Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

I have been reading lists on here and it seems like everyone brings so much stuff!! I have a feeling my list will be just as long but it seems kinda crazy to me. I mean, will I even use half of it??

Also...should I buy extra things specifically JUST for the hospital?? I mean...I have yoga pants and PJ pants...but what if they are in the laundry when I leave for the hospital. I don't have so many maternity clothes that I can afford to pack them and have them sitting in my bag unused for the next few weeks...KWIM? I also don't want to buy more things if I dont have to...what is everyone else doing??

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Well, for me, I know from when I had my daughter (which was a c-section), I really wanted some newer things that I could wear after she was born and I didn't have a lot of lounging type clothes. So I bought some light weight draw string sweat pant capris that I packed adn some new tank tops and packed those too. I also bought a cheap pair of flip flops that I kept in the bag. I didn't buy anything that was maternity, though. I just bought bigger sizes of regular clothes for after I had her, this way I felt the money wasn't going to be wasted. I got plenty of use out of the stuff after that.
I did this same thing this time, although because it's my second pregnancy, I had a few more thigns in the mix already that I could spare to put in the bag and leave there. It's kind of sad, but I'm looking at these 4 days in the hospital as a mini vacation, so I packed magazines, books, I'm taking my laptop, you name it

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

i didnt buy anything new expect a 6 pack of larger sized undies.. everything else is things i dont really wear often so won't miss. if you feel you need to get stuff check clearance racks and just buy larger sizes

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Honestly, and I am not a BTDT - I am not going to stress it. As long as I go in with my camera and my insurance card - someone can bring me anything else I need.

I am going to pack a bag, but not go crazy trying not to forget anything - its not like when you go on vacation and no one can get you the stuff

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

I totally overpacked when I went in for DD.

This time I will bring a pair of shorts and pants. A few nursing tanks and a zip up hoodie. Toiletries and flips for the shower. And something comfortable to wear home. That's it.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

For me, when I went into labor, I brought the baby book & my camera. My DH brough my bag up afterwards, and in that was 2 nightgowns (for BFing), granny panties, the large Always overnight pads (the pads they have in the hospital STINK) and some make-up & toiletries. That was it.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

My bag was SIGNIFICANTLY less packed with baby #2 than it was with baby #1.

I wore the same maternity pants and tee-shirt that I wore to the hospital. I was induced early in the morning for both girls, so I was only wearing my clothes a short time. Had I gone into labor, I knew I would have time to get some clothes together.

I bought new pjs and slippers and kept them packed. I didn't bother with more than 1 pair of underwear as the hospital provided the disposable ones- so I only wore my own when I went home. Same thing with the pads and Tucks.

Otherwise I packed:
camera
phone and charger
make-up
toiletries
hair dryer
baby's coming home outfit
extra pillow for me
boppy for BFing

This time I'll pack the same except the boppy. I didn't really use it at all when BFing #2, but I DID use it with #1 in the hospital.

I'll also bring my laptop this time because my hospital recently installed wireless.

Message edited 5/3/2010 7:59:09 AM.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

you reallly dont need much. 1 or 2 night gown or pj's (wear the hosptial gown after the baby is born, they come in and check your whoo haa like 500 times, especially if you had a c-section), 4-5 panties/bras, soemthing for you to wear to go home, babys coming home outfit, camera. toiletries. Bring your own pads, and I strongly recommend Always infity, they are thin but absorb as much as the diaper thick ones

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

My best friend and sister-in-law just had their babies a few weeks ago and really used their toothbrush, hairbrush, nipple cream for BF, slippers, robe, camera, phone and charger. They stayed in the hospital gown (both were C-sections and it was easier to use the bathroom) and put their robe on to walk. Oh, they used their chapstick too. Other than that, everything else stayed in their bags!

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

When I had #1 I over packed and barely used any of the stuff I had.

For #2 the only stuff I brought was:
new underwear
the clothes I was going home in
the babies coming home outfit
toiletries
I brought makeup, but never wore it, not even home
2 pairs of pjs night gowns ( I had a vaginal birth both times and it was really hard for me to control my bladder the day of delivery so I opted for a gown, one less thing to take down. At night I hiked it up so I wouldn't stain it if I bled out)
robe
slippers
That was it.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

i had a c/s with DS and will again this time around so i know i will be in the hospital for about 5 days. i am not comfortable in the hospital gown, so i definitely will be changing into my own clothing as soon as im able too. since im on bed rest, i have plenty of comfy lounging maternity clothing, but i too am wondering about stuff being in the laundry, so i bought a couple sets of lounge wear that i just put in my hospital bag already. i know that after the babies are born i will be wearing comfy clothes for at least the first few weeks at home anyway so i dont mind having a lot.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

I didn't use HALF of the stuff that is recommended on the packing list for the hospital.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

I know! I read these lists and I'm like- I go on vacation for a WEEK with less stuff.
I'm so not into this whole hospital bag stuff.
I feel like I'll just leave the freakin' hospital gowns on and call it a day.
I really don't see myself needing a whole wardrobe of yoga pants etc.
I never even OWNED yoga pants before.
I just want the baby out- and then I want to go home.
I really could care less how I look in the hospital.

I also always think of the women who go in unexpectedly- and early- with NOTHING packed.
They somehow survive.

Message edited 5/3/2010 10:27:01 AM.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

I totally overpacked with DD. I was convinced I was going to end up with a c/s so I packed enough for a 4 day stay at the hospital.

I didn't have a c/s and I barely touched what I packed.

I was in a hospital gown the first day.

The 2nd day, I was in comfy PJ bottoms and a nursing tank, with a hoodie for when I had company. I also didn't use any of the underware I packed because I used the disposable undies the hospital provided.

The 3rd day, I went home.


I did bring and did use:

My own towels
tolietries
hair dryer (even though my hospital had one, it was one of those hotel type hair dryers that barely dry your hair)
My own pillow

I also had some snacks (granola bars, and stuff like that). I was STARVING after delivery and while the nurse did order me something to eat, it was almost 2 hours before they brought it since they brought my food when they brought out everyone elses dinner. I was SO happy to have had those granola bars in my bag.

Message edited 5/3/2010 10:31:19 AM.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Thanks so much ladies for all the replies!! This makes me feel much better, I really do not want to go crazy! I will probably just buy a night gown or a few nursing tanks and leave it at that. I will use those at home after I have the baby anyway.

Another question...Does the hospital give you nursing pads and lanolin cream? Or should I bring that?

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

Honestly, I wouldn't buy anything. Maybe some comfy big pants from Target, that if they got ruined (they do) I wouldn't card if I could toss them. Old baggy comfy clothes are key.

Also the disposable undies they give you are great!!! Take extra home, I wore them weeks later.

Best thing I brought was a bath pouf and shower gel.

Re: Do I really need that much STUFF for my hospital bag??

the only things i PURCHASED were toiletries and pads - also the baby's outfit.

i have packed
toiletries
3 pairs of black yoga pants (might end up c-section so i packed 3)
3 tshirts
a black 3/4 length lightweight robe
socks
lightweight slippers
my pillow
flip flops
3 sports bras
1 regular bra
6 pairs of HUGE undies
camera plus charger
iPod plus charger
macbook plus charger
change of clothes for DH
newborn outfit for DS
0-3 month outfit for DS
boppy
1 blanket for DS
2 paci's (only bc i want to use soothie, didnt know if they hospital would have them)
phone charger
wisp brushes and listerine strips

Message edited 5/3/2010 2:29:14 PM.