Hi ladies,
I was wondering what other moms did when they packed their hospital bag for delivery (in Canada).
Should I put all of my things and baby’s things in one bag/suitcase or pack my stuff in a small carry-on and pack baby’s things in the diaper bag?
Also, what size bag did you use for yourself? Not sure if I can do with one of those smaller carry-on type of bags or I need more like a small suitcase?
There is no way of knowing ahead of time if I will have a normal delivery or c-section so is it better to pack as though I will have a c-sec (Allah na karey) or should I pack for 2 days of hospital stay and then if I end up staying longer for whatever reason, ask hubby to bring more stuff?
Would love to know from your experience what is the best way to do this! Thanks ladies.
Oh and I am only asking Canadian mamas because I have read that in the U.S. they provide you with everything like diapers wipes etc. and in Canada you have to bring everything yourself.
Re: Should I pack a hospital bag and diaper bag separately?
you won't need a diaper bag for the kiddo when he/she is that brand new. we packed hubby's gym bag, you know, those big ones? it was mostly full of gear for him haha, camera/ipad/charger cables, etc. and then i had my nightgown, nursing bras, lanolin cream, pj's, toiletries, and we had onesies for the kid.
dont worry too much about it because c-sec or not, you'll still be within the city and your hubby and/or family can pop out to get anything you missed. most hospitals also have a pharmacy so if you need diaper cream or vaseline or whatnot, you can grab it from there.
what hospital are you at?
we were at mt. sinai and they were pretty good. i think they put the first few diapers on him initially and then we went and got the right size from the pharmacy downstairs.
don't forget a squirt bottle from the $ store for when you have to go to the bathroom. whether you have a normal or a c-sec, using a regular lota (not that hospitals have that either) is nigh impossible, and a big squirt bottle is very soothing and useful.
also remember the car seat should be installed a few days before your EDD so you're all good to go :)
and don't bring too much stuff either. if you don't get a private room, its just too crowded and messy in a shared room to have tons of gear lying around.
Re: Should I pack a hospital bag and diaper bag separately?
Thanks sgc! That is very good advice.
I will also be delivering at Mt. Sinai, except I live in Mississauga so it may not be as easy for people to go home and grab stuff for me once they are already there.
Since you delivered at Mt. Sinai too, I wanted to also ask you what the procedure is for them bathing baby. If I end up at the hospital for more than a day will they bathe my baby or make me do it? If so, do I need to bring baby shampoo and body wash? or do they provide it? If so, what brand do they use? Or do they recommend against a bath and only sponge bath?
Re: Should I pack a hospital bag and diaper bag separately?
the nurses will give the baby his/her first bath next to your bed and you can watch. she brought a washcloth and baby wash with her and showed me how to hold him, etc. while she did it. it was very a quick 5 minute thing.
sinai is a GREAT place! the nurses are amazing and iA your experience will be as awesome as mine was.
there is a Rexall in Sinai and plenty of restaurants around and inside the hospital so your hubby and you can grab something to eat although i have to say i didn't have any complaints with the food they provided me.
i was struggling with nursing, so i would call them for every single feed and they'd come and position me correctly and make sure i was comfortable. they take care of you well there. their maternity wing is brand-new and just recently completed so i think everyone gets a private room now which is fantastic.
if you have a boy and want him to be circumcised, the cost is around $200, if i remember correctly. this you have to pay for yourself since most insurance policies don't cover it and neither does OHIP. the surgeon will do it in the hospital. we had our boy done on day 2 and it was a very quick 15 minute process. i wasn't able to go- nor did i want to!- but my hubby went.