June 18, 2013

What You Really Need In Your Hospital Bag {from a 2nd time mom}

You know, because I'm a second time mom I am Miss Know-It-All and that gives me some sort of authority to give unsolicited advice when it comes to all things pregnancy, parenting, babies, toddlers and whatnot. Kidding, kind of.

I have learned a thing or two in my almost three years into this mom gig. I learned that you really don't need 16 sets of receiving blankets.  You can make a birth plan but certainly don't expect things to go exactly as you have planned, it never goes that way.  When you bring that baby home and people offer to bring you food, help you clean your house, hold the baby so you can shower take them up on it.  This is the only time it is acceptable to sit on your ass while people cater to you.  And, you really don't need all that shit in your hospital bag, contrary to what the lists on Pinterest tell you.

As I approach The End {ha!} I am trying to get things ready, clean the house, have the clothes washed, and pack the dreaded hospital bag. Lots of other bloggers are on this same adventure right now so I'm feeling the pressure every time I open Instagram and see a freshly packed Vera Bradly Overnight Bag.  I didn't really stress over what to pack with Kendall yet here I am, a second time mom, wondering what on Earth I really need.  Then it dawned on me, the reason I'm not stressed about it is because I packed a normal amount the last time and never felt like I forgot or needed anything and so why do it different this time?

For the baby you don't need much. Trust me.  As far as clothes go, he/she is going to wear the hospital provided kimono top unless or until you take hospital pictures and/or go home.  Pack one, maybe two, outfits and be done with it.  Same goes with blankets, although this time I am taking one of my own but you definitely don't need more than two, tops.  Take some mittens and booties because I don't think the hospital provides those and take a cute hat because we all know how long and hard I searched for The Perfect Hospital Hat {I just like my babies to be original and have their own sense of style from day one}.  Maybe take a pacifier but again the hospital has those so don't stress if you forget one.  Newborns sleep a lot so when I see carseat toys on the lists I laugh, seriously?!  But don't forget the carseat, that's kind of necessary if you ever want to bust out of that joint.  But actually, the hospital provides those too so it's OK if you forget it too.  Oh and bottles, don't bother.  I brought some when I had Kendall and that was dumb.  She ate out of the ready-made bottles for a good 3 days, save yourself the trouble, you won't use them.

As for you, what would you normally pack for a two night stay?  That's basically what you'll need to pack this time.  Toiletries {shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair ties, face wash, blow dryer, deodorant, toothbrush, etc}are a must, go ahead and take some makeup even.  As for clothes, I wore the hospital gown the entire first day {remember I was in the hospital for four days thanks to an unplanned c-section} and only changed out of it because of visitors.  I packed 2 gaucho pants, 2 sports bras, and 2 tee shirts and I wore a maxi dress home.  Fancy, I know.  Honestly I'll probably do the same thing this time because it was comfortable, didn't bother my incision, and I looked somewhat put together {more so than in gauchos and a sloppy tee}.  You don't really need pads {TMI but I know you were wondering} because they provide you with the ultimate overnight pads while you are there.

A few things that I find comical when I read these lists {besides the toys for the newborn} are your own delivery gown.  I mean, seriously, you are going to get Lord knows what on it, why waste money on bringing your own?  Snacks and drinks are a little bit ridiculous because you can't eat or drink so why bother?  Plus, again, the hospital will give you water so save yourself the room in your bag and don't pack bottled water.  Call me crazy but I think taking books, magazines, and/or DVDs is also unnecessary.  While you are in labor the last thing you are going to think is "Hey!  I really think I want to watch The Hangover Part II."  No, you are going to think "OMG is this going to end!?" and want to just be present with your husband in your final moments before your world gets turned upside down.  And after the baby?  Psh you are just going to want to stare at and hold that sweet little bundle, a movie, book or magazine will be the furthest thing from your mind.  But do take your laptop, iPad, phone, camera and chargers for all of the above.

Some things that I didn't bring last time and will probably bring this time are some slippers or those comfy, cozy stay-at-home socks, a pillow of my own and one for Jimmy, the boppy {because I plan to breastfeed this time}, and a big sister gift for Kendall {obviously}.  That's it.  I mean I'll take my ID and insurance cards, since those are on every list {seems like a no-brainer to me though}.

See it's really not that big of a deal, don't stress yourself out.  This coming from someone who planned on a two day stay, wound up with a four day stay and still didn't feel like I missed or forgot anything.  And if you do?  I'm sure the hospital has it or worse case scenario the gift shop does or there is a CVS near by.  Don't stress.

25 comments:

  1. Our hospital wouldn't let us wear our own gowns anyway (not that i had one)--but, really, it gets, um kind of disgusting, so--yea. After some time and my first shower I preferred to get in yoga pants and a nursing tank top. It made me feel oddly put together and black pants didn't stain. They were old and gross ones though, so I'm ok with that. May be different for a c-section but I didn't mind. Newborn toys? Stop. Never heard that. I love having my own blankets for the baby, though. I take 2 or 3 (like the aden & anais ones). Hats, etc. Oh, and flip flops. For the shower. Because, YUCK. ;)

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  2. One last thing! I actually like having snacks! Not WHILE in labor but for after. If I didn't bring them then I had people BRING me snacks when they visited...momma gets hungry :) (also I brought some for my husband so he didn't pass out, at least the first time since it was way longer a process..with lucy she came so fast it didnt matter!) :)

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  3. Thanks for posting! I have been stressing about what to pack and this made me feel more prepared! :o)

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  4. I brought a roll of quarters for my hubby to be able to eat out of the vending machines. Everything else I brought was stupid, especially the maxi pads. Those things took up so much room in my bag and I didn't realize the hospital would give me some.

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  5. Some hospitals don't let you take their blankets so I suggest at least bringing one blanket for going home (even if you're expecting in hot months because who knows what the weather will be like). I brought one this time and then accidentally sent it home with my husband the night before I left - he took anything that I wouldn't need in the few hours I'd be awake the day we went home. I ended up having to get permission to take one of their blankets because it was rainy and chilly. Apparently the front desk lady would normally stop people from leaving with those. Wish I could have taken more though s the one we got is one of my fave ones.

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  6. I actually 'read' a book because I had to sit in the waiting room for 5 hours before they had a room for me...I also used FB to post all the BS this 'wonderful' hospital put me through. Miraculously they found a room for me at 11:00pm, so they could bill my insurance for a full day.

    I did bring outfits and hairbows for Lillie because well, I am 42 and if I wanted her in matching hairbows by God she was going to have them. (yes, the nurse that bathed her was unhappy with me)

    I was very happy I had brought slippers!

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  7. Hmmm it's not like you read my mind or anything here ;)

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  8. I second the nursing tank and I also brought a short, light robe (which I am now wondering where it is) to wear because I felt a bit exposed in the tank. I brought old navy flip flops that I could just throw away because the hospital floor grossed me out. Boppy was a must. If you are planning a vaginal delivery, or have general badness happening downstairs, I found this helped me a lot (in addition to that warm squirt bottle that gave you): http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/postpartum-recovery/new-mama-bottom-spray.html

    Good luck mamas! I am right behind you in December!

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  9. After I got my epidural, I was actually able to watch Knocked Up on t.v. (ironic right?) that was until my epidural wore off and I wanted to kill someone.

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  10. This post made me laugh a little. I swear the clothes that are currently packed in my suitcase at this moment are the exact same clothes you mentioned you packed for yourself as well. I did pack food though. I know hubby will not want to leave the delivery room while I am in labor and will complain about eating so I got him snacks. Not a lot though just enough to get him through the day(s). OH, we are being induced Thursday if I don't got in the next 2 days :-)

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  11. For me, the essentials were some granny underwear, yoga pants, and a hoodie. Other than that, I think we packed a couple sleepers for the baby and our phone chargers. Oh, and pacifiers because our hospital is a crazy hippie hospital and will not give out pacifiers under any circumstances.

    We also brought a small gift for the nurses (a bag of Dove chocolates) for after, which I really can't recommend enough. Especially after last time, it was kinda nice to be able to basically say, "Hey, that was a little crazy...you all probably could use some chocolate as much as I could!"

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  12. I actually brought my own 'old' underwear and maxi pads for baby #2 and baby #3 and plan to with baby #4. I hate the mesh 'underwear' (can you even call them that?!) that the hospital provides and after the first day when the majority of the heavy bleeding ends, I prefer the thinner maxi pads. Especially since all of my babies are preemies, trips down to the NICU every 3 hours is much more pleasant without it looking like I have a load in my pants from the brick sized pads the hospital provides. I also bring snacks for this exact reason too. With trips round the clock to the NICU for feedings, sometimes a nursing mama gets hungry at 3am and needs a snack. Comfy yoga pants are a must!! So much better than wearing those hospital gowns for days on end. I feel better in my own clothes.

    Overall though, I agree to pack light and only bring what is necessary. You won't be there forever.

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  13. I took some cute clothes for me but like you, a unplanned c-section resulted in a 5 day stay and lots of time in the hospital gowns.

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  14. I love a good realistic list!

    I went to the ER at 34 weeks for chest and abdominal pains and ended up having an emergency C-Section due to sudden HELLP Syndrome. So, literally ALL I had with me was my purse. I wasn't even wearing a bra, for God's sake! I know my situation was unique since my son was taken to the NICU from me, I wasn't able to see him for 24 hours, and he stayed in the hospital for 28 days. Still, it made me realize how LITTLE you truly NEED.

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  15. Love this post! I way overpacked the first time thanks to all those Pinterest lists. Additionally, I recommend stealing everything that isn't nailed down in your room when you leave. Extra formula, diapers, those ice packs for your hoo-ha (for those who had vaginal deliveries), whatever.

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  16. Are people really bringing baby toys to the hospital?!

    I chose to do a natural childbirth with both if my boys and actually watched a DVD of how I met your mother with my first. My husband laid with me on the bed and I didn't pay much attention, but it did help me to zone out during contractions and also helped keep people from talking to me ;)

    Many hospitals and physicians don't allow you to eat, but it actually helps keep your energy level up to do the work if labor, so light snacks aren't a bad idea. We also brought change for the vending machines for family.

    I packed in two bags-one for l&d with stuff that could go home after and one with clothes for during the stay. I also second others suggestions to bring a nursing bra or tank for easy access and extra support if your milk ends up coming in early while you're still at the hospital.

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  17. ah this is perfect! this reassures me that my hospital bag is all set. which is awesome since its already packed and sitting in the crib. i think the only thing i have packed that you didnt mention is a towel.. which i didnt have packed for the longest time because i assumed the hospitals would work just fine and i really didnt want to pack one. but just the other night i ended up tossing it in. we are almost to the end shan!

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  18. This is great, thanks! I was already getting stressed out about what other people mention they pack and it seems like it's more than what I would take on vacation! I'll have to refer back to this when I'm actually packing a hospital bag in a couple months :)

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  19. So the hospital I work at is pro breast feeding and therefore doesn't provide pacifiers! If you want to use one you have to bring your own. Isn't that crazy! I'm all for breast feeding if that is what the mom wants but if not then so be it. . .

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  20. oh bless you for posting this. i've started throwing some stuff together, but needed a little guidance. this was perfect. i had someone recommend packing my kindle...i'm like are you kidding me I know this is going to be no trip to the beach.

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  21. I do suggest food. If your practitioner is ok with it you can eat and drink. You may be in for a lot of hard work and need it. Oh- no hospitals in my city give car seats.

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  22. If you are planning to breastfeed for the first time I HIGHLY recommend packing some nipple shield type things. Nipples take a beating the first few weeks of breastfeeding and these help protect them from additional chaffing against clothing. I never would have known to bring them to the hospital except a friend of mind told me that she really wished she had. They were a lifesaver.

    http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2403244

    http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4239865

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  23. This is right on!!!
    The hospital pretty much provides everything you will need for the baby/breastfeeding anyway!

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  24. Great thinking! There is wonderful about "What You Really Need In Your Hospital Bag". I am impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good quality resources here. I am sure I will visit this place again soon. You can find some information with it.

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