August 14, 2014

In My Hospital Bag

Because I've received a ton of requests from readers and preglet friends, I thought I'd put together what I have packed in my hospital bag. Err-bags...

As you can see, I'm no light packer. And I'm not a minimalist. At all. My biggest fear EVER is forgetting something really important, for example a memory card for my camera...because that is totally something I would forget. (Oh my gosh I don't even want to imagine!)

While I'd like to pack the entire house and kitchen sink in a the biggest suitcase I own, I've somehow managed to squeeze all of this into my diaper bag and on additional bag. Ok and my purse, too. (Who am I kidding?) So technically this should be titled "What to pack in your hospital bagS" because honestly, I don't know who could go into the hospital to have a baby with one bag and there's no way all of this would fit into one bag.

(P.S.-I have updated the lists below to reflect all the advice that has been given to me via comments since writing this post!)




For mom:
  • Insurance information
  • Hospital registration/pre-natal records
  • Electronics & chargers (iPhone, iPad, etc...)
  • Chap stick
  • Nursing pillow (I'm using my Boppy as mine)
  • Toiletries (makeup, shampoo, conditioner, razor, soap, face wash, etc...)
  • Camera, charger & extra memory cards
  • Snacks
  • Blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron, etc (Call me vain...whatever.)
  • Notebook
  • Maxi pads (unless you want to wear the hospital-provided variety)
  • Nursing cover
  • Nursing pads
  • Nipple cream
  • Nursing bra (I found some awesome ones here.)
  • Headband, hair band, bobby pins, etc...whatever makes you comfy
  • Panties (ones that can get a little messy/be thrown away afterwards) Yes, I know these are provided by the hospitals and the hospital undies are supposed to be legit, but I can't imagine going anywhere for a couple of days and not packing my own panties so you can bet I will still be packing my own - 3-4 pair
  • Nursing dresses - 2-3 dresses
  • Socks - 2-3 pair
  • Loose-fitting or button up pj's 
  • Flip flops

For baby:
  • Swaddling blankets (I packed two; one for Paisley, one for someone to bring home to Oakley to get familiar with baby's smell)
  • Outfits - 2-3
  • Socks - 1-2 pair
  • Hat/headbands

For daddy: (not pictured)
  • Pillow
  • 2-3 outfits
  • Blanket
  • Toiletries
  • Snacks

Misc: (not pictured)
  • Car seat (properly installed if you plan on bringing that baby home)  ;)
  • Gifts for nursing staff
  • Snacks for visitors
  • Guest book
  • Baby book
  • Cash (for parking)
  • Prenatal vitamins
  • Birth announcement for the hospital room door 
  • Extension cord (for iPhone/iPad chargers to reach across the room)
  • Empty bag to take home all the loot you leave with from the hospital

I'm not sure when the right time to pack your bags would be but I figured about a month out is safe. Plus, I have everything I need so it might as well be ready and waiting, right?! Right.

I sure do hope this is helpful to someone out there wondering what on earth to pack for the hospital! While I did a ton of research as to what to pack (thanks, Pinterest!) I definitely have NO clue as to whether or not I'm forgetting something seeing that I'm a labor rookie. If you think of ANYTHING I've forgotten, please PLEASE let a sister know! I'm not ashamed to add another bag to my arsenal. ;)

40 comments:

  1. Quarters for vending machines!

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  2. I would suggest one additional item: pack an extra duffle bag or bookbag in your other bag. You will be coming home with so much more than you came with (promise!). You'll want an extra bag because your husband will probably be carrying everything by himself to the car before you and your little girl go to the car. We came home with extra diapers, pumping parts, formula samples, and all kind of nonsense things that you'll need for yourself (ahem, spray bottle, dermoplast, etc).

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  3. I definitely packed way too much last time. The socks, ponytail holders, and chapstick were essential. Panties? Not so much - they will put you in these mesh things and the pad is pretty much the size of a diaper. So yeah... maybe not the pads either. Haha. I definitely second leaving some room or having another bag so you can steal, I mean TAKE all of the stuff in the hospital room. I took home parts that fit with my breast pump, diapers, diaper cream, spray bottle, grooming tools. It was a ton. This time I plan on keeping it as minimal as possible, but I want to feel pretty so I am bringing some nice pajamas to wear instead of the hospital gown. I'm bringing hair and makeup stuff too. I don't mind being vain - lots of pictures get taken!

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  4. This is helpful because I NEED to get my bag packed. I am also a notorious overpacker. I know I'm going to want my own panties and stuff but everything (and everyone!) says leave them at home. I will also be taking my personal grooming products...vain or not. I mean, my doc TOLD me to show up with my hair done and makeup on and we could get a "nice little family picture" (when we talked about c-section). Technically I'd just be ensuring I could follow doctors orders :)

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  5. Looks like you have thought of everything and then some! What kind of gifts did you get for the nursing staff?

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  6. Just reading this post about preparing for the hospital makes me ache to start trying to baby #2!!! My Hubs will not be thanking you for this! LOL.

    Chels @ Red Velvet Rooster

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  7. I am about a month away from even thinking about my hospital bag, but you better believe I will be coming back to read through the comments on this all day in preparation. Everyone has said bring the extra bag for hospital extras you can take/steal.

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  8. I packed a lot of stuff like what you had and ended up not using most of it bc the hospital provided a lot of stuff. I ended up packing my bag two weeks before I was due on a Friday and went into labor that Sunday so I guess I had just timed it right...maybe he knew that it was time haha.

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  9. So the mesh panties/pads they give you to wear in the hospital are like the most amazing things ever. They make you look like a hot mess but you don't have to worry about ruining your own. My husband will NEVER FORGET some of those awkward first moments in those panties. We still laugh about them today...but trust me, wear them, they are awesome.

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  10. I am an over packer, too, but ended up not needing a lot of it bc the hospital provided it (underwear, pads, creams, prenatal vitamins - your insurance pays for it, might as well use it!) The mesh undies/pads from the hospital are legit. I brought some home! The nurses also made some sort of ice pack/pad contraption, literally out of a baby diaper, and that bad boy could only fit in the mesh undies. I left room in the diaper bag and my husband's bag to bring home diapers, wipes, pads, mesh undies, etc. from hospital bc like someone else said, your husband will be the one to carry it all out, and people will bring gifts too, so using the space we left in bags really helped to condense it. I brought my pillow and we shoved stuff in the pillow case, too! haha We also brought change for the vending machines. I couldn't shower until the next day after having the baby, so my blowdryer, straightener, and makeup made me feel like a million bucks. Also, I brought a nursing cover but decided to just ask people to leave if necessary when I needed to nurse bc it helped to have nurses/LC/husband watch baby's latch so that we could make sure that we were doing it right before we left. It's hard not to feel like you are the host but you are the patient and need to take advantage of all the care and rest that you are offered. Good luck!!! :)

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    1. I second ALL of this!!! I totally took their mesh undies and pads home too!! With my c-section there was no way I was gonna wear normal undies! ha!

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  11. I wish I would of thought to have a guest book! :( All of that though for the most part sounds like everything I took. Although, I did forget my straightener, luckily my friend brought me one! :) Almost time!!! YAY and Good Luck!

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  12. Pack an extension cord (or two so your husband can have one as well for the couch side of the room) for phone/iPad/laptop charging while maintaining access. While I haven't had to pack a bag for having a baby just yet, it's always on our list when we travel since you don't know where the outlets are!

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  13. A short cotton robe! Loose fitting pajama pants that are 100% cotton. If you are able to have a vaginal birth, that stuff is well...let me put it lightly...a MESS! :) Cotton pants, no top and a cotton robe were my staples in the hospital. I agree with the above comments those mesh undies are quite frankly the best things ever oh and the spray bottle is legit too. You want loose stuff just remember that and I have heard that goes for a Csection as well. My advice to every expecting parent : Borrow but don't offer to give back all the shiz they give you for yourself and the baby...that would include their blankets. They are perfect for spit up and swaddling. Pretty sure our nurses commented how quickly we ran out of stuff in our room...haha. Insurance pays for it - use it - borrow it!

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  14. I would just add a set of pajamas that are two pieces, shorts and button up top. Definitely light stuff though. I felt so hot after I had my daughter. They said that was typical. And honestly the hospital mesh undies were the ugliest things every but you couldn't feel them on so I picked those over mine from home.

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  15. Love this post - thank you!! I'm about 2 weeks away from needing to pack my bag too! :) I've been on the hunt for some great nursing bras as well, and your link above isn't working - would you mind sharing?! Thanks! AND good luck!!!

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    1. Hi Hailey! Sorry my link wasn't working!! The nursing bras I found and LOVE are from Target! The link should work now! :)

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    2. Yay - perfect! Thank you, thank you!! :)

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  16. Oh and where is that CUTE headband from?

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  17. Sooo my 1st comment didn't show up so I'll try again! The mesh undies are freakin' awesome, ask for extras to take home, you'll be glad you did! The hospital room door is like revolving your ENTIRE stay so definitely take a small extension cord for charging phone/iPad. They will be your only source of entertainment while baby and the hubs snooze peacefully! I swear an alarm goes off outside your room to notify people that your eyes are closed and to send someone in or tells the room phone to ring!

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  18. You will want to use the hospital undies and pads. No you won't feel cute but it won't matter. Trust. Also, my hospital would not cut the babies nails once they were born so that is on the parents. We made sure to pack baby nail clippers because everyone told us to! Glad they did because his nails were super long and like razors when he came out... clipping them short keeps all the scratches off the face :)

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  19. Just an FYI, you don't need panties or maxi pads, the mesh under wear the hospital provides is perfect for holding the gigantic pads the hospital also gives you. You'll need them, store bought ones are no match for post partum bleeding! Also, I commend you if you have time to wash your hair, let alone dry and straighten it. Good luck!

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  20. Definitely bring your own pillow from home, button-up PJs, comfy workout-type pants, flip flops for showering, and an extra bag for either dirty clothes or hospital freebies. Make nice with the nursery RNs and they'll get you good and stocked up!

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  21. Soo... This is the 2nd time today I've read something baby/pregnancy related & got choked up! lol! & tgere wasn't anything emotional in your post!! Or anyone's comments!! #pregnancyhormonesarereal. Love this list though & everyone's comments - so, so helpful to expecting mommies!!

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  22. Yes to extension cords and yes to nipple cream! I hated the kind the hospital gave.

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  23. I packed things for the labor part of the deal...heat pads, and something hard for my hubby to massage my back. So glad I did! Flip flops were also great to have! Good luck! Hope you have as great an experience as I did :)

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  24. OH YEA don't forget flip flops, hospital floors/showers are icky icky!

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  25. A notebook is another good idea to have. The nurses wanted to know exactly what time I nursed and for exactly how long, as well as the times and contents of the diapers. I could have never remembered in the haze right after giving birth when I did anything! :)

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  26. I had like 4 bags and royally pissed my husband off because, like a dumb ass, I didn't put them all together lol. Luckily in this situation, we had to schedule an induction so we were able to round them up. The things I found SUPER helpful that I packed were chargers, my iPad for downtime, and fuzzy socks!! I could've done without a bath robe, newborn sized clothes (this is probably not the norm, but my baby was 10lbs 8oz so he didn't fit in newborn!), and pads because they gave me everything I needed for the lady bits (also not sure if this is the norm or depends on the hospital). Eeeeek so exciting!! You are about to embark on such a fun journey!!!

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  27. This is great! Definitely pinning this for later use. Can I ask where you get your cute headbands that tie in the front?! Those would be perfect.

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  28. Agreed on the pads. No normal store will sell tem big enough. But you'll need your stash anyway when you get home. The ice pads are awesome. And waiting at home, you should have witch hazel wipes and dermaplast for each time you use the bathroom. That speeds up healing and prevents infection. I'm terrible at using the iPad for anything but Internet and kids' apps. Is there a way to download your pics? With both kids, I took my laptop and connected my camera to get those first pics out to the world:) you might already have this set, but I arranged for a friend to come to the hospital after I felt good and had makeup and hair washed. She took a set of photos of the baby and I that I'll treasure forever!

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  29. I think you are good. Someone could always run to the store for you if there is anything you missed, that the hospital can accommodate. For your husband (if you are not getting a suite at the hospital) I suggest investing in a twin sized tempur-pedic pad or something similar. I felt SO bad for my husband when we were in the hospital that I let him catch some zzz's in the hospital bed. They basically have a crappy plastic cushion to sleep on. You're going to want his help at night, so its best that you guys take turns getting some sleep. That is my one regret was not making it better for him. He was miserable which made me feel horrible. We will be getting one this time around. Good luck and congrats!

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  30. Looks like you're ready! Such an exciting time:) What are you giving the nurses? Always looking for ideas! Thanks!!

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  31. I brought only essentials and ended up not using most of it. I did enjoy having clothes to change into after i could get out of the gown. The mesh undies are awesome and the ice pack pads are AMAZING right after you push a baby out of your lady parts. Because of when she was born i had to end up staying 2 nights. We had our own carseat but the hospital provided one so we left outs at home and kept theirs so we could have 1 for each car. They also had a diaper bag for us that was fully stocked, even though i had brought my own we still took theirs home as well. While we were there we used EVERYTHING the hospital offered so we didnt have to use our own stuff. I personally am a big fan of yoga pants/leggings comfy tshirts so that is what i mostly packed for myself. I changed my clothes and did my makeup everyday i was there but my hair mostly stayed in a ponytail. Goodluck!!!!!

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  32. I'm about a month out from my due date, but after knowing a few people who went into labor early, my husband wants to get our bags packed ASAP! Between this post and the comments I've gotten some great ideas! Thanks!

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  33. Awesome list! Definitely the socks like you are planning. You sweat a lot after birth and your feet get cold. Also cheap flip flops to shower in and toss when you leave the hospital.

    How did you create the wish list image? I'd like to create some for my blog. Also, I'm a brand new follower :)

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  34. Very similar to my list! You most likely will not use the blow dryer or straightener! Lol. They hospital provides awesome pads and day undies to go with them, they are awesome! Def take some of those pads home!

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  35. Okay, those push socks are SOOOOO cute! haha LOVE it.

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  36. Great list - you are packed and ready to go mama! I have just sent a gift so I hope little Paisley waits until it arrives before she makes an appearance!!

    And I love the sending a blanket home for Oakley with her smell!
    x

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