What was the BEST thing you packed??

[jade-e-bug]

I'm getting ready to pack my hospital bag in a few days & still need to buy a few things. This is my 1st pregnancy, so I dont know what to expect or pack...(My DS is adopted)
What was the BEST thing you packed in YOUR bag? BESIDES THE CAMERA, LOL.... What kind of PJ's did you find to be the best while in the hospital??? (Tops & Bottoms or Gowns & did you wear YOURS or the hospitals?) I know I'll be there for at least 48 hours (the hospital policy...longer if c-section happens)...Also what did YOU wear home? I'm thinking of a nice pair of comfy capri pant & tank top pj's since I'm only 10mins from the hospital & its going to be July...(end of June of I go early)...I want some that look nice since I know I'll have family at my house visiting...

OK LADIES, What's your reccomendations! :D

[puppy wuv]

If you plan to breast feed, I highly recommend lanolin, breast pads to keep the lanolin on while wearing a bra, and then nursing bras or nursing tank tops. As for clothing, loose shirts and pants. I'm going to have my MIL there at the house since DH is deployed, otherwise I would have kept family away. I had family over last time and regretted it. But even with family visiting, I wouldn't worry about appearance coming from the hospital. Just wear what is comfortable!

[misfit]

I wore sweats home from the hospital. Just comfy clothes. My husband actually went and got our Xbox or something because we were so bored in the hospital so that was probably the best thing at the time. :laugh: We were in there for 3 days over the fourth of July.

[GA1977]

phone charger!

[macksmom]

I'm thinking my Kindle Fire will be the best thing for me this time around lol! I think last time I would say a nursing bra was the best thing I packed (if I have to choose 1). For my first of course I didn't know what to expect and didn't have one. I would DEFINITELY recommend getting one (or nursing tank) that fits now because most likely you will be the size you are now (or a bit smaller - around 6M pg looking) after you deliver. I just bought myself a new nursing tank for the hospital but it's a little uncomfy and I think I may return it.

Also my boppy pillow really came in handy for feeding AND for sitting on (hemmies and episiotomies are a baaaaad combo.....) :laugh:

ETA: Only comfy clothes - tank tops, shorts, pj/lounge pants to stay there and come home in. It's basically what I wear anyway lol....

[TrulyNYC]

Ear plugs!!!!

[MomOfAnOnly]

I also used the boppy to sit on (hemmies and a 3rd degree tear), and brought all my pillows from home (used them first while I was in labor for 3 days, and then when BFing).

Nail clippers/file- my nails grew crazy fast and by the time my DD was born my nails were waaaay too long. I was constantly afraid I was going to scratch her. The hospital had nothing available for me to use, I had to have my DH bring them from home. Actually everything I had at the hospital my DH had to pack and bring-- I was planning on a home birth and literally took no-thing with me to the hospital when my midwife sent me there to be checked :crazy:

[sunkiss]

I second the ear plugs! My room was right across from the nursery and all night long I could hear other happy families ooing and awwing over the babies (and talking, and talking, and making phone calls, etc). My laptop was a great distraction during the first half of laboring. Other than that, loose comfy clothes and my slippers were awesome to have there. My hospital provided everything I needed for breastfeeding/pumping except the boppy pillow, but I did bring mine. Oh, one more thing, if you're at all picky about soaps and shampoo/cond, definately bring your own. Good luck with your delivery!!

[As Is]

Pillows from home, my little ones for propping my legs up. MyBreastfriend/Boppy if you plan on using. It's much more helpful to have it on you when you get help than to try and figure it out later. Your favorite lotion or scented soap. Nice to smell something familiar after some time in the sterile environment. I'm taking my Scentsy travel tins this time.

[preciousnd98]

phone charger!

I second this! And comfy clothes to wear home.

[froggie83]

i second the pillows from home... and nursing bras/tanks. also a comfy pair of slippers (that slip on easily) so you don't have to walk on the bare hospital floors for the numerous trips to the potty.

[ibisgirldc]

my own pillow from home and my own throw/blanket. And a laptop with wireless (or the equivalent) - which was huge to be able to better understand what was wrong with our son and why he'd been taken from us to the nicu. Phone cord, too, if you need your cell.

I didn't shower until late on the third of 4 days so I did need a nightgown/robe/slippers and stuff to get clean, but that was minor. Your spouse can always bring that later. For the most part, I was in bed with the leg-squeezing things (they were swelling like i had elephantitis) or visiting in the NICU... nothing else in the bag was important.

[mommabert]

Carmex.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

Honestly, the only things I used wear my own toiletries and comfy clothes to wear. I just wore old t's and yoga pants. Also, socks since my feet are cold.

[iMom]

Yoga pants and a sleep top... best thing ever, hated the hospital gowns. and a great shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I always get really dry in hospitals.

[MrsMan]

My own underwear and pads. I hated wearing the ones provided by the hospital.

[ljs318]

I'm not a nightgown person, so I brought comfy yoga pants and nursing tanks to wear once I was up and showered. I also had a zip up sweatshirt for when I got chilly and basically wore those all day/night. I had 2 c-sections and was there for 4 and 3 days. I also had a cheap pair of flip flops (instead of slippers) for wearing when I was walking around. For my 2nd DD I made sure to pack a cute nursing friendly top for the day we came home since there are lots of photo-ops that day, learned my lesson with DD1, LOL. Laptop was also key for those times when DH wasn't there, baby was sleeping and I was awake.

[AshlynsMommy26]

I loved my PJ pants from Old Navy Maternity and a maternity tank top. Also my nursing bra. I didn't pack it, but absolutely loved my Boppy! My FIL brought it as a gift and I never put it down after(I was there 4 days because of a c-section).

[hopeful1]

I did take some nursing PJs and just stuck the breast pads right to the inside of it. I went home in some maternity pants and a nursing tank top. It was late September, but 95 degrees the day we went home from the hospital. I liked having my phone with internet access, and definitely was nice having my own pillow from home too. I think I took a Boppy, but I can't remember. If I did, I'm sure I used it, and definitely used it at home.

[Scarlett]

Boppy. Used it to death. Made it easy to feed, and easy for DH to hold her too :)

[futuresoccermom]

Boppy for breastfeeding
comfy granny panties for post delivery bleeding (hospital will usually supply the jumbo pads)
I preferred wearing stretchy pj pants and a shirt that I could easily stretch down under my boobs.

good luck!

[Artgirl]

I bought a great set of nursing pjs with a matching robe at Motherhood Maternity. I switched into them as soon as I could. They were definitely more comfortable than the gowns and the robe was really nice for walking the halls.

[Aelith]

I forgot to bring any reading material. Definitely bring something because the hospital cable is usually lacking.

[sookie4415]

my own pillow from home...could have done without everything else.

[DarkandtheWild]

Chapstick.
Men's PJ sets- the ones with the button down shirts. They're so comfy.
Roll-waist yoga pants from Old Navy. They come in long and capri lengths.
Chargers for camera, phone, etc.