My Experience

I've had a couple people tell me to write down my experience/advice on what items I would bring with me to the hospital if I went in again and what items I have been using/not using since Lane's arrival.
First off I wanted to say that I read so many blogs I found on Pinterest from other people to help me make my list, and couldn't believe the negative comments some people would write. This blog is based on my experiences, and what I found to be great! Some people may think these items were awful for them, but please just keep things positive (because the Good Lord knows giving birth is enough work anyway)!
If you are a male...some of this may be a little TMI, so please feel free to stop reading NOW!

Hospital Packing List: (I'm only going to cover the items that I ended up having someone bring me, or I was super glad that I packed that some people might not think of...So I'm not going to tell you how many clothes to pack and baby outfits.)

• Pillows from home: I made sure we brought our bright pillow covers so we would remember them when leaving, and to make sure they wouldn't get mixed up with hospital ones. Make sure to grab a pillow for the husband too! He needs it more than you really with those awful dad beds! 
• Towels from home: We did not pack these and had to have Luke go get them. The hospital provides towels, but they were awful and the size of a hand towel. 
• Shampoo, Conditioner, and Soap: I didn't pack these and thought the hospital would provide them. Turns out they didn't and Luke had to go get some. Don't pack any scented body wash(I got an infection down there about 1 week after being home and they said it might be because I was using scented body wash that was disturbing my eco system. Ha!)
• Nipple Shield: Make that two nipple shields!! This was an true LIFE SAVER for me. I have flat nipples (so miss Lane was having trouble latching on) and these along with my next item listed made breastfeeding possible. I have heard some women wear them just to help decrease the pain on breastfeeding (Yes I know they say if you are doing it right then it shouldn't be painful, but they lied!! IT HURTS!)
• Manuel Breast Pump: I used this along with the nipple shield to get a little big of colostrum in the shield before I put Lane on. It just helped get the party started :)
• Lanolin: Rub this on the nipples to help keep them from cracking. I don't use this anymore, but did a lot in the first week and think it might be the reason I haven't had any cracked nipples or other major issues. When I first started pumping I put this in the horn part of the pump where it gets narrow and hits your nipple to help with that too. I don't use it anymore, but think it helped at the beginning.
• Soothie Gel Pads: I wish I would have brought these to the hospital. I only used them once home and LOVED them! I have them in my fridge to this day for times when the nipples just need some soothing! 
• Boppy: So most of you know to bring your Boppy pillow, but I used this for more than just breastfeeding time. Luke ended up sleeping at home the last night we were in the hospital, so it was just Miss Lane and I in the room. The staff didn't really bother us that night, so it was just the two of us chilling. My hospital was really great about letting you really do all of the childcare and only stepping in if you asked for help, or to show you something (like how to give sponge bath). That way when you leave the hospital you feel as prepared as you can. So back to the Boppy...when it was just me I did NOT have the energy or desire to get out of bed every time Lane needed me. I had to get an episiotomy and sitting was NOT FUN, so getting up and down meant more times of having to sit down. I just put her propped up in the Boppy on my bed and that way when I needed to I could get her easily. I used it for feeding obviously, and one last use that I didn't even think about until someone else told me, was a butt pillow. The whole inflatable donut is great if your butt is super tiny and smaller than the donut. My butt is larger than the donut they provided, so it really made things worse by pulling apart (TMI I know), so the Boppy apparently makes a good butt pillow for people with larger butts (this is really more for home than hospital, but I wanted to throw out the use while we were talking about it). I didn't actually ever use it this way since I didn't hear about it until it was too late. :(
• Colace: Believe it or not they did not give this to me without me asking for it. So...ask for this ASAP!!! I read to do this and am SO GLAD I DID! Poop is scary after delivering a baby, and especially if you had an episiotomy. 
• Extra Bag: I had read to bring an extra empty bag just to load all of the hospital goodies in and they were right. I stocked up on pads, receiving blankets, hats, shirts for her, recovery items for me, diapers, you name it I took it! I actually asked the nurse before we left for extra things like the ice packs that I really liked and knew I wouldn't be able to find easily once at home. 

So here are a few other notes and items that I would say you want to have in your home when you get there! 

• Colace: Yep! They will prescribe this after you get home, but it's a good idea to already have it. I had it already stocked up! 
• Spray Bottle: The hospital will give you a spray bottle to use down there after you go to the restroom since you can't wipe yet. If you have a two story home then I suggest you ask for another one or go buy one to have there when you get home. Climbing stairs to go use the bathroom or lugging around your spray bottle with you everywhere isn't that fun! I know you still have to build your subway sandwich (that's what I call the pad of massive things you put on your hooha, but you can at least go to the restroom when you have to and then build your subway sandwich. Ha!) Oh isn't recovery AWESOME! 
• Tucks:  If you aren't going to make recovery pads for your freezer (that's basically pads that have witch hazel and aloe on them and you freeze them) then you should have tucks to throw on your pads. This is why I call it a subway sandwich (sorry to ruin that restaurant for some). When you are in the hospital you have to literally build a sub sandwich for your hooha every time you pee. You have mesh panties, then gigantic ice pack, then tucks on top of that, and don't forget your hemorrhoid cream on one of the tucks. When you get home you just build a smaller sandwich since the ice packs are gone (I LOVED the ice packs and actually asked for some to bring home)
• Ultra Thin Pads: That's right I said Ultra Thin pads! The hospital gave me a gazillion jumbo super thick ones along with some sweet extra pairs of mesh panties, but I only really needed those jumbo ones for a couple of days and then I just needed something less bulky. This might just be my experience though and others need something more heavy duty :) 

I'm sure I'll think of other things later, but this blog is long enough, so I hope it helps you ladies that are debating about what to bring! Please feel free to add items in the comment section that you found were life savers!

Lastly, Miss Lane was a month old yesterday!! What? Where did that month go? Here are some pics of the lovely lady. 

Here is Lane in the hospital sleeping in the Boppy on my bed! Cozy Right?!  

This was her first growth sticker from the pediatrician! I can't believe that was her last appointment and we don't go back until March! She was doing so well on 1/25 they said we didn't need to go back until March, so now I have no idea what she weighs and all of the fun facts. Thankful for a super healthy baby though :) 

Lane with both sets of Grandparents for the first time! 

One Month Old Already!

Looking nervous for her first ride through a car wash!