My first time around at the hospital for delivery I was so unsure what to pack. I think I pinned every checklist I came across on Pinterest. I was lucky enough to know what day I was giving birth and knew what day to be ready. Of course, my water could’ve broke before my scheduled date and well…it did, kinda.
Let’s walk down memory lane shall we? I was scheduled for a c section with my first born. I packed everything I could think of into multiple bags. The night before, I laid all the bags out by the door. My stomach was cramping and I was pacing through out the house, all while finding more items to stuff into my bag. My stomach continued to cramp but tomorrow was THE DAY, it was my nerves getting the best of me. Hindsight is 20/20 and I know now that these “cramps” were the beginning of my contractions.
Sometime passed midnight I finally slipped into bed. My husband was of course already snoring away. I continued to add items to my notes on my phone with things I needed to remember to grab. I was supposed to be at the hospital by 10:30AM. I set my alarm for 8AM to give myself time to do anything I still had to do.
Fast forward to around 6ish, I suddenly woke up to a gush of “water” in my bed. I turned to my husband, grabbed his arm and shook him awake. I calmly said to him, “Honey I think my water broke”. His panic then kicked in. He jumped out of bed and I don’t remember seeing him for the next 15-20 mins. He was running around the house “doing stuff”. I started texting and calling all those needed and then jumped into the shower. My husband made an appearance at this point with a look of panic on his face. “What are you doing? This is not the time to take a shower!”. I calmly told him that I felt fine and I was not getting in the car “like this” with hand motions signaling to my lower half.
Once I was out of the shower and getting dressed, it HIT ME… HARD! My contractions were full force and only a few short minutes apart. At this point I was at the door pacing an waiting for my husband. However, he apparently found this point as a time to calmly find a matching pair to his sock. I will spare you my feelings about those socks and the words shared at that moment.
Fast forward to the end of the day with a happy healthy little girl now taking over our world. I soon realized that many things I packed…I didn’t need. Things I realized I needed…I didn’t pack. Here is my 2nd time around sure bet list of items that I know I needed, used and would definitely ensure to pack again.
I’ve listed everything below with links to all the items I packed!
Hospital Bag Checklist- PDF printable
For Mom:
Nursing Bras- I knew I was going to be breastfeeding and I wanted the best of the best for my bras. I didn’t want wires or fuss. I wanted to be comfortable and I wanted good quality. These bras would be worn 24/7. Yes, I sleep in my bras when I am breast feeding. How else do you contain those jugs? My choice was obvious, Bravado Nursing Bras. I got the Buttercup and Ballet designs. The Buttercup Nursing Bra is designed for day and Ballet for night. Both bras are incredibly soft fabrics and unbelievably comfortable to wear. Both bras are designed to transition from maternity to nursing.
C Panty Underwear– After giving birth you no longer have that hard and cute belly. You have a loose and giggly belly. When you walk it feels REALLY weird. What I found that helps the best, was to wear these over my granny panties to hold me in. It made me feel so much more comfortable, not only just to walk around, but in my clothes as well.
ID & insurance card- I used a phone case that held these two items in the case and that was all that I walked in carrying.
COZY SLIPPERS with soles- If you have a c section then you are aware that they have you stand and walk around the hospital as much as you possibly can. I took a stroll with the bassinet as my crutch. These slippers made it so that I didn’t slip or lose my footing in any way.
FLIP FLOPS– Those showers are not like your home, they are like locker rooms. Wearing flip flops is highly suggested and should not be forgotten.
NIPPLE CREAM– If you have ever breastfed before you know why this is needed. If you have not yet, then you’ll soon realized why I suggest this.
NURSING TOPS– Again, Bravado for the win with this one. Their Dream tops are just that. The Dream Nursing Tank is the ultimate nursing bra and tank in one that provides full length style and full time support. You can wear it alone with your favorite jeans, or under a sweater with a cozy pair of leggings.
BREAST PADS– No one likes to see two wet spots on your top of course.
LOOSE PANTIES– Can we first laugh at the fact that I just used the word panties? Ok, now that I have cracked myself up, back to what I bought. These are higher waisted loose “granny panties”. I purchased a pack that was larger than what I would normally wear. I tossed them after wearing them.
CARDIGAN- This was a hands down fave. I wore it all day and night. Hospitals are cold and this is the coziest sweater I own. Not kidding, I just bought 3 more for my mom, my aunt and my best friend, because they all loved it so much. The one I own is no longer available so I have linked a similar one.
PAJAMAS- I chose loose fitting “moo moos” to sleep in. When you have a c section they come in every few hours and change your pad and push down on your uterus. Having to undress every time is not happening.
SOCKS- Luckily, I have a pretty great bestie who stocked me up on super comfy socks with grip at the bottom for me to rock while laid up.
ROBE- My all time fave robe is the one I got from Pink Blush. I wore it during pregnancy, at the hospital and I have continued to wear it at home. It is light enough that I am comfortable wearing it at any time.
For the new babe:
Swaddle
Muslin Blanket
Going Home Outfit
Zip UP Onsies- Trust me, ain’t nobody got time for those 56 snaps and buttons right now!
Car Seat
Blanket- I swear by our Bebe Au Lait blankets in this house. My first born still uses hers daily, like every nap and every bedtime type of daily.
Toiletries:
This is the photo I shared on my IG stories while I was at the hospital.
Makeup wipes- My fave is Neutrogena, it is my HG (aka holy grail).
Eye serum, Day & Night Cream, Hand & Nail Butter- I am a skincare junkie and being away from home does not change things. In fact being in a cold, dry place where I am getting little to no sleep is not the place to forget it either. I packed all my fave TULA goodies. Use code BALANCING20 for 20% off your order!
Dry shampoo- My personal fave is Klorane
Chapstick/ Lip Balm- My fave are those cute EOS Balm
Glasses/Contacts
Hair Ties
Deodorant
Makeup- All I packed was IT Cosmetics CC cream and ByeBye UnderEye
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Hair Brush
Travel Mirror- You may not want to get up and get to the bathroom and you’ll want to be able to clean yourself up from the water works that is new motherhood 🙂
Sensitive Body Wash– Don’t bring anything fancy or with scent. I actually packed a travel size of my daughters wash for me and my husband to use.
Dad:
Blanket
Clothes
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Flip Flops
Other:
Big Brother/Sister gifts
Camera
Chargers
Hand Sanitizer
Snacks
Was there anything that I didn’t pack that you did and think I should include? Let me know! 🙂
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