Lessons Learned in Hospital Packing

I want to preface this post by stating that I in no way claim to be an expert on this topic. When I was beginning to pack my bags back in April, I conducted an online search for “hospital packing” and found varied results, from the very light packers to those who bring the kitchen sink and everything in between. I would consider myself a moderate to heavy packer motivated by the “I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it” mantra. I took these pictures less than a week before Malcolm was born. This post is meant more as a means for me to reflect than it is to pass on these “lessons” to anyone else, but if someone finds it helpful that would be a bonus! I hope that when and if God blesses us with Baby #2, I’ll be able to recall what we used, what we didn’t, and what we wished we had (if anything).

The contents of my first bag were as follows:

1.  Hospital Paperwork – I brought a sheet protector containing the relevant paperwork and included it in this particular bag since it is not a zip closure and would be easy to access quickly when checking into the hospital. We had pre-registered with the hospital, so we included a print-out of the pre-registration, the results of my Group B streptococcus test, a copy of my Insurance Card and Driver’s License, and a list of pertinent phone numbers. Our pediatrician does not have hospital privileges where we delivered, so we had to use the attending peds during our stay, but were asked to provide our chosen doctor’s contact information so that Malcolm’s records could be forwarded. Her business card was in the sheet protector as well.

The verdict: Not optional!

2.  Nursing Pillow – We have a Boppy with both a waterproof case and a decorative cover that Malcolm’s Momsie sewed from dinosaur print sheets. As I am breast-feeding, we definitely made use of this in the hospital, but its utility went beyond nursing. We found that the Boppy generally made it easier to hold Malcolm comfortably for everyone in the room (mom, dad, Momsie, and visitors). We also used it to prop him up during some photos we took on our second day in the hospital.

The verdict: Bring it!

3.  Distinctive Pillowcase – Sitting inside of the Boppy in the picture is a dinosaur print pillowcase we brought to put around my personal pillow so that it would not be misplaced or confused with the hospital pillows. Hospital pillows are not known for being particularly comfortable, but I would’ve been crushed if anything had happened to my favorite pillow from home, so this was a perfect solution!

The verdict: Bring it!

4.  Baby Book – The main reason for bringing Malcolm’s baby book was to have his footprints included on the appropriate page. We purchased the book from Ruby Love Designs on Etsy. I love that the book is a three-ring binder so that I can add additional pages to my liking. This gave us room to include letters that Jordan and I each wrote to Malcolm for each month during my pregnancy as well as additional pictures. The seller also retails several optional page packs!

The verdict: Bring it!

5.  Thank You Notes and Pen – This was a suggestion I found online when looking for packing tips; however, I found that my time at the hospital was pretty well occupied and I did not have time for writing any thank you notes during my stay. Although, I wish in hindsight I had spared a few minutes to write one to leave with the amazing nurses who treated us while we were there.

The verdict: Optional

Bag number two:

1.  Flip Flops – Because athlete’s foot is no Bueno. The hospital where I gave birth is awesome, so I don’t mean to insinuate that their shower floors are infested with fungus, but flip flops are a small measure to pacify my paranoia.

The verdict: Bring it!

2.  Granny Panties – I brought several pairs of cheap granny panties I could throw away after using them in the hospital; however, I wound up using the hospital issued mesh panties the whole time I was there anyway, so next time around I think I’ll forgo these.

The verdict: Leave it

3.  Adult Diapers – I read this tip online when I was packing and I have to admit (with only mild shame) that it was gold! I used these for about a week after leaving the hospital. The waistband was easy on my c-section incision and it was a nice alternative to those HUGE hospital issue pads that never seem to stay in the right place. That said, as with the “granny panties” above, I used the hospital mesh panties and giant pads during my stay, so I would definitely buy these to have them ready at home, but leave them there (in close proximity to the toilet).

The verdict: Leave it

4.  Pads – Again, this was a suggestion I saw online, but did not use during my stay. You may want them handy when you get home, but personally, I preferred using the diapers during the heavy post-partum bleeding and switching to pads and panty liners once things lightened up.

The verdict: Leave it

5.  Nipple Pads – This may be a bit TMI (although, I’ve already mentioned adult diapers and gigantic menstrual pads, so we’ve already crossed the line and, let’s face it, the line is now a dot), but the girls started leaking way back in my second trimester – as in, wake up to a soaking wet shirt leaking. Disposable nipple pads were a MUST.

The verdict: Bring it!

6.  Nursing Bra – I found a nursing bra I really love at Babies R Us of all places! The Medela Ultra Soft Cotton Nursing Bra has removable foam inserts and one-handed quick release clips, so that you can easily expose one side while covering the other to prevent leaks during let down.

The verdict: Bring it!

7.  Playing Cards – If you’ve read my birth story, you know that I didn’t have time to “get bored” during labor. Furthermore, I was surprised by how busy we were during our stay in the post-partum unit. Any “spare time” I had when I wasn’t nursing, sleeping, completing paperwork, or discussing Malcolm’s progress with health care professionals I used to contact family and load pictures.

The verdict: Leave it

8.  Tennis Ball – We brought this based on a web tip for Jordan to use as a massage implement. We didn’t end up using it at all (for reasons discussed under “Playing Cards”), but I could see the value if our birth story had unfolded a little differently.

The verdict: Optional

9.  Nightgown – I ordered this Hospital Nursing and Delivery Gown online after seeing it on Pinterest. It was a little pricey, but I really loved it. It has Velcro on the shoulder that allows easy access for beastfeeding and the wrap design is a little more discreet for the hundreds of times you have to expose yourself during recovery.

The verdict: Bring it!

10. Sweater – After my c-section I had MAJOR hot flashes. I was sweating through my sheets while my sweet husband (who is normally very warm-natured) was wearing a down coat and huddled under blankets. I can’t speak for everyone (and we were blessed with a private hospital room with its own thermostat, which I used to keep the room at a balmy 50 degrees), but bringing a sweater turned out to be totally unnecessary (except for loaning to visitors to prevent them from seeing their own breath).

The verdict: Leave it

11. Socks - Similar to the sweater, I was so hot that I didn’t make much use of my socks. The hospital actually gave me a pair with some serious non-slip treads (which I’m sure I was billed $100 for), but for the most part I stayed barefoot in bed and wore either my slippers or flip flops when walking around.

The verdict: Optional

12. Other Clothes – I had done enough reading to know that my tummy wouldn’t look like it did pre-pregnancy within hours of giving birth, so I brought a pair of yoga pants, a nursing tank top, a pair of maternity jeans, and a long sleeve white t-shirt. I really underestimated how uncomfortable any sort of waistband would be up against a c-section incision. Fortunately, when I went into labor I was wearing a maxi dress, which is what I wound up putting back on when I was discharged from the hospital. Otherwise, I stuck to hospital issue gowns and the nightgown I brought during my three days in the hospital. Next time, I think I’ll pack a comfortable dress for going home and leave anything with a waistband behind.

The verdict: Bring something without a waistband in case of c-section!

13. Phone Charger – I read a Pinterest tip to pack chargers in a glasses case.

The verdict: Bring it!

14. Herbal Heat Pack – I used this throughout pregnancy to help soothe headaches and backaches, so when I was packing I thought I’d toss it in my bag “just in case.” I think I underestimated the power of the post-c-section morphine cocktail and, for me, it was unnecessary; however, if I’d had natural labor, as we’d hoped, without interventions this may have come in handy.

The verdict: Optional

15. “Don’t Forget” List – My brain was fairly mushy during pregnancy anyway, but the last thing you want to do when you’re IN active labor is have to think through the things you were unable to pack in advance but need to bring to the hospital. The only thing I would leave off of this list next time is my robe, which I actually decided against bringing at the last minute anyway.

The verdict: Not optional!

My third bag (the train case), contained all of my toiletries, which I definitely used and won’t describe in detail. The only noteworthy item is the hand sanitizer which I kept beside the bed and came in handy (yuck yuck yuck) when I didn’t have the full mobility to get up and wash my hands in the bathroom frequently. Also, I do not wear contacts or glasses, so I didn’t bring any eye paraphernalia, but if you do, you probably want to add that to your “Don’t Forget” list to put with your toiletries.

I didn’t have anything to do with packing my husband’s bag and actually have NO clue what he brought! I figure, he’s a big boy and takes care of himself pretty well (and often takes care of me too)! Next up, are the items we brought for Malcolm. I don’t have the car seat listed here, but clearly it’s the MOST important thing for the baby and (at least in the state of Illinois) the hospital won’t let you leave without it. We installed ours several weeks in advance so that it could be inspected and it would just be in the car ready to go.

Several items in the diaper bag I planned to keep in the diaper bag on an ongoing basis. The contents were as follows:

1.  Pacifiers and Pacifier Wipes – Most of the lists I’d read regarding hospital packing recommended bringing two different types of soothers. Malcolm took to the soothers they provide in the hospital and (to this day) isn’t really interested in other types (fortunately Wubbanub uses this same style of soother). I know the next baby could be different, but I’ll probably leave any of our pacifiers at home in the future. The pacifier wipes just stay in one of the inside pockets of our diaper bag all the time and are useful when we’re out and about, but we didn’t use them at all in the hospital since we had a private bathroom in our room to wash off any dirty pacis.

The verdict – Leave it

2.  Two Newborn Size Diapers – The hospital provides diapers, so these were really only backup if we for some reason needed a diaper change on the way home. Although, I will note that our hospital only provides Size 1 diapers, which you have to fold over because they do not have the umbilical cord cut-out and they were quite large on Malcolm’s little body. Despite this, we used them while we were there (because you’re paying for them anyway – although I didn’t see “diapers” listed on our itemized bill), but once we were home we switched to newborn size.

The verdict - Optional

3.  Disposable Diaper Bags – I keep this little dispenser of odor-masking bags attached to a strap on the inside of the diaper bag at all times. We had no use for them during our hospital stay, so if you’re strapped for space this can definitely be left at home.

The verdict - Optional

4.  Travel Wipes – Our hospital provided wipes, therefore, this was a “just in case” item, similar to the diapers; however, I originally made a note to bring these because my boss mentioned that the hospital where his wife gave birth provided wipes that were not pre-moistened. He said you actually had to run them under water, which was a pain. No clue what hospital it was that did this (fortunately ours did not), but if you’re unsure of what your hospital may provide this may wind up saving some hassle.

The verdict - Optional

5.  Nursing Cover – I gave up on modesty pretty quickly in the hospital. Too many people are in and out of your room to fuss over covering yourself all the time. If I anticipated male, non-medical guests, other than my husband I might’ve felt differently, but I never did use this. That said, this is another one of the items that stays in the diaper bag permanently, so it was no big deal to have it in there.

The verdict - Optional

6.  Nipple Cream – I used Mother Love Nipple Cream. It’s a small jar, but believe me, a little goes a long way. I have been really blessed and haven’t struggled with seriously cracked or bleeding nipples, but I did use this in the hospital to help soothe some mild discomfort.

The verdict: Bring it!

7.  Two Swaddle Blankets – The hospital will provide these, but the ones I brought were much softer and (let’s face it) cuter! We wrapped him in the cute owl patterned swaddler for a few pictures in the hospital. I’ve already mentioned in a previous post how much I love Aden + Anais Swaddlers, so I’ll leave it at that. Malcolm was born in May, but if it had been a colder month, I probably also would’ve wanted to bring a warmer blanket to cover the car seat when we were discharged.

The verdict: Bring it! (and consider something warmer depending on the season)

8.  Two Burp Cloths – Our mothers tell us that Jordan and I were both spitters as babies, and unfortunately, Malcolm has followed in our footsteps. The hospital provided some burp cloths, but they were a rough texture and I was glad I brought a couple.

The verdict – Bring it!

9.  Two Washcloths – I’m not really sure why I thought we might need these, but we didn’t.

The verdict – Leave it

10. Two Pairs of Socks – We only put these on him when we were being discharged from the hospital, so one pair would’ve been fine.

The verdict – Bring it!

11. Two Sets of Scratch Mittens – Maybe we were just lucky, but we have NEVER used these.

The verdict – Leave it

12. Coming Home Outfit – My mom bought Malcolm this PRECIOUS “coming home” outfit from Janie and Jack. Unfortunately, at the time, I didn’t realize that 0-3 months really means 3 months! Janie and Jack clothes run pretty big. Here’s a pic of Malcolm in these fancy duds with his Momsie around 3 months:

The verdict: Bring it! (but watch sizes!)
 

13. Other Clothes – In addition to his “coming home” outfit, which he was unable to wear, I brought a newborn lap gown (which the nurse dressed him in on the last day in the hospital), and a little monogrammed onesie a friend made him (which he wound up actually coming home in). The pants I brought to go over the onesie were newborn size, but still swallowed him, so they went unworn. He also wore both of the little beanies I brought.

The verdict: Bring it!

Wow - this turned into an essay, but I wanted to talk through each choice. One last thought is I’ve seen a lot of these lists also recommend bringing your breast pump. We received our breast pump through insurance. It was 100% covered, but United Healthcare would not issue it until Malcolm had actually been born. I know Aetna and some other providers will send it the month before your due date, but we actually had to call from the hospital to confirm Malcolm’s live birth for ours to be ordered and shipped. This wasn’t a problem because our hospital provided a hospital grade double electric breast pump, as well as a hand pump, to use during our stay. We decided to rent the hospital pump for two weeks while we waited on my pump to arrive.

Oh and don't forget your cupcake and zero candle! :)