One of the most essential tasks to have an early hand on during pregnancy is a hospital bag. I highly recommend this be done upon entering the 3rd trimester or sooner. Our bags were packed 3 months before I was supposed to deliver. I say “supposed to” because our baby boy came a WHOLE 5 weeks early making it 3 days BEFORE his baby shower (you read that right). Ha! Yeeahh! I will create separate posts on our baby shower, birth story, and the NICU experience later. Throughout my pregnancy I read many articles and books to keep within the loop, and knew with this being my first pregnancy I may deliver a couple of weeks before my due date. I wanted to be ready whenever our baby decided to make his grand entrance, and THAT HE DID!
Hospital bags can often be overpacked with things you may not use so I will share what items I packed for myself, my husband, and our baby boy below:
Mommy and Baby
I used one medium sized tote to pack belongings for our expecting son and myself. Originally we purchased a baby bag (which we began using while he was in the NICU and still use daily) but I was able to fit both of our things in one bag. My goal was to keep this bag light since most hospitals provide many items you will NEED during your stay and to take home. I created a list of items I needed and wanted to bring then narrowed my list down. I also called my hospital, asked to be transferred to the labor and delivery unit, and spoke with a nurse whom informed me of items that would be provided during my stay ( such as breastfeeding pump and supplies). I also used this time to note what items would be available for my husband. This is important as the father of the child will be the last person the staff is concerned about (fair enough given the circumstances). So, if you have time, I recommend doing this and even touring the unit if you have time.
Baby: Clothing for babies are so precious and tiny that I wanted to pack everything! I stuck with my list and packed our son:
- Coveralls with matching hats and mittens (2 sets)
- Post delivery outfit (1)
- Outfit to go home (1)
- Pacifier (1)
- Blanket (1)
- Bath wash (1)
- Lotion (1)
- Diapers (4)
- Wipes (1 Pack)
The only thing that did not make it in our bag was our baby memory book (was listed on our baby registry) because baby came before the baby shower. Our hospital provided all of the things I packed but I wanted to bring our own for personal preferences. If I can give any advice to minimize the list, only pack the outfits you want baby to wear. Baby toiletries will be supplied by the hospital during your stay. Once you and baby are discharged the only things you may need on the way home are a diaper and wipes. Request a supply of these for the road. Also, leave the swaddles at home, the nurses and nursing assistants will teach you how to swaddle your precious baby with clean hospital blankets or bring your own blankets from home!
Mommy: My hospital did a great job providing me with essential and good quality items. They provided ice packs, pads, mesh underwear, numbing spray, perineal bottle (all of these I used and stocked on to go home as I did have to get stitches for a second degree tear) and other toiletries. For myself I packed:
- Prayer books (2)
- Nursing bras (2)
- Nursing cover up (1)
- Undergarments (6)
- Pajamas (2 sets)
- Outfit to go home (1)
- Slip resistance socks (1 pair)
- Regular socks (2 pairs)
- House slippers (1)
- Robe (1)
- Lip Moisturizer (1)
- Toothbrush (1)
- Toothpaste (1)
- Deodorant (1)
- Bath wash (1)
- Body Lotion (1)
- Scrunchies (3)
- Hair Moisturizer (1)
- Hair Bonnet
- Hair gel (1)
- Brush (1)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Prenatal Vitamins
I did breast feed our son, but our hospital provided breast pumps, nursing pillows, nipple pads, nipple healing cream, and all the breastfeeding supplies you can think of, so I left mine at home. This goes without mentioning, but bring your drivers license and insurance card. Theres a check-in process as some point during your labor and deliver day!
Daddy
My husbands health, comfort, and wellbeing is important to me so I made sure he was taken care of too! Unfortunately, we had no control of the sofa he had to sleep on which was slimmer than a twin size bed because the chair sleeper was jammed. By time we arrived to our postpartum room it was midnight and all rooms were occupied. I like to believe that he slept well due to the blanket I packed him.
Daddy: His bag included:
- Prayer Book (1)
- Lounge clothes (1 set)
- Outfit to go home (1)
- Pajamas (2 sets)
- Hair brush (1)
- Toothbrush (1)
- Socks (3 pairs)
- Slides (1 pair)
- Blanket (1)
- Headphones (1)
- Camera (1)
- Camera charger (1)
- Extended phone charger (1)
- Connect Four (really for me & we did NOT use it lol).
All of these fit in our bags with space to pack a few more things if needed. We left that space for items we would be sent home with from the hospital. Glad we did! I hope this post helps any of you out there who are soon-to- be new mommas, parents, or already parents in need of a fresh start on your hospital bag!
