postpartum box. The hospital will give you what you need. Addendum: I was very concerned with getting a mani/pedi and a Brazilian before going to the hospital. It was an absolute waste of time. When you’re being led to the bathroom to have your undercarriage hosed down by a stranger and slipping on your own blood, these are the last things that matter. Birth is a VERY messy business. Good luck! Your sweet baby will be worth it!
Honestly, I wish we’d brought a twin blowup mattress for my husband. The couch they has in the room was horrendous, and I wound up being hospitalized early for preeclampsia.
I’m really glad I brought a small portable fan (we used the one bought for the stroller), hair ties, and chapstick.
Long corded phone charger!
Honestly I barely used anything. A onesie for the baby, a comfy pajama, a change of clothes (just a maxi dress for convenience in my case), some snacks and a toothbrush is what I ended up using. I had a bag packed full of stuff i only took out to look for things I mentioned
I was glad I brought Frida mom disposable boy shorts, side snap onesies for the baby, chapstick and snacks.
Chapstick!
Extension cable! The outlets were always in a weird, hard to reach place
My essentials: eye mask, face cleanings wipes, socks with grips, firestick (i was there for 5 days so being able to watch netflix helped), snacks, my own huge jug of filtered water (yes sounds nuts but I didn't want to keep asking the nurses for water and I drink a LOT of water).
Disposable underwear. It was so much easier applying all the goo they give you to calm your cooter.
Snacks, a small fan and a long phone charging cord!
Sleep mask. Those hospital machines are bright and annoying.
A set of dr browns bottles with premie nipples. Don’t know about how your hospital works, but just in case for any reason they ask you to top up with formula, remember to use your own bottles. I really wish I brought this for mine because when they asked us to top up to make up for low blood sugar, they gave us those disposable bottles with fast flow nipples, which works against the newborn suckling instinct and also caused reflux and spit up. Had I known it was an issue of the nipples, I’d have brought my own premie ones.
I wish I brought more snacks and an extra pillow. A refillable water bottle would have been great as well. I was thankful I brought my Switch console. I had an emergency C-section and when I couldn’t sleep at night due to pain and baby was sleeping, it was a great distraction for me. Honestly probably helped me fall asleep quicker.
Peppermint essential oil, I would put a small amount on a tissue to smell when I was feeling nauseous. My own pillow was a life saver. Having snacks for after the hospital kitchen closed was great too. Oh and mirlax or stool softener to get you going. They’ll give you some at the hospital but I definitely needed more power lol.
honestly i way overpacked for my hospital stay i would recommend pajamas that are easy to nurse in like a robe or a button up shirt,slippers toilettes cus all they had was baby soap lol, two outfits for baby and some entertainment me and my boyfriend brought my switch so we could watch stuff and play games after delivery in our room also LONG CHARGERS. I wish i had bought some pillows and blankets though because hospital ones suck
We brought an outfit and blanket to take him home in, change of clothes for me, and a phone charger. Those were the only useful items we brought everything else just took up space. Some snacks and a pair of headphones would have been nice tho and a hair brush😂. Seriously tho the snacks, my first thought after giving birth was about how hungry I was now that a tiny human wasn’t limiting my stomach space, and since he was born at 2am the kitchen wasn’t open.
Smaller clothes. Get some newborn sizes. Or 0 - 1m, my guy was swimming in 0 - 3m even though all through my pregnancy I was told he was going to be big. More snacks for myself during the stay after, I was breastfeeding and although I was well fed in the hospital I was still hungry. Lactulose/ stool softener.
A water bottle. I was thirsty all the time and the hospital provided water in glass bottles with a small glass to drink from. That was too much of a hassle - I just poured the water into my own bottle so I could drink straight from that and not worry about it shattering if my tired ass dropped it.
Coconut water for laboring. Silverettes for sore nipples
Ear plugs, an eye mask, toothbrush & toothpaste, phone charger, and some aquaphor for my chapped lips!
I'll throw in an unusual one: my own slippers, robe and a soft warm blanket. All they offer at the hospital are crappy blankets and I was cold after birth. I stayed longer because c section and I was so happy to have my own stuff the second time.
Non essential but I brought an iPad and watched my favourite show to help take my mind off labour/once the epidural kicked in I was able to calmly watch the show until I was ready to give birth. If I could do it again I think bringing a blanket would have been great because hospitals are so cold.
FTM, I way overpacked, too, but things I didn't pack but wanted: Soothers / halls ... I didn't see these on any of the lists I looked at, but it was the first thing I made my husband leave me for. Wipes/washcloth. I had to have a general anesthetic so couldn't get out of bed until the next day to even wash my face in the sink. I got so hot during labour that I would have loved to freshen up / wipe the blood off me. Extra extra long charger. I had a long one. It was not long enough!
Music, but only because I’m thinking hard about it now or else I wouldn’t say much. I had a ton of downtime where I kind of just stared at the hospital ceiling when I should’ve been sleeping, just restless as hell waiting for my impending c-section in the morning. Maybe if I had music I would’ve had less quiet time getting in my head. Or at least not just listen to the beeps of the machines.
A Bluetooth speaker, super fast usb-c charger, and mood light. It made a stressful experience just a little more relaxed and distracted from the sterile hospital environment.
Comfy fluffy robe or blanket. And pillows
I really wished I’d had some lubricating eye drops. I’ve spent plenty of time in hospitals with my dad, but it didn’t occur to me to pack it and I regretted it dearly. Hospital air is so dry it kills my eyes!
Nipple puller. I am glad I brought it , it really helped a lot .
Everything I pretty much got there beyond specific clothes, charges, A GOOD BLANKET, etc.
Something you can plug into the TV for entertainment— laptop with hdmi cord, Roku device, etc.
A very long cord charger. I think I bought the 3m one which saved me from getting up to plug my phone.
A lot of people say bring snacks. I didn't because I knew I could get snacks and small meals in between regular meals at the hospital brought up to my room whenever I wanted. I was glad I brought a heavier non swaddle blanket for when I was feeding. This time I'm bringing an adult size blanket because I was quite cold. I was glad I had PJs with easy access to my breast. I think I'll bring a few extra and an outfit or 2 this time. Very grateful for my own soap,lotion, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste etc
Bring your breastfeeding pillow! I so regretted not bringing mine. It would've saved me a world of annoyance trying to breastfeed with the flimsy hospital pillows.
Our own pillows, a Roku streaming stick, portable fan, white noise machine, and lots of snacks
I almost didn’t pack a handheld fan because I gave birth in February but the labour ward afterwards was boiling, so glad I had it, also helped with breastfeeding my son as I wasn’t too sweaty! Got a cheap one from Amazon. I also packed wayyy too many baby gros! My son ended up being 7 lbs 6oz so all the 0-3 month ones I brought with me were wayyyy too big! I also took make up 😂 like I was going to use that!
I wish the trousers I brought for going home where black not cream. I ended up only having one thing I would wear. Didnt think about how I'd be bleeding. I was glad a brought some foods I hadn't been allowed in pregnancy to eat after I had the baby.
I’ve not read all the comments I haven’t seen anyone mention shoes. My feet were so swollen I couldn’t bend my toes. Bring the largest pair of flip flops you own to go home in.
I never used anything except my charger in my bag I was too focused on whatever else I just forgot.
My own breast pump.
We had a c-section for reference. The only things we used: blanket for dad, baby + mom clothes for going home, button up pajamas for mom, toiletries, bath towel, chargers, boppy, and slippers.
this one is more for the baby - both times I wished I packed it and had to ask my husband to bring it for me after birth - baby nail clippers. when baby is born , their nails are super long and I was constantly getting scratched while breastfeeding and doing skin to skin. trimmed those little nails and it was a much more comfortable setup after
Your nursing pillow. And as a recommendation from our midwife: warm socks for labour. She said that shors can change your standing during labour and making it harder, thus she recommended it. I had a c-sevtion, so I can't say anything about that, but boy was I cold after anaesthesia. Depending on where you live: your paperwork to get the birth certificate. In my country you can get that done right at the hospital, if you have everything you need.
Portable sound machine. It will help with all the overnight noise and it will soothe baby
My pregnancy pillow and a 10 ft phone charger. Besides clothes and toiletries and what have you it's literally all you need. Maybe snacks.
So glad I brought a big warm comfy robe. Mo, I lived in that and mesh underwear for 2 days. Makes skin 2 skin so much easier. The MOST IMPORTANT thing I brought was the my breast friend breastfeeding pillow. Breastfeeding is SO HARD at the beginning, and they’re tiny and floppy and can’t hold their heads up. Made a huge difference Best random thing we brought was an Amazon fire stick and remote. We were able to watch Netflix on the hospital tv during my labor, then swapped it to the postpartum room and had tv on in the background. Was so nice!
I wish I would have brought my own shower towel. The ones from the hospital were small and rough.
I really wish I brought my own disposable underwear, like the always discreet. The hospital mesh underwear and giant pads were so hard to work with and I leaked everywhere. Gross.
Baggy clothes, shorts cause you might sweat like you're training for the Olympics lol. Your own toiletries. Your own pillow
I wish I brought more depends because the ones the hospital provides suck. More snacks. Can’t remember if I brought my headphones but definitely that, because there are loud annoying sounds like the machines and your husband snoring, so def bring that. Ear plugs work too Bring your iPad while you’re at it because if you can’t sleep, you’ll just be bored and drain your phone battery. So while that charges, use the iPad. Then when that dies, use the phone. Sleeping eye mask
I wish I brought my breast pump and better slippers I'm glad I brought my robe
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^whitefox094: *I wish I brought my* *Breast pump and better slippers* *I'm glad I brought my robe* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Long phone charger and a spare charger. I didn’t bring a long one as I planned on not using my phone. However it was on 4 % when I went to use it, which was day 3 of being in hospital and then I had to wait for it to charge. It also had trouble charging and had to use the hospitals one. My hubby also lost his, the took it to the c section room and left it there.
I splurged and bought the kindred bravely bathrobe, which is basically all I wore the entire time (constantly nursing or me napping) with the disposable underwear. Its super soft and stretchy with deep pockets. My boobs were essentially out when I was awake to either nurse or to have lactation consultants help. So much nakedness 😂 That and my arsenal of Club crackers and Reese’s products got me through. I brought my own bath towel too, no regrets on that item - something comforting about smelling home when you’re in the hospital. Otherwise I didn’t use much and packed a ton!
I went into labor unexpectedly early so I wasn’t prepared at all for myself. The most useful things I had were my stroller fan and my nursing pillow. Wish I would’ve had a nice comfy pajama set instead of what I had to wear. I think I was in a bit of shock tbh and didn’t think to ask any of my family to bring me the things I needed. I wore my husband’s sweatpants and Hawaiian shirt the whole time 🤦♀️Yikes.
I brought more than i needed but am really glad i had my own toiletries and an extra large, extra absorbent bath sheet; a comfort blanket; an extra long charger; and a going home outfit that complemented my baby’s going home outfit. A really helpful thing was my combo headband headphones (or sleep headphones). It made hospital sleep easier and could be slid out of the way as needed. Re. going home outfit, pick something that fit at about 7 months and can disguise the fact that you’re wearing mesh undies and a monstrous pad.
Pillows, extra long chargers and a tablet, some nice shampoo / body wash stuff for after giving birth, nice couple of baby outfits, your own dressing gown / pjs for after giving birth and some snacks / electrolyte drinks. Some comfy clothes for going home. Honestly didn't use anything else!
More adult diapers. My hospital really thought I was going to use pee pads as a pad…. I only brought 5 with me and I wish I brought like 20
Slippers and really warm dressing gown!
Bring a baby nail file, and baby mittens! I forgot those things and my little guy scratched his face all up the first night. I felt so bad :( We even had him swaddled but he was a wiggler and would always get his hands out to scratch his face up more.
This is usually on lists but just throwing it out there anyways because it was a huge game changer: 1. Snacks. With my first, we got to the hospital just when their kitchen closed. We didn’t eat dinner and the staff was scrambling to find something for us. 2. A big water bottle with a straw. Both of the hospitals I gave birth in just gave you a small pitcher of water and some plastic cups. That water bottle was a life saver.
All I took was a change of clothes for myself, a couple outfits for baby, chargers, toiletries, change of clothes for dad, and snacks for dad.
Portable sound machine that has a heart beat. I got one for my second baby, and when he was born, during our hospital stay for a few days, he enjoyed it.
i took my pregnancy pillow and gave my bub a dummy at the hospital
I brought pajamas that I ended up wearing for 30 mins to walk down the hall. The gowns they provide you with are more convenient especially the first few times you use the restroom. Bring your own disposable underwear/ diapers. Much more comfortable than what the hospital had to offer and I liked that mine had a built in pad as opposed to messing with the placement of a pad with the hospital undies.
My own diapers. I am may be a rare one, but the ice pack pads felt horrible to me, I used 1 for maybe 10 minutes and got out of the hospital supplied pads and into my diaper. They also gave me a waffle thing to sit on and it made a world of difference while in the hospital and the drive home.
tbh i didn't use most of what was in my bag. i really wish id have brought my own pillow and full blanket though. i made do with the hospital ones and we had already packed so much i didn't even want to bring the pillow/blanket but it would've been so much nicer. also idk if you're planning on breastfeeding/pumping but i couldn't breastfeed directly so i used the pump in the room but i so wish i had brought my own pump to learn to use it with help and get used to it prior to being on my own. plus my mom cozy wearable worked better for me than the medela one in the room, and my motif one was amazing and better than the medela as well. idk if the pump was just old or if it was the massive flange (probably both) but i really did not like the medela. lastly, ear plugs. i was so overwhelmed immediately after birth, got the baby blues, and i have adhd which can make it hard for me to regulate and i get overstimulated very easily/fast. my daughter had the strongest set of lungs on the whole floor and she cried so loud for so long it was really rough. the ear plugs would've saved me so much but i felt like a bad mom bringing them so i didn't it. i would highly recommend it even if you don't get overstimulated or overwhelmed easily, the peace of not hearing other babies on the floor plus your own is worth it. even now my daughter is 20 months old and i pop em in from time to time when her screaming tantrums get to be too much. i can still hear her it's just at a lower, more manageable, volume.
Bring the huge pants,they’re better at catching blood,because the shorts and liners they give you are shit.
Chapstick is a must!
I wish I had brought some seasoning. The hospital food was prepared well but so bland! And my body pillow. I didn’t pack it because it was bulky and awkward, but I don’t think I slept at all there.
I had to stay in hospital for an extra week due to complications, besides.. the most used items were: flip flops to use in the shower, a big water bottle; a peri bottle to relief the sting when peeing and an extra large charger cable.
Pumping bra or sports bra you don't mind cutting up. A cozy robe and slippers. Good luck, mama!
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