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It’s your first baby and everything is so overwhelming and now you have to pack for the hospital. Not only are you packing for yourself, but you’re also packing for a new little baby that you’re going to meet pretty soon! Here are my top 10 items to pack in your hospital bag:
- Your birth plan, insurance, & ids – If you have a birth plan, make sure you have extra copies so you can share your plan with everyone on your medical team. (I like to put my partner in charge of the ‘official documents’ so I can worry about the comfort items)
- Phone/iPad charger with a LONG cord – One of the first things you’re going to do is start taking adorable selfies with your new baby and sending them to friends and family! You can’t do that if your phone is almost at 0%. So make sure you have a phone charger with a LONG cord!
- Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash – This might seem like a weird one, but after laboring for hours (days!) and sitting in a bed, I couldn’t wait to get up and take a shower with my own supplies from home. Close your eyes and let that hot water relax your body. You deserve a mini spa in the hospital bathroom!
- Comfortable PJs and nurse top – Hospitals gowns are scratchy. They’re also not very functional once you’ve had the baby. Who wants to basically be naked when feeding their baby? Splurge and get your self some comfortable PJs/Lounge wear with a built in nursing top. You’ll look, and feel more comfortable when visitors come to meet your new baby!
- Postpartum Underwear – The hospital will give you some lovely mesh underwear to wear after you’ve given birth. Some women have no problem wearing them, but others (like myself) prefer the dignity of real underwear!
- Snacks – you’re nursing a new baby and you’re going to be hungry! Bring some comfort food from home to make your hospital stay a little more enjoyable. Treat yourself with something sweet and salty!
- Baby’s going home outfit! Don’t bother making a whole weeks worth of clothes for your baby. One outfit will do! I found that I really just kept my baby swaddled in a blanket while we were in the hospital and didn’t dress my baby until we were headed home. Save yourself the stress, and pack light!
- Swaddle Blankets – the hospital will wrap your baby in the ‘standard’ hospital blanket that is stiff and has probably been washed and used on 100 babies already. Bring your own swaddle blanket but keep track of it! It’s easy to loose a swaddle blanket in those hospital sheets!
- Poppy newborn feeding pillow – Boppy’s are a great aid when it comes to breastfeeding, but they’re also a great item to have when you’re cuddling with your baby and your arm gets sore! Trust me… babies are adorable, but they do get heavy. Use your boppy to prop your arm up while snuggling your new baby.
- Car Seat – You won’t be allowed to leave the hospital without a car seat! Take the time to get your car seat properly installed and learn how tight the straps should be when you buckle your baby in. I don’t know why, but the car seat was the scariest part for me. I made my partner strap both our kids in. I just felt like I was squishing them!
THE NUMBER ONE THING YOU DO NOT NEED TO PACK IN YOUR HOSPITAL BAG:
DIAPERS & WIPES – the hospital will provide you with plenty of diapers and wipes while you’re in the hospital. Check the baby cart before you leave and pack those diapers in your bag before you leave!
The hospital will also provide you with sanitary pads for after the birth. Take advantage and use what they provide!
Now that we’ve covered what to pack in your hospital bag, how about checking one more item off your to-do list! Let’s book your newborn session – I can’t wait to meet you and your little one!
