Recommendations for Packing Our Hospital Bag?

Pack lotion and nail clippers for baby. I delivered at Sutter Roseville and they will not give you thoes items for the baby and I was really wanting them as my daughter came out with dry skin and long nails!

Congratulations!! Your request brought tears of joy to my eyes! I just went through that amazing time of anticipating my first born child. It is an experience unlike any other. I truely wish I could rewind time and do it all over again. Enjoy every minute! It flies by (my newborn is now 10 weeks old!). Luckily we lived 5 minutes away from the hospital so anything we might've forgotten or needed my huband was able to get. We actually brought too much stuff! It was a pain to lugg it all back to the car when it was time to bring the baby home. I would say bring a change of clothes to go home in (I used the same that I came in because I just quickly threw thew them on to go to the hospital and then took 'em off right when I got there) clothes for the baby to go home in, a blanket for him and some things to entertain yourself (book, laptop, etc). Good luck to you!!!!! I'm wishing you a happy and healthy labor!!!!!!!

XO, Heather

Congratulations! I'm a first time mom also (7/7/07). Consider the fact that you might delivery c-section, even if it's not planned. I delivered 2 mos. early. Bring the bag no matter what the occasion! Consider putting it in the car once its packed. We went in for some tests as the dr. thought I might be dehydrated and ended up delivering that day. Not only did i not bring the bag, I packed comfy maternity pjs with shorts & pants. This was not good and ended up wearing the dress I arrived in at the hospital the first day.

Hi C.,

I delivered in Sutter Roseville three times, and I can tell you, that they take EXCELLENT care of you over there. For the new baby, you really don't have to bring anything, they provide you with a whole lot of diapers, onesies, etcetera. So the only thing you need to bring is an outfit to bring her home in. For yourself: just bring your toiletteries. No nightgown necessary: they give you a 'charming' gown which everyone wears, which has openings for nursing and easy access for the doctors. They also give you plenty of stuff to catch any bleeding you will have. Really: don't take too much stuff with you, totally unneccessary!

Good luck, and ENJOY!!!
E..

I delivered both my kids at sutter roseville, the staff there is wonderful. You don't need to bring too much, but I would suggest slippers and a bathrobe for roaming the halls. I chose just to wear their gowns and throw a robe over it rather than ruining any of my own pajamas. Also, all your regular toiletries. They provided pillows and blankets for my spouse, and he slept comfortably while we were there. (With my first, he stayed my entire hospital stay without too much problems, he only stayed the first night with my daughter.) Also, for going home, very comfortable stretch pants or shorts, depending on the weather. And you can't forget an outfit for baby and a blanket. I didn't use any of the other stuff I brought, but I know a lot of people like to bring some music for delivery, but I just wanted quiet. Also, bring a swimsuit for your spouse, since during labor you may want to get in the shower and he will want a suit in case things progress quickly and he doesn't have time to get dressed. You can control the temperature in the rooms at sutter, so you don't need to worry about being too hot or too cold since you can control it. I would also suggest extra socks though, but that's just because I can't stand to have cold feet, so I wanted them for delivery and after. That is all we really used for both kids, except the camera--don't forget your camera! Congratulations and good luck.

Hi C. ;)
I am a 1st time mom too and I was just there not too long ago 6-20-07. A lot of the stuff on the lists that are put out are almost in abundace. I reccomend a few things. A not so bulky blanket & pillow (not for you but for your husband to get some ok sleep, that is probably my worst complaint at the hospitol, they dont provide an extra bed). A very small portable fan to get the air blowing directly on you while in the labor process (while delivering youll have to have it upplugged). Dont forget the cell phone charger (but you may have to plug in & hide in the closet). Chapstick, a comfy nightgown, dont worry about leaving in your best outfit, dress comfortably. Very important, fingernailclippers or lil files for your new angel. she will come out with very long nails, that the nurses are not allowed to cut (i tore them off with my mouth due to not having any with me). Flip flops to shower in, god only knows whats been on that shower floor. Have your car seat already installed, i thought the hospitol would help, but Sutter is not allowed to due to then they have taken responsibility for it. I didnt pack this, but should have, my breast pump to have the lactation consultant assist with it. I also didnt pack this but you may want to, the boppy pillow (once we were at home nobody held her with out it, but in the hospitol ther are are a lot of pillows, you just have to ask for them). Change for your husband at the vending machines. Before you leave the hospitol stock up on the after labor panties, pads & newborn diapers (they also make great ice packs to help releive your pain), lansinoh breast cream, receiving blankets, & lil washcloths. Dont pack too much the rooms dont have a lot of extra space. Good luck!

I would be bring a comfy pair of jammies (maternity) because you'll still look 6 months pregnant for a couple days. Flip flops (Easy on -Easy Off). Cell Phone, Camera, Laptop and or portable DVD player for late night. Outfit and blanket for baby + carseat. They will provide diapers, but bring your own wipes they don't have very good wipes there. Hand mittens for baby.

C. - Congrats on your little one! I agree with the other girls...those published lists are a bit much. Definitely your own pillows, outfit for the little one, stuff for showering and a nightgown if you're not comfortable in the shirt/robe they provide. The one I wore was really comfortable and provided easy access to nursing. Don't plan on bringing too much unless you like to spend lots of time in the hospital, but if you're like me, once everything checked out, I wanted to get out of there and go home.

Enjoy the moment as it goes by quickly...my daughter is already 16months.

Take care,
V.

Hi C.,
Congrats on your soon-to-be little one. In the end, the one item I was happiest to have was my own pillows! I only wish I had brought a blanket!
L.

I have 2 children and with my first I packed EVERYTHING!!! Some Items I definantely used was a hand held fan, rubber band for hair, washcloth, and picture of something for a focal point. Good Luck :)

A lot of the moms have already done a good job with tips on the essentials you should pack.

A few of my ideas are:

1.If you plan to nurse bring a breastfeeding pillow ( The My Breast Friend Pillow is what a lactation consultant recommended to me)

2.I delivered both my babies in the summer so I really liked the comfort and easy access to nurse of the stretchy spaghetti strap type of nightgowns- I brought one to the hospital and I was much more comfy in it then the hospital gown- of course I wore this after delivery. I found some super comfy stretchy ones that I wore during pregnancy and afterwards at GAP last year.

3. Socks!

Good luck and enjoy your baby!

I too agree with the other mom's...so my advise will be on what to leave with :) Everything! Sutter (as with all hospitals) get those inexpensive plastic diaper bags free from formula companies. My room had 4 already stocked so I took those, and since formula lasts it was great to have them handy. Also, my saving grace was, the spray pain reliever. I cant remember the name, but they gave me a can to spray over my "tear" it numbed it and was AMAZING! I think it is for hemroids. But either way, I asked for another can each day I was there (total of 4 due to complications) and was so very grateful I did. And I agree with the other respondant, bring home the pads and diapers as well!

Hi C.!
when i was pregnant(twice! i have a 4 yr old & a 1 1/2 yr old) i would see in magazines and books all these long lists of stuff to bring...well,i only ended up using probably half! the things i remember using were the going home outfit for baby( i brought 2 just incase one didnt fit right) a few comfy outfits for me & stuff that you take with you as if you were going on vacation! toiletries, magazines, books( u may be in labor awhile!)camera, video camera, snacks for after you have the baby...and quite honestly the hospital provided alot of things anyway! and its hard to predict how things are going to turn out anyway..my first daughter ended up being in the nicu for a week and my second was home in 2 days so..and my motto was "don't stress,if we forgot it, we could ask the hospital or my husband can go get it!" :) good luck!!