What's in My Hospital Bag?

Thank you, Milk + Baby, for sponsoring this post. I was selected for this opportunity by Milk + Baby; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

As a first time mom, I have read literally ever blog post there is to read about what to pack in my hospital bag. From this, I have came to one conclusion. Everybody is different. Some hospitals allow you to leave within 24 hours of giving birth. Others make you stay for 48 hours (like mine), and then there are instances with C-sections, premature births, inductions, etc. Each birth is different; therefore, what you pack in your hospital bag is really up to you.

Having a handful of friends that are due right around the same time as us, it was really handy to chat with them about what they pack and the "why" behind it. Even with this though, I knew that it was what worked for them and may not work for us.

For instances, my girlfriend and her husband stressed after giving birth to their baby girl that they overpacked on snacks. Our snack bag is still stuffed to the gils. My husband likes to snack, and frankly, I do too. I want to make sure that our snacks are healthy and not from a hospital vending machine. I also know that we may not eat all of them at the hospital. I am completely okay with this. We will be home for a week together on paternity/maternity leave (I'm taking more obviously) and what we do not eat in the hospital will be easy, grab-and-go snacks that are healthy.

Our Hospital Bag

Diaper Bag

• Swaddle :: Swaddling is great to keep your kiddo feeling safe, secure, and warm.
• Nursing Cover :: I know there will be tons of visitors and with that, I do not want to have to kick everybody out of the room each time our little guy needs to feed. I am in love with both nursing covers that I own and cannot wait to try them out!
• Going Home Outfit :: I cannot wait to dress our little guy up in this I'm New Here onesie! It is absolutely perfect!
• Boppy :: To help with nursing needs and tired arms.
• Mittens :: So he does not scratch himself when he is outside of the swaddle.
• Baby Book :: Our hospital will do foot prints inside of the baby book if you provide it so in the hospital bag in goes!
• Hat :: To keep his head warm if we need to.
• Extra Outfits :: Since we are going to be there for at least 48 hours after birth, I packed an outfit or two for him during our stay. I want to make sure that his going home outfit stays clean for pictures and such so a few extra outfits are a necessity.

Mommy's Bag

• Hospital Gown :: I am overjoyed by my Milk + Baby nursing gown! It is the perfect alternative to the old hospital gown. I have seen my fair sure of pictures of gals in those standard hospital gowns and really wanted my own! This one offers me modesty but also has snaps down the back to cover from top to bottom along with off shoulder snaps on both sides allowing for easy breastfeeding & immediate skin to skin contact with our new baby.
• Robe :: I am a fairly modest person. Some of my nursing camis, nursing gowns, etc. that I packed really do not have the coverage I would like when guests are in and out of our room after birth. I found a robe similar to this one that I just love! It will be great to lounge in around the house once we get home as well.
• Nursing Pajamas :: For easy nursing access along with comfort for after birth. I packed a little bit of everything not really knowing what to expect. Something that isn't tight on my stomach. Something warm just in case I'm freezing, and something to lounge in in case I'm hot. Most importantly, I made sure that all of my tops were nursing friendly so I was not flashing everybody each time our little dude wants to eat.
• Nursing Bra :: Knowing I will be there more than one day with our 48 hour policy, I packed two bras for nursing.
• Granny Panties :: Confession. I actually had to go and buy a second set of these for the hospital. I am in love with these underwear and how comfortable they have been for the last few weeks. As my hips, butt, and thighs have gained weight along with my belly, I was dying for something a bit more seamless with less lace and frills. These are so perfect!
• Postpartum Girdle :: I cannot wait to use my Belly Bandit! They say for maximum effect, it should be worn immediately after birth, so in my hospital bag it goes!
• Going Home Outfit :: Although our home is about five minutes from our hospital, I wanted to go home in something semi-cute... or more so less, I just rolled out of a hospital bed look. I actually haven't packed this one yet because I am really hoping to just know what I want to wear in the moment going out of the house. Plus many of my tanks I wear on a daily basis and could not really give up for weeks on end to put inside my bag.
• Flip Flops :: If you choose to shower in the hospital, you will want flip flops to wear inside of the shower, for obvious reasons. I also am packing my Sanuks in place of traditional slippers. Although many lists state to pack house slippers, I have never been a slipper person, more a flip flop person. My Sanuks do not do well in water (they suds up!), so two pairs of flip flops for me!
• Toiletries :: Toothbrush, Brush, Mascara, Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Hair Dryer, Straightener, Hair Ties, Lotion (and yes, some of this may sound like wants, not needs, but I feel so much more alive with mascara and a straightener that it makes sense for me.)
• Documents :: ID, Wallet, Insurance Card, Completed Cord Blood Bank Form (12 pages to fill out ahead of time!?)
• CamelBak :: I drink my water SO much better with this thing in front of me. I love my CamelBak and it goes with me pretty much whenever I leave the house. I cannot imagine our hospital stay without it.

Daddy's Bag

• Pajamas/Lounge Clothes :: Something that he can change into after birth and as visitors come and go. Again, being there for 48 hours after birth really determined that we needed a change of clothes for dad.
• Flip Flops :: Same reason. Showering and helping me shower.
• Going Home Outfit :: For pictures primarily. 🙂
• Yeti :: Just like my CamelBak, Dusty loves his Yeti.

Extras

• Car Seat :: To take our little guy home in! The base is already installed so we do not have to worry about that when we head home.
• Pineapple Juice :: Pineapple juice has been known to be a lifesaver when breastfeeding. Honestly, I am a little anxious about having a low supply so I would like to do anything I can to keep my milk in a healthy status.
• Chocolate Almond Milk :: Again, almonds are known to help with breastfeeding. I am also slightly allergic to regular milk. This option is great because it does not have to be refrigerated until time to drink it and will help with my supply!
• Digital SLR Camera + Accessories :: Pictures!
• iPad + Charger :: Entertainment needs. Not that a baby isn't going to take up all of our love and attention, Dusty and I really enjoy our social media. It also houses our e-reader library, Netflix, Amazon Video, etc. We also have the cables that allow us to hook it up to a standard television if we want to play music and movies.
• iPhone + Chargers :: Obviously, a need.
• Snacks :: Along with pineapple juice and almond milk, I packed a variety of protein bars, trail mix, and a few sweets to snack on. Again, we may not eat them all, but everything keeps so nicely for that first week home as well.