I have been preparing my home and my life for the arrival of Sprout, but I have been working on some other things as well – like writing up my lists for the hospital. Here is my list of what to pack for Sprout, James, and I for our stay.
PJs and robe
Slippers/Socks
Nursing bras
Nursing pads
Underwear
Toiletries – don’t forget lip balm
Coming home clothes (something comfy like yoga pants)
Car seat
One sleeper/hat (they provide clothes there)
Dress, unders, shoes, socks for picture day
Cloth diaper to come home in
Receiving blanket
“Snowsuit” for the ride home
Snacks for James and I
James’ clothes
Movies for James, DS, MP3 player with new songs
Camera and new batteries
Cell and charger
Announcement list and birth plan
Am I forgetting anything?!
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Picture courtesy of ~ http://nineteen69.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/aka-suitcase.jpg
I guess I might be picky, but I LOVED having my own pillow. Our first birth I didn’t bring one, and those hospital pillows suck! They have a sort of plastic cover just under the case, for obvious reasons, but not good for sleeping….
I was more comfortable having my own blanket from my bed than I was with the flimsy ones at the hospital with the first one. With the second, I wished I had taken a nightgown or two so that I didn’t have to wear the hospital gown that constantly fell open when people came to visit and see the baby. Extra baby blankets and warm clothes are also nice since most hospitals just provide a t-shirt and thin cap and a thin receiving blanket or two.
Thanks for the ideas Jennifer and Heather and thanks for stopping by.
The thing I always recommend is bringing some music along for yourself during labor. Something that you love and that can make you relax, whatever that may be.
I would consider getting one of the JJ Cole bundle me’s instead of doing the snowsuit. It’s just a lot more convienent (in my experience). Instead of wrestling them in and out of clothing, you just zip up a blanket. We do have a snowsuit for times that they wouldn’t be in the car seat.
I also brought some pillow spray. Childbirth is messy so I didn’t want to mess up my own pillows but I wan’t them to smell nice.
You may want to consider tucking in a roll of extra soft toilet paper. Institutional tp is somewhat lacking right after you’ve pushed out a baby.
Finally, it’s not unusual to have more fluid retention in your feet right after birth so, pack some shoes that allow for a lot of extra room- I went with my fake birkenstocks.
The carseat inspector at the hospital wouldn’t let us bundle the baby up in a snowsuit or coat. She said it potentially affected the safety/fit of the carseat. I had to settle with some warm jammies and a sweater, and then covering with fleece blankets.
We had to give the baby’s hospital clothes back. (Apparently they were only provided during the hospital stay!).
Also, babies are messy. I think we changed her outfit AND receiving blankets a couple times before we got out the door. You might want more than one. 
We also had to turn off our cell phone in the hospital (apparently, cell phones could interfere with some medical equipment?), so it was good to have a list of numbers, etc. written down to call from the room phone (instead of relying on what was stored on our cell).
Also, you might want to bring pillow/blanket for James. Our hospital only provided what was on the mama’s bed- anyone else was stuck in the hard chair!
Best wishes on the birth!
Blessings,
Michele
Hannah ~ Thanks! That MP3 player on the list is for me.
Becky ~ I have a car seat cover for the winter, so that will definitely be on the seat for the ride home. I also have bought the winter croc knock offs and I don’t care if I look silly.. they are comfy and much easier than tying my shoes all the time. Those will be my shoes for going there and coming home. Thanks for the tips.
Michele ~ Thank you so much for all of your advice. I have researched the snowsuit and you’re right.. the carseat straps don’t fit right if they are in something bulky so I will be sure to bring something warm but not bulky for her to come home in… and a nice warm blanky. Many blessings on your pregnancy as well. Take care!