What items to pack for the hospital before delivery?

graceful · Jan 14th, 2008, 04:22 PM

Hello! My best friend will be having a baby within the next two weeks. We do not have many friends who are parents yet and there is a lot of information on the web about what to pack for the labor and then to go home.

I was wondering what items you found useful or needed to be packed in your bag while you were at the hospital? Thanks in advance!

Sternchen · Jan 14th, 2008, 04:34 PM

Magazines (my mom and hubby read me Cosmo confessions while I was in labor!! ROFL), books, magazines, comfy socks, my own pjs, my little pillow (I can't sleep without it, and it's comforting to me)

monkaroo · Jan 14th, 2008, 04:58 PM

This is an odd one, but pack an emery board! Babies are born with long sharp fingernails and because their skin is attached at the underside, you can't cut them with trimmers. But you can gently file them down with the sandpaper of an emery board.

Also, pack some 'comfortable' maxipads. The ones they will give you in the hospital are guaranteed to be the bulkiest least comfortable ones and the last thing you need is more discomfort down there. So get some ultra-absorbent thins and you'll be happy you did.

Snacks - healthy, nutritious ones. Bake a banana bread or something and have it there to eat after delivery. Mom (and whoever went thru labor with her) will be OUTLANDISHLY hungry!

Anything that will help you feel more 'human' after your first post-baby shower (hair dryer, comfy sweats or pjs); one nursing bra (if mom plans to try to BF - which I whole heartedly but non-judgementally recommend!) and nursing top/nightgown; absolutely a pair of warm socks!

A digital camera or disposo camera!

A going-home outfit for baby

Congrats to your friend and good on you for helping out!

Sarsi · Jan 14th, 2008, 06:39 PM

Copied from parenting...

Labour bag

Include:

A clean T-shirt or front-opening nightie, dressing gown and slippers
Drinks and snacks for you and whoever's going to be with you
A straw, which will make sipping liquids easier
A small facial sponge, for dabbing and sucking on
Body oil, fine talcum powder or lotion for back rubs
Music CDs and a battery-operated player
Hairbrush, soap, towel and flannel, toothbrush and paste, and any other toiletries you want
Maternity pads (night-time sanitary pads will do) and spare pants

Keep a water spray in the fridge until she leave for hospital. It's great for gentle cool-downs during labour.
She might also want to take a camera or camcorder. Check with the hospital first, as some units don't allow filming.
Hospital bag

Include:

A front-opening nightie (easier for breastfeeding)
Comfy clothes (such as a tracksuit and T-shirts)
Sandals or easy-fitting footwear
Knickers and maternity pads for heavy bleeding after birth
Nursing bras (at least two, as you can get sweaty in hospital and if your milk comes early your bra may get wet)
Towels (take one or two - your partner can bring in extras if you're required to stay longer)
Toiletries and cosmetics
Breast pads (to absorb leaks of colostrum and milk)
Magazines and books
Writing materials
Personal music player/radio and headphones
Biscuits and snacks
Favourite tea bags
Fruit juice/mineral water
Baby clothes
Nappies for your new baby

Remember, she'll need clothing for her and the baby to travel home in, although someone can bring that in once you've had your baby.
A few maternity units ask you to bring in your own sterilising and bottlefeeding gear, including formula milk, if she's not breastfeeding.

rileygirl · Jan 14th, 2008, 07:33 PM

Also, if her SO is staying in the hospital with her make sure he packs and overnight bag as well.

Charlie · Jan 14th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Sarsi got pretty much everything in her list. Only thing missing is teeth brush. If you have to stay and people come and visit you dont want them to smell your morning breath, hehehe.

lakeharper · Jan 14th, 2008, 10:04 PM

I remember I had very dry lips and needed vaseline or some nice lip conditioner and no one had any!! Bring that :)

scarlett_2005 · Jan 14th, 2008, 11:52 PM

Sarsi has an excellent list but I would also include a pair of comfy wide shoes. When your friend leaves the hospital her feet will swell up like crazy. I couldn't fit into my tennis shoes, so dh had to run home and grab my flip flops, those were the only shoes that would fit me for like a week after I gave birth.

Also if she is planning on bf I would have her bring in a comfy robe, much better than those flimsy hospital gowns.

omgsweet · Jan 15th, 2008, 01:28 AM

Socks!! The hospital is cold.

Baby nail clippers! My daughter needed them bad...but they didn't have any at the hospital. My husband had to drive home to get them.

Your own pillow. The hospital pillows suck.

Comfty pajama pants.

The baby's car seat!!

Those are the things I forgot and had to send my husband home to get.

I also sent my husband out for ice cream one night. The ice cream they had there wasn't exactly what normal people call ice cream.

graceful · Jan 15th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Thank you everyone! I am compiling a list for her now. I had no idea about a newborn's fingernails! Thanks for that tip! Oh and the baby's car seat, that is definitely one that I didn't even consider!!! Thanks again!

berryblondeboys · Jan 15th, 2008, 10:44 AM

Well for labor midwives recommend tennis balls and they are GREAT for hard massage in the small of the back. Also, a heating pad - also nice for adding warmth to the small of your back (can you tell I only had back labor? LOL).

Nishi621 · Jan 15th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Did anyone put down lots and lots of sanitary napkins-the extra absorbent kind? And, some comfy underwear that you don't mind throwing out later? the hospital where I delivered my youngest provided sanitary pads after the birth-but they were awful! Yuck!

Don't forget your favorite music and a nice going home outfit (season appropriate) for the baby.

BagsAreMyBabies · Jan 16th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graceful

Thank you everyone! I am compiling a list for her now. I had no idea about a newborn's fingernails! Thanks for that tip! Oh and the baby's car seat, that is definitely one that I didn't even consider!!! Thanks again!

You might also want to pack a pair of baby mittens that cover their hands so they don't scratch themselves. About 99 cents at Target or wherever. Also, I liked having a distinctive little hat for my son's head rather than the ones they give you in the hospital. I already have a friend crocheting a new one for baby number two

! One more thing, a cute baby outfit for the hospital photo.

elle-mo · Jan 17th, 2008, 12:00 AM

Lip balm
a lot of socks...
most important, GRANNY PANTIES...especially if you have a C-section.
Breast pads

xtra hats for the baby, the one they give you in the hospital stretches out real fast, someone else mentioned the mittens which are good too. My kids came out with talons!

....and unless you are truly blessed, you will most likely be going home in maternity clothes. A G/F of mine brought 'normal' clothes to go home in...didn't quite fit!

Good luck!

sneezz · Jan 17th, 2008, 12:56 AM

This is great! I was just about to look this up!

Jan 14th, 2008, 04:22 PM	#1
graceful Member Location: Metairie/New Orleans	What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Hello! My best friend will be having a baby within the next two weeks. We do not have many friends who are parents yet and there is a lot of information on the web about what to pack for the labor and then to go home. I was wondering what items you found useful or needed to be packed in your bag while you were at the hospital? Thanks in advance!

Jan 14th, 2008, 04:34 PM	#2
Sternchen We're having a boy!! Location: Beauty RAOK	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Magazines (my mom and hubby read me Cosmo confessions while I was in labor!! ROFL), books, magazines, comfy socks, my own pjs, my little pillow (I can't sleep without it, and it's comforting to me) __________________ My 2 wonderful girls, Nicole (5) and Julia (1) will be big sisters soon! My pregnancy blog

Jan 14th, 2008, 04:58 PM	#3
monkaroo Member	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? This is an odd one, but pack an emery board! Babies are born with long sharp fingernails and because their skin is attached at the underside, you can't cut them with trimmers. But you can gently file them down with the sandpaper of an emery board. Also, pack some 'comfortable' maxipads. The ones they will give you in the hospital are guaranteed to be the bulkiest least comfortable ones and the last thing you need is more discomfort down there. So get some ultra-absorbent thins and you'll be happy you did. Snacks - healthy, nutritious ones. Bake a banana bread or something and have it there to eat after delivery. Mom (and whoever went thru labor with her) will be OUTLANDISHLY hungry! Anything that will help you feel more 'human' after your first post-baby shower (hair dryer, comfy sweats or pjs); one nursing bra (if mom plans to try to BF - which I whole heartedly but non-judgementally recommend!) and nursing top/nightgown; absolutely a pair of warm socks! A digital camera or disposo camera! A going-home outfit for baby Congrats to your friend and good on you for helping out!

Jan 14th, 2008, 06:39 PM	#4
Sarsi Member Location: Bay Area CA.	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Copied from parenting... Labour bag Include: A clean T-shirt or front-opening nightie, dressing gown and slippers Drinks and snacks for you and whoever's going to be with you A straw, which will make sipping liquids easier A small facial sponge, for dabbing and sucking on Body oil, fine talcum powder or lotion for back rubs Music CDs and a battery-operated player Hairbrush, soap, towel and flannel, toothbrush and paste, and any other toiletries you want Maternity pads (night-time sanitary pads will do) and spare pants Keep a water spray in the fridge until she leave for hospital. It's great for gentle cool-downs during labour. She might also want to take a camera or camcorder. Check with the hospital first, as some units don't allow filming. Hospital bag Include: A front-opening nightie (easier for breastfeeding) Comfy clothes (such as a tracksuit and T-shirts) Sandals or easy-fitting footwear Knickers and maternity pads for heavy bleeding after birth Nursing bras (at least two, as you can get sweaty in hospital and if your milk comes early your bra may get wet) Towels (take one or two - your partner can bring in extras if you're required to stay longer) Toiletries and cosmetics Breast pads (to absorb leaks of colostrum and milk) Magazines and books Writing materials Personal music player/radio and headphones Biscuits and snacks Favourite tea bags Fruit juice/mineral water Baby clothes Nappies for your new baby Remember, she'll need clothing for her and the baby to travel home in, although someone can bring that in once you've had your baby. A few maternity units ask you to bring in your own sterilising and bottlefeeding gear, including formula milk, if she's not breastfeeding. __________________ SARSI

Jan 14th, 2008, 07:33 PM	#5
rileygirl Prune's up next...	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Also, if her SO is staying in the hospital with her make sure he packs and overnight bag as well. __________________ Trying to stay focussed on: Lena or Liao Horn Necklace Prune Clemence 30 cm Lindy CDC with PH in Black, Rouge, or Potiron

Jan 14th, 2008, 08:04 PM	#6
Charlie ♥CRYLATER3♥	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Sarsi got pretty much everything in her list. Only thing missing is teeth brush. If you have to stay and people come and visit you dont want them to smell your morning breath, hehehe. __________________

Jan 14th, 2008, 10:04 PM	#7
lakeharper Member	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? I remember I had very dry lips and needed vaseline or some nice lip conditioner and no one had any!! Bring that :)

Jan 14th, 2008, 11:52 PM	#8
scarlett_2005 Crazy 4 LV Location: USA	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Sarsi has an excellent list but I would also include a pair of comfy wide shoes. When your friend leaves the hospital her feet will swell up like crazy. I couldn't fit into my tennis shoes, so dh had to run home and grab my flip flops, those were the only shoes that would fit me for like a week after I gave birth. Also if she is planning on bf I would have her bring in a comfy robe, much better than those flimsy hospital gowns. __________________

Jan 15th, 2008, 01:28 AM	#9
omgsweet omg...cute bag!! Location: Scottsdale, Az	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Socks!! The hospital is cold. Baby nail clippers! My daughter needed them bad...but they didn't have any at the hospital. My husband had to drive home to get them. Your own pillow. The hospital pillows suck. Comfty pajama pants. The baby's car seat!! Those are the things I forgot and had to send my husband home to get. I also sent my husband out for ice cream one night. The ice cream they had there wasn't exactly what normal people call ice cream.

Jan 15th, 2008, 10:35 AM	#10
graceful Member Location: Metairie/New Orleans	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Thank you everyone! I am compiling a list for her now. I had no idea about a newborn's fingernails! Thanks for that tip! Oh and the baby's car seat, that is definitely one that I didn't even consider!!! Thanks again!

Jan 15th, 2008, 10:44 AM	#11
berryblondeboys Member Location: VA (DC Burbs)	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Well for labor midwives recommend tennis balls and they are GREAT for hard massage in the small of the back. Also, a heating pad - also nice for adding warmth to the small of your back (can you tell I only had back labor? LOL).

Jan 15th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#12
Nishi621 Member	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Did anyone put down lots and lots of sanitary napkins-the extra absorbent kind? And, some comfy underwear that you don't mind throwing out later? the hospital where I delivered my youngest provided sanitary pads after the birth-but they were awful! Yuck! Don't forget your favorite music and a nice going home outfit (season appropriate) for the baby. __________________

Jan 17th, 2008, 12:00 AM	#14
elle-mo Member	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? Lip balm a lot of socks... most important, GRANNY PANTIES...especially if you have a C-section. Breast pads xtra hats for the baby, the one they give you in the hospital stretches out real fast, someone else mentioned the mittens which are good too. My kids came out with talons! ....and unless you are truly blessed, you will most likely be going home in maternity clothes. A G/F of mine brought 'normal' clothes to go home in...didn't quite fit! Good luck!

Jan 17th, 2008, 12:56 AM	#15
sneezz Member	Re: What items to pack for the hospital before delivery? This is great! I was just about to look this up! __________________