Right after this little munchkin was born, I wrote a series of posts about having a baby and then in my sleep deprived state, I promptly forgot about them. I found them recently, so today, two years later, I bring you the first of those posts!
I think it can be so nerve wracking to pack for the hospital to have a baby. What do I actually need? What will I wish I had brought with me? Here is my list of what I brought with me to the hospital with commentary on whether or not I used the item and a list of the items the hospital provided for me.
Things I packed and used
-
Slippers (I used these all the time. It was nice to not have to walk on the hospital floor barefoot.)
-
Jolly Ranchers and Hard Candy. When you are in labor the only thing they will bring you to eat is usually ice chips, but they didn’t mind that I was sucking on hard candy.
-
Camera and extra batteries. I didn’t end up needing extra batteries, but I would pack them again just in case.
-
Toiletries for me, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, contact solution, chapstick. Pretty much anything you need to get ready. I was so glad I had my own shampoo. They have stuff at the hospital but you will prefer your own.
-
Hair ties and bobby pins.
-
Coming Home Clothes- pack something that fit when you were at least 20 weeks pregnant
-
Coming Home Clothes for Baby
-
A soft nursing bra
-
Cellphone chargers
-
Laptop
-
A gift for my 5-year-old. We bought her a little baby monkey with its own bottle to give to her when she came to the hospital.
-
My own fleece blanket, I think the hospital blankets are way too thin. This insured I was warm.
-
Clothes and toiletries for husband if he is staying with you. We lived close enough to the hospital that my husband went home to shower every day.
-
Carseat for baby (leave this in the car until time to go)
-
ID and Insurance Cards
Things I packed and didn’t use
-
Yoga pants and a shirt (I chose to wear the gowns the entire time I was in the hospital, it was easier for nursing.)
-
A bathrobe (I used this when I was walking the halls with my first birth, but I hardly used it during my second birth at all. Just a few times when I wanted a little extra modesty for certain visitors.
-
Hair Dryer and Flat Iron, I ended up wearing my hair up after delivery because it was just easier to manage
Things my husband went home for:
-
My Boppy. I didn’t expect to want this, but after a day of stacking hospital pillows when I was nursing, my husband went home for it.
Things the hospital had for us to use and take home:
-
Diapers and wipes
-
Soothie pacifiers
-
Nasal Aspirator
-
Sanitary Pads of different sizes for mom
-
mesh underwear for mom
-
lanolin for nursing
-
witch hazel pads (Tuck’s)
-
breast pump with individualized attachments (I kept the attachments because the nurse suggested if I was getting my pump through the insurance company, it would probably use the same attachments and it did.)
-
breastmilk storage bottles (I didn’t need these with my first but did the second time around and was glad they had them)
-
a syringe (At one point I needed to supplement a tiny bit and I didn’t want to do it with a bottle. To avoid nipple confusion the hospital let me do it with a syringe.)
-
formula for supplementation if necessary
-
nursing shields if recommended by the lactation consultant
-
baby wash
-
sponge for baby
The hospital also provides swaddling blankets and such for you to use while you are in the hospital. If you have a particular swaddle blanket you love, you might want to bring it.
This list is just what worked for me, you may want to add entertainment of some sort to your list, but I have found that when I am in labor, I don’t feel like reading or watching a movie. I did spend a little time on our laptop though.
What did you pack?
Sounds like a great list and interestingly, similar to what I packed 30 years ago! I also had music, my husband made a mix of songs he thought I would like while in labor. It was sweet.
What a sweet little peanut! I second the hair ties and clips. It is just so much easier to keep your hair up!
I packed way too much when I went to the hospital and didn't need half of it. Love your list 🙂
What a great list! I loved seeing the things you used/needed vs the things you actually took. Great resource for moms to be!
Thank you for this!
We lived under a mile from the hospital so I barely packed anything.
By the time we left we had two hospital carts to carry everything to the car. it was ridiculous and embarrassing!
One thing that really bothered me is I got maybe 5 or 6 big plants delivered from family and friends.
That was SO much to take home.
I was amazed at the thing is packed and didn't use versus the things i didn't pack and wanted.
Lol, I packed so much for my hospital stay. Then I sent most of it home with my husband because I just didnt need it!
I've never had a baby, but I can tell you that one of my best friends made sure pack champagne. After 10 months of no alcohol she was ready to celebrate. Lol.
I packed clothes too but never used them. I lived in the hospital gowns. They were so much easier.
These are great lists. I had my bag packed, but my daughter was early so I didn't have a lot of things she needed or that i wanted for her. My husband brought all her regular, not so cute onesies, lol.
So…belated congratulations to you. 😉 Your peanut is precious. Excellent packing list. I think I packed just enough stuff. I wasn't too far from home so I felt safe if I forgot anything it was a quick trip back.
With my first baby, I brought half of my house with me. My second was a bit lighter. With my third, I brought my iphone and my planner, and clothes to go home in 🙂
With baby #1, I overpacked for the hospital. By the time #3 got here, I was definitely ready. I'm saving your list to share with some friends who are expecting.
What a great list! I totally over-prepared with baby #1.
Such a precious little one.
That's a great list. I didn't pack a single thing when I had my last child since I was in for an appointment and was rushed to surgery for a c-section. Luckily the hospital provided everything leading to really believe that you don't need half of the stuff you think you do.
I know some people like to bring a mixtape or playlist of special songs to play during the labor/delivery. If you have favorite, soothing music, it can be relaxing.
This is exactly what I needed! I'm going to be packing a bag soon, wow! This pregnancy is going too fast.
Be the author of your own story,
Rebecca
RebeccaKelsey.com