Bringing Mom Home From The Hospital: The Essentials

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Now that you are all set for the arrival of baby it is time to turn the focus to mom! Here are the essentials that every new mom will need when coming home from the hospital.

We are in the home stretch as we get ready to welcome our new baby boy to the family in less than three weeks! We have diapers, wipes, a bassinet, receiving blankets, pacifiers, clothes...I could go on, but you get the idea. I think, as moms, we often spend so much time thinking about our babies that we sometimes forget to think about ourselves and what we will need to get through the first week home from the hospital.

(This little lady is 8 years old now!)

I remember when I had my first baby being completely blown away about what happened AFTER he was born. I had dealt with nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and aches and pains for 9 months and had a fairly routine delivery only to be left feeling like I had been hit by a Mack truck and dosed with even more hormones. You are handed a beautiful little bundle of joy, the beginning of a new phase in your life, and at the same time you realize that the effects of carrying a miracle in your body unfortunately don't end at birth.

The nurse came in for my first trip out of bed, took one look at me and said, "Oh, honey." I don't think all of the effects of the epidural had worn off because I wasn't in a lot of pain at the time, but it came soon after. Two hours of pushing a 9 lb. baby left me with a lot of unpleasant side effects and scars. It was at that moment, as she was helping me in the bathroom, that I realized how much I appreciated the fact that she was there. I needed help! Ice packs, pain meds, cushions to sit on, and cooling wipes became my best friend for the next week. My husband made trips to the pharmacy to fill prescriptions, and even more trips to the store to pick up items that I kept finding out that I needed.

So as I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our bonus baby, I am also making sure that I am stocked up on the necessities for myself.

New Mom Essentials: 

Two new things that I always buy:

A journal. I started a journal with every baby beginning the week I found out that I was pregnant. I documented doctor's visits, ultrasounds, the first movements I felt and any other detail that I wanted to remember. I also write their birth story in the journal and continue to document the funny things they do and say as they grow through childhood. It's a great idea to write down the birth story within the first week since it is still fresh in my mind, so I make sure to either bring the journal with me to the hospital, or keep it bed side when I get home so that I don't forget!

A comfortable robe and pajamas. I haven't had a new robe since the last time I had a baby, so I treated myself to this deliciously cozy one. It will be perfect to wrap up in while recuperating!

Basics for the hospital:

A toiletry bag for the hospital with any personal items needed. Oftentimes the hospital will have hygiene kits for you to use, but I like having my own.

A camera. I will have both my cell phone and DSLR camera to get a few photos of baby in the hospital.

Socks or slippers. I hate walking around barefoot in a hospital room. I didn't bring socks with my first one and made sure to from there on out!

A few snacks. Chocolate is my favorite.

Preparation H® Medicated Wipes. This was one of the things that I wasn't prepared for after having my first baby, but soon realized was a necessity. I prefer these to the ones that the hospital has on hand.

A change of clothes. To go home in. I generally still look 5 months pregnant so I bring comfy maternity clothes.

Basics for home: I like keeping my bathroom necessities all together in a caddy for easy access.

Nursing pads. Some women may need to bring these with them to the hospital, depending on how long their stay is, but I am usually home with in 2 days so I can leave these at home.

Feminine products. For obvious reasons.

Stool Softeners. Again, no explanation necessary.

Preparation H® Medicated wipes. One item that you will want both while in the hospital AND at home.

Peri Bottle. The hospital has always sent me home with one. This is one of the biggest essentials to have at home for the first week when using the restroom.

Pain meds. Make sure to fill your prescriptions ASAP even if you don't think you will need them.

Nursing cream. This was one of the things my poor husband had to go buy for me with our first baby. I made sure to have it on hand after that.

Nursing bras. If you choose to nurse.

You hear about pregnant women dealing with varicose veins, but I had no idea all of the places they could show up as one of the side effects of labor. It can be a bit embarrassing until you realize that 1 out of 3 women experience pregnancy hemorrhoids (yep, they are varicose veins!) and they often reappear with each birth from there on out. They can really make healing from birth miserable so I make sure to be prepared by keeping a pack of Preparation H® Medicated Wipes in the bathroom at home. They are convenient to use and soothe as they clean.

Preparation H® Medicated Wipes for Women are the first and only women's hemorrhoid wipes infused with chamomile, aloe and refreshing cucumber, plus a soothing medication that cools on contact. I prefer both of these varieties to the ones that the hospital generally sends you home with because they not only sooth, but you can also use them for cleaning. Use as directed.

I found everything needed for my after birth caddy at Walmart. Even if you haven't suffered from these symptoms before it would be a good idea to pick up a package or two ahead of time. Just incase. That way you aren't sending your husband to the store at night to get them for you!

What items am I missing from my new mom essentials list? What things do you always have when "Bringing Mom Home from the Hospital"?