Now that I am officially 35 weeks pregnant, it is also officially time to have my hospital bag all packed up & ready to go! Being the planner I am, I started working on this at the very beginning of the 3rd trimester. I finally have everything washed, organized & packed, and we are all ready to go (just in case Mason decides to make his entrance a little sooner than we are expecting!)
I compiled my own hospital bag checklist by doing just this, reading through all my favorite bloggers' hospital bag posts and deciding what I thought I needed. Being the notorious over-planner & over-packer that I am, this may just be the hospital bag post to end all hospital bag posts. Because (I will be the first to admit) I packed A LOT. 3 bags worth to be exact! And this is a super detailed sneak peak into what's in my hospital bag...err...bags!)
Yea, yea...you heard me right. I packed 3 bags. But for me, this just seems like the most systematic and organized way. The first bag is what I'm calling, the Labor Bag. For this, I am using my thirty-one essential storage tote. It's not very big, and still pretty light after being filled up. Technically, this is the only bag that we really need to bring into the hospital AT FIRST, because this is all the stuff we will need while I am actually in labor & delivery. (All the rest can wait until afterwards!) Here is what this bag contains:
Baby Be Mine Delivery Gownie - So I can labor & deliver in style! This is quite obviously not a necessity (you can just use the gown provided by the hospital.) But, I know this will make me feel that much better about myself during the process. Here is the one I got!
A pair of comfy socks & flip flops - I am planning on wearing my super cozy white ankle socks during labor/delivery, because that's what sounds comfy to me. But I stuck the flip flops in there in case I'm feeling too hot, or that's just what I'm wanting at the time. (The flip flops will also double as shower shoes for after delivery.)
A hair tie, hair clip, and bobby pins - In uncomfortable situations, I tend to want my hair out of my face. Not sure why, but that's the first thing that will drive me nuts. So I packed a small cosmetic bag with stuff to keep my hair back, plus the next few items...
Chapstick - This one was recommended by our Lamaze instructor. Breathing exercises & hospital air for hours...it's a must have!
Lemonheads & Mints - Another recommendation from our Lamaze instructor. She told us to bring things to suck on, to keep our mouth moist. She specifically mentioned Lemonheads & mints...so of course, I just packed both!
Colgate wisps & gum - in case either of us (hubby or I) feel like we need to freshen our breath. Just figured it might be needed after hours of laboring.
Contact cases, solution & glasses - this one is for hubby only, since I don't wear glasses. I just threw a contact case and a travel solution into the little bag in case he feels like switching to his glasses.
A comfy outfit for hubby - I packed Greg his favorite sweatpants and a comfy v-neck so he can change and be comfy and ready for the long haul!
A pair of socks & underwear for hubby - again, just for his comfort/convenience during the labor & delivery process.
3-7 dry snacks - I packed a few granola bars, pringles snack packs, etc. mainly for hubby. The hospital will not let me eat during labor, but that doesn't mean Greg has to go starving! I wanted to make sure I had a few things in there for him to snack on and keep his energy up. Plus, I may be grabbing for one of those Cliff bars after I deliver and am feeling ravenous!
DVDs and/or Calming Music - Our hospital has DVD players in every L&D room, and they told us we could bring DVDs if we wanted to help pass the time. I packed Gilmore Girls Season 6 (of course!) and the movie Life As We Know It. I also packed headphones to use with my phone if I need to zone out to some music.
Camera & Phone with chargers - no explanation needed here. I would probably panic if I didn't have my iPhone.
Baby book for footprints - our hospital reminded us to bring the baby book as they will put the baby's footprints in there right after birth. They also tell the daddy-to-be to bring a shirt of his choice that they will footprint. This would have absolutely been the one thing I would NOT have thought of on my own...so I'm glad we know & will get them!
IMPORTANT: If you are not planning on bringing your whole purse to the hospital, don't forgot to throw your wallet into this bag on the way out, so that you have your ID and insurance card!
Next up is the Postpartum Bag. This is the big guy. It's essentially just my bag. I am using this Polka Dot Print Weekender Bag from Target. It holds everything that I will need for my mini hospital 'getaway' of 2-3 days + all my postpartum needs. Because we (luckily) live within 5 minutes of our hospital...after labor & delivery is over, Greg will be going back and forth to our house to take care of himself, the pets, etc. So I really didn't need to pack anything more for him. What I did instead was iron and hang an outfit for him for each day, so he has clothes ready that match with baby and me! However, there is still room in the bag if I had needed to pack these things (like you would if your home is not close to your hospital and your hubby does not plan on leaving until you do). Here's what's in this one:
2 nursing bras (different types) - I packed one underwire one with some good support for during the day, and a comfy one for night.
The Belly Bandit- Another non-necessity, but this is something I have definitely been wanting to try and plan to start using the day after delivery. They are meant to help shrink your waist and hips (and uterus) back down after pregnancy and basically just hold everything in. (I hear these are really great for c-section mamas as well!) I bought the Original, which you can find right here.
Hanes Hi-Cuts cotton underwear - There is a first time for everything ladies! So cheers to my first pack of legit granny panties! I just bought the highest-waisted pack of Hanes cotton underwear I could find (in one size larger than I would normally need.) These will work great with my...
Always Overnight Maxi Pads with Wings (extra heavy flow) - PP bleeding happens, and while the flow and duration is different for every woman...it sounds like a pack of these will work well for those first few days. (The hospitals also provide you with something...a mesh underwear sort of thing? But I only plan on using their stuff if I run out of my own)
4 pairs of comfy socks - just several extra pairs of my favorite white ankle socks
Slippers - I'm just bringing these for a little extra comfort while walking around our room with my swollen postpartum feetsies.
A pillow - Because have you seen the ones they supply you with in the room? And I figured Greg might want to use it for sleeping/napping in his chair there. Plus I had to use the cute matching pillowcase that came with my delivery gownie!
Prenatal vitamins - gotta keep taking them, even after baby comes!
All essential toiletries - I packed my Vera Bradley hanging travel organizer full of all the essentials (in travel size). A loofa, dry shampoo, regular shampoo, body wash, travel razor, body lotion & deodorant in one compartment. Face cleansing clothes, a mini dove beauty bar, face lotion, 2 toothbrushes (one for both of us), toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, hairspray and q-tips in another. The top compartment has my comb and a few pieces of jewelry I plan to wear after delivery.
Makeup bag - My regular little makeup bag with just my essentials, nothing fancy. Yes, I do intend to do my makeup while I'm there...I'm one of those women. But it seriously only takes me a few minutes.
A hair brush - self explanatory
Blow dryer, straightener/curling iron - I'm also one of those women who plans on doing my hair while I am there. My hair is thin and takes less than 10 minutes...so it's not a big ordeal for me. At the very least, I will let my hair air dry and eventually get around to taking 2 minutes to straighten it.
Mommy's going home outfit - Since I'm pretty positive it's going to be pretty stinkin' hot when we head home...I decided to pack the dress that I wore for my baby shower from Motherhood Maternity. It will be lightweight and easy peasy, but look nice at the same time. (I don't want to go home looking like an absolute slob kabob!)
Side note: lots of hospital bag posts recommend bringing a robe for yourself. I decided to forgo this since I am not a robe wearer and the clothes I have packed will cover enough so that I won't feel the need to cover up anymore. But this is where I would have packed one if I was going to.
Finally, we have the Baby Bag! This bag is for anything we will need for Mason + any breastfeeding needs (since that is what I am planning on doing.) For this one, I used my diaper bag! The Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy in Earl Grey, which you can find here. Here is what's inside:
2-3 different swaddling blankets - Along with using the hospital blanket, I packed a couple different swaddling blankets that match with his different outfits and in case he may have a preference for one over the other. I included one muslin swaddle & one flannel receiving blanket.
2 going home outfit options - I am bringing one option (our preference) in a newborn size and an extra option in size 0-3 months (because most newborn sized clothing only goes up to 8 pounds.) Although we know they have estimated that Mason will be right around 7.2-7.5 pounds if I went full-term...it's still pretty hard for them to really get an accurate number on this. So just in case he ends up being a little bigger, we have an option that will definitely fit him. (I also threw in one white side snap shirt for underneath the outfit so he is going home in his own)
Going home blanket - I put a light thermal blanket in his bag that will match with either going home outfit. When you head home with baby, they like to see that he is fully dressed with a hat covering his head, mittens & socks (if the outfit doesn't have them attached), and a blanket to go on top. Because I know it will still be pretty hot out, I don't want to overheat him. So I packed all light things, with the muslin swaddle as a back up in case it's really scorching!
Baby hats - I packed 3. One to match with each outfit! This way, I know I have one that he can go home in, and two others I can use during the hospital stay if I so choose.
2 pairs of mittens - to avoid scratches to his precious face if he isn't wearing something with built-in mittens
2 pairs of baby socks- to keep those adorable little feet warm if he isn't wearing something with built-in footies
Hand sanitizer - I know the hospital has the hand sanitizer right outside every door, but I brought my BabyGanics one. (For our convenience and just to give an extra little hint to visitors that they should be sanitizing their hands before they hold our newborn!)
Nursing pillow - This is a must since I'm planning on breastfeeding! These first few days in the hospital are going to be critical in establishing this relationship and routine with him.
Any other nursing needs - This includes my nursing cover, disposable nursing pads, gel soothie pads, lanolin cream, and my breastfeeding bands (These are just those elastic hair bands. You wear one on the wrist you last fed on, to help your sleep-deprived self remember which boob to use the next time!)
A couple different pacifiers - As long as we aren't having issues with breastfeeding, I plan to introduce a pacifier while we are there. Pacifiers help reduce the risk of SIDS by 90%! Most babies will have a preference and even reject certain pacifiers, so I brought 2 different options.
Any props for professional pics - (a special blanket, hat, etc.) We have a photo shoot lined up for after we return home with our choice of professional photographer. However, our hospital offers a 15 minute complimentary photo session on the baby's first full day of life. Since it is complimentary, with no obligation to purchase...we are going to go ahead and do it, just in case we get a really great shot! I packed two other blankets (a personalized one I received as a gift, and one that I just love) specifically for this photo shoot.
Last but not least, although this does not go in any bag, it is super, duper important. Baby's car seat! Make sure you have it installed in your car (and checked by a certified installer) well before you make your way to the hospital for labor & delivery. They will have daddy bring the car seat up when it's time for discharge, and that is the only way you're getting out of there with your baby!
Well...if that isn't the longest blog post in history! This literally took me DAYS to write. But I wanted to be super thorough...and I hope it helps. If you have made it this far in the post...here is my gift to you! My hospital bag checklist all in one easy to print & use document. (I checked the second column as I accumulated and set aside everything I needed and then the third column once it was actually washed and packed in it's rightful bag.)
2 final quick notes:
All the products shown in the pictures are exacts of what I have or have purchased.
There are obviously a few items that will have to be packed at the very last minute (ID and insurance card (aka my wallet), my makeup & hair tools, prenatal vitamins, and Greg's glasses). A little tip for remembering these things: Stick a big old post-it on the big bag with that list so you will see it, grab that stuff and throw it in before heading out the door!
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