What's In My Hospital Bag
What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag Before Having A Baby
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When I was pregnant with my son a few years back, I set out to be the most organized First Time Mom that ever was. But let me tell you, things don't always go as planned. I had pinned all of these amazing lists of hospital bag must-haves, but when my water broke 11 days before my due date, I was completely unprepared.
We went to the hospital without any belongings, not even a phone charger or toothbrush. My husband had to run back home when he had a small break in the action to grab anything he could find that we needed while in the hospital. Our baby didn't come for 25 hours after we got to the hospital, so there was plenty of time for him to do this. However, it was still a chaotic and disorganized feeling to be without a well-packed hospital bag.
So, in an attempt to be ultra-prepared, at pregnancy week 30 here, I am PACKED! This isn't my first rodeo, and after staying three days at the hospital with our firstborn, I am well aware of all the goodies that I will be needing while recovering with our sweet new baby. So let's get right to it! Here is my hospital bag checklist for baby number 2!
1. Comfortable Sleepwear:
I have searched high and low for the PERFECT hospital jammies, and I am pretty sure that I have found them! Olian Maternity makes the most adorable matching mommy and baby hospital pajama sets. We are not sure if we are having a boy or a girl, so I opted for the gender-neutral Anne Cream and Gray Striped Set.
Olian Maternity also offers gender-specific sets, so if you know that you are having a boy or a girl, you can choose a pink or blue set (with matching baby nightgown) for you and your little. They have the cutest designs! The material is 100% cotton and has a soft, slinky, luxurious feel to it.
How cute is the matching nightgown for your baby?! While there are pink accents on the women's sleepwear set that I have, there is not any pink on the baby onesie. The set comes with elastic waist pants (which I now sleep in ALL THE TIME!), a nursing camisole with detachable nursing clips, robe with lace details, and then the matching baby nightgown.
2. Comfortable Slippers
Not just any slippers, only the coziest slippers will do! And with Mahabis detachable outdoor sole, I plan to wear these slippers TO the hospital! Might as well get comfortable from the get-go!
I had so much fun customizing my Mahabis slippers. I chose the classic slipper. From there, you choose your slipper color, and then your slipper sole color. Larvik Dark Grey and Gotland Green all the way for me! Not only does Mahabis offer a few different adult shoe styles, they also have Mahabis for kids, starting at a size 11. Adorable!
Mahabis has truly redesigned the slipper. They have taken a household staple and made it more functional and stylish than ever. In my bag they go!
3. Muslin Swaddles For Your New Baby
I have a set of pink and a set of blue ready to go for our hospital stay. I cannot wait to see which ones we will get to use! I suggest hospital swaddles because you might want to have a favorite print on hand in case you have the hospital photographer in your room for photos. At the time with my first-born, I was convinced that I would not be buying the hospital photos that were taken, but once I saw them, I HAD TO HAVE them!
They used a plain white swaddle that they had on hand since we did not have any with us. But this time, we are coming prepared! I LOVE the Aden and Anais Bamboo line - these are simply to softest blankets around! I also love Swaddle Designs - they have so many prints to choose from!
4. Lip Balm
If you have been through labor and delivery before, then you know how real the thirst and chapped lips can be. Between every push, I needed oxygen, water, and lip balm. American Provenance Peppermint is my go-to!
Oh Finn and Emma, how your sweet outfits have captured my heart! We chose a few gender-neutral numbers since both will work for either a boy or a girl.
6. Nipple Cream
Apply early, apply often, just sayin'!
7. Toiletries
That first shower after having a baby is going to be a great one! But if you don't want to wash your hair, don't forget some dry shampoo! Also, pack the following:
-Toothbrush, toothpaste
-Eyeglasses, contact solution and case
-Blowdryer (hey, just in case!) along with shampoo and conditioner from home, so that you don't need to use the sterile hospital brand
-Hairbrush or comb
-Your fave neutral bar soap
-Facewash
-Light make up (at least an eyebrow pencil for me!)
-Body Lotion, face moisturizer
-Deodorant
-Hair Ties
8. Nursing Bras
You will be so glad that you have these on hand. WIth my first, it was a couple of weeks before I purchased nursing bras. They were a game changer! Pea In The Pod makes the SOFTEST unlined nursing sleep bras. I have these in a few colors. Other super comfortable brands that I have heard great things about are Bravado and Thyme Maternity.
9. Tech Stuffs
You're definitely going to want to have your phone charger on hand. And most likely, your phone has a camera, but if you have a certain camera that you may want to bring for photos of your new baby, don't forget to pack it. I also liked having an iPad on hand with my first, since it helped to kill time during the longggggggg wait for anything to happen!
10. For Your Baby...
Have your car seat installed in your car. They often say that hospitals check to ensure that you have this, but there was not anyone inspecting this when we brought our firstborn home. But make sure it is in your car and ready to go for that first ride home! Also for baby, be sure to pack pacifiers, hats, and mittens along with that cute coming home outfit.
11. A Fab Hospital Bag Turned Diaper Bag
Since the birth of my son, Lily Jade has been my go-to diaper bag. I recently picked up this Meggan bag in Gray and Silver. I LOVE the jade lining! This large leather bag is perfect for carrying everything that I will need to the hospital, and will transition nicely into my full-time diaper bag once Baby #2 is here!
There are many things that you will receive in the hospital for use, so you will not need to worry about packing things such as diapers or self-care products for yourself (tucks, sprays, squirt bottles, pads, disposable underwear, etc). The hospital will also have many necessities for your baby, such as hats and blankets. But it is always nice to have your own if you want to! All I know is that this time around, I am prepared for the hospital stay. Bring on baby number two!