What are you taking to the hospital? « Back to Group Discussions

[Mal85]

I started making a list for the hospital and you'd think I've never done this before. So far, I have:

*comfy clothes for me

*a couple of gowns for the baby and her take-me-home outfit (probably a cute sleeper instead of a gown so she fits in the car seat better)

*a blanket or two for the baby

*socks for both me and baby

*nursing pads

*nursing bra (I went bra-less most of my stay last time, but will need one to wear home)

*toiletries (travel size toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, deodorant)

*my pillow

*chapstick

*camera

*money

*Kindle

*Ipod and travel player

*diaper bag and car seat (DH will probably bring those the day we take her home)

Anything else? I also want to bring some of my own snacks for during the birth this time. The hospital wouldn't bring me any food last time and I was starving, stomach growling between contractions. So, I'm bringing my own this time. Any suggestions for good, easy to transport snacks?

[jbk21]

I know what you mean- I feel like I have no idea what to bring, too!  I did make a list yesterday though, based on a few lists I saw online as well as the recommended list from the birth center.

*my pillow

*music (we had special mixed cd's during our labor with DS1 and it was SOOOOO nice.  I loved it.)

*camera/vid camera/ chargers for phones, etc.

*massage tools and hot rice socks

*snacks, coconut water, water bottles, gum and mints, hard candies

*prayer flags from my mother's blessing

*nursing supplies (earth mama angel baby nipple butter, nursing pads, etc.)

*toiletries

*cloth pads for PP bleeding

*wet bag for diapers and wipes (for DS1 and baby)

*slippers, robe, clothing for stay and to go home

*warm baby clothes, cloth diapers, accessories (socks, blanket, swaddle wrap, bunting?)

*rescue remedy, arnica, and cramp bark tincture

*bag for DS1 (clothes, gift for baby, toys, etc. clothing, diapers, snacks.)

*gift for DS1

And whatever my husband needs/wants.

I feel like we packed SO many things last time, and I think our list is super long this time too!  I mean, I guess DS1 coming to the birth center to stay with us adds a whole bag of stuff, but still.  Is it too much?

[Gemini529]

I definitely need to start thinking about this.  Last time I forgot to bring shampoo/conditioner.  They didn't have any for sale in any of the hospital shops and all they had to offer me was a sample sized baby shampoo.  My hair is NOT the type that can withstand a shampooing and no conditioner.  It felt like straw after I showered but I really needed to shower.  Ick. 

Mal, do you like granola bars?  You could bring something like that.  Or trail mix.  I was in labor overnight last time so I wasn't really hungry, I was just really tired (but definitely couldn't sleep through the pain!)  The baby was out by noon the next day so I was able to put in a lunch order at the hospital cafe.  I remember getting a turkey club with fries.  It wasn't very good but I was in heaven just knowing that my baby was here and I could enjoy a meal!  Could you send your DH somewhere close for food or would you be too scared that he would miss something?  

Also, what are you ladies doing with your other kids while you are in the hospital?  I'm nervous about leaving my DS overnight.  I've never left him for a whole night before!  I'm sure my parents can handle it but I'm worried I won't be able to relax if he's not with me!

[jbk21]

We'll be at a birth center so DS will be able to be with us after the birth.   But if I labor overnight at all we'll have to leave him- I've never left him before!  I'm sure I won't have time or energy to worry about it during labor but I am anxious about it now.  I'm sure he'll be fine- we have wonderful people on call who he is very comfortable with, but I still worry   He's my baby still!  
 

ETA we are flexible with regards to after the birth- DH will likely sleep on a pull-out couch at the BC with DS but if that is too disruptive or the baby keeps DS awake I'm okay with DH and DS going home and sleeping there.  I can handle the baby for a night :-)  We also might just go home if we'd all be more cozy there.  We'll see   I have a friend who's DH went home to stay with the kids for the night while the wife stayed at the hospital.  Would that make you more anxious to be alone with baby? Or less anxious since DH would be with your son? 

Originally Posted by Gemini529 

I definitely need to start thinking about this.  Last time I forgot to bring shampoo/conditioner.  They didn't have any for sale in any of the hospital shops and all they had to offer me was a sample sized baby shampoo.  My hair is NOT the type that can withstand a shampooing and no conditioner.  It felt like straw after I showered but I really needed to shower.  Ick. 

Mal, do you like granola bars?  You could bring something like that.  Or trail mix.  I was in labor overnight last time so I wasn't really hungry, I was just really tired (but definitely couldn't sleep through the pain!)  The baby was out by noon the next day so I was able to put in a lunch order at the hospital cafe.  I remember getting a turkey club with fries.  It wasn't very good but I was in heaven just knowing that my baby was here and I could enjoy a meal!  Could you send your DH somewhere close for food or would you be too scared that he would miss something?  

Also, what are you ladies doing with your other kids while you are in the hospital?  I'm nervous about leaving my DS overnight.  I've never left him for a whole night before!  I'm sure my parents can handle it but I'm worried I won't be able to relax if he's not with me!

[Gemini529]

@jbk...I'm not sure if I would want DH to leave but I guess my main concern is that if DS is stressed over us not being there, I'm nervous about bringing home a new baby and having him associate a stressful time with his new brother.  I'm sure once I'm in labor, I'll be too wrapped up in all that to really worry but right now I am sort of freaking out about those details.  My parents have put him to bed before so I know they can handle that.  But I've always come home and been the one to get him if he wakes up in the middle of the night.  

I guess when I first got pregnant, DS was only 9 1/2 months old, so I was thinking, "oh, he'll be sooo much older once the baby comes!"  But now that the time is almost here, I'm thinking, "he's still just a baby himself!  How could I do this to him?"  I really just want him to love his new brother and not be upset that he's not the center of my universe anymore (well, he still will be, he'll just have to share the spot!)

Oh, another thing I'm going to do this time is bring both newborn size clothes AND 0-3 month size.  DS1 was really tiny and we didn't bother bringing anything but 0-3.  Everyone told me that their babies never even fit into newborn sizes so I didn't buy any!  Oops!  He was swimming in his coming home outfit!

And I think I'm going to bring my boppy.  When DS was a newb, I couldn't nurse without it. 

[jbk21]

I totally understand (I actually started a thread a few days ago about the transition from 1-2 kids).  It might be easier on him if he has DH there?  Then it wouldn't be such a shock to his routine.  But that's totally your call :-)  I'm sure it will all work out just how it is supposed to and hopefully he will take to his new sibling very quickly :-)

[TalkToMeNow]

I need to get on this. Mal, I'm going to use your list to start! So far I have a copy of my birth plan and a list of last minute things to throw in. That way, I won't forget any of those things that I can't pack now like chargers, iPod, etc.

[jasmin85]

jbk-  Maybe you should have your DS stay over at someone's house for a "practice" run sometime before the birth, so it can be associated with a positive experience instead of everyone scrambling around and mommy is unavailable, that sort of thing?  I'm sure he'll be perfectly fine, but to put your mind at ease perhaps it's not a bad idea, plus having a date night couldn't hurt! 

[jbk21]

Originally Posted by jasmin85 

jbk-  Maybe you should have your DS stay over at someone's house for a "practice" run sometime before the birth, so it can be associated with a positive experience instead of everyone scrambling around and mommy is unavailable, that sort of thing?  I'm sure he'll be perfectly fine, but to put your mind at ease perhaps it's not a bad idea, plus having a date night couldn't hurt! 

Oh man... this gives me such anxiety.  It's a really great idea though.  We could start out by having someone (it's our neighbors, so it's easy for them to walk over) come over and put him to bed during a date night... maybe then we can work up to a whole night.  Agh! I just don't know if I can leave him for that long!  (even though he sleeps through the night....)