WHAT TO pack IN A hospital BAG FOR YOU and baby [10 MUST-HAVES!]

feeling a bit lost on what to pack in a hospital bag? I got you, mama, I have been there before! In fact, I pushed it off so long during my first pregnancy that we ended up showing as much as the hospital with only a leftover bag of chips from lunch that day (to our credit, he did arrive 4 weeks early).

That being said, on the next child, I made sure I was fully prepared. So, let’s do this mamas! here is a complete guide of what to pack in a hospital bag and when to pack it. 

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What to pack in a hospital Bag for You and Baby

Here’s my biggest tip; don’t stress too much! While it’s nice to have everything packed and ready to go it won’t be the end of the world if for some reason you do not have it all. I’ve been there, done that and we were just fine! Luckily, pretty much all you need to give birth is your vagina! The rest of this stuff is all for your comfort and convenience.

How to choose a hospital Bag

Of course, you could just use any old duffle bag you have lying around. but hey, maybe you’re in the market for a new bag and this is the perfect reason to buy one so here are some great options.

However, I do recommend looking into the diaper bag options on this list. If you choose one of these, you are killing two birds with one stone. Not to mention a diaper bag has tons of different pockets which will make it easy for you to keep everything organized.

When to pack Your hospital Bag

It’s totally as much as you! I would recommend having it done before you hit 38 weeks just in case your bit one makes a bit of an early appearance. It’s never good to go into labor feeling completely unprepared. If you are a high-risk pregnancy or pregnant with multiples, think about packing around 35 weeks just to be ready for anything! Once everything is all packed, have it waiting by the door or pack it in the car.

While you will probably be packing for baby and dad as well, focus on yourself first when packing your hospital bag. After all, you are the one doing all the hard work during this stay and you want to be as comfortable as possible. having everything you need and want will make you the happiest and calmest version of yourself.

What to pack in a hospital Bag for Mom

A warm robe– It doesn’t matter if it’s new or old, just make sure it’s comfy and you are willing to sacrifice it.
Layered lightweight comfy clothing– I cannot stress the comfy thing enough. Also, hospital temperatures can greatly vary so it’s good to have some layerable items like a cardigan. It’s also a good idea to pack a few nightgowns of your own because they will make you feel human, unlike the hospital ones.
Going home outfit… because after it all, you and your new baby get to finally go home together! remember you will likely still have a bit of bump, so plan this attire accordingly.
2 or 3 pairs of socks– You will ideally get to do some walking during and after labor around the hospital halls.
Slippers & flip Flops– Your feet are going to be swollen. I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you that this probably won’t go away right after labor either, so these will be your best shoe options. Plus, remember those dorm room showers? Well, the hospital showers have the possibility of being just as bad so flip flops are required.
1 maternity bra
Bakım pedi
Lanolin or another Nipple Cream
3 pairs of Ruinable Underwear
Headband/scrunchie/ponytail holder
Travel Sized Toiletries– This includes; toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, your favorite lotion, contacts lens case/solution, eyeglasses, hairbrush, makeup (it’s okay to want to feel confident and pretty during your hospital stay!)
Cell phone and charger
Insurance information and hospital forms
fotoğraflı kimlik
Birth plan– I recommend writing one, even if it’s just super simple! It will help you have the experience you want.
Sugar free candies to keep your mouth moist
Snacks– bring all your guilty pleasures, abandon the diet plans at least for this stay
Pillow– everyone has different taste in pillows, but I think most would agree hospital pillows are not ideal so bring one you love and put it in a distinguishable pillowcase.
A bath towel
Purse/wallet

What to pack in a hospital Bag for Baby

Coming home outfit– Bring 1 newborn size and 1 one to three-month size because there’s truly no understanding what size your bit one will be.
2 white onesies – I like long sleeve kimono onesies with the built-in hand mits for my newborns.
1 Hat
Socks or Booties
Scratch Mittens (or just use the socks!)
Blankets– One warm blanket and some for swaddling
Boppy
Approved infant car Seat– So, this might not quite in shape in the bag but you will want to have it ready to go either in the car or near your things.

What to pack in a hospital Bag for Dad

Camera and camera charger
Cell phone and charger
2 changes of clothes and underclothing
Travel Sized Toiletries– This includes; toothbrush, deodorant, contact lens case/solution, glasses
Light reading or iPad with pre downloaded shows/movies to watch
Headphones
Folder– put dad in charge of keeping track of all paperwork the physicians give you and the baby during your stay. If everything gets in a folder, you’re a lot less likely to lose anything.
Cüzdan
Snacks– Bring him his favorites so he will stay away from yours!

What was your hospital bag must-have?

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Pin for later – Absolute Musts! What to pack in a hospital Bag for You and the Baby!

I schedule weekly dates WITH EACH kid

look at that face. Bebeğim nerede? | Photo: Denna Bendall

A couple months back, my family kicked off weekly dinner dates for one-on-one kid-parent combinations. Every Tuesday night, a pair of us has a night out together while the rest of us eat at home. because we are five busy people with two parents and three children, I geeked out to make a formal six-week rotation and plugged it into our google calendar:

Mommy – Sawyer (4)

Daddy – Milo (8)

Mommy – Holden (10)

Daddy – Sawyer

Mommy – Milo

Daddy – Holden

(and then you repeat… forever until they still come back from college for dinner every two weeks!)

What’s so terrific about special kid dates?

It has been wonderful all around. Each of the children really looks forward to getting a night out at a restaurant they choose with focused individual attention from their favorite grown-ups. As I dutifully learned in siblings Without Rivalry, we never talk about the ones that are not there.

So far, the preschooler has went to a new-to-him Mexican restaurant (unfamiliar quesadillas!), funky diner (someone put whipped cream on his pancake!), and the new board game cafe in town; he likes to pick a new Transformer to join us in case we get into any trouble (Chase, above, is trying to keep us from cheating at games).

Milo, on the other hand, has chosen the game cafe each time loving the familiarity and that he gets to purchase grilled cheese and choose all the games he wants without having to agree with big or little brother. imagined below is the eleventeenth time we ran the MouseTrap course before getting it to really work!

At age 10, Holden has been much more prepared to try new foods and places. Yes, he also had a week at the game cafe but he chose pizza, Mexican, and the local hibachi place, too. He asked me this week why we couldn’t do special kid dates every night because they’re so great. If only we had the money and time, kid…

So, what’s the problem with these special kid dates?

Aside from the finite quantities of both money and time to check out all the restaurants in town; we’ve discovered one repeating pattern each week. After we get home from so much fun we’re both skipping with glee, shit gets real. It is bedtime and one of us is done being a super-awesome parent and the other of us is so wound up, bedtime is the last thing he wants to do.

And the parent says, “We had so much fun, why do you have to destroy it?” and the child stomps off slamming doors as he goes. and scene.

pssst. When we become parents, I also think it is very essential to find time for yourself to do what you love, time with your girlfriends, and dates with your partner! So that’s another big reason I can’t do special kid dates every night.

[Top photo is Denna Bendall; other photos are Heather Flett, rights reserved]