What (was) in my hospital Bag?
Imagine packing for a vacation, but you don't know when you're going to leave and you don't know how many nights you're going to stay. For some spontaneous people who travel a lot, that might seem like a fun little challenge, but for me...it was kind of annoying. After awhile I kind of just went with the whole "throw whatever you can find into the bag" approach...and it seemed to work well, though I did over-pack.
My overnight bag
Top left to right:
- Toiletry bag (see below)
- Underwear (packed lots of extra) and tank tops
- Zip-up hoodies (2) and t-shirts (2)
- 1 pair of pajamas and 1 pair of yoga pants
- Flip-flops for the shower
- Books (ended up not reading them at all...I am aware the controversy over Baby Wise, I am still curious to read it)
- Nursing bras
My Toiletry Bag:
- Sleep mask (didn't use)
- Sanitary pads (didn't need, used what the hospital provided)
- Headbands, hair ties and bobby pins
- Toilet seat covers (didn't need, bathrooms were very clean, but nice to have just in case)
- Prenatal vitamins (didn't need, the hospital provided a daily prenatal vitamin to me)
- Shampoo and conditioner samples that I had on hand
- Travel face lotion
- Toothpaste with travel toothbrush that I threw away when I left
- Lansinoh nipple cream (didn't need right away)
- Face wash
- Deodorant
- Travel hair brush and comb
- Not pictured (makeup bag - just packed the bare essentials)
This came into the hospital with us immediately
- Copy of hospital admitting paperwork that I had previously submitted
- Copy of insurance card, and business card information of chosen pediatrician
- Print out of birth plan
- Ipad
- Cell Phone with portable charger
- Extra sports bra, socks and t-shirt.
- Headphones
- Chapstick
- Hair tie
- Camera
- Various chargers
- Polaroid camera with extra film strips (totally unnecessary but I want to start using more!)
Chris packed a bag as well in case he decided to stay over (he didn't, but I'm glad we were prepared):
- Toiletry bag
- Clothes - jeans, boxers, t-shirts, sweatshirt, socks
- 2 burp cloths (didn't need)
- Gift for Chris (I had him open in the hospital)
- 2 different coming home outfits
- Winter Hat, gloves, and booties for coming home
- 2 pairs of scratch mittens
I also packed a snack bag complete with trail mix, dried apricots, graham crackers, granola bars, roasted almonds, and a water bottle. This DID help! By the time I got to my room the night Natalie was born, the kitchen was closed and I couldn't order anything! I actually wasn't even hungry that day (even though I literally hadn't eaten anything) but I ate a bit of the almonds and trail mix just to give my body something. I was glad to have this, but didn't really need the snacks the rest of the weekend. The nalgene I packed I DID use throughout the weekend. It was helpful to have a big nalgene to fill up with water and keep by my bed.
What did/will you pack in your hospital bag? Did you find that you over-packed as well?
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ReplyDeleteYou were prepared and organized as usual. I, of course, did not pack anything electronic when you and sister were born (lol) but we did have our camera. Very helpful post for mothers-to-be.
ReplyDeleteFunny I had the same little blue brush in my bag, now I actually use it to brush Hunters hair. I didn't use a lot of what I brought either. I didn't even put on real clothes for 2 days because it hurt my Csection scar. One thing we made the mistake of was not packing more stuff for Kristian, we ended up being in the hospital longer than we thought and he didn't want to drive all the way home everyday. He actually ended up wearing some scrubs that the hospital let him have for a day as a change of clothes, he still has the scrubs and likes to wear them around the house. I must admit he looks pretty hot in them. haha. I was amazed with how much our hospital provided and if you have a kid in the NICU they send you home with even more stuff for the baby when you leave. The nurses were filling up bags of diapers and wipes samples, formula, extra bottle nipples. It was great.
ReplyDeleteThis is very helpful for future reference, Laura! I always pack more than I need for vacations, so I'm sure I would do the same thing for the hospital.
ReplyDelete