Well… It’s about that time! My bags are packed, and I thought it would be fun to share exactly what I pack for the hospital! This list of hospital bag essentials worked perfectly last time! I think my number one piece of advice (lol) is that no one should be allowed to pack or eat crunchy snacks in your hospital room. When you aren’t allowed to eat and haven’t eaten in hours and hours, it is absolute torture hearing someone crunch on food. I made that mistake last time.
Dress c/o Ingrid & Isabel. (It is so soft!)
Hospital Bag Essentials For Mom:
Nursing Tank/Bra
Robe or something for photos. We have a videographer come to take a video, so I will be wearing a floral robe.
Nursing pads (I usually use these.)
Belly Bandit: I used this last time and absolutely loved it.
Lip Balm. For some reason my lips were super dried out and I loved having my favorite lip balm with me. Plus, it helps you look a little more awake in pictures instead of dried out chapped lips!
Makeup Wipes
Old Slippers. I say old because there’s just something about walking around a hospital in your favorite slippers and then bringing them home that grosses me out. I’d rather bring an old or cheap pair and toss them after.
A snack to look forward to after … I chose gummy bears last time and Brett accidentally ate them. He felt so bad and went and bought me a jumbo bag that I would snack on in the middle of the night when I was nursing. Make sure people know not to touch your special snack. 😉
Book/Audio Book
A mirror and small makeup bag with essentials incase you want to freshen up while in the hospital bed.
A super loose tee. Trust me, you probably don’t want to wear anything fitted right away.
Sweat pants.
One set of pajamas that you can easily unbutton to nurse. (Some people stay in a fresh clean hospital gown after the birth, but you never know how many nights you will have to be there so it’s good to have another option.)
A gift for Michael from his new baby sister!
Shower sandals to help with potential germs.
Hospital Bag Essentials – Electronics:
Charged Camera
Clear memory card
Computer
Extra Long Phone Charger because you never know where the nearest outlet will be.
Headphones … I didn’t realize last time how slow of a process it was. Headphones would be great to help pass time, listen to podcasts, freshen up on a baby book you’ve been reading, etc.
Hospital Bag Essentials For Baby:
The hospital will provide pretty much everything you need. Be sure to take home as many things as possible (just ask your nurse what things you can take home and they will load you up with some really helpful things!)
Swaddle or anything that you want them to be photographed in if you prefer your own
Newborn hat if you prefer your own over the blue and pink hospital hat
Sleep Swaddle … don’t bother fussing with trying to become a swaddle expert with their stiff hospital blankets. The nurses make it look easy and I just couldn’t master it. Bring your own swaddles!
Take home outfit – honestly, I like to keep it simple. I don’t feel like it’s necessary to get them all dolled up for the 5 minute drive to our house. I just like to pack a simple comfortable outfit for them.
Diaper bag (You most likely won’t need this, but it’s good to have in your car just in case.)
Be sure to have your car seat ready!
Hospital Bag Essentials For Husband
Pillow
Towel
Snacks (non crunchy)
Sweats
Shower sandals incase there is a chance you need help in the shower.
Hospital Bag Essentials For Your Toddler
Overnight essentials if someone will be watching them!
Pajamas
A couple outfits
Favorite stuffed animal
Snacks and drinks
An outfit for him to wear when he comes to the hospital to meet the baby
Diapers/wipes
Something for your toddler to give to their new sibling!
Wish us luck!
