Hospital Bag Must Haves

I'm just now getting around to sharing my hospital bag must haves with you... a YEAR after my baby was born is better late than never - right??  I read so many lists before packing my hospital bags and think I've come up with the perfect list.  I'm an over packer and love knowing that I'm over prepared so my list reflects that.  Typically you'll stay 2-3 nights for a textbook delivery, but we all know that you can easily end up staying longer for a variety of reasons.  I stayed 4 nights because my baby was having issues maintaining her blood sugar so here are my must haves: 

Hospital Bag Must Haves by polkadottyplace featuring Vera Bradley

The hospital will provide you with mesh underware, pads, robes, blankets, pillows, meds, food and very basic toiletries.  That's technically everything you'll NEED, but I knew that I would be most comfortable with my favorite things.  I packed everything I would normally use in my daily routine.

FOR MOM:

1. comfy pjs, light robe, socks, yoga pants, sports and nursing bras, flip flops and slippers.

2. make-up, face wash, moisturizer, brush, flat iron and hair ties all organized in pouches to keep everything in your small room tidy.

3. cell phone, charger, extension cord (because the outlets are in odd locations)

4. fully charged camera, video camera, wallet & pen for paperwork

5. Bring your own pillow - a friend gave me this advice and it was a game changer!!  You'll be sitting a lot and the hospital pillows are pretty hard.  I know that I slept better and was more comfortable because I had my own pillow.

6. Snacks - you'll be starving after delivery and the hospital food won't quite cut it - granola bars, trail mix, mints, gum and candy.

7. Extra bags to carry home things the hospital gives you

FOR DAD:

*We lived close enough to the hospital that my husband went home to shower & check on the cats so he didn't pack much to bring to the hospital.

1. pajamas

2. his own pillow

3. phone, charger, tablet

4. change of clothes

5. snacks - trail mix, chex mix, chips, beef jerky and granola bars

FOR BABY:

*My hospital does a professional newborn photo shoot in your room if you are interested so I was thankful to have a pink swaddle blanket and headbands to choose from.

1. Going home outfit - not a dress because it'll be too hard to put them in their carseat

2. Headbands and hats

3. soft swaddle blankets

4. pacifier 

5. a few things to decorate the baby's bassinet - I had a bunting with Olive's name on it and the nurses all complimented her personalized bed.

6. car seat safely installed in your car - my hospital had us carry in her seat and then check to make sure she was buckled in correctly before discharging us.

I packed and DID NOT USE the following items: 

1. my boppy - hospital pillows worked just fine

2. over sized underwear - I just wore the hospital ones

3. video camera - I used my phone instead

4. magazines/reading material - I had no interest in light reading

5. outfits for the baby - my hospital wanted the baby to wear their clothes and use their blankets for easy access to her so I didn't get to dress her until we were about ready to go home.  I'd only bring a going home outfit with a few head accessories.

6. Journal / my planner

7. Lots of lotions for me and for the baby - the hospital will give you anything the baby needs and any creams you might need for breast feeding.  I just used hand lotion and was fine.

8. Only bring 2-3 pairs of pjs/comfy outfits and don't worry about bringing real clothes.

Anything else you'd recommend??

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