Baby baggage- October 25, 2010
Well, the week is here and I’m finally home. Thursday is the due date. I made the decision with the doc this morning to stay home this week. I’m here, with fingers crossed this kid will show up soon.
There isn’t really anything else to do to get ready. We’re all packed…
Yep, that is totally a PPB from the new fall line. Be jealous! Yep, that’s my good-old Vera Bradley luggage my husband is man enough to haul around the airport.
Please look at all the crap we have. We packed according to the list from our childbirth class and various
websites. I Tweeted, asking for advice. The best I got was from my friend
Katie. She delivered at the same hospital. She was kind enough to write this on my Facebook…
I’m once again weighing in on a Tweet without a Twitter. When I went to the hospital I had a suitcase on wheels with all kinds of paraphernalia inside and a bag that I put my laptop and camera in– because yes, I Facebooked and blogged within about two hours of giving birth. The nurses told me they could always tell first time moms by the amount of luggage. Here’s what you need: One pair of pajamas or a night gown– To be honest, it’s easier to breastfeed in the hospital gown and you have a tendency to be a little messy those first days, so I’d just save the nice pjs for when you get home and the mess is a bit more under control. Also, you need something loose and casual to wear home— you’ll still need maternity clothes. Also, bring a book to read and some favorite DVDs for labor– because your room has a DVD player and most of labor is just waiting around. Bring some nursing bras and underwear, but it should be your least nice pairs and they should be huge because you keep a big ice pack in your drawers as well as a maxipad the size of a sofa pillow for the first 3-4 days after delivery. The hospital provides both and sends you home with extras. Also bring one outfit for the baby to wear home. I wouldn’t bother putting her in shoes. Don’t bother bringing socks for yourself. The hospital provides them.
Also, be sure to grab whatever freebies you can from the baby hospital bassinets when you leave. The little beds are on top of these cabinets on wheels and in those cabinets are diapers, extra t-shirts (which are perfect for those first days), a blanket or two, some toboggans, and the nose snorters– get as many of those as there are because the hospital ones are the best and you’ll need them often. Don’t feel guilty about taking it either. The nurses said that everyone does it because I had an attack of conscience and so I asked and she said it was pretty much expected.
Anyway, bottom line: when it comes to the hospital bag, less is more. You can bring make-up because people do tend to take lots of pictures of you, but I never felt like applying it.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask the nurses to take the baby to the nursery whenever you’re not feeding her. You need to rest. Although I’m not really one to talk because I insisted on holding Will the entire first night because I just couldn’t get enough of him.
This was all extremely helpful! Does it mean I’ll pack less? Probably not, but I need all the advice I can get, and then apparently ignore. Don’t take it personal Katie. Oh, and congrats on baby number 2 being a boy! (She just found out today.)
Take your pillow! Put it in a colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital pillows. Nothing beats having your own pillow.
"…because you keep a big ice pack in your drawers as well as a maxipad the size of a sofa pillow for the first 3-4 days after delivery."… that made me laugh out loud. And it is SO true!
And a note about baby clothes – I didn't bother putting real clothes on my babies until it was time for their "coming home" outfits. Cause if they pee or poop on something you have no way of washing it. Then you have to keep up with and take home stinky clothes. Let her pee and poop on the hospital shirts! She'll generate plenty of dirty laundry for you once you get home – no need to come home with dirty laundry!
This was great advice that she gave you! Where was she when I had my boys? When I had my first son, (in TX), the nurses would come to the room and offer to take him back to the nursery so I could get some rest. The hospital where I had my second son (in NY) didn't do this, and I always felt guilty "dropping him off" on someone else to take care of, so I always kept him in the room. Big mistake b/c I got no sleep! So definitely take advantage of the nursery. Especially at night.
Your friend hit it all right on the money. And quite comically too, I might add. Funny stuff.
Good luck!
I laughed when I saw the picture of your luggage. I don't take it to heart. I did the same thing. And veteran mom told me to sleep when the baby slept, and did I do it? No. I waited until I was a derranged, sleep-deprived zombie that viewed a trip to Guantanamo Bay as a vacation before I conceded that, yes, perhaps I should've realized that that shower and those dishes could have waited. We all learn the hard way. I'm curious to see if I can take my own advice for number two.
Take your own snacks for you and your husband. Hospital food can be okay, but not always.
You seem to have most of your bases covered!
Are you planning on brining a nursing bra? I've been gifting the Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra ever since I bought one. A really good bra for the first couple of weeks + for sleeping. You need to bring a comfortable/supportive nursing bra!
I certainly agree about not bringing many clothes for the baby. I seriously packed like a weeks worth. But all you need is a going home outfit and an outfit for the picture if you want. I also recommend bringing your baby book too.
And as far as hospital supplies go also grab some of the medical stuff for you too. Especially the gigantic ice packs. Good luck and congratulations!