Bag Update
So I figured I would update this post in regards to my hospital bag and what I ACTUALLY used. That way you can see what I used, as well as what I packed in one fail swoop. So if you follow me on Instagram then you saw that I used very little of what I actually packed in my bag. I wanted to be real with you all in case you are preparing for your own hospital stay so that you could be prepared! Let me also say, everyone’s hospital is different but you can always check with your doctor/nurses before your delivery to see what all they provide!
Ok, so if you keep reading then you will get to my original post which lists everything I felt the need to pack. I will be honest, I thought I was under packing compared to some other hospital bag posts I had seen but now I think differently. First let me say, at our hospital we got checked into our room by 8am (we arrived about 6:50am) and didn’t even bring our bags in. Jon Luke went to the car to get my tote bag and his brief case but that was all we brought in from the beginning. So from 8am until I delivered I only used my phone charger, computer and computer charger, the sandals I wore into the hospital (to get to and from the bathroom) and JL had his work stuff. We both worked all day so that was all we really needed. Once Miles was born and they moved us to our post delivery room, JL went to the car to get our stuff. This is where I began to use a little bit more, but still not even half of what I packed. Here is the full list of what we actually used:
What I Used:
Phone Charger
Computer & Computer Charger (because we both worked all day)
Sandals
One set of Pajamas
Pillow
Boppy Pillow for Breastfeeding (I could have done without)
Robe
Dress To Go Home In
Toiletries
Camera for a pic of three of us, but I ended up liking the iPhone pics more
What JL Used:
Phone Charger
Computer & Computer Charger
The clothes he wore to the hospital
Pajamas
Two changes of clothes (one for each day we were there)
Sheets for the couch he slept on
Pillow
Toiletries
What Miles Needed:
One outfit/swaddle for his picture
His name plate for the picture
An outfit to go home in
Carseat
So as you can see from the above list, I didn’t even use half of what I packed. JL kept laughing while we were there because I barely touched my big bag. To be honest, the hospital had SO much for me as far as postpartum goes so I did not need any of my items. They provided me with mesh underwear, pads, a peri bottle, Dermaplast, food…all the things. The kept Miles swaddled in hospital blankets most of the time so that it would be easy access for us to change his diaper/have skin to skin time. And JL just wore Lululemon clothes while he hung out. I feel like it was super chill and I was SO thankful for the hospital staff and everyone who helped us! Let me know if you have any questions about what you need to pack and I am happy to help!
Original Post
Okay, we are officially on baby watch and I feel like it can be any day now. The hard thing is, we don’t know exactly when! haha And y’all know I am a huge planner so this waiting game is kind of difficult for me. But with that being said, we are prepared and ready for whenever he chooses to make his debut which means our bags are packed and ready to go!
I wanted to update you all on what we are packing in our hospital bags as I know a lot of you are preparing for the same situation. For someone who usually is GREAT at packing bags for vacation, this one was hard for me because I just don’t know. I know don’t what kind of delivery I will end up having. I don’t know how my body will react. I don’t know if my breast milk will come in. There are so many un-knowns and I just want to be prepared. With all of that being said, I did my best not to over pack. I have spoken to many new moms and was told not to think too much about this which is what I am trying to do. Here are my lists that I have going right now, and I will probably do a follow up with what we actually used!
For Momma
Comfy Pajamas – I currently have three pairs in my suitcase but can probably remove one. All are darker colors to avoid any stains.
Robe – I am bringing one cozy robe. Some people have said to bring a comfy robe and a “pretty” robe but I am just going to bring my one cozy option I think. It also doubles as a blanket so I won’t feel the need to have that.
Socks/Slippers – I have one pair of thick cozy socks, one pair of thinner tall socks and my slippers.
Shower Shoes – I went to CVS and got $5 slides for myself and JL just so we have something to wear in the shower. We can throw them away after.
Leggings/ T-Shirts – I brought a pair of my Align Leggings from Lululemon because they are super soft and I have been living in them this entire pregnancy. I also threw in an oversized t-shirt that I can wear with the leggings just to have something loose and easy to wear.
Nursing Bra/ Nursing Tank – I have three options for nursing bras. They are all different styles so I can see which I like best, but they are all functional incase I need more than one while I am there. I have one nursing tank because I will probably try to do as much skin-to-skin time there as I can.
Postpartum – I have nipple cream, cooling pads, nursing pads, Colace, Dermaplast and the peri bottle. Everything else people said I can get from the hospital and even some of this stuff might come out.
Pillow – I just want to have my own pillow cause I am extra 🙂
Towel – Same as above. JL does not care to bring his own and said he will be fine with the hospital ones but I just want to have some comforts of home.
Toiletries – I am bringing a small makeup bag to have mascara and such in case I feel up to it for a photo. Of course I have minis of everything: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, etc.
Bellyband – I am not sure how soon I will really need this but I figured it would be fine to have it my doctor okays it from the jump.
For Daddy
Two changes of clothes – So he will wear one outfit there obviously, they has two more outfit packed. Ideally we will only be there one night so he might not need both but I figured he should have them just incase. I think he packed two pairs of Lululemon shorts, two Lululemon tees and a pair of joggers in case he gets cold.
Sleepwear – He threw in an extra tee and casual pair of shorts to sleep in.
Toiletries – His toiletry bag is always packed because he works out before work in the mornings then showers (or before COVID he did) so he has all of his essentials in there.
Sheets – I bought him a cheap set of twin sheets so that he has something more comfortable to sleep with while we are there. Even if it is just one night.
Pillow – He also wants his own pillow for comfort purposes.
Shower shoes – I got him the same $5 pair from CVS that I got for myself. We will probably just throw them away at the hospital.
For Baby
Picture outfit and going home outfit – I have two “cute” options for these. These are sets that include swaddles, hats, mittens, etc…just incase.
Plain onesies – I threw in two plain t-shirt onesies to have for the times we are just hanging out, or incase something happens to one of the “cute” outfits.
Pacifier/ Pacifier Clip – I have two different kinds since I am not sure what he will prefer, then just one clip that will go with everything.
Tiger Lovie – I just figured it was something soft that he could snuggle with.
Boppy Pillow – to help with breastfeeding situations.
Diapers/Wipes – I put these in the diaper to prepare in general as I know the hospital will have some but I figured I had room in his bag.
Auquaphor – a follower just messaged me and said this comes in handy so we have a travel size that I will put in his bag!
Extra Stuff
Long phone charger – everyone said this is a must.
Camera/tri-pod – I have the tripod but I have also heard the nurses are willing to help with pictures so I am hoping that is the case so I don’t have to mess with the tripod.
Speaker – we are going to bring our bluetooth speaker because it’s small and I know I will appreciate some worship music at some point.
Polaroid Camera – I am only debating bringing this so I can get some pics for his baby book. Again, I might skip it though and just print the pics we take on my phone later.
Cup – people suggested bringing your own, but I do not have a “go-to” cup that I love and I don’t want to buy one. I know the hospital will give me one so I am going to use that.
Snacks/cash for vending – We will probably throw some of our snack items in the tote bag on the way out but I will also make sure we have some cash for vending machines!
Thank you’s for Nurses! – I made two baskets (one for day nurses and one for night nurses) that are full of shareable treats.
Hopefully this list is helpful for you if you are also prepping your hospital bag! Again, I will keep you updated with what we actually use after we go through the experience but for now I think I am just sticking with the basics! Good luck!
