What do I pack in our Diaper Bag??? - Need your expert ADVICE!!!! PLEASE!

jen wrote: DH and I were packing the diaper bag for the hospital just to do it since I have been washing and organizing stuff!!! We put diapers and wipes and a couple pacifiers in there. We also put little socks, mittens, 2 caps, 3 tiny white onsies and the outfit she is coming home in?? What else do I need??? Any suggestions? I know we won't need the pacifiers so early and the wipes are newborn wipes. I also put a couple of bottles in there in case I have to pump.

I am sure this has been posted and I am sure I read it at sometime but I can't find it now!!! LOL!

CantWait replied: washclothes, a bib, maybe a couple little toys, an extra sleeper, I can't think of anything else right now, but I'll let you know.

amynicole21 replied: Well, the hospital will pretty much provide you with EVERYTHING you really need... wipes, diapers, pacifiers, blankets, hats, bottles, etc. I don't think we brought anything but her coming home outfit and baby book. Don't forget the baby book for her footprints!!

I don't know if you are going to try breastfeeding or not, but I would bring a boppy pillow to the hospital. Also some lanolin for your nips You'll need socks or slippers and a nightgown you won't mind messing up. I actually wore the nightgown the hospital provided, but it wasn't the most comfortable thing when visitors where in the room

kimberley replied: sounds like you have most of it covered. only other things i could think of are receiving blankets, sleepers and a camera. i am sure others will list all the things my mommy brain can't remember lol.

MomToMany replied: All I have in mine is travel-sized shampoo/conditioner, body wash, hairbrush, toothbrush/toothpaste, extra maxi pads, an outfit for me to wear home with extra undies, an outfit for baby, plus recieving blankets and a heavier one for covering up the carseat with. You get pretty much everything else you need there like the diapers and stuff.

I had a dream last night that none of our cameras would work. They were either broken or the batteries were dead ! DH said that this won't happen !

Jamison'smama replied: You may check with your hospital--did they do a tour for you--because my hospital provided all the diapers and wipes she needed--the wipes were actually little washcloth type things that you dampen. I think I remember them telling me not to use wipes for the first couple of weeks since their skin is so sensitive--I know people who have but we didn't. I brought an extra outfit for Jamison --premie sized since really they fit babies up til about 7-8 lbs so that she wouldn't have to wear the hospital clothes. My hospital also provided anything I needed to pump--bottles etc. But really they encourage you to nurse nurse nurse so you probably won't even need the bottles. Just ask for the lactation consultant.

I did not pack breast pads but wished I did since I had a c-section and my milk came in before I went home. I brought her a blanket to take her home in. If you want to put a bow on her head for her picture, bring one and in case she is bald you may want a small piece of double stick tape or some people use KY Jelly (I used tape )

hmmm, I will keep thinking.

For you, the two things I needed and was glad I had was my own pillow--with a pillowcase that was not white so it doesn't get mixed up, and a small fan--I needed the fresh air and with the massive hormone changes I would go from burning hot to cold in a second.

A&A'smommy replied:
i dont know if anyone said this yet or not but maybe take a breast pump i ended up needing and mom had to got to walmart and buy me one, and definitly take breast pads i was SOAKED after just putting my bra on i walked out of the shower and i was dripping (sorry tmi) but these are definitly good suggestions and it sounds like you got to diaper good to go!


editied to say: you might also need some burp rags those are great!

jen replied: thanks! these are great things, some I haven't thought of!!! I didn't even think about breast pads!!! I wrote that down for sure!

coasterqueen replied: I don't have anything to add, all great ideas. Course we only brought Kylie's baby book and an outfit, blanket. I also brought things for me as well as my breast pump. I wanted them to show me how to use it because at the time I had no idea what to do with that thing, lol. So if you already have one and don't know what to do with it, take it The lactation consultant will show you how

Everything else was provided by the hospital and I took quite a bit home with me too
One thing I wished I would have taken home was their receiving blankets! Those things are so much larger than regular ones and GREAT to swaddle in. If you are going to have a big baby those regular receiving blankets don't swaddle a baby, lol. Trust me Now we didn't take them home because we didn't think of it and you are not supposed to, but the next time I'm taking some home! LOL.

ediep replied: I didn't need anything for Jason, the hospital provided everything....I did bring an outfit for his newborn picture and blankets for the car seat for when we brought him home. The hospital provided me with an awesome pump to use while I was there.

For myself, I brought toiletries, night gown, radio and CD's, sweats, snacks, slippers, cameras,

California Girls replied: Don't forget to take home all the diapers you can from the hospital! They get them for free, and you can never have too many!

My essentials:
Nursing Bra
PJ's
Slippers
Coming home/picture outfits for Mommy & Baby
Receiving Blankets (for coming home)
Toiletries

California Girls replied: Oh and also, don't be afraid to use a pacifier if you have to! I did with both my girls from the beginning and never had any trouble. It's helpful to build their sucking muscles, for some babies. When they're crying because they're hungry and you have to change their diaper first or their clothes, they'll be screaming without it. Sometimes it's enough to push a mommy over the edge when you're sleep deprived.

jen replied:
Thank you!!! That is good to know!!! I have a friend that really pushes the "NO PACI" thing and I don't really agree with her 100% on that!

Jamison'smama replied: Good point about the baby book--they will do their footprints right in the book if you ask them too. Although they did mine right after the heel stick so they are bloody footprints You may also want to ask the hospital about pump rental--we used a hospital grade pump for about the first week---it is best to stimulate the actual milk production then a pump in style or whatever is great. You can usually rent them by the day or week.

Melissa replied: I agree the hospital provides almost everything. Including diapers and t-shirts , which I think the t-shirts that tie at the side rather than snap are the best. I liked them so much better than the ones I bought. And the whole time we were in the hospital Matthew wore that onesie and diaper until we went home and I put his going home outfit on. And the hospital provides plenty of recieving blankets and I also think those are the best. I did bring our own blanket to go home. I didn't pack bottles because I knew they provided those in the beginning but I BF in the beginning anyway.

I think I packed way to much. I know I packed two nightgown neither that I wore because the hospital gown is so much easier. I did bring slippers and surpisingly I wore those. I was unable to even get shoes on my feet. I had a serious case of flintstone feet. Bring your tolitries because I personaly don't like what the hosptial provides.

I think the things everyone else has mentioned is right on.

MommyToAshley replied: Looks like everyone has it covered. You might also want to stick your call list in the bag so that you won't forget it. By the way, do you have a Parenting Club call buddy yet? You know we will want to know asap.

One thing that I couldn't have lived without was vaseline or chapstick for my lips. My lips got so dry during labor, I couldn't stand it. Someone also recommended some hard candy, but I never used it. I just used ice chips instead.

Don't forget extra batteries for the camera!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I'm all packed and everything is in the car. Since I had a trial run on Monday it helped me think of things I would have otherwise forgotten.

Don't forget your video camera, extra film, regular camera, batteries, chargers for cell phones and cameras. Make sure your video camera is fully charged.

For Ethan I packed:
Shoes, socks, diapers, wipes, gowns, going home outfit, burp cloths, bibs, t-shirts, blankets, hats, mittens (they scratch their face). I'm sure there is more and I packed WAY too much, but I like options. LOL!

For me I packed:
Breast pads, breast pump, PJs, robe, slippers, warm socks (feet get cold during labor), panties, pads, nice bras, going home outfit, hair dryer, curling iron, toiletries, make up, I will definetly take my own pillow...theirs are so flat! Boppy, lip balm, books, hard candy.

I will let you know if I think of something else. Like I said...I go over board.

MilMunchMOM replied: I did't read all of the responses so i don't know if this was suggested or not.

Lavendar Hand/body cream,
Lavendar body spray
if you are planning to deliver natural or even not you may want to fill a new sock with rice and lavendar potpouri. (you/birth coach heat it in the microwave and use it as a little heat pad for your back or ?)

every time i smell lavendar i am reminded of the day i was blessed with Kari.

It helped to relax me and still does.

Good Luck! OH and don't forget slippers and baby outfits from premie to 3-6 months cause you never know what will fit best.