What are some things that you needed while in the hospital or at home???

Question

I have read over checklist after checklist of items to take to the hospital and to have for a newborn when you come home. I know someone will have to make a few trips to the store while I am in labor and after we get home with our baby, but what are some things that you wanted in the hospital that you didn't pack or just some things that made your stay better? Also, what are the things you couldn't live without or had to have when you brought your baby home. I have alot of things but I am trying to get first hand experience on what all I should have to minimize trips to the store ( I live in the middle of nowhere )
Thanks!

Answer 1

For the hospital:

Comfy slippers
My own sleepware (had to buy for the in between size and for nursing)
My own pillow
a hairbrush / and headband or scrunci and skin care products
1 going home outfit for me (Maternity jeans with the soft front panel or strech pants since tummy is still a little tender, I tried to take my regular jeans after my first and was devistated when I couldn't get into them I also had to leave it up to my husband to find me pants. lol)
Disposible cameras (these were great to leave out and let visitors take all the pictures.)
1-2 outfits for baby's 1st photo and or going home
car seat
If you plan to do announcements fill out your envelopes before and then leave them at home for later.
Don't forget ID for yourself and anyone to be put on the birth certificate if it is required in your state.

(check with hospital but most provide the first shirt or onesie, hat and blanket so you won't need much for them to wear. Many also provide the formula and diapers during your stay, some offer pumping equipment if you plan to nurse as well as breastfeeding support also keep in mind that you may recieve gifts from visitors during your stay and you may leave with a lot more than you came with.)


For at home:
I always forget I will need pads again. (my poor husband has to go get them everytime...lol)
A boppy or nursing pillow even if you don't plan to nurse can help you hold your new little one close to you during feedings and dads like them too.
I also love using a baby sling my kids would even sleep in it. It's not the same as a carrier. The brand I use is the over the shoulder baby holder but I know that there are similar products equally good.
Have someone get a huge box of diapers and sensitive wipes until you know if they can handle the regular kind.
Have lots of onesies, sleepers, socks and blankets for baby.
I bought a pack in play with a bassinet top. This kept everything in one place.
A baby bath tub or sink seat, baby shampoo, lotion

Everything else can wait. They sleep alot and won't need toys. The really cute outifts don't get worn for very long or are to complicated to put on a tiny sleeping person.

Answer 2

as far as things for the baby, the checklists out there pretty much cover it. you may want something to tie your hair back with at the hospital. for baby's outfits, you should bring a newborn size, and a 0-3 months, just in case. things you may not think about -- be sure your home is stocked with food, and with things like toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, etc, and don't forget sanitary napkins! you'll need lots of pads. some women prefer those tucks pads. and how ever many diapers you have-- you'll probably need more soon! don't go overboard on the newborn size though, your baby will probably move up to size 1 soon. have some of those on hand too.

and some checklists don't list snacks for at the hospital, but you may want to bring some. many maternity rooms also have a little fridge for you.


by the way -- swipe whatever you can from the hospital!! they always let you take a bunch of stuff, like extra diapers, a few receiving blankets, your leftover pads and such.... and you may even want to ask for an extra pair or two of those sexy (and HUGE) fishnet underpants they have you wear... they are actually way more comfortable for the first few days.

if you find that you are missing something after you have the baby -- that's what friends and relatives are for! enlist other people to run your errands. most are happy to do so for a tired and sore new mommy!

Answer 3

I brought way too much stuff.

I didn't even use half of it!!

This time I'll take less stuff. I had everything I need in the hospital. I had to wash with a certain soap, use a certain pad, and healing ointments.

The one thing in this world I coudl have never lived without was TUCKS pads. Anytime someone was visiting I'd say, "Can you stop at the store and pick up a case of Tucks".

It was nice to have all my hubby's stuff because he didn't have to run all over the place. And, I brought a maternity outfit to go home in. But, I made the mistake of pack a first trimester one. I should have used the same ones I was using that last trimester. It ws uncomfortable, but the ride home was only 20 minutes.

Minimize your trips by making a list. And, make sure you have everything. You can't be competely organized, but you can try and it will make things easier.

Answer 4

I brought my own fluffy pillow each time AND my own nightgowns. (I hated having my rear exposed!) Also, pack a camera and extra batteries/film. Brings lots of change if they have vending machines- you'll be having some late night cravings and an insatiable hunger right after delivery and even moreso if you are breastfeeding.

Buy plenty of newborn/size 1 diapers and wipes. I enjoyed the boppy pillow to feed my babies (regardless of breastfeeding or bottle feeding it will save your upper arms from getting sore) Make sure you have someone making your meals the first few days when you get home- or prepare some now so that when you do get home, you don't have to concentrate on cooking.
Make sure to have plenty of pads on hand- the biggest ones you can find. They are uncomfortable but you will bleed a LOT (much much much heavier then a period) after you first have your baby. Some women stop bleeding within a week- some bleed for a few weeks. Ask your hospital for a few extra pairs of those nifty "hospital panties". They are mesh and disposable in case you bleed through the pad. (The blood flow is often that heavy)
Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck with your delivery!

Answer 5

First of all, no matter how many diapers you have, it's not enough. Stock up on several different brands so you can decide which kind works for your baby. Take something to read or something to do, because sometimes labor lasts a long time and (if you use painkillers) can be very boring. Take two outfits for the baby - a newborn outfit and a 3-6 months. My sister's baby was too big for his newborn clothes by the time he was born. Oh, and if you have long hair, take something to tie it back. I was ready to rip the hair out of my head after 20 hours of labor when it fell in my face for the 300th time.

Answer 6

The best thing to do when you're packing things for yourself for the hospital is to check with the hospital first and see what they allow. For example, a couple of lists told me to take hard candy or lollypops but my doctor wouldn't allow it. Also, don't take a nightgown from home unless you're okay with it getting ruined.
Here are the things i think you should take for you:
*A robe
*Slippers
*a toothbrush
*tooth paste
*ponytail holder if you have long hair

For the baby:
*socks
*an outfit to go home in
*an outfit to take pictures in

The best advice anyone gave me was to take the Boppy nursing pillow. It kept the baby's weight off of my c-section incision.

Answer 7

I am about ready to have a baby myself... within the next week.. (This is number three for me) I will tell you that I am bringing a robe, to wear around the hospital, two pairs of socks, clothes to wera home, clothes to get the baby pictures taken, clothes for him to wear home. I am bringing my own shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush &paste. Other then that they will supply most of everything that you need for yourself after the baby is born and minor things for him(diapers & formula). After the labor you won't really want to do much except rest and relax so I wouldn't worry about makeup or any hair products. If you have long hair I would def. bring a hair thing to pull it back. You will be so involed with the fact of having your new child that when you don't want to watch Tv you will want to spend time with him/her.

Good Luck with your new baby and the birth.

Answer 8

I was in the hospital for two weeks with my little one (I had HELLP syndrome, and my daughter was a preemie), and I was always having my hubby bring me stuff!

-- change for the vending machines. VERY important, especially
for middle-of-the-night cravings
-- healthy snacks from home
-- your own toiletries (don't forget your razor!)
-- a hairdryer
-- your own nightgowns
-- your own pillow
-- books or puzzles (I was in for a week before Babe arrived. I
was very bored!)

My mom rented me a telephone, as well, and Hubby made sure I got a television. Lifesavers!

I also found that warm baby clothes and baby blankets were needed in the hospital, too -- our room was very cold, and the hospital staff insisted there was nothing they could do about it.

Answer 9

The right size and thickness blankets for swaddling. The ones they have at the hospital are perfect. Then you get home and find all yours are too small, too big, too bulky.

Answer 10

omg... ididnt need most things that i pack for the hospital.... i just took my cellphone to call people and let them know i had my baby, i took a extra set of clothes for me when i return home, i took two recieving blankets to wrap my baby in when coming home, an outfit for him to come home in, personal soap, shampoo, conditioner.... to take shower because the one they provided sucks..... a towel because i felt more cleaner in my own towel, and i think that was it.... and of course my baby's car seat.... good luck...