What to pack?

I know this might be different for everyone, but does anyone have suggestions on the things they were grateful they packed for their hospital stay? I got the list from my hospital, but I am also polling you all...

Thank you for your ideas!
Michelle

 

I'll be watching this thread as well .......

 

What I didn't bring might be more helpful- pj's- I learned this the first time around- unless you want them to get all trashed from 9 months of not having a period (sorry tmi), just wear what the hospital gives you... (though you might want your own bathrobe)
-undies- same reason- they'll supply you with the mesh hospital brand.
-anything for the babies other than what you want them to wear home- meaning diapers, wipes, pacifiers- they'll give you all of this at the hospital- even formula and bottles... usually they stock the babies bassinett with all this stuff, so make sure you empty it out of whatever's in there because one thing they may not tell you is that you're paying for it anyway so you might as well take it!
-Do make sure to bring a camera, a videocamera, plenty of chapstick or lip moisturizer, your own toiletries- shampoo, conditioner, etc. My room had a hair dryer. Bring your going home clothes- something comfy and stretchy- if you've had a c section, you definitely don't want anything around the waist that might put pressure on your incision (zippers or buttons)...
HTH! Good luck!

 

Robe, slippers, sports bra (if you aren't planning on nursing), toiletries, clothes to come home from hospital in and clothes for the babies to come home in. I also brought my own pillows, but I don't travel without one so that could just be me. I had a scheduled c-section, so if you are going through labor and delivery there is probably some other stuff you would want. I packed a lot of stuff on the lists you see and used hardly anything. I stayed in the hospital gowns and used the stretchy mesh underwear the hospital provided. Don't forget the camera, videocamera and extra batteries or the wall charger either.

 

You might want to find out what your hospital provides you. That was helpful for me. Then, I used a list from a mom who went back and said what she did/didn't use off the list and I also used my childbirth instructor's recommendations.
Here is the list:

Packing List for Hospital

Labor/DH's Bag
Swim trunks
Heating pads (stick on kind)
Mouthwash
Change of clothes for DH
Robe for me
Makeup remover cloths
Lip balm
Lotion
Hair ties
Socks (to be sacrificed to mess)
Camera

Postpartum bag
Sleep bra
Nursing pjs
Unscented lotion (in labor bag)
Lip balm (in labor bag)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Comb for hair
Body wash
Scrubby
Going home outfit, shoes (flip flops)
Slipper socks
Lansinoh
iPod
cell phone (charger?)


*Have in car: EZ2Nurse pillow



For Maya and Sofia
Sleepers
2 shirts
Preemie size sleepers
hats (I might not bring these, think the hospital will have some)

 

Definitely take a roll of quarters for DH so he can get a snack from the vending machine. Postpartum you may want to send him for a snack for you too.

 

I packed a lot of things that I didn't need, so definitely find out what the hospital gives you. They had plenty of diapers/wipes. They gave me everything I needed for breastfeeding (including lansinoh nipple cream and breast shells). I never really wore my pajamas much except when I was walking the halls (I had a gown on most of the time and that was really easy to unsnap and nurse with). The hospital gave us formula (but I didn't use it). The hospital had receiving blankets and hats too.

Also, they gave me pads and plenty of mesh underwear, so I didn't need to bring my own (I did, but I could have left that all out).

Hope this helps...