Calling All Moms!
Pic from HERE
As the time to have this little one gets closer I am starting to get a little nervous that I may not have everything I need and in order. I'm pretty sure I have almost everything that I will need for her, but am wondering if there is something that you wished you would have had that didn't know about. Also, I have heard several people say they packed way to much in their hospital bag and didn't really use any of it. So what are the absolute necessary items that you are so glad you had? Any other last minute advice or tips would be greatly appreciated too.... like how to make your baby want to come early!
24 comments:
I would pack a comfy night gown (so you don't have to wear the ugly nursing gowns the whole time you're there), and bring chapstick!!! Also, bring socks b\c your feet get cold.
Hey! I'm not a mom yet... but my friends were saying at my shower last night to bring your boppy pillow to the hospital. That was something I would not have thought to bring... good luck! It's getting close huh?!
Somehow I ended up at the hospital without anything to pull my hair back and that drove me crazy the whole time. If that matters to you, you might want to take extras just in case. We had people tell us to take snacks for your husband and that was definitely a good idea! Drew liked beef jerky (I couldn't stand the smell of it so he had to keep his distance to eat it) and crackers with easy cheese. I liked having extra snacks for me too.
Just remember you CAN do it! You're tough. Good luck!!
You get a lot of diapers, wipes, and snacks(after the baby is born) from the hospital, and there was tons of stuff i brought that i didn't use, or was so out of it to remember to use. I agree that chap-stick and a hair tie are both simple things you might over look that would drive you mad if forgot. whatever makes you the most comfortable.
Boppy pillow was really nice to have at the hospital. Our 1st favorite baby item!
I missed my pillow- the hospital pillows were really bad.
Definitely comfty clothes, and big ones at that. Sadly I thought I would be smaller and my clothes I brought to come home in didn't exactly fit.
And if you don't have one already I would buy a couple premie outfits because even an almost 9lb baby is drowned in 0-3 at first.
GOOD LUCK!
definitely chapstick and socks! my feet are always freezing. your pillow is a good thing too. my husband always ends up going home and getting me stuff cause i always realize i need something else. luckily, i've always given birth somewhat close to our home at the time... a sleep bra is a good thing too. if you don't have one, they are sold at motherhood maternity and are THE BEST for nursing! they are super comfy bras you wear to bed to keep your nursing pads in place... not sure if your milk will be in at the hospital (mine ALWAYS is 2nd day post partum), but nursing pads are a good idea if your milk comes in quickly... um, i think that's it. GOOD LUCK! keep us updated!
Make sure Brennen has a place to sleep at the hospital, if he's planning on doing that. He'll probably want a blanket and pillow. The beds for the husbands always suck.
I hope this doesn't scare you, but I was in labor for 36 hours, so I was so glad I brought my portable DVD player and my Friends seasons. Those always put me in a good mood!
Good luck with everything! I hope it goes well.
Sounds like you got the hospital figured out SO: The best advice I got was to spend lots of time just skin to skin with baby...Dad can do this too. I did it a lot with my first and not so much with #2--it is great for bonding and really soothes the baby. Take the time to do it. And relax--the less stressed you are--the sooner baby will come and the happier she will be. :D
Umm to make baby come sooner, you have to do it, the way you conceived her! haha NO JOKE. Something about a males "stuff" that makes things get going!
I would bring a head band, chapstick is a good one. Comfy clothes, baby name book, brush, toothbrush, camera CHARGED, bring camera charger, and video camera if you have one, BREAST PADS...
uggs, facewash, your own towel, and washcloth, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, LOTION, gum or mints, they will provide diapers and wipes, you list of people for someone else to call to let them know that you had baby girl, baby outfit.
those are my suggestions!
LOve ya!
not a mom quite yet but MY mom bought some nursing pj's for me and said they were essential... also, ditto on the DVD player or at least a book in case you are there for a while. And your own pillow for sure! Also, something i learned last time i was in the hospital is that they usually have big foam pads that they can add to your bed if you request it. That made it sooo much better for me sleeping over night.
I think everyone posted up all the good stuff.I wish I would have thought to bring my boppy! those are wonderful!! I brought my laptop (then you can post pictures of her for everyone to see) and a book, that always put me to sleep though. it can get kinda boring being there for 3-4 days, (you probably won't be there that long though)
I think everyone covered most everything, I had to have my make up and hair stuff because you feel so flabby and gross after birth. It made me feel so much better to get ready each day. My own Pillow was a must! I had my family go get me food because I thought the hospital food was SICK but I hear some people like it so maybe pack a few things just in case. Also whenever the nurses put more diapers in the room just put them in your bag and they will keep filling them back up. That way you can get all the diapers you can before you have to go home and pay for them! Cant wait to see your little miss!!
hot n heavy SEX. they say that'll do the trick and if it doesn't your man is HAPPY!
what to pack:
toothbrush/toothpaste
deoderant
lipgloss
mascara
warm slippers
camera
JOURNAL!! (this is a MUST!)
I haven't commented for so long I don't know if you'll even remember who I am! Anyway, since I just had a baby a month ago, I thought I'd put my two cents in.
First, if you talk to someone who has given birth in the same hospital you are going to,that will help since every hospital is a little different. You can ask them questions about how it works where you are going to be at.
Things to have for the hospital:
1. Your own pillow
2. Chapstick
3. LOTION (if you use it), I would go nuts if I didn't have my own there to use.
4. Slippers are nice so you don't have to walk around those floors in bare feet.
5. I would also recommend a premie outfit - or at least one that says "Newborn" (they are different than 0-3 month ones).
6. I like to start using Lanolin in the hospital (for you if you're nursing cause you are going to get sore!)
For the baby:
1. Wipes that say ALCOHOL FREE - their brand new skin can get really sore, chapped, or diaper rashed easily.
2. Going along with that - diaper cream!
For you:
Some have mentioned that some special one on one time with your hubby will start labor. There is some debate about that - but even if it doesn't start it, his "stuff" will begin to soften your cervix so it will make it that much easier when you do go into labor!
GOOD LUCK!
Everyone has had pretty good advice for you here I think. Other than the normal stuff like a toothbrush, toothpaste, etc, I loved having my boppy to help with nursing, comfy clothes/PJ's, slippers, body pillow if you use one, and a laptop if you have one. All of my babies have stayed in the hospital clothes until I changed them to come home. They stay swaddled most of the time and/or need few clothes on for skin to skin (which is awesome for both of you, by the way). Anyway, just remember you're only in the hospital for a day or two anyway! Enjoy it!
I love how I am not the only one who says have SEX!!!! hahah I swear thats how I went into labor! oops TMI!
Hey, I know you have like a million comments, but I will add one to it.
I brought some cute pj pants so that I am comfy and still feel "cute" and so I don't have to wear the nasty gown. After giving birth you will still have some weight and a belly so take some of your maternity clothes. I actually wore them for a month or two after having the baby while I waited for my size to go down.
I would also take a cute pj for baby. The hospital provides one for you, but they aren't that cute and you want your baby to be as cute as can be, especially for the "first" pictures in this world. Also take some headbands and bows, since you will be having a girl.
Take everything to get ready with (makeup, blowdryer,etc.), so you feel pretty when you go home.
I would take your journal so if you have some time while baby is sleeping you will be able to write down the amazing experience you just had.
One thing I have done is gotten a special daddy gift for my husband and I also had a special outfit for the baby to wear home for the first time.
Cellphone charger
Also, be sure and eat a little before you go to the hospital if you get a chance because once you get there they won't let you. I was starving the whole time while I was in labor and couldn't eat for a few hours after the baby was born. If I think of anything else I will let you know.
Remember that it is better to have more than you need than wishing you had something you forgot.
I am so so excited for you and can't wait to see you and the baby when we get there in December.
Love, Camille
Eating mangos and kiwis helps the dialation go faster - weird, but it worked for me :) If you haven't already, go take a tour of the hospital (you're going to Madison, right?) It's kind of a confusing maternity wing to find. Also, you can fill out your paper-work now, and then you'll already be in the hospital's computer system when you get there (and not have to worry about filling out paperwork in between contractions!)
oh ya I made a "PROUD DADDY OF A BABY GIRL SHIRT" for matt to wear for Mackenzie birth. I gave it to him right before I started to push!
and the journal thing is awesome!
I am probalby reiterating a LOT of these comments...but your own pillow is great. It's so hard to sleep while you are at the hospital between the bed and the constant nurses coming in all night, so whatever you can take to help that out, I'd do. I was so surprised at what we got for Eden at the hospital. All of the essentials were taken care of except her coming home outfit and things like binkies, and I wanted her to have her own blanket there too. Someone else wrote this, but everything we brought for her to wear home was HUGE. I would definitely pack something in the preemie size, or at least newborn. Eden didn't fit in anything 0-3 months until she was probably 2 months old.
As far as stuff for you... I'd definitely remember a razor.. The first shower you take after having the baby is the unmatchable. It's the best feeling in the world. Until I looked down and realized what a horrific job I had done shaving(you can't really see what you are doing, right??) and was positively mortified that I had just given birth all patchy...haha. On a more personal note, I would also bring some heavy duty pads, like the long ones... That was the worst thing for me post partum. I was not expecting to bleed so much. They give you these mondo things with a "one size fits all underwear net". I remember when they handed them to me, I couldn't help but laugh... So I'd also recommend bringing some underwear of the non-garment variety until the raging issues calm themselves down a bit :) Good luck!! I can't wait to see pictures!
Honestly I dont know what everyone else has written because I refuse to read all 20 c0mments...but you really dont need a ton of stuff, so dont worry too much about it. THe hospital provides all lot of stuff. I would say some clothes- obviously, some people say nightgowns but I brought a cute shirt and yoga pants so I wasnt so sloppy all the time. A pillow and blanket for Brennan if he sleeps there. And some clothes for the little miss to go home in. Hey--this is a must and I tell everyone this. The day you get home from the hospital- start taking stool softeners. You might think this is silly, but you will want to die the first time you poop. NO JOKE. You will thank me later :)
I noticed everyone says bring something comfy to wear and that's a good idea just in case, but I always wear the hospital gowns. Not to be gross, but you bleed a lot after (can sometimes get on your clothes) and that last thing you want to do is have to worry about washing blood out of your own PJ's when you first get home. That's just my opinion though. Slippers are a great idea. Movies are good too if they have DVD players or you can bring a laptop to watch them too. I know Dayna loves having Jamba Juice right after having her babies... you know, something fresh and yummy. Good luck!
I used my boppy pillow, warm socks, chapstick, lansinol, computer, phone charger and some snacks for Bren. I used so much of the hospitals stuff. I know this sounds gross but I bled so much that I didn't want to wear my clothing until I went to home because I would have ruined my things. Make sure you hop into their jacuzzi! It's wonderful after you give birth! We can't wait to meet this little girl!
Wow! So many comments! I packed a TON of stuff for Madelyn when she was born and yes I didn't use a LOT of it, but I was glad that I did have most of it just in case. Like I packed diapers when the hospital provided most of them, etc. I packed several outfits to see what fit and looked the best on her (You never know how big or small their going to be). I wore the hospital gown most of the time that I was there, mainly because I didn't want to get my stuff dirty or stained, but looking back I wished I would have worn my stuff because I'm wearing the hospital gown in all the pictures and it's just not that cute. Also I wanted to say that I was 39 weeks and I had tried EVERYTHING to make that little girl come earlier and she just would NOT! So finally I took a tablespoon of castor oil and I started having contractions 6 hours later and she came that night. However it came with not so fun side effects, so I'm not sure I will do it again unless I'm going absolutely crazy. So there you go! Good luck with everything! This is the hardest part I think. These last four weeks will seem like they're never going to end, but she'll be here before you know it!
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