I have a book that I got from the nurses called "babies best chance" and it has a list in there of stuff you need, the baby will need, and if your partner is coming what he'll need.. Some of the stuff it says in there I cant see somebody actually needing.. You can also search on the internet and you can find some lists of stuff to bring.

Hi,
i'm not sure about your hospital, but when I had my son, they provided a lot. They gave me diapers, a breast pump, nipples to attach to the formula bottles (i ha all intentions in b-feeding, but when jaundice set in, he had to have formula, which was also provided.), they even gave him a pacifier. They gave me wipes to use, but they were dry, ihated them. They also gave a hat, shirt, and receiving blanket. They even had little net panties for me to wear so the blood didn't ruin mine. Here is a list of things I am packing this time:
for baby:
-onesies, socks, special blanket, cute little hat, gowns, outfit for hospital pictures, wet wipes (sensitive, fragrance free), lotion, bottle that I want her to use(playtex nurser) in case I can't b-feed and I need to pump for her
for mom:
-robe, gown, nursing bra, comfy clothes that are easy to nurse in (tanks, cotton shorts, yoga pants, as I hate wearing the hospital gowns, especially while visitors are there), socks, flip flops or slippers, hair tie, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, razor, deodorant, make-up, glasses or contacts (if you wear them), any other toiletry item you use (hospital will provide pads and antibacterial wash for you, but nothing else)

for dad: clothes and any toiletries he uses

general: camera (bring disposable as back up if you're using digital, our battery died before baby was ever born, thank goodness for a disposalbe), snacks (mainly for the nervous dad), lots of change for the hospital vending machines, call list of everyone you'd like to call, calling card if your hospital is long distance from family and friends

sorry this is so long, but there's a lot you'll need when it's your special day.

How many weeks were you when you packed your bag? I'm 32 weeks and i'm not sure when to get ready

Normally they say from 36-40, unless they are expecting you to go preterm. If this is your fist baby I would wait until like 38wks

I didnt get a chance lol.

I'm 36 weeks so i'm going to pack soon. Once I get the motivation to find my bag.

I've seen some of the lists out there and some of the stuff they suggest is ridiculous. I'll be bringing the minimum.

For me:

camera and extra batteries (extra batteries makes more sense than a spare disposable)
my comfy robe
socks
pj pants and top (for after birth)
comfy outfit to wear home
toiletries (deoderant, toothbrush & paste, shampoo, conditioner, brush)
makeup (in case I want to pretty myself up for pictures)
chapstick
i think that's it...

For baby:

homecoming/picture outfit & onesie
blanket

i might be leaving a few small unimportant things off but that's most of it. I'm not bringing snacks or money for my husband, he can fend for himself. He can pack his own small bag, I have enough to worry about. Also, he works there so he's going to leave his bag in his office and he knows where the atm is and the cafeteria hours and he can make phonecalls from his office.



And for someone who posted above me who mentioned a razor, are you actually planning on shaving while in the hospital?

I packed my bag at 32 weeks, I am glad that I didnt' wait because I was suppost to have a scedualed c-section but my baby came 4 days before the section. Lol

i packed my baby 1 outfit but it was huge on her. My mother had gotten her the cutest little premie outfit and it still didnt' fit her. Lol but it was really cute and fit better than the infant suite. I wouldn't put your baby in the bodysuite because when the baby doc comes in they undress the baby and that will cause a lot of trouble for them and a lot of dressing and undressing for a little baby that is brand new. You know?????

I packed a ton of stuff I ended up not using. I didn't read the books .I'd packed, didn't listen to my mp3 player, didn't wear any of my jammies during my stay (only when I left), didn't wear my cute going-home outfit (wasn't trying to impress anyone at that point), and didn't use two of the outfits .I'd packed for the baby.

All I ended up really using were my toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, hairbrush, soap), digital camera, clothes .I'd packed for my husband, and calling card. I wouldn't bother with bringing pads, diapers and wipes, or even extra sets of panties (besides the ones you're wearing home!). They provide all of that at the hospital, and you don't want to ruin your panties. You'll bleed a hella lot. That's also why I didn't wear my jammies during my stay! Pack light, because they'll send you home with a ton of stuff. And you'll probably have extra if you have excited visitors bringing balloons and flowers.

I wore my jama's during my stay. And I wore my own panties. Some people don't though. Then again I did have a section and maybe that was why I didnt' bleed as much as a normal delivery.

I bled horribly. I went through two hospital gowns my first day.

i would have been sooo upset if it'd been my jammies!

The jammie pants I bought are black so if I bleed on them it won't really be noticeable. I don't know if i'll actually wear them but I figured they'd be more comfortable than a hospital gown and I expect my family to visit in the hospital so i'd like to be a little put together.

And I was just going to wear pajamas home but thought that might not be too appropriate so I bought a pair of yoga/lounge pants (again in black) so I won't look too sloppy. We live in a condo so we might see neighbors on our way in and i'd rather be wearing something semi-normal.

I don't get why they tell you to bring books and magazines. I don't see myself laying around reading while i'm there. I'm going to squeeze him out, swoon over him, sleep, and visit with my family. I plan on leaving as soon as they'll let me.

Believe me youwon't have time for books or mags. I sure as hell didn't. Lol it's a crazy few days. But believe me people don't expect you to look "put together' while in the hospital. If you do then great. But you will also be weeled out in a wheelchair so you can where your jama's out of the hospital. I wore my jeans (i was happy I could fit into them.) out of the hospital but I could have worn my jama's. Didnt' matter much.

Hahahaha...Girl, you aren't gonna give a sh't about how you look and noone else is either!!!!

Don't pack ridiculious things, I brought a robe(that I didn't wear till I left), socks, deodorant and an outfit for .Oni.

Nothing is going to matter to you but your baby!

My hospital supplied everything! From clothes for .Oni, toothpaste, a toothbrush, tioletries, everything. I'm sure your hospital can supply you with things.

They gave me these mesh undies and I would fold up the mats they give you incase you leak on the bed.

I would change this every 2 hours, because if not, I would've made a *mess*!!!!

Unless you have an epidural, you won't need the magazines and such. I had her drug free and the last thing on my mine was celebs!! Hahahhaa

good luck ladies!!! It gets sooo exciting when you realize you have less than a month or 2 months left!!

Make sure you do it on time though...Oni came 3 weeks early. Thank god I was bored one day and decided to pack it!!

Sarah

The first day I was in the hospital after jacob was born, the nurses checked my pads and changed them for me since I couldnt move.

Gross... I know. But I seriously couldnt move.

The second day I was able to get up and go to the bathroom to pee so I didnt have a cath anymore, and I was able to walk to the shower.. I dont remember much after that.

Well im def going to go out and buy a robe and some slippers. Im going to be 32 weeks on thursday so I have a few weeks to get all that stuff in order!

How many outfits do you think you need to bring for the baby? Most hospital stays arent past three days right?

For a newborn baby in the hospital, you don't really need a lot of 'outfits'. You might need some little socks and some t-shirts, a receiving blanket and some diapers.

The hospital can provide diapers, but they charge for those. Some insurances don't like to pay for that - and the hospital charges more than, say, you'd buy diapers for at the store.

For yourself, they say bring books and some music and all this stuff you don't really need. Think about if you were going away somewhere for a day or two, what you'd take with you and take that. Your time is spent laboring and taking care of a newborn, you don't have much time to read or fill out thank you cards when the nurses are coming in every hour to check your blood pressure and vitals.

You should bring your own pads. Hospital pads are uncomfortable! Bring toiletries - some hospitals provide them as well, but at a cost, like the diapers. And, again, some insurance providers don't like to pay for those.

As far as when you should pack, that is up to you - but labor doesn't usually start so strong that you can't pack while you are laboring. It is gradual and you'll have time to pick out an outfit for yourself coming home and your brush and makeup (if you think you'll wear it).

If you are bringing your own jammies, make sure to have a button up top to wear. This is especially handy if you are breast feeding! I always chose to wear the hospital gown because of the leaking and the bleeding. I figured i'd let them to the laundry!!

more than likely you will be coming straight home from the hospital (you'll be worn out!) so you don't need a ton of stuff packed for the baby. A few diapers and a cute going home outfit for the ride.

Lol, I was soo last minute, I was having contraction while I was buyin my robe and socks and baby towels(cuz I only had 1!) from target! It was literally having my baby buying things....From my calculations, I was about 2cm, maybe 3 at target.

This old man was like are you ok, because I was hunched over slightly and holding my belly. I was huuuge mind you and he asked me 2 more time if I was ok, before he left!

The girl who checked me out was like ohh when are you due? I was like, i'm having contractions every 3 mins....

So def. Do it before you're in my prediciment!!

Sarah

yes, I actually do plan on shaving while in the hospital, just as I did with my first birth. I won't be too concerned about my legs, etc.., but can't stand to not shave my underarms every day, that's just nasty not to, especially if I am breastfeeding and will be there for at least two days. I went unexpectedly with my son and am glad I had a razor b/c my legs needed shaving. I wasn't trying to impress anyone, but have a certain level of concern for my own hygeine. Just because we have different opinions doesn't mean you should be rude in your questioning, if you don't want to shave regularly, that's up to you, but I like to. Also, with the camera batteries, I have a digital that kills batteries, all I am suggesting is having a back up of a disposable, digital camera batteries are not reliable!!!

I also live 2 hours away from my hospital, so I have packed a little liberally, you may not need to if you live five minutes from the hospital. I ended up having to stay 3 extra days on top of the 2 because my son was admitted for jaundice and I wasn't going back home without him. I didn't have enough items then, and will make sure I do this go round, including my razor. And my hospital provides no toiletry items, if they did, I certainly would let them.

where's the rudeness? I asked a simple question.