What you really need in your hospital baby bag!

Are you ready for you baby? Well I don’t know if any one can ever truly be ready, but you can at least get your hospital bag ready. Right?

Well let me tell you about my experiences so far and what I brought for both of my kiddos! (It may just surprise you)

I’ll start this off by saying that my first hospital bag was different than my second, I realized that I didn’t need some things and that other things would have been nice to have the second go around. My son (1st baby) was born at 37 weeks and 5 days, so a bit earlier than expected! And shockingly enough, I had the bag packed and ready for a week! I was in the nesting phase the week before he arrived and when I packed the bag I definitely shoved things in that I did not need and I only touched because they needed moved in order to find my phone charger. (essential thing to bring, you’ll want pictures straight away)

I threw blankets (yes, plural) burp rags, diapers, wipes, a stuffed animal, baby shoes, countless outfits, simply because I couldn’t decide what he should wear, and extra clothes for me. Now that may not seem like a ton but for an overnight (or two) trip… it was too much, and unnecessary things were in the mix! But I didn’t know what I was doing, first time mom who looked at too many Pinterest posts about what to bring, and between my bags (yes, also plural), and my boyfriend bringing his Xbox along, it was like we were going on vacation, and that’s not what it felt like, trust me!

So let me tell you what I brought with me for my daughters arrival! (I’ll give you a hint, it all fit in my purse!)

Bag contents for after delivery :

1. Baby’s going home outfit (newborn and one bigger just in case your baby is bigger than expected)

2. Baby blanket to lay over him/her in the car seat when you leave (babies get chilled easy)

3. Hair brush/comb

4. Toothbrush and paste

5. Hair clip/ties

6. Phone and charger

That is it for essentials. The hospital provides you with diapers, and things to wipe your babies butt, your baby will only need a going home outfit because they will be swaddled the whole time you’re at the hospital and the nurses need to easily be able to check vitals so clothing them will only be in the way. (Especially if your nurses are run ragged and stretched thin because there were 5 babies born the same day as yours!)

There was one thing that I asked to be brought in for me and that was my nursing pillow, now that is not necessary and it does take up space but I found it more comfortable than using just the hospital pillow to help hold up my baby while nursing.

Another tip, wear baggy clothes, sweats and shirt/sweatshirt and sandals or slippers, no one cares what you look like going in or coming out, they can see that you just gave birth! So be comfy. You’ll also need that comfort because you’ll be very very sore *down there* and even more so if you needed stitches. But you’ll be wearing probably the same clothes when you go home because for the most part, you’ll be in the hospital gown, (again, easier on your nurses because they have to check you many times for the mandatory 24hrs you’re there.)

And now, for the best thing I could have ever bought, Thinx period underwear. I bought them in advance knowing how much I hated wearing adult diapers after I had my son. I still used a pad in them because you don’t want your stitches catching in the fabric, plus you basically change your pads out every time you pee. TMI I know. But honestly, get them. Worth every penny and wayyyy more comfortable than disposable diapers. (Less embarrassing as well!) But I wore them when I left the hospital and it made me feel so much more confident and comfortable, I didn’t wear them during my stay because why waste laundry when they provide everything for you?

For after you go home, make sure you buy heavy flow pads, and also a good supply of panty liners, you could be bleeding and passing lochia for quite som time after birth and you’ll want a good stock pile so you don’t have to leave the house or worry about someone else picking up the wrong items!

Good luck mama! You’ll do great and remember, you are strong and courageous, you can do this. And congratulations on creating a beautiful soul! Stay strong!

~A