No tags yet.
When it came time to pack my hospital bag for some reason it took me forever. It seemed more daunting to me than it really was. I, personally, think I was dragging my feet on the task but it was a "real" feeling like oh shit my baby will be here any minute realization. I read a million things of what to pack for hospital bag, and some were helpful and some weren't. A lot of women relied on the hospital to supply majority of their things, but I am a little bit of a control freak so I need to prepared just in case.
Before COVID you would be in the hospital for a couple of days, but now they are trying to have you in a out. I was in the hospital a little over 24 hours so truly I didn't much at all. Majority of the stuff that I packed I didn't touch at all because of the short amount of time we were actually there. I can honestly say I didn't need to pack anything for the baby in general. I personally wanted to change her so we used one onesie, a hat and mittens I brought. For myself I used pajama's and that's it.
Below is a general list of things you could pack in your hospital bag.
For Mom:
Insurance card, birthing plan, or any other documents the hospital/doctor may request from you.
Toiletries: toothbrush & toothpaste, hair ties, lotion, deodorant, chapstick, hand sanitizer, etc.
Electronics: chargers (preferably a long one)/extra charging block, laptop/ipads, phone, etc.
Snacks!
Water bottle (preferably one with a straw).
Pajamas (preferably one with buttons especially if you are going to breastfed and good for skin on skin afterwards) and slippers.
Going home outfit: think anything loose and comfortable - you did just have a baby, so comfort over everything!
Nursing bras and nursing cover if you are going to breastfed.
Optional: extra underwear, they will give you mesh underwear with ice packs and extra large pads, but if you feel more comfortable in your own underwear I would bring them.
Extra's:
- thank you cards for the nurses and doctors who helped you while in hospital.
For Baby:
Here is where it got tricky because again the hospital does provide you anything and everything you would need for the baby, so everything listed below can be modified or left off completely depending on your comfortably with knowing what your hospital will provide.
1-2 swaddle, 1-2 blankets, and 1 burp cloth.
If you have a certain brand of diapers you would like, bring those. My hospital default brand was Huggies.
Going home outfit.
Car seat (optional car seat cover) - they won't let you leave the hospital without it.
Baby mittens, hats, and socks.
Optional: pacifier and/or white noise machine.
Welcome to motherhood! (you will never the leave the house without a million a one things again!)