C section and bottle feeding What not to forget for hospital and after..

Hi guys. Almost 14 weeks and trying to get ahead with all the stuff I will need. Was hoping to just google list of stuff to get but mostly came up with stuff relevant to breast feeding and vaginal birth.

I am hoping someone can save me some time and share your must haves for taking to the hospital. We are also not finding out the sex, so will have two sets of boy/girl wear ready. : ) Other then that, no idea what else to get, minus the obvious. I am also getting a great deal of my stuff from Canada/Usa. So need to order soon. :D

Maybe it was just one thing you could suggest that you could not do without or that little something that made you feel that little bit more comfortable. Any advice would be fabulous!

We are going into private and I have been told to expect to stay at least 5 days.

I have no idea exactly what to get and sure this question has been asked a gazillion times so any info anyone could provide so I could compile a list, that would be fantastic! : )

If you are having a c/s, get yourself some granny knickers - the ones that will sit high on your waist. From what I have read on here, Mum who have c/s' say that regular bikini knickers sit right wear your wound will be and it can irritate it, so high waisted knickers are a must. Plus about 4 packs of maternity pads - again some c/s mums have said if they need a bit of extra protection against their wound they place a pad across it. Find out if you need to supply your own bottles and formula - you don't want to get caught short if you find out you needed them and have to send DH to get what you need. Another big tip is to just go with gender neutral clothes for bubs. You really don't want to have to take in two different sets of clothes if you don't need them

Hey!

I can offer help on the c/s stuff but not the bottle feeding :) Sorry. But I'd give the hospital a ring or ask your Ob/ midwife at your next appointment what they provide so that you're not left with nothing but at the same time not stuck with loads of things in your bag that you don't need.

I agree with Trillian, get yourself some granny knickers. Your scar will need some space to heal and it hurts the first few days. I also agree with maternity pads. The hospitals do provide them but they are HUGE and like nappies and when you're struggling to get about the first day, you don't need a nappy in between your legs hindering you further.

For baby I took some jumpsuits, a hat, mittens and plenty of little singlets. We were provided with swaddles at the hospital but you might want to take your own muslin wraps or something else you might have.

I had my c/s at 1pm in the afternoon and was up and about the next morning at 5.30am. I have to say, I did think I'd spring out of bed because the pain relief had been so good and obviously lying on your back helps but it's sore when you first get up - so be prepared for that. But once you get up and about, it's fine. I just found it very frustrating that night not being able to get up and tend to bubby. The midwives were fab though.

Good luck!!
Sue x

I've had 2 c-sections and I actually disagree with the granny undies. I tried that the first time, and the pad that they gave me kept on slipping off the wound and I was paranoid about my clothes rubbing against it, so I used my husbands undies instead and they held the pad in place, which was much more comfy - for me and me alone apparently.. LOL Maybe take both and see which one you like better :)

I also bottle fed my 2nd baby from day dot and my hospital supplied bottles and formula because they made up a batch all the time, however, after a few days we took in our own bottles and formula because I didn't feel comfortable using theirs :) They gave us an electric steraliser and everything to use in our room too.

This was through a private hospital too :)

There are a few good threads on here about what to take to hospital, and chances are your hospital will also give you a list too... But here is what I found useful:

for you
- black pj pants – so you don't have any embarrassing stains when visitors show up
- maternity pads
- lip balm
- camera (and spare battery and memory card)
- camera charger
- ipod, magazines, books etc
- snacks
- non-perfumed body wash (helps bubs to bond with your scent)

for bubs
- nappies
- wraps
- cloth nappies (to use as burb cloths). I had an emergency CS and it is pretty common for bubs to have a lot of fluid left in them after a CS so it can get messy...
- 7 or 8 jumpsuits for bubs
- 2 beanies
- bottles and formula (but check with your hossy cos they might supply these)

I'm sure there is more, but can't quite remember now. Good luck!

For bubs, check with hospital what they supply.. We didn't have to take anything, but I felt better dressing mine in our own clothes. They also supplied bottles/formula. So unless you have a particular brand in mind, you may not need anything.

For you.. I enjoyed being in my own clothes, so I took clothes that I wore through the pregnancy so they were still loose, but I was not in pj's through the day (I just needed to get dressed, hospital didn't care).. Also, my eyes dried out with the air con, so some eye drops might be handy..

Great advice above! I agree with being in clothes, loose fitting pjs that look like trackies,, or else light trackies and "leisurewear" tops are great, I also loved my throw over cardies to keep me warm... Both times I loved having my own pillow and a blanket from home, which was actually a big pashmina that I used alot.

:clap: You girls are fantastic! Thanks so much. Wow, I had a good giggle and a few "well.. never would of thought of that, how fantastic!" Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I have copied and pasted and it is now in my "little bun" file. I am really starting to get excited now!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone. : )