7 Items Every New Mom Should "Steal" From The Hospital

I wish someone told me these hospital tips...

Take everything you can and more from the hospital… and more!

Yes. EVERYTHING.

I remember coming home from the hospital and thinking I wish I had more of so many things. I mean, I was prepared, but I wasn’t really prepared for this aftermath that was about to happen. So, I actually sent my husband back to hospital get a few more things.

After all, there is nothing like hospital-grade items.

Oh, and it helps to bring some goodies for the nurses too. Personally, I was baking chocolate chip cookies every week at the end (because you know  — pregnant), and I just happened to be able to bring them with me, and the nurses loved them! 

So, here are those things you’ll want to ask the nurses for more of…

Mesh underwear. 

I am not kidding! I suppose you will either love them or hate them. But these really are the best things ever invented for afterbirth (as ugly as they are). 

I mean, you don’t have to worry about ruining your own underwear! Yes ruining. Gonna get a bit TMI here, but you are going to be bleeding from your nether region for the next 6 weeks if you have a natural birth. 

These mesh underwear might be ugly, but they are going to be the most comfortable things ever, and best of all, you just toss them in the trash every day.

Which of course means no laundry! Win-Win in my book. They aren’t tight or dig into your skin. They’re just comfortable. That’s all you need.

 

Nose suckers. 

Yes, those little round blue bulbous turkey baster things are not only great with snotty noses, but spit up too.

There’s something about the ones in the hospital that are just better than than the store bought ones.

Go figure. I received a few store bought ones as gift items, and seriously tossed them cause the hospitals ones are so much better. Grab a handful and have a place for them in every room (baby room, your room, living room, kitchen, diaper bag) — they just come in handy.

Dermoplast. 

Oh my goodness, this creation is a god send! You are going to be spraying this down under like no tomorrow. 

Every time you go to the bathroom it’s what you’ll look forward to.

It’s that ahhhhh moment and everything feels better. Or just numb which is perfect.

Probably TMI again, but I want you to leave the hospital with all that you’ll need because the last thing you want to do is be running to CVS.

Stool softener. 

Especially for all you who are going for natural birth and if you need an episiotomy or tear (yep, tear… the docs grade it on a level of 1–4 (4 being all the way to you know where — eek). (Sorry, not to scare you or anything).

You are going to be scarred shitless (no pun intended, seriuosly) for that first number two regardless.

These will provide you with a little sense of “it won’t be too bad”. And it won’t.  

Diapers. 

Every time a new nurse comes in, ask if you can get a pack of diapers. 

Ok, that might be overdoing it. But, at least when you’re leaving, keep asking for more diapers. 

And on the diaper note, if you had an on time delivery, no need for buying the newborn diapers. Use size 1 diapers and just roll over the top if you need to for the first week or two.

Just a heads up, you’ll be going through about 8 diapers a day AT LEAST for calculation purposes — not including explosions!

Squirt bottle. 

Ah, this goes along with the Dermoplast. Those little squirt bottles help wonders for cleaning down under. Just fill with luke warm water and walla… you’re own personal cleaning system instead of wiping. Really, put one in every single bathroom.

And then down the road, oddly, your kiddos will use it to play with in the bath.

Last but not least...

There is a lot of “oh my gosh, no one told me that this would happen” after delivery. Everyone’s experience is different, but after a natural birth, here are some things that will help you while you’re home too.

~ Advil is your best friend, and it’s safe while breastfeeding.

If you’re in more pain and advil is not helping, tell your doctor and s/he may prescribe something stronger. They will often prescribe norco.

~ When you breastfeed, you may feel some cramping. This is just your uterus contracting and getting smaller… it’s a good thing.

~ If you’re uncomfortable down under, you can wet and freeze a thin panty liner pad and place it in your mesh underwear.

~ While you’re breastfeeding, do your kegel exercises. (This is one of the things your doctor will check for when you have your follow-up at 6 weeks). Try and hold them for 10 seconds… you won’t be able to hold them that long at first, but work your way up there. Do this 10 times at each feeding. After all, in the beginning nursing can take as long as 45min, so you have the time.

If you have something to add to this list or couldn’t live without from the hospital, let me know and comment below.

Or, if you have a question about your little one’s sleep or need help with some tricky toddler situations you’re having, I have a free 15 min initial call you can schedule online.

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One more thing. 

Every other week I share 5 things on how you and your little can get the most out of their first 5 years of life in my newsletter — The Healthy Little Note.

If you have little ones, I’m sure you’ll love it!

You can check out the most recent issue here.

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Susie Menkes, PhD is a Certified Infant + Toddler Sleep Specialist through the Family Sleep Institute (FSI) and is dedicated to helping families get their little ones to be healthy little sleepers. As a mom of two, she knows and understands what you are going through and is here to support, educate, and guide you on all matters related to sleep... and more!