Saturday, July 26, 2014

What I Packed for the Hospital

There are so many different checklists for packing a bag for a hospital visit on the internet.  I had trouble deciding what to bring.  This last visit was for the birth of my fourth baby boy.  The hospital I chose is about 15-20 minutes away from my home.  It's pretty new construction.  The recovery rooms are awesome.  There is a TV/laptop/phone combo, microwave and fridge in every room.  There's a sleeper sofa, closet, private bathroom and table and chairs for visitors.  I enjoyed my stay.

I had to stay there a few extra days.  My big boy had jaundice and he couldn't leave until his bilirubin number came down.  After the second day, I was starting to lose it.  It's no fun being stuck in one room for days.  I wanted to be home with my husband and children so badly.  It sucked but we made the best of it.

Here is what I packed -





The main thing I kept in mind was comfort.  I wanted to be as comfortable as possible while I was there recovering (and then time waiting to be released).  I wanted to feel at home.

For labor -
Hair ties
Comfy socks

Recovery -
Underwear and pads (unless you like the ones provided by the hospital)
Pajamas
Nursing pads
Shower stuff
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo and conditioner
Shower gel and lotion
Hairbrush
Makeup
Towel

Entertainment -
Tablet
Book
Camera
Phone
Chargers for all

Snacks - (not pictured)
Homemade granola 
24 oz cup for ice water (the hospital drinks are about 6oz)
Sodas

For Baby - (not pictured)
Diapers  (didn't need.  Hospital supplied)
Wipes (didn't need.  Hospital supplied)
Baby Journal
Lotion (didn't use)
Pacifiers
Outfits (in many sizes which was good since he was huge)
Socks
Receiving blankets (I use these for everything)
Nail clippers and files
Car seat

What I wish I brought -
More pajamas or lounge-y clothes.  It's so easy to get messy recovering with a new baby.
A mifi or enabled HotSpot (I couldn't connect to the internet there so my tablet was useless)

What I asked Hubby to Purchase for me While I was there -
Manual breast pump (I prefer the Philips Avent pump to the electric one provided)
Nipple shield (I was having issues with latching on)
Powdered formula (I ended up using the ready to use Similac supplied by the hospital to supplement since my milk wouldn't come in and my giant baby was so hungry)

Seems like a lot, I know.  I am glad I brought all of it though.  I had to stay a few extra days and it was made bearable with my comforts from home.

7 comments:

  1. This brings back memories to when I was in the hospital when my son was born. I remember regretting not bringing enough comfy lungy clothes and pads. My mom bought me some because I felt like I was wearing a diaper. i supplemented too but my hospital was very fanatical about breastfeeding. They did supply me some but that was only after I broke down. I think it is cruelty to let a baby starve because my milk wasn't coming in fast enough. If I ever have another kid, we are going to smuggle some formula in hahaha! Congrats again on your new baby. You brave, brave woman. I have one child and I think I had enough, I could only imagine what it is like with 4!

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    1. My hospital was too! I had to beg for formula for him. I understand breastfeeding is awesome but when you have a giant 11lb 11oz baby, you need more than a few drops of colostrum to feed him. lol

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  2. Oh, I love your reading material choice. Good book! ^_^ Wishing you the best with your baby and recovery! It really looks like you did some good packing! :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm trying to re-read the vampire chronicles in preparation for the new Lestat book coming out this October. I am soooo excited!

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    2. You're very welcome! Hope you are doing well! Oh yes, yes, yes!! I can't wait for the new book! That's a really good idea! :D I should brush up on my Lestat as well!!

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  3. I can never read enough of these hospital bag lists! I packed my bag weeks ago but I still want to make sure I don't forget something I will regret not having. Which is silly because I literally live next to the hospital. I can walk there in two minutes flat! I wish hospitals in the UK would allow electrical devices and chargers... wah. But congrats again and thanks for the insight :)

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    1. Thank you. I was the same way reading every list I could find. I didn't know the UK didn't allow electronics... That doesn't seem fair. I would go crazy without the internet of some sort

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