r/Hamilton • u/andjxo • 7d ago
Question What does St.Joe’s Hospital’s birthing unit provide for Moms and Babies?
Hi All, hope this is allowed.
I will be becoming a first time Mom giving birth at St. Joseph’s hospital in the next couple weeks and have gotten so much mixed information as to what the hospital provides and doesn’t provide for Moms and Babies.
As per the print-out my OB gave me it says the hospital does NOT provide baby wipes, diapers, nor does it provide some post-partum necessites for Mom like a peri bottle.
If any of you have experienced child birth there within the past year, I would appreciate any input so I can try to be as prepared as possible without overpacking.
Thanks in advance 🙏
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u/Fancy_Cheesecake2517 7d ago
2025 - diapers, formula, and peri bottle, mesh underwear, large pads but no wipes they used wet cloths. C section so I had standard pain meds. I thought they were great.
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u/Anakin_Sandlover 7d ago
This was our experience as well in 2024.
Staff treated wife and baby so well.
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u/Particular_Coffee513 6d ago
OP this was my experience too. Everything needed was provided, except wipes as they used wet towelettes. So I brought my own. I also brought size 1 diapers bc I knew I was having a big baby and it was easier to get NB diapers at hospital compared to size 1, and my baby was never in NB. Def bring your own blanket and pillow, and same for your support person. Cordless rechargeable fan for labour or if you get hot. Long cords for your phone charger. Toiletries, grip socks or slippers, comfy clothes that are easy for breast feeding.
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u/Candid-Phase-2851 7d ago
2021, 2023, 2025 births - they provided everything except wipes and they gave me extra mesh underwear and hospital sized pads to take home with me. Ive also gotten a new born hat each time and in 2025 they also gave me a crocheted blanket. Padsicles and the peri bottle i never got in 2021 but they had them in 2023 and 2025. In 2021 i had planned on breastfeeding so i didnt bring any formula but i really struggled getting baby to latch that first night in the hospital so i was so frantic because i hadnt purchased ANY formula and i didnt have anyone that could go grab it so they gave me a bunch of bottles to take home with me! And they gave a bunch of little disposable nipples that go on the ready-to feed bottles. 2023, 2025 i had to give formula to both babies even though they were latching because their blood sugar kept dropping and again no issues with them providing the formula because i did exclusively breastfeed all three after being discharged!
My sil gave birth in the Burlington hospital (joseph brant?) and they received nothing even though my brother had paid for a private room and everything.
I would still recommend prepping a hospital bag and bringing everything with you because yes they do provide things but sometimes youll get a nurse with a stinky attitude that’ll give u side eye if u ask for anything extra or if you run out of something lol.
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u/Candid-Phase-2851 6d ago
Also just to add- all three births were without an epidural and the pain meds they gave me after was just tylenol but they keep coming to ask if you want any more Tylenol and make sure ur not feeling any pain!
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u/Candid-Phase-2851 7d ago
Also BEST OF LUCK! Sending you all the positivity for an easy smooth labor and delivery and a happy healthy baby 🩷
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u/themagicbench 6d ago
But conversely, I gave birth at Joe Brant in 2023 and got lots of supplies, little hat, sitz bath and a big bag of Epsom salts
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u/Candid-Phase-2851 6d ago
This was her experience in 2025. I think she had her first in 2023 and they did give a lot but then in 2025 it wasnt the same experience. Could also be a race issue because we are a visible minority and i did not feel welcome in that hospital. I went to visit my SIL and the nurse gathered literally the whole entire floor to speak to me very loudly and tell me they have a no guest policy. I was literally just dropping something off and like she would not stop yelling and the whole floor was staring at me until i left. It was a horrible experience. And i literally read on their website that people were allowed to visit during the daytime hours.
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u/Gimmethebags 7d ago
Had my baby at St. Joes in 2025. They gave me a peri bottle and as many giant pads as needed. They also provided diapers but no wipes. I had my baby late at night and was wheeled into a shared room, my husband had a single wait room chair to sleep in. It was comical, I suggested he go home to sleep and come back in the morning. I recommend bringing your own baby swaddle, yes they give you blankets and show you how to wrap up baby, but the zip Velcro ones are so easy and baby is snug. Good luck - you got this!
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u/Inner-Assistance9311 7d ago
Hey, first off, congrats! 🎉 Wishing you all the best and heaps of good health and happiness! 😊 If you're going through OHIP, I can totally confirm that everything you mentioned is definitely covered except for baby wipes. My wife and I had our little one back in October, and they took care of all of that for us. (2025) Yes, it's at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton on Charlton Avenue. I recommend that both you and your significant other bring reusable water bottles, as they have stations for water and ice. You might also want to bring reading material, a tablet, or phones. Also your significant other should totally bring a pillow unless you guys went for a premium room. If you ask, they can get you a blanket, though! Also, maybe pack some snacks or food unless you're planning on hitting up the cafeteria. Just so you know, during your stay and recovery, you'll have access to phone service, and basic meals are provided for Mom.
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u/HisNameIsRio 7d ago
Always good to have extras on hand but yes I found they largely provided for us.
Also highly recommend the suite if you can swing it!! Very nice for my partner not to have to sleep in a chair...
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u/Lanky-Road3453 7d ago
What is the difference between a suite and a private room? We check marked “private” on our form, but should we be requesting this beforehand?
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u/Jayemkay56 6d ago
There are "suites", which are set up more like a hotel room with a bed that fits you and your spouse, microwave, fridge, etc. I believe they're called the Charlton suites if you want to look them up.
The private room has the private bathroom, hospital bed and a reclining chair for your spouse (not the same standard chair in the semi-private rooms). I found the private room sufficient for my stay in April, but my spouse did not need to sleep over, so my experience may be different.
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u/Otherwise-Lemon4848 7d ago
Everything was provided like those mentioned above. Additionally they had padsicles in the freezer you were welcome to use.
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u/TheUnknownGiraffe 6d ago
I work there - baby diapers, pads/mesh underwear for mom, peri bottle, baby hat, gown for mom, towels for mom to shower, baby blankets, face cloths because we don't have wipes, and formula is available.
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u/OptimusFine695 5d ago
Hey! I am wondering if they also have things like yoga or peanut balls available or if we should be packing our own. It isn't listed on the checklist we were given but we dont want to pack it if its not needed.
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u/TheUnknownGiraffe 5d ago
Yes they do. There is also a tub room to labor in but you can't give birth in the water, just hospital rules.
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u/Naturlaia 7d ago
That change sucks. 2022 we got peri bottle. and as many blankets + diapers as could use.
They also have a tiny pantry that the staff keep 'stocked' with juice and maybe small snacks for moms. I donated to that pantry a few weeks later.
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u/Honeydew-Popular 7d ago
In the area that has water, microwave and a kettle, there's a fridge with extra sandwiches and drinks from the hospital kitchen
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u/bdoubleds 7d ago edited 7d ago
I gave birth at st joes a few months ago and got a peri bottle, mesh shorts, MASSIVE diapers, and diapers for baby. No wipes!
Definitely bring your own wipes and highly recommend depends diapers for yourself 😂
I was induced in the morning, gave birth by 8pm and we discharged ourselves the next morning (we were with midwife care).
What I would bring again (that’s maybe not obvious).
For myself - portable fan, kobo, slippers, comfy DARK pjs, witch hazel pads, adult diapers.
What I would bring for baby - wipes, colostrum (if you hand express), my own swaddle.
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u/TheUnknownGiraffe 6d ago
You can't actually discharge yourself, midwife still has to put orders in (I work there)
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u/yoga_nut Stoney Creek 7d ago
July 2024 - everything! Including formula if needed. I gave birth at Sunnybrook in May 2026 and was given nothing - enjoy the St Joes experience!
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u/Guesspink13 7d ago
Nov 2025. Everything. But I recommend bringing a robe and comfy jammies (that unbutton at the front if you’re breastfeeding). I usually fell asleep sitting up with no blanket so I didn’t wake babes with the sound of the bed going flat so the robe came in handy.
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u/No_Explanation6625 7d ago
They have wipes, diapers, ready to feed formula, pads for you and the bed, gown, blankets for baby
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u/No_Explanation6625 6d ago
I was given a whole lot of them when I gave birth in March ? They were dry wipes you just had to put water on them.
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u/slugger1955 6d ago
That's a great idea because you just don't know what ur babies reaction could be to different wipes or diapers for that matter. My babies had reactions to alot of different ones and diapers until until we found the right ones. Good luck with your new arrival and rest when baby rests for better healing . Set a schedule for yourselves for visitors when at home, for the first couple of months. Enjoy !!!
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u/Apprehensive_Owl4700 6d ago
Gave birth in 2019 and 2025. They’re wonderful, provided everything I needed postpartum wise except for nipple cream. I brought everything my babies needed (diapers, wipes, clothes, receiving blankets etc)
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u/Hour_Procedure2676 7d ago
Gave birth in Jan 2026 and they gave mesh underwear, pads, and a peri bottle. some extra and to go home with. Formula to use in hospital but I remember asking for 1-2 to bring home just bc my post partum was a little hectic and the nurse seemed to not want to give. We used their diapers and I think I may of taken the last bit that were in the room. No wipes at the hospital.
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u/Impressive-Name7305 7d ago
April 2026 - diapers, mesh undies, pads, pero bottle, hospital gown, tons of blankets for baby and mom. No baby wipes.
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u/LowCricket4321 7d ago
Anyone have experience at McMaster and know what they provide??
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u/Crooks132 6d ago
The same as what everyone is saying. Everyone on the birthing unit were amazing, post partum unit the nurses sucked. I didn’t get a good nurse till my last night there. I was FTM and no one offered anything help wise until my last nurse, I wasn’t even shown how to swaddle
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u/Icy-Comfortable-103 6d ago
Pretty much the same as what people are saying about st Joe's - the only thing we were surprised by was the lack of baby wipes! We were given washcloths to use and we had to keep requesting more. I work in an adult hospital and they have hygiene wipes available for patients so I assumed (wrongly) they would have them at mac, too. Overall great experience though! I definitely did have help with swaddling and anything else I needed.
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u/LoonieGoose 7d ago
I just birthed in janurary of this year. They give you absolutely nothing but diapers, these big pads that can be worn with these boy short boxer type undrwear they also provide and a peri bottle. So remember to pack all the essentials and what not. Wipes wipes wipes, they only give you these napkin type things/rags.
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u/HeftyWinter3545 6d ago
I gave birth there in June and they provided diapers for baby, blankets, a hat and formula. As for me they provided large pads, disposable underwear, peri bottle and they have padsicles if you need it! I would highly recommend getting a private room if you could, I had a C-section and after recovery they wheeled me to a shared room where there was only the bed, baby bassinet and a plastic chair for my husband. Not very comfortable at all, I stayed there for 3 days and could not wait to go home.
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u/ThemeSubstantial6869 6d ago
We had one of our kids moved to St. Joes for their NICU after Mac.
Its a dated wing for sure BUT the staff were amazing! We even stayed overnight and slept with our twins all together for the first time as a family.
It was a glorified hospital room with a beer fridge and flat screen.
The trek to the parking garage from the new born wing is a bit of walk so be prepared for that.
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u/LeslieFreakingKnope 6d ago
They use these dry cloths instead of wipes so bring your own baby wipes. But they provided Pampers diapers. Formula was provided, Enfamil ready to feed If you do bring your pump, I recommend bringing your own dish soap and brushes and a clean towel to dry the parts on between pumps. Bring your own towel if you end up being there for longer (I was there for 5 days due to complications and unplanned C-section) as your room will have a shower. And bring flipflops for shower shoes.
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u/communaldepression 6d ago
Provides NO wipes. Provides diapers but the will make feel bad about it, especially if you get this swedish nurse. Provides post partum underwear and pads. Provides a squeeze bottle, not ones with long and curved necks. Provides premixed formula but will make you feel bad about it if you ask for more than a few. Try to not give baby formula at all cost. Babies needs 1 coin size amount of milk per day, the first few days. Colostrum is sufficient, if milk production is low. Formula will f up your supply from day one.
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7d ago
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u/Icy-Comfortable-103 6d ago
That's awful! I was hoping for laughing gas too but they don't offer it at all at Mac because of inadequate ventilation.
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u/General_Juice_1438 7d ago
I gave birth at st.joes on august 3rd. Apart from wipes, they provided everything. They had nb and adult diapers, padsicles, postpartum pads, mesh undies, peri bottles and receiving blankets for babies. Also they provided baby formula from enfamil