What’s in my hospital bag

I promised myself I would be all ready to go at 36 weeks. That day came and went. 😂 Just before reaching 38 weeks, I forced myself to finish packing so that I could check that (important) task off my to-do list.

I watched plenty of YouTube videos and read blogs about what to pack (or not to pack) in my hospital bag. There are a wide range of opinions on this, but at the end of the day, I think it is most important to feel prepared to your standard. So even if people make fun of you for over packing (which I’m sure I did), that is okay! I would rather be over-prepared than wishing that I had something that I left at home.

I decided to pack a carry-on sized rolling suitcase for myself and baby. Mike will pack a backpack for himself. (And I say will pack, because he has yet to do so, despite my nagging.) 😂

For myself I’ve included:

• Clothes:
  • Options for going home outfit (flowy dress, and joggers with a loose t-shirt)
  • Nursing Night Gown
  • Nursing Tank Top
  • Nursing Bra
  • Comfy Shorts
  • Fuzzy Socks with Sticky bottoms – I am not a huge slippers gal, but love fuzzy socks, so I thought this would be comforting!
  • Extra underwear (it sounds like most people just wear what the hospital provides, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to have some big, comfy underwear just in case). 🤣
  • Robe (with matching swaddle for baby for photo op)
• Electronics:
  • Extra Long Phone Chargers – I got a 2 pack on Amazon for pretty cheap. They are 10 feet long, so no matter where the outlets are, we should be able to reach!
  • Bluetooth Speaker
• Snacks:
  • Peanut Butter Crackers
  • Trail Mix (with the raisins removed because I HATE raisins and don’t want to have to pick through the mix when I’m tired 😂)
  • Granola Bars/Bites
  • Skinny Pop Popcorn
  • Lollipops(this was a recommendation from a YouTube video to have for during labor when you are exhausted and your mouth is dry and you just need a little something for flavor/sugar boost)
  • Chocolate covered almonds – these ones are SO good. I actually found them at Costco. ADDICTING.
  • Beef Jerky
  • Apple Sauce
  • Fruit Snacks
  • (I tried to pack some healthy-ish stuff with protein, but also some favorites because I’m going to deserve it!)
• Toiletries
  • Dry shampoo -I live off dry shampoo!! I’m sure I will take a shower after giving birth, but will probably skip washing my hair if I can salvage it. For those who don’t know, I have a lion’s mane. It is WILD after I wash it. If I want any cute-ish photos in the hospital, I’m going to have to keep it under control.
  • Face Moisturizer
  • Face Wipes – if I don’t have time to fully wash my face (or if I just don’t feel like it), this is a good replacement to refresh
  • Aquaphor – I swear by Aquaphor, especially for my dry lips. It is my chapstick replacement so I picture this being on my bedside table
  • Tooth brush & paste
  • Deodorant
  • Hair brush
  • Hair ties!!! Gotta keep that hair out of the face and off the neck
  • Makeup – who knows if this will be used, but I’d rather have it with me than not. A little concealer can go a long way when you look exhausted. 😉 Since I am still using this, I have it all packed in my little grab n go bags on my makeup table so that it is ready for when the time comes, but not actually in my hospital bag at the moment.
• Other:
  • Extra empty bag to bring home all of the goodies that the hospital will supply
  • Empty bag for dirty clothes
  • Pillow – don’t forget to put a colored pillow case on it so it stands out from the hospital pillows and you don’t lose it/forget it
  • Rubber Flip Flops – these are on the side of my bag as I am just planning to wear them to the hospital when I go. Rubber is important because these are also great for wearing in the shower! No one wants to go barefoot in the gnarly hospital bathrooms!! This way I won’t have multiple pairs of shoes to worry about; just the one.
  • Letter Board for baby name/stats announcement! I sorted all of the letters so they are as ready as they can be for when she comes to make it easy on us!
  • Purse – This is obviously a grab n go item because I am using it daily. Make sure it has your ID, insurance card, and some dollar bills for the vending machine just in case!
  • Nipple Cream & Nipple pads – I’m sure the hospital has plenty of these to provide, but I figured it would be better to be safe than sorry.
  • Birth Plan – I printed a few copies for the care team
  • Birth Affirmations – I printed a few copies so that either I can read them to myself, or for Mike to read to me and I can repeat back

Now that I look at this list, it sounds like SO much stuff! 😲 Oh well… like I said – better safe than sorry! 😊 On top of my bag is a little note of the things that need to be grabbed before we head out the door (currently letter board, purse, makeup, car seat, and gift baskets for nurses)

For Baby I’ve included:

• Photo Op Outfit
• Going Home Outfit options – two sleepers in different sizes so they’ll be easy and comfortable
• Hat & Booties – hand knit by Grandma!
• Receiving Blanket
• Car Seat (will be in the car and ready for her!)

I’ve been told that the hospital provides just about everything baby will need, so I went pretty light on packing for her.

I used these packing cubes to help keep everything organized in my suitcase! I was also going to order a cute floral duffel bag and pretty floral pillowcase but decided that I’ve been spending enough money and to just use something I already have. 😂

The list I’ve made for Mike’s bag includes:

• Power bank
• Snacks
• Water Bottle
• Toiletries
• Shower Shoes
• Gum
• Change of Clothes (includes Papa Bear shirt for pictures)

We’ll see if he listens/when he actually throws this together. 😂 I think he is also planning to bring the Nintendo Switch in case we have some downtime to keep us entertained.

I’ll be sure to do a follow up post with what I used or if I wished I had anything else!

Laugh Often – Rachel