Who’d have thought packing a bag for the hospital would require so much energy? I swear it took me longer to pack this bag than it did to pack for my honeymoon or last year’s cruise! I started researching what to pack halfway through my pregnancy and then made it my goal to actually pack my hospital bag one month before my due date.
I was actually really amazed by how many different opinions there were surrounding what to take to the hospital. Not that I thought it’d be black and white, but I didn’t anticipate so many varying opinions. Some recommended taking anything and everything to make yourself comfortable whereas others recommended taking the bare minimum. I listened to a lot of opinions, read a lot of articles, and ended up choosing what to pack based on what would work for me. Here’s a look at what I chose to pack in my hospital bag and why.
First off, I decided to treat myself to a new Vera Bradley Weekender bag to carry all of my belongings to the hospital. No, I did not need a new bag, nor do you need a specific bag for the hospital, but I wanted to treat myself before baby and settled on this bag. The pattern matches the baby’s diaper bag, so it’s a bag that can become our daughter’s as she gets older and needs a travel bag.
The first things I packed were clothes for me (Clockwise from the top left)…
1. One nursing bra and two pairs of black underwear
2. Two nursing tanks
3. One pair of slippers with rubber grippers
4. One pair of no-show socks
5. One pair of warm, fuzzy socks
6. A lightweight robe
7. An outfit for the hospital if I want to get out of the gown. One pair of lightweight black pants, one tank top, and one t-shirt.
I also packed an outfit for going home (left to right)…
1. One open front cardigan, which I’ll wear with a nursing tank
2. One pair of black yoga pants
Items not pictured, but will pack include
1. One pair of black Toms
2. One pair of flip-flops, which I’ll probably wear to the hospital
For my toiletries I tried to keep things simple (Clockwise from the top left)…
1. Origins Rejuvenating Moisturizer
2. Glasses (and extra contacts in the case)
3. Hairbrush and ties
4. Toothbrush
5. Floss and toothpaste
6. Deodorant
7. Lanolin cream
8. Lip balm
9. Number 4 Hydrating masque, shampoo, and prep spray from past Birchboxes
10. Contact solution (contact case not pictured)
Now for the baby I brought very little! I haven’t even packed a diaper bag for her to be honest. During our hospital tour I was able to talk to a labor and delivery nurse for a while and she encouraged me to bring as little as possible. She said that the hospital provides a lot for the baby (and mom) and considering my insurance pays for it, she said to take full advantage. She also encouraged me not to wear my own clothes while in the hospital. I still brought my own clothes but I’m going to roll with it. She said the nice thing about wearing hospital clothes is that they’ll wash it all, whereas I’ll have to take my own clothes home. Stains and all.
For the baby I packed (Clockwise from the top left)…
1. Baby blanket (I ordered it on Etsy)
2. Newborn one piece
3. Beanie
4. Newborn onesie and pants (larger than the one piece)
5. Two pacifiers (may not use but the hospital does not provide any)
6. One pair of socks
7. Mittens
You’ll see that I didn’t pack any diapers, wipes, creams, etc.. The hospital said they will provide things of that nature, so I’m going to use their stuff!
I also packed a backpack for labor and delivery which includes…
1. Laptop and charger
2. iPhone charger
3. iPad
4. 1 season of The Office
5. Camera and charger
Last but not least I packed a separate bag for Neal. As he’ll be staying in the hospital with the baby and me for a few days I wanted to make sure he was taken care of! I have a feeling Neal will run home to shower and check on the pooch, but I wanted to pack him a bag just in case. He may have no desire to leave his daughter. I packed PJs, a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, and will grab him a few sodas before we leave. I also have a list of things to grab just before we leave, like his charger, iPad, and dvds of choice. Neal’s super easygoing, but I knew it was best to pack a few things for him ahead of time. I have a feeling his own needs will be last on his brain.
So there y’all have it! That’s what I packed for the hospital!! 18ish days to go…