One more month...supposedly. I have one more month until this baby arrives. So...what better question to ask than
what's in my hospital bag? I started packing my hospital bag about a month ago when I experienced some annoying and (somewhat) concerning preterm contractions. It's not that I was thinking I'd go into labor that early but I needed, okay wanted, something to do that was productive since my doctor wanted me to relax a bit. In my two labor and delivery experiences I've gone early so for the control freak in me early preparations work in my favor.
What's in my bag?
- Two nursing sports bra
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Two fashionable hospital gowns. One is from this adorable Etsy shop, Mod Mum. (not pictured)
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A few pairs of underwear; the hospital will have some super awesome postpartum underwear to go along with the gigantic pads for you to wear while you're there. It's not a bad thing to wear their special underwear, afterbirth is well, um, very messy to say the least.
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Postpartum Mama Cloth - it's ten times more comfortable than disposable pads.
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Going home outfit for myself.
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Bathroom bag filled with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, hair product, and daily medications. I'm also going to pack some make up but that's going to come a little later and I may send hubby home to pick it up.
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Muslin swaddle blanket for baby because baby should be comfy too!
- Glasses
- Slippers
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Breastfeeding pillow - I didn't bring it with my first delivery but I had to with my second because when I left the hospital with my first I didn't even really get how to use my breastfeeding pillow. Bringing it with me gave me lots and lots of practice.
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Tablet for entertainment. Duh! What else would I would do for entertainment in between visitors?
What I haven't packed but should?
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Going home outfit for baby - I don't know the baby's sex so I haven't packed an outfit yet.
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Nursing scarf - Again for visitors when baby's needing to nurse; this isn't something that everyone has to pack though. You don't even have to cover up if you don't want to. It's a personal preference.
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Hubby's clothes. He still needs to pack but we're only ten minutes from the hospital so he'll most likely come home to grab some necessaries after the baby's born. If you live farther away from your hospital your partner really should pack a hospital bag.
What about you? What do you pack for your hospital bag?
I’m planning a homebirth, but thinking of packing a bag just in case. I like to be prepared and don’t want to end up at the hospital without my stuff! Thanks for the list.
Well with my second (knowing all the things I packed and didn’t use…) who was 38 weeks when born, I was packing my bag after my water broke. I packed one of my last clean pairs of pants (all the other ones had gotten soaked with various embryotic gushes, a couple of shirts and a bra. I packed a couple of pair of panties, socks and toiletries. I packed a variety of preemie and newborn clothes (she was too long for the preemie clothes my son who weighed more wore for a month after birth). I packed a Sudoku book, my cell phone and charger and a deck of cards for entertainment during labour and afterwards. Most importantly I packed our camera. That was it.
I was also going to mention that you forgot to mention a camera, and extra batteries for it. A few snacks are a good idea, for yourself and for hubby.
Love this helpful and practical hospital packing list! I’ve referenced several different lists that seem to be a bit overkill, but I feel this list includes what are true necessities for both mom and baby. I didn’t bring my boppy to the hospital, and I sure wish I had!
Toothbrush, hairbrush, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and nursing bras. Everything else was not really touched.
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