[bittersweet]

I'm pretty sure this subject has been talked about everytime someone nears delivery But I'd like to hear the answers again.

What items do you wish you would have taken with you? Anything that you took but didn't need?

Also, lots of women in my DDC are bringing a diaper bag for baby filled with diapers, wipes, ointment, burp cloths, ect. I guess I assumed the hospital provides everything you'll need for baby. Is this your experience?

Here is what I have in my bag now. Open to suggestions.


-Change of clothes for DH
-Change of clothes for me
-2 newborn outfits
-2 baby blankets. One plush, one receiving
-1 cloth diaper/burp cloth
-infant nail clippers/comb/aspirator
-nursing bra
-nursing pads
-nipple cream (Angel mama, thanks for the coupon Angela!)
-size gigantic maxi pads (only packed a few..4 i think)
-robe
-slippers
-camera
-baby book
-snacks
-hygiene items for DH and me
-cell phone charger

[LisanAndy]

You shouldn't need infant nail clippers/comb/aspirator or any maxi pads. They'll supply you with all that. Other than that, I packed everything else you listed

[**jessie**]

Travel as light as possible! You will hate having to put away tons of stuff when you get home. I actually kept putting off packing until I was in labor, and managed just fine with a small bag.

You shouldn't need any baby receiving blankets, maxi pads, baby grooming kit, or breast pads (but check with your hospital). One newborn outfit should be plenty. If you want to wear your own panties, bring quite a few of them because of the leakage.

One of your own pillows is quite nice. Also, you might want to bring your laptop if you will get wireless. Other than that, I think everything you mentioned is plenty.

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

Be sure to bring plenty of giant granny pantys! I hate hospital gowns so I brought a night gown. I ruined 2 pairs of slippers while in there so i suggest easy to clean flip flops!!

[sara~b]

Sounds like you're prepared! I didn't take much. In fact i don't think I took anything and just had my mom grab me a pair of clothes the day we were to be released. The hospital supplied everything while we were there.

Oh, I did have my own toothbrush/toothpaste because I hate the cheap hospital ones! And my brush too I think. My hair was longer then and I couldn't get away with just a finger brushing so I had my mom bring my hair brush.

[bittersweet]

Originally Posted by **jessie**

You shouldn't need any baby receiving blankets, maxi pads, baby grooming kit, or breast pads (but check with your hospital). One newborn outfit should be plenty. If you want to wear your own panties, bring quite a few of them because of the leakage.

*Off to remove from bag* I hate unpacking as well.

Originally Posted by Angelaosaurus-rex

I ruined 2 pairs of slippers while in there so i suggest easy to clean flip flops!!

Really? Did you drip stuff on them while up walking?? I thought this could happen, but then rationalized I'd be well protected down there and not leak. Was I fooling myself?

[**jessie**]

The amount of leakage is incredible in those first days! Honestly, I was shocked! I just wore the net disposable panties they gave me because anything I would have worn would have been ruined. I think I brought my Crocs instead of slippers.

Oh and be sure to bring basic toiletries, like deodarant, shampoo, brush and a hairdryer. My hospital did not supply any bath towels either, so you might want to bring one just in case.

[ANGWife]

-infant nail clippers/comb/aspirator
-nursing pads
-nipple cream (Angel mama, thanks for the coupon Angela!)
-size gigantic maxi pads (only packed a few..4 i think)
-baby book

In MY experience, I didn't need these. The hospital provides everything baby will need while you are there. As for the nursing pads, does it matter if you leak on the hospital? You will have so many other fluids (blood mostly) that it's not that big of a deal while you are there. They will also give you nipple cream. IMO you might as well use the free stuff when you can. As for the maxi pads, I brought a bunch. But since I tore so badly, I just used the ice packs and pads the hospital provided. And I wore them home and used them for the first few days.

I also recommend thick socks. The ones they had were super thin for me. I had no problem with the hospital gowns. I would rather bleed on those than a brand new one!!

[~*Bethy*~]

Please remember that for the first 2 weeks you shouldnt cut the baby' nails as their is a thiiiiiin layer of skin between the nail and finger, that if you cut it, it will bleed!! Let their nails dry out and harden for a week or 2 before you clip them!!

I would just bring a nursing tank, booby pads, and pants. They supply underwear and pads. ohh and deodorant, tooth brush and toothpaste. And a boppy. Travel light, youll appreciate it on your way home

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

Originally Posted by bittersweet

*Off to remove from bag* I hate unpacking as well.



Really? Did you drip stuff on them while up walking?? I thought this could happen, but then rationalized I'd be well protected down there and not leak. Was I fooling myself?

When I stood up the first few times (sorry TMI) I had a water fall of blood and tissue even with a pad on.

I would add flip flops/socks, and a sweater for DH. I too never used nipple cream. It is so small though, might as well pack it.

I had a lot of stuff, but I was stuck in the hospital for 6 days. So I don't think you usually need to bring much with you

[Mars]

Ditto to what was said before.

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Originally Posted by ~*Bethy*~

Please remember that for the first 2 weeks you shouldnt cut the baby' nails as their is a thiiiiiin layer of skin between the nail and finger, that if you cut it, it will bleed!! Let their nails dry out and harden for a week or 2 before you clip them!!

So wish I knew this before I made 2 of her fingers bleed the day we brought her home!


Since I was such a mess during my hospital stay I really didn't use anything I brought. I just laid in bed for 2 days straight bleeding on EVERYTHING. No way would I have wanted to wear any of my normal stuff.

Aside from an outfit to come home in (if you want something special) I wouldn't pack anything for baby at all. You also get to take home allthe diapers wipes etc in the room when you leave.

I brought a B&BW plug in air freshener and thats the only thing we used that I'd recommend that isnt on your list. Birthing smells.

nak

[KatiInCT]

Things we used:
--deodorant for me and DH (I got those little $1 samples at Target)
--toothpaste and toothbrush for me and DH (I did get a hospital issued toothbrush and toothpaste after delivery but I preferred my own)
--hairbrush for me
--shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for me
--bag of snacks for DH (granola bars, peanutbutter & crackers, tea bags)
--laptop and power cord
--camera and power cord
--outfit for me to come home in
--outfit for baby to come home in
--change for clothes for DH to use in case he got messy (we live 5 minutes away so he went home every day to change normally and check on the house

Things we didn't use but still glad I had just in case:
--change for vending machine for DH
--swimming trunks for DH in case I wanted to use shower and him to be close

Things I wish I had:
--a finger nail scrub brush (such a silly little thing but even with short nails they were a pain to clean the gunk out from under after holding Osric when he was first born right away)
--flipflops for using in the bathroom shower

Things I had but didn't use:
--pads (used hospital issued ones)
--nursing pads (didn't need while there but have used a ton since home)
--my own old underwear (used hospital issued ones)
--lanolin (didn't need while there)
--playing cards and a book for my entertainment

[bittersweet]

Originally Posted by ~*Bethy*~

Please remember that for the first 2 weeks you shouldnt cut the baby' nails as their is a thiiiiiin layer of skin between the nail and finger, that if you cut it, it will bleed!! Let their nails dry out and harden for a week or 2 before you clip them!!

I had no idea! Thanks for letting me know.

[Frozendesire]

I've just packed a diaper bag and then a bag for myself. In this diaper bag I have ready for not only the hospital but outtings as well. So pads for me, nursing pads plus whatever I need for baby. I preferred to leave with my own pad as it was less bulky haha.

Then for myself I brought comfy pants, comfy shirts, toiletries, bras, big old undies (for leaving or whatever), big robe, slippers/flip flops. And then cell phone, camera batteries etc.

For hubby I haven't but needed too... extra clothing, plus swim shorts. I've labored in the shower for both boys and he always gets drenched but neither time we were prepared... so this time I'll pack him a bag as well.

[Oriyan]

I'd bring a nail file instead of the clippers -- Their nails are so paper thin, a good file does the job! I am glad I had a file with me cause his nails came out like friggin DAGGERS! We joked that the places I tore (inside of my labia on the lips) were from his nails

Granted, the hospital maxi pads are nice -- IF you like wearing a diaper. I brought my own cause I HATED the ones they had -- although they were nice to line with tucks pads to help with swelling. I prefer ultrathin maxi pads not that I ever wore maxipads since like 8th grade.

You should not need nursing pads cause it should take some time for your milk to come in. Should come in when your home already unless you have a c-section.

Your hossy should provide you with nipple cream, tucks, diapers (although my hossy only had size 1 diapers so we took all those and used our own newborn diapers there), cold spray, peri bottle, etc.

I brought myself comfy pants, sweatshirt, 3 pairs of socks, slippers, tank top, undies, bra, bathing materials, toothbrush/paste, flipflops for shower, hair brush, make-up (i'm vein... need makeup to leave the house at all times) cell charger, camera.. that was about it really. For baby i brought a swaddle, hat, 2 outfits (one newborn, one 0-3..ended up using the newborn), mittens, diapers and that was about all really. I had him dressed in his own clothes in the hospital though -- what they had him in -- was a 12 month sized shirt with mittens!!!

[Adriana's Mommy]

My advice is to bring matching blankets and outfits for baby pictures..

When I had my son, I wasn't aware that they had a professional photographer take the hospital pictures until the day they came in to take pictures.. Luckily, I was prepared and had everything already to go.. I even had 2 ideas for pictures, so I just brought both outfits and blankets and I ended up using both items..

Here's a few of the pictures taken when I was in the hospital to give you an idea on what I'm talking about.. My son is 15 hours old in this picture. It's not to often you get professional pictures taken of your baby when they are less then 24 hours old.