(That was a joke. Sorry, potpourri enthusiasts.)
So first, obviously, is clothing. What clothing is comfortable, adjustable, shapeless, and most amenable to getting stained by biologic fluids? Why, scrub pants, of course. The world's most perfect garment.
I bought a fair number of those "nursing tops" when Cal was born (the kind of tank tops with the snap-down hooks and panels for easy boobage) but subsequent to that have realized that, for the less well-endowed of us who are less modest and/or have more experience breastfeeding, a regular shelf-top cami works just fine, and can be found for pretty cheap pretty much anywhere. I have a bunch of these types of tops from Old Navy, Forever 21, and even Costco. (Kirkland brand, ho! The other benefit of the Costco brand is that they are extra stretchy and cut very long, so I've been able to wear them as a layering piece for the entire pregnancy.)
Hospitals tend to be chilly so I packed two cardigans also (essential feature being that they are a coverup that opens in the front--you could bring a sweatshirt or whatever, I guess, but it would be a pain in the ass for breastfeeding, and anything with a zipper front might get scratchy near a baby's face). The tank top and soft elastic-waisted skirt are going-home clothes for me--again, just soft, stretchy stuff that can go right in the laundry.
Oh, PRO TIP: anything that the hospital offers you that is disposable, including but not limited to: diapers, pads, underwear, those freezy ass pads, squirt bottles, those big water jugs with the straws--you take that shit and you bring it on home with you. I packed two pairs of my own underwear just in case they've cracked down on the giveaways, but I will just tell you that I took care only to pack black underwear, and if you need to ask why, you probably don't really want to know the answer.
Baby's going home outfit. I know it's all very plain and the pants for sure are going to be, like, way too big (they're 3-6 months) but I hardly bought any newborn clothing because it's proven to be such a waste of money in the past, and whatever 0-3 month clothing I do have is very, very boyish. Like, they literally have the word "BOY" on them. And to be clear, I don't mind that one bit--it is my contention that babies can't read and I'm standing by that--but I just want to avoid weird looks from the nursing staff. I don't even think the baby really needs pants even--we're talking about Atlanta in July--but, you know, I'm thinking about fussing with carseat buckles and those skinny little chicken legs that they have at that age should probably be encased in something.
Not pictured:
- Toiletries (I used the hospital toiletries for my first two kids, but this time I think I'll bring my own because I'm so high maintenance like that, me and my products--also the hospital-brand toothpaste is very gritty feeling and barely minty, so it feels like brushing with caulk)
- A nicer, non-iPhone camera that I'll probably hardly use at all because it's such a pain to get it out of the bag and download the photos in order to e-mail them, blah blah blah, first world problems. Actually, the camera on the iPhone is really pretty nice, I find that I'm using my "real" camera less and less, but it seems kind of mean to the new kid not to even bring it, so OK, into the bag it goes.
- Nursing pads (I like to use these but if anyone has any better suggestions I'm open to them)
- The usual wallet, keys, laptop, power cords, assorted hospital paperwork, etc.
And...that's it. Keeping it simple. It's basically all I used in the hospital for the first two kids, but if there's anything essential and awesome that I never knew I was missing, let me know--there's still plenty of room in there.
Just seeing your bag all packed has generated an inexplicable excitement for you in me. As if I even know you (well, you know, as in the KNOW YOU type of know you). But having a baby, no matter how common-place an occurrence, is just special and wondrous. And I'm so happy for you guys and your little girl! You're a darling family! ♥
ReplyDeleteMake sure you pack lip balm - you know how dry hospital air is, and you lose all that fluid post-delivery so they get super dry.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you. Your baby will be beautiful! I can't imagine how excited you and your family must be!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteawww, i can't wait to meet the little girl! i'm sure she's going to change all your lives for the better! what, with your sewing and everything...it seems like she already has. =)
ReplyDelete-MS3
Impressed you actually change clothes. In both recoveries I could never manage to get out of the johnny.
ReplyDeleteSocks! You get so cold post-delivery when that little furnace known as the baby isn't in your belly anymore, and you'll need socks to keep warm. Also, flip-flops so you can shower in the hospital bathroom without worrying that you're going to contact some nasty MDR fungus.
ReplyDeleteI also brought a hairdryer b/c it was winter and cold when I had my baby, but you seem a little less high maintenance than I am and can probably do without it.
For the baby, consider a muslin baby blanket in case you want to cover the car seat on the way out or in the car if the sun is bright. Also, don't forget to take some video of the baby eating and just sleeping for those first few hours when they make those delicious little sounds-- the little sighs and grunts are so amazing!
Good luck!
http://www.buybamboobies.com/Nursing_Pad_Types.html
ReplyDeleteHappy nipples.
Is that your NikonD90? I am just wondering. What did you use for the vacation photos? The Nikon or the Lumix?
ReplyDeleteI brought my own pillowcase. I'm an ER doc and all hospital linens gross me out seeing what ends up on them and couldn't picture my face on the nastiness. Also- a friend pointed out that a cute colorful pillowcase would look cuter in mom+new baby pics (and distract from your exhausted swollen face). Hope all goes well!
ReplyDeleteBooties & mittens for the baby. I remember how sharp those finger nails can be!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely take the camera, but put Joe in charge of the post-baby camera duties too. He can definitely do the download/email thing for you!
ReplyDeleteVaseline for baby's butt. Coat that thing, and then the meconium won't stick to it like tar. It will easily wipe off. Promise. Nail clippers for baby fingernails (they will only give you an emory board now, and while my son's nails were too soft to use an emory board on, they would also slice somebody's skin to ribbons).
ReplyDeleteI liked cotton re-useable pads (so fluffy!). And Bag Balm.
ReplyDeleteI too stayed in the johnny until the time came to go home. :)
ReplyDeleteI brought a hairdryer, even though both my babies were born in warm weather. Also I brought my own pillow and trail mix.
But a big YES to taking all the disposable shit home!
Good luck! Can't wait to see your baby girl!
a small bottle of purell, some hand lotion, lip balm, hat for the baby (not sure how the weather is in Atlanta) Lanolin for sore nipples if the hospital does not provide it. And disposable wipes to change baby: my hospital only gives the fabric wipes and I need to get some water in a little bucket each time I need to change the baby. Kind of annoying!
ReplyDeleteThe hospital in which I had my first baby did not provide disposable wipes. I remember thinking that was really strange. We had to wet squares of gauze.
Deleteas a med student on my OB rotation I loved the couples that brought trail mix. You knew they would be young and hip and a little flower-power.
ReplyDeleteI'm neither young nor hip! I just like snacks. ;)
DeleteOh, and Michelle! Just in case I haven't yet completely and obnoxiously taken over your comment section, here is one more thing:
ReplyDeleteI'll advise you, based on my very latest experience, to bring your checkbook!
The hospital at which I had my very latest child via c-section (7 weeks ago) sent a lady to my room the day after to collect the fee for room and board for the baby, $100 per day. No kidding.
I didn't even recall the experience (due, no doubt, to the IV morphine) until I saw my bank statement. My husband (who actualy works at said hospital, though not for much longer, thankfully) thought it more than a little inappropriate.
We now refer to the experience as the 'bedside shakedown'. Unreal.
Chapstick, extra hair tie + clips for laboring, one soft washcloth from the baby's stash to wipe your face if you get hot during labor, BOPPY!!! for afterwards (sorry, I'm trying to remind myself to pack that, too), nurse-treats (cookies, candy, something to make them not forget you when it's meds-time). Presents to/from the baby to/from Cal and Mack?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Dr. Michelle! You must be very grateful. I'm somehow inspired to be a mom too. LOL Nice post. I've learned something from you again. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely bring your own pillowcase.
ReplyDeleteSocks! For whatever reason, my feet turned to popsicles after giving birth and the strange, grippy hospital socks made my feet itch (TMI? Perhaps.) Seeing pictures of your hospital bags makes me equal parts thrilled for your family and deeply nostalgic now that my tiniest wee baby is turning 2 next week. Best wishes to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteA secon vote for the Bamboobies!
ReplyDeletesecond the presents from the baby to cal/mack. helped my 2 boys (3 and 5)immensely that their little sister got them new Star Wars Galactic Heroes (have you seen these things? You must have). Also helped mommy and daddy because they played with those things for a hour in the hospital room.
ReplyDeleteI'm too lazy to login but I highly recommend the Johnson and Johnson nursing pads. I leaked a ton so they absorbed the best! The landinoh ones were too thin and made me itch. You can get em at target. Try them!!! I promise if ur a leaker you'll love them way better than the lansinohs!
ReplyDelete-the other Michelle aka maichelle
Lip balm. Yes. Because the hospital *has* the tubes of white petroleum jelly, I know, but face it, they suck for lip balm.
ReplyDeleteEarplugs. You'll still be able to hear the baby-- but the rest of the night noise could drive you nuts.
ReplyDeleteI would second earplugs, and also raise you: sleep mask. If you get the chance to grab a precious few hours sleep, you won't then be prevented from doing so by any disturbingly fluorescent ambient hospital lighting.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have looked into cord blood donation, but if you are interested, they send the kit to you then you take it with you.
ReplyDeleteHey, I have that bag too. Orange/cream diagonal "leatherette" with grabby beige straps and optional shoulder straps? Forever 21 (XI). Love that bag. Want to marry it. Good choice. You could cram the kitchen sink in that thing. It also makes a good gym bag and is great for traveling.
ReplyDeleteI second the cord blood donation suggestion. You and the baby could save a life!
ReplyDeleteTempurpedic pillow (2, buy them if you don't have them.) and tempurpedic eye mask. Can be found at Brookstone. Consider it your "push" present if you don't like spending money. And hit the TARGET newborn section for a cute outfit. Girls are so much different than boys...you want to dress her up for those pictures. Right now it's hard to imagine but once you are there and everyone is taking pics and doting you will be so glad you got some pink or purple in the pictures. Newborn size at Target is THE BEST. My daughter was 6.10lbs and wore her newborn sized stuff until 2/3 months old. Can't wait to see pics!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't live without snacks and Lansinoh Lanolin nipple cream.
ReplyDeleteXXX vids porn freeyoupornhub movie. Free porn movie xvideosvid videos. High porn videos pornmovieswatchvid porn.
ReplyDeletetory burch outlet, kate spade outlet, michael kors outlet, air max, louboutin outlet, burberry outlet, chanel handbags, michael kors outlet, coach factory outlet, louboutin, coach outlet, louboutin, ray ban sunglasses, jordan shoes, michael kors outlet, prada handbags, gucci outlet, tiffany and co, nike shoes, polo ralph lauren outlet, michael kors outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, true religion jeans, kate spade handbags, oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin shoes, coach outlet store online, louis vuitton handbags, prada outlet, louis vuitton outlet, burberry outlet, oakley sunglasses, tiffany and co, louis vuitton outlet stores, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, ray ban sunglasses, true religion jeans, nike free, longchamp handbags, coach purses, longchamp outlet, longchamp handbags, air max, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, oakley sunglasses cheap
ReplyDeleteconverse pas cher, louis vuitton uk, oakley pas cher, hollister, nike roshe run, true religion outlet, sac louis vuitton, air max, sac longchamp, air max pas cher, vanessa bruno, ralph lauren, north face, nike trainers, polo lacoste, ray ban pas cher, sac burberry, air max, hogan outlet, nike air max, lululemon, barbour, nike free, sac hermes, nike roshe, sac louis vuitton, sac guess, michael kors, longchamp, michael kors, nike blazer, hollister, vans pas cher, abercrombie and fitch, ray ban sunglasses, mulberry, nike free pas cher, louis vuitton, air force, true religion outlet, louboutin, north face, new balance pas cher, nike tn, timberland, michael kors pas cher, air jordan, polo ralph lauren
ReplyDeletecanada goose jackets, nike roshe run, giuseppe zanotti, ugg pas cher, ferragamo shoes, nfl jerseys, jimmy choo outlet, mac cosmetics, instyler, nike huarache, canada goose, mcm handbags, reebok outlet, wedding dresses, soccer shoes, hollister, lululemon outlet, ugg, asics running shoes, uggs outlet, herve leger, ghd, bottega veneta, mont blanc, birkin bag, north face jackets, rolex watches, new balance shoes, ugg boots, canada goose outlet, p90x, beats by dre, abercrombie and fitch, longchamp, vans shoes, soccer jerseys, insanity workout, valentino shoes, ugg boots, canada goose, north face outlet, ugg australia, marc jacobs, chi flat iron, canada goose, canada goose uk, celine handbags, babyliss pro
ReplyDeleteair max, converse, moncler, iphone 6 cases, ugg, juicy couture outlet, ralph lauren, converse shoes, pandora charms, moncler, juicy couture outlet, moncler, gucci, swarovski, karen millen, pandora charms, louboutin, thomas sabo, canada goose, swarovski crystal, oakley, lancel, toms shoes, ugg, air max, timberland boots, pandora jewelry, hollister clothing store, ray ban, links of london, wedding dresses, louis vuitton, moncler, moncler, canada goose, baseball bats, parajumpers, hollister, moncler, supra shoes, montre homme, moncler outlet, vans, rolex watches, coach outlet store online, hollister
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton, cheap oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, replica watches, louboutin pas cher, longchamp pas cher, nike air max, longchamp outlet, longchamp, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, prada outlet, replica watches, louis vuitton, ray ban sunglasses, nike free, ugg boots, longchamp outlet, jordan shoes, louboutin outlet, sac longchamp, kate spade outlet, nike free, oakley sunglasses, louboutin, burberry, polo ralph lauren outlet, ralph lauren pas cher, nike outlet, tiffany and co, michael kors, uggs on sale, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, ugg boots, nike air max, tory burch outlet, louboutin shoes, polo ralph lauren outlet, tiffany jewelry, air jordan pas cher, christian louboutin outlet, chanel handbags, ray ban sunglasses, prada handbags, oakley sunglasses, nike roshe run, air max, gucci outlet
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton, moncler, vans, swarovski crystal, toms shoes, juicy couture outlet, ugg boots uk, karen millen, louis vuitton, replica watches, supra shoes, bottes ugg, hollister, canada goose, thomas sabo, moncler, gucci, converse, canada goose uk, doudoune canada goose, moncler, moncler, wedding dresses, canada goose, pandora charms, converse outlet, moncler, moncler, barbour jackets, canada goose outlet, coach outlet, juicy couture outlet, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, pandora jewelry, links of london, moncler outlet, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, pandora charms, canada goose outlet, montre pas cher, swarovski, moncler, ray ban, sac louis vuitton pas cher, lancel, pandora jewelry, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, marc jacobs, canada goose, ugg pas cher
ReplyDeleteburberry, lululemon, north face, ray ban uk, nike roshe, abercrombie and fitch, ugg boots, true religion jeans, michael kors outlet, ugg boots, nike blazer, michael kors outlet, nike free run uk, michael kors, true religion outlet, michael kors outlet, oakley pas cher, michael kors outlet, hollister, hermes, timberland, north face, coach outlet, nike air max, air force, kate spade handbags, michael kors, true religion jeans, burberry outlet online, mulberry, hogan, michael kors, replica handbags, lacoste pas cher, coach outlet, vanessa bruno, vans pas cher, michael kors, hollister pas cher, ralph lauren uk, sac guess, coach purses, new balance pas cher, tn pas cher, michael kors outlet, nike air max, ray ban pas cher, true religion jeans, converse pas cher, nike air max
ReplyDeleteiphone 6 cases, hollister, bottega veneta, nike air max, mont blanc, iphone cases, ipad cases, ferragamo shoes, p90x workout, jimmy choo shoes, ralph lauren, oakley, nike huarache, timberland boots, iphone 5s cases, baseball bats, s5 cases, longchamp, beats by dre, hollister, iphone 6 plus cases, louboutin, asics running shoes, soccer shoes, north face outlet, mcm handbags, lululemon, chi flat iron, mac cosmetics, iphone 6s plus cases, giuseppe zanotti, instyler, ghd, vans shoes, birkin bag, nike trainers, celine handbags, reebok shoes, iphone 6s cases, herve leger, north face outlet, hollister, nike air max, new balance, babyliss, valentino shoes, wedding dresses, soccer jerseys, nfl jerseys, abercrombie and fitch, insanity workout, nike roshe
ReplyDelete2016-06-11keyun
ReplyDeletetoms outlet
nike air max uk
nike air huarache
kate spade outlet
louis vuitton outlet online
montblanc pen
juicy couture
louis vuitton outlet stores
ralph lauren
coach outlet store online
nike running shoes
ladies cartier watches
air jordan shoes
fitflop sandals
ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton handbags
the north face jackets
adidas superstar shoes
michael kors outlet
cheap rolex watches
coach outlet
christian louboutin shoes
tory burch outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
beats by dre outlet
coach outlet
mont blanc pen
tory burch sandals
hollister clothing
adidas stan smith
michael kors outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton purses
michael kors
coach factory outlet online
michael kors handbags
nike air force 1 shoes
coach outlet online
nike roshe run
ReplyDeleteشركة كشف تسربات المياه بالاحساء
كشف تسربات المياه بالاحساء
شركة عزل خزنات بالاحساء
شركة عزل خزانات المياه بالاحساء
شركه عزل مائى بالاحساء
شركة عزل حرارى بالاحساء
شركة ترميم منازل بالاحساء
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالاحساء
شركة رش مبيدات بالاحساء
شركة تسليك مجارى بالاحساء
شركة ترميم منازل بالاحساء
شركة عزل اسطح بالاحساء
شركة عزل اسطح بالاحساء
Your music is amazing. You have some very talented artists. I wish you the best of success.
ReplyDeleteinexpensive baby carriers
There's a chance you're qualified to get a Apple iPhone 7.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't live without snacks and Lansinoh Lanolin nipple cream.
ReplyDeletebán căn hộ chung cư giá dưới 1 tỷhttps://homedy.com/ban-can-ho-gia-duoi-1-ty
căn hộ giá dưới 1 tỷ quận 2https://homedy.com/ban-nha-dat-quan-2-tp-ho-chi-minh-gia-duoi-1-ty
căn hộ giá dưới 1 tỷ hà nộihttps://homedy.com/ban-can-ho-ha-noi-gia-duoi-1-ty
mua nhà dưới 1 tỷ tại tphcmhttps://homedy.com/ban-nha-tp-ho-chi-minh-gia-duoi-1-ty
nhà dưới 1 tỷ quận bình tân tp hcmhttps://homedy.com/ban-nha-quan-binh-tan-tp-ho-chi-minh-gia-duoi-1-ty