What would you bring...
...to the hospital when delivering your baby?
[Kristi at 38 weeks!]
I've read the standard hospital list and have a pretty good idea of what to bring but since this is my first delivery, I am sure there's other good stuff besides toiletries that I would love to know about...
Um, you can see I clearly have enough bags to bring! LOL
But here's my dream hospital bag:
[Gorgeous! The Birds in Paradise Carry All by Pip Studio]
For sure I'm bringing my own robe and towel...[Bathrobe and bath towels]
...but do I bring makeup? Will I even care about what I look like?
Hmm, real clothes or just comfy?Flat iron or is that wasting space?Socks or slippers?Lip gloss or chap stick?
Just 2 weeks until D-Day! Eek!Any tips from you veteran moms?:)
PS: To read more about the absolutely gorgeous Pip Studios products, see HERE :) PPS: See you tomorrow with a fresh tutorial and winners from the giveaways!
38 weeks?! Wow. That means you really could have him any day now! How exciting!!
ReplyDeleteI can't really think of any tips for your hospital bag. I never really packed much. Definitely take a brush and something to pull your hair back, I forgot that once and it drove me crazy. And lotion and socks. I always get super dry legs and feet right after (seems like it has something to do with the epidural - at least for me) and if feels so good to have my husband rub some lotion on my feet and then put on my own socks, rather than those yucky hospital ones.
Good luck!!!! :)
Congrats! I hope everything goes perfectly for you! I agree with the above comment, I needed to pull my hair back, and I've heard people say that their lips get really chapped, so be sure you have chap stick. I took makeup, I never applied as much as I do on a normal day, but I knew I wanted lots of pictures & I was so exhausted that I knew I needed a little something to freshen up my face :) I didn't take many other hair styling things. I only took socks, but some people like to walk around after, so slippers might not be bad too.
ReplyDeleteOh! My favorite thing of all... my MIL brought me a huge (Costco size) bag of trail mix and my husband & I both needed it so badly. You need to snack here and there (between meals), and it was a great snack for at home since you are supposed to eat so much more when you are nursing (but like you have time to eat so much more).
Good luck & Congrats again!
Chapstick and hair ties, definitely! But I'd also recommend earplugs. When you need to rest the most, you will be bugged constantly and those earplugs can really help!
ReplyDeleteI'd also recommend bringing your own high absorbancy pads. The pads they give you in the hospital aren't that great and you'll be needing them for sure.
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want and what you need!
Good luck! Babies are the best gifts from God!
Hey Kristi! So excited for you to welcome your little one :) The must haves for me in the hospital were my own pillow and blanket! I can't really sleep without my pillow anyway, but it was really nice having something from my own home that made my hospital bed a little more comfortable. I also brought movies to watch, my laptop to skype to with family {if you're getting an epidural you'll probably have some down time and you'll want something to do} :) Snacks you like are good to have for after you have the baby. And yeah, I'd bring a little makeup though you probably won't use it much, it's nice to have if you want to freshen up. Good luck! We're sad you won't be at SNAP with Kelli... Hope we can meet you next year :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips from these cute girls (: So I told Taeg to come take a look at Aunt Kristi's belly and he said "Are there two babies in there?! It looks like it!" Bah ha hah, sorry that was mean to share ;)
ReplyDeleteI always brought my own pillow and blanket too. The hosp is sooo stale, especially the one you're delivering at! I also brought a small family pic which is weird but I missed my other kids! And don't worry, whatever you forget I'll bring you (as long as I'm not at SNAP so have him before or after k??) ;)
xoxox, Kel
You look so cute! But - Yeah, a flat iron will never make it out of your bag. I brought air freshener because having a baby stinks. :) Chapstick. a good book. And as for clothes, well who knows what size you will be for the first little while. So comfy is best!!! And I HATE hospital food. So I had my hubby run to some local restaurants. Plus I brought a few snacks. Good luck! Can't wait to see the pics!
ReplyDeleteFor shower gifts I always give some snack foods, nuts, granola bars, little bit of chocolate, your spouse won't want to leave the room and they need something to munch on and you if you can. I also give some color books, crayons, inspirational readings, etc. color books are silly but once you start coloring it makes the time go so fast and kinda takes you back. Slippers are a must specially if you can't sleep with socks on like me!! You don't want to walk on that cold floor on bathroom trips. I ended up not wearing my nightgown I took, I had so much fluid kept having to change. I also took my birth announcements and filled them out after, cell phone to call people to share the good news and like most a hairband for sure!!!! Good luck and congrats on it finally almost time!
ReplyDeleteIf you do take your own pajamas get some that are red (so you don't have to worry so much about stains). I agree completely about your own pillow and in a case that is not white (so you don't lose it). My second child I took my own pads (way better). Bare minimal toiletries and something to do when you are tired of taking photos an watching the little one breathe. ;) congrats!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely snacks, entertainment (you'll be amazed how quickly you get SO bored), hair ties, lotion, slippers and I say yes to the makeup and the flat iron. Maybe not the entire makeup bag, but enough to make you feel human. And even if you use the flat iron just *once* - it was so worth having mine with me!
ReplyDeleteI may be weird, but I love every minute of the labor/delivery/recovery process. Good luck and enjoy!!
You might care by day 2 about putting on some makeup for some cutesy baby pics. ;) So bring a makeup mirror, too, because you won't want to stand in front of the bathroom mirror!
ReplyDeleteAlso you might want to bring your favorite pillow. Sleep is hard to come by in a hospital so any extra comfort you can bring with you will be welcome!
Yay for the due date being so close!
Such an exciting time, congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that is must have for me after two babies is the Newman's Nipple Ointment. It is the only thing that saved me when trying to nurse. That lanolin stuff works great for chapped lips and cheeks, but did nothing for a sore and swollen chest. It is a prescription that has a combo of anitbiotics and numbing agents that heals you in between feedings. It absorbs into the next feeding so no worries for the new baby. I only needed a 5 gram tube, though I got a huge one ton the first baby that cost me $60 and I didn't care what I paid, I just wanted relief:)
You might want to take some dry shampoo. They come in sort of a spray bottle and it works really well! I've never had a baby, but if your not gonna be able to shower for a few days and might sweat during the labor, you might want that if there's gonna be picture. ^^ Hope your labor goes well!
ReplyDeleteI had so much stuff I brought with me when I had Luke that I never touched, so I really limited it when Reagan was born. My must haves were chapstick, a good camera, comfy clothes, and make-up.
ReplyDeleteI know most peeps will thinks I'm nuts for the make-up, but I knew I wanted to look at least half human in the pics from the hospital. That was just something that was important to me. I didn't want to look back a pics later thinking I looked like I'd just been hit by a bus, instead of focusing on the moment.
So stinkin' excited for you!!!
SO EXCITING!!! YAY!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a veteran since I'm not a mom, but you have a lot of people coming to visit you and you'll be taking a lot of pictures, so you want makeup (at least bare essentials). I say comfy clothes, since you're going to be in a bed most of the time.
Can't wait to hear all about it!
chapstick, hair ties, bobbi pins(to pull your bangs back), and I took flip-flops- which worked as "slippers" and shower shoes- cuz I never use public showers without flip-flops on- it just grosses me out. I don't think I took my makeup but I knew that I just wouldn't use it. If you think you might want it then take it. I also didn't bring "entertainment" type items because I wasn't planning on an epidural and knew I wouldn't need them. A friend of mine told me the hospital food was great so I didn't bring snacks plus I didn't want to eat anything while in labor anyway. OH- maybe bring your own water bottle- they gave us one at the hospital but it made the water taste like plastic... I am 33 weeks with my second but this was a good reminder for what to pack! Thanks and I hope your labor goes smoothly!
ReplyDeleteI am pregnant with baby # 5, so here's what has saved me:
ReplyDeleteMy journal
book/magazines
chapstick
I Pod
Camera With charger
phone with charger
chocolate
bathrobe & slippers
G-ma panties (I hate the hospital ones!)
my comfy pillow
make up bag
toothbrush
gum/ breath mints
deodorant
body spray
snacks
yoga pants to come home in
thank you cards
more chocolate
Advil- FINALLY!
Stuff for hubby too (pillow, I pod, book, snacks, deodorant, toothbrush)
Good luck!
unfortunately i can't help because i've never had a baby but i love this idea and have enjoyed reading the comments. maybe you could compile your top list and share it with all of us when you have a free minute! most of all, good luck with the baby, how exciting!
ReplyDeleteA Boppy for nursing...good ol nursing bra...some COMFY clothes that are big and stretchy!! =) Don't make the same mistake I made and bring clothes thinking naively that you will magically fit into them...you WON'T!!!! Your belly will still look 5 months prego after that baby pops out unfortunately!! =) Some bring some yoga pants and a big t shirt and comfy shoes. Snacks galore!! I always crave red vines when I first have a baby...weird I know. I am always in such a hurry to leave the hospital, I stay my minimum time and get the heck outta there!!! So I don't bring many toiletries. Games is good too...games on your phone, book to read...something to keep you entertained while you wait and wait to have push the baby out!! Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Kristi...I can't believe you're 38 weeks already!!! Can you say "fastest pregnancy in history??" At least it was for me...I'm not sure how it was for you...;)
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely gorgeous. I love your belly...it's wonderful!!!
Here are just a couple of things I liked to have while in the hospital...
*my own pillow (just like everyone else)
*snacks for hubs
*reading material...definitely...it can get kinda boring in that hospital room.
*socks...a few pairs...definitely...I learned this the hard way...with my first delivery I had my own socks on and when I moved to the side of the bed to get my epidural, my water broke and splashed all over my legs and feet...oh my gosh...gross. And by gross, I mean...DISGUSTING. And I had only that one pair of socks...ugh.
*Your phone book, including the number for your insurance...I know you have a while before you have to add the baby to your policy, but why not take care of all that before you even leave the hospital...then you don't have to worry after you get home.
Like someone else mentioned...don't be shy about asking for what you need and for what you WANT...the hospital is sure to have anything you could think of to ask for...pamper yourself, as much as you can...enjoy the few days you have(relatively) alone with your new little guy...YOU'LL BE AWESOME!!! I'm so so so excited for you.
Love and hugs!!!!!
Kristi I think everyone covered most necessities. I always brought flip flops for the shower and walking the halls. You must have snacks, you'll be waiting forever for breakfast to show up in the morning when you've been up all night. Just keep drinking for the milk production and weight loss and don't be surprised by contractions when the baby nurses, it's crazy painful but doing it's job to shrink you back down.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so exciting! I have to admit, I absolutely LOVE the hospital part of having a baby. The pushing is my favorite, is that strange?? It is the most amazing experience I have ever had. And while you are at the hospital, everyone takes care of you so well. Live it up, because when you get home, you won't have the nurse taking your baby in the nursery so you can sleep for a few hours. :) I am excited for you! Good luck & enjoy every minute of it!
ReplyDeleteYes to the make-up, comfy clothes, flip flops, spin pins for a cute messy bun. Snacks. :)
ReplyDeleteAww!! You look adorable!! I second most everything listed above. Minus the flat iron, not sure you'll need or care for that. I did see the most adorable hospital bag stocked with great things from Jenny at The NY Melrose Family.
ReplyDeleteIt goes by so fast so try to take it all in and just enjoy that sweet baby being so little and dependent. My sweet girl is turning 5 this week. I would give anything to be able to go back and take it all in again!
Good luck this is the start of a wonderful chapter in your life!! :)
Definitely a towel - it was so great to take a shower but it was completely ruined by the tiny, thin, scratchy hospital provided towel. Also, snacks - especially for right after the baby is born - I was SO hungry - I think I ate the entire sleeve of graham crackers I brought with me.
ReplyDeleteYou look so adorable! It's been quite awhile since mine were babies, but I remember that I wore hospital gowns while I was in there, but I brought my own robe and slippers.
ReplyDeleteI brought a tennis ball which was great when hubby rolled it across my back during labor (applying a bit of pressure). I also brought some reading material.
Bring a hair brush, you'll be glad you did! I had my hair in a pony tail during labor but it got all snarled (I should have worn a braid, lol!) I wished I'd brought snacks because I was starving after my first was born after a long night of labor, and the cafeteria wasn't open yet.
Bring a camera and think about limiting some of your visitors. We had 18 visitors the first day my oldest was born and I was exhausted afterwards!
Having been through five hospital births, these are the things I found most useful;
ReplyDelete*my sheep skin, I slept on it in hospital and then baby slept on it when we got home (as it then had my smell on it) and is so comfy for the not-so-comfy hospital bed.
*body moisturiser, my skin always feels so dry in an airconditioned room.
*note pad and pen, for lists, reminders, things you want to ask the doc/midwife.
*my own pillow, with a colourful pillow slip, so it is easily identifiable.
*mascara, or your one basic makeup must have, I never had time or felt like putting on a full face, but it was nice to feel like i had made a little effort.
*my favorite makes me feel pretty (still maternity!) outfit for going home in.
*mobile device (phone, ipad, laptop...) for connecting to the outside world.
*favorite read it heaps before novel, something you can pick up and put down and you know you enjoy but will not be sorry if you vague out in a really important bit!!
God bless
Sooo excited for you!!! :) Can't wait to hear some news. And you just the cutest little prego ever! :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I would bring the make-up and flat iron. I brought mine. The photos they take in the hospitals these days have come along way and they even include the parents in them so you will want to look your best.:)
xoxo
Derron packed my back when I had Seth...due to circumstances beyond my control. He did a horrible job except for one thing that made up for it all...He put several bottles of Diet Coke in my bag!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you are almost there! So exciting!! You look so cute pregnant. Good luck as you are packing up things for the hospital. I love loving all these ideas people are sharing. My only big advise is bring comfy clothes to come home in. If you are anything like me you will not fit back into your regular clothes for a little bit. Plus, you really just hurt a little. So comfy is good. Good luck these last weeks!
ReplyDeleteI second (third, fourth fifth?) bringing your own pillow, and would even go so far as to say throw a body pillow in the car, too. The pillows at our hospital are covered in plastic, and they were hot, not comfy, and noisy and I was very uncomfortable in the hospital bed after delivery and didn't have anything but the boppy, which was used for nursing anyway.
ReplyDeleteI had some unexpected complications and ended up in the OR emergently following delivery, and therefore felt and looked pretty awful the remainder of our hospital stay...never cared about makeup, barely brushed my hair for 2 days, and wasn't able to even shower for the first 36 hours...but everyone is different. Makeup doesn't take up much space, bring it along!
All the rest...really you just need comfy clothes, some snacks/drinks, a camera, and your sweet baby! You won't want or care about much else :) Good luck with delivery!!!
MAKEUP! I learned by my 2nd and 3rd babies that I hated my pics being all puffy and gross. I also wanted my yoga pants and a cute robe. Bring your own feminine products and underwear too. Diapers aren't so fun to wear ;)
ReplyDelete2 cute baby outfits, birth plan, flip flops, and a nursing bra.
GOOD LUCK!
You look so cute!! Are you getting excited! 2 weeks, give or take! :) YEAH!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to think about what I am taking to the hospital but I guess I have a little more time than you. lol I do know I planned on taking my own pillow, some make-up, comfy clothes and then maybe something nicer to go home in depending on how I am feeling, and I'm a chapstick addict so I will of course have that.
I love reading what everyone else has written... good advice!
For me, I actually didn't have anything together for either of my deliveries and did fine with what my husband gathered up for me on a quick trip home. That tells you how little you really need. :) My first baby came at 35 weeks on a Friday. I had my NST on Thursday morning - ended up having an amnio, bleeding, and a walk directly to labor and delivery from the doc to be induced that afternoon. I was supposed to be induced the following Monday so I thought I had the weekend to get ready. Baby number two was similar - straight from a NST to the hospital to deliver, two weeks before my scheduled delivery!
ReplyDeleteI was great with some of my own toiletries, blankets for the babe, clothes for us to leave in (babe 1 was 5 pounds when we left so nothing fit her! So we winged it with some preemie clothes my mom found at Walmart), and a pillow from home is nice. I didn't worry about robes, my own jammies, etc. because I didn't want to ruin any of them - that is what hospital gowns are for. LOL. Babe 2 was moved to another hospital so the world of digital cameras was AWESOME! Don't forget all the goodies for that. I was a mess post both deliveries but want my girls to know what I went through to get them here safely. Make up was the least of my concerns. Haha!
I hope you have a beautiful experience with your delivery!!!
My baby (#2) is 6wks old today. Everyone else is right on about bringing your own pillow, nursing pillow, and nursing bra. I also suggest bringing some snacks for the labor and delivery nurses and your post-partum staff. Believe me, chocolate goes a LONG way in making people happy. It's just nice to reward the people who are going to be helping bring your child into the world.
ReplyDeleteafter 3 very fast babies (code: ouch!), i agree with most of the above....your own panties, pads and this maybe sounds crazy...but i bring a roll of my own toilet paper...hospital paper is super thin and dry and unfortunately all my babies pulled a fast one on me and soft, fluffy tp with lotion was pretty amazing, not even kidding
ReplyDelete