We are officially just DAYS away from meeting baby Raegan! I have had my bag packed for a while don’t worry- haha! I just haven’t gotten around to posting this with all the insanity surrounding this virus and quarantine. But I wanted to share what’s in my bag for the SECOND time around. I know this is a huge stressor, especially for first time moms, we don’t want to be unprepared! So here’s a quick list of what’s in my bag!
Let’s start with clothing for mama:
NURSING FRIENDLY and LOOSE.
I highly recommend investing in a pair of comfy and cute nursing PJ’s. I wore mine pretty much the entire time at the hospital cause let’s be real- your hours and days are going to blend together at that point and there’s really no point in changing! I got a cute pair at Motherhood Maternity- it came with a nursing tank, loose fitted pants, and a little robe top. Similar to this one but mine is pink with hearts 🙂 It’s perfect for covering up for visitors and then late night feedings at home.
One pair of back up PJ’s
I brought a pair of loose PJ pants and another nursing tank as back up, you never know what your baby might end up spitting up on or which of your many morning coffee’s might spill
Going home outfit.
I did NOT think this through my first time around. I think I had sweatpants and a gray nursing tank- which is fine- but I had no idea there were photographers in the hospital! I had NOTHING cute to wear for these hospital newborn photos, I was a little upset! So this time around I did purchase a cute nursing maxi dress from Pink Blush Maternity- it will get MANY uses this summer as well!
You DO NOT want to pack your favorite pair of maternity leggings or jeans! Trust me the LAST thing you’ll want to wear or attempt to put on is a pair of tight fit pants- especially if you end up having a C-section. This is why I ended up leaving the hospital in sweatpants last time… there was no way I was going to enjoy putting on maternity jeans. So this time I’m keeping it simple, and thinking ahead with a flowy dress and a cardigan.
100% optional… Delivery/Nursing Robe
This is something I did NOT have last time, I bought one this time for a couple reasons: A) I had some extra birthday money and wanted to spoil myself B) I think it will be better for summer months and late night feedings C) Just another cute addition for newborn photos. I found one on sale at Pink Blush as well! Keep an eye out on this site- they have 40% off sales all the time!
Undergarments
Most nursing tanks are also built in nursing bra’s, but for any items you plan on wearing that don’t have this addition, pack a couple nursing bras and pads. As for underwear- the hospital underwear/pads they give are pretty awful, but do the job. I didn’t bring any the first time around, and would have been much more comfortable with my own pads and underwear.
Footwear
For labor– athletic shoes are a MUST- I wouldn’t arrive to the hospital in anything else unless you’re planning to have a scheduled C-section. During my labor with Harper we walked for EIGHT MILES during the day- given we were at home at the time, but if we had checked in earlier than we did we would have been doing all that walking in the hospital to speed labor along. Once you have your epidural, you can cozy up with comfy socks!
After delivery– I have my cozy slippers and fuzzy socks packed, and a pair of cute flats for coming home!
Toiletries
I had a list on my bag to remind myself what I needed:
- Facewash/moisturizer
- contact solution and case, glasses
- toothbrush/toothpaste
- dry shampoo (shampoo/conditioner if you choose to full on shower)
- body wash
- deodorant
- lotion & chapstick
- hairbrush
- makeup- this is mostly for photos on the last day, some concealer, mascara etc… no need to go crazy!
- Your own pads if you would prefer to use your own and be comfortable!
Clothing for Baby:
While you’re learning to breastfeed, they will be teaching you to undress baby every time to feed to keep baby awake and alert. I remember with Harper we really only used these white button kimono shirts (pictured below) and a diaper (she was wrapped snuggly in a blankie at all times anyways). These shirts are perfect to quickly open up to wake baby (so you aren’t pulling a shirt over her head every single time) and they have mittens to fold over baby’s hands while she sleeps.
Pajamas
We packed some footie PJ’s for night time- my biggest takeaway with these- AVOID THE PJ’S WITH THE SNAP BUTTONS! Especially while in the hospital and you’re getting in the hang of nighttime feeds and changing, the zippers are much more manageable and make for faster changes.
Going home Outfit
Baby’s FIRST outfit! Obviously make it a cute one 🙂 Along with this outfit we had maybe one or two others as back up, just in case we were in the hospital longer than expected and feel like dressing her up 🙂 For your first I recommend packing a newborn outfit AND a 0-3, just in case you’re baby is a little big for newborn size. I’m anticipating Raegan to be similar in size to Harper, and she was newborn size for quite a while.
Photo Accessories
Again, for baby #1 we had no idea there were photographers in the hospital! Luckily I had a really cute winter hat and some fun flower headbands in my bag, I did like the simplicity of these for her hospital photos, and we used cute outfits and such for her official newborn/family photos. This time around I again have just a simple cute hat, some headbands and a pretty swaddle blanket.
Other Baby Items:
- 2 Swaddle/ cozy blankets
- Burp cloths
- Nursing pillow
- Carseat and carseat cover
- Paci
You DO NOT need to pack diapers or wipes! The hospital will have PLENTY of these… save the space in your bag 🙂
Labor ‘Tools’
Depending on your plan for labor, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead since you won’t know how long you’ll be in the hospital or how long you’ll be in labor. I recommend…
- Massage tools or massage oil for your spouse to use… especially if you’re anything like me and experience back labor, you won’t know till it’s happening so plan ahead! **One surprisingly AMAZING tool was a the lid to a yankee candle- this works amazingly as a massage tool and easy for your spouse to hold and get good pressure
- Heating Pad
- Music playlist to get you through contractions
- Exercise ball- I used one for most of my labor- find out if your hospital provides one!
- Essential oils if those help relax you
- Baby Items- maybe an ultrasound picture, paci or outfit to focus on through contractions
Other Random Items
- Your WALLET! ID and health insurance card
- Cash for vending machines for late night snacks OR just pack some snack bars or other easily packable snacks
- Activities to pass time- I did not end up needing these for Harper, BUT in the case your water breaks and you have to be induced, or if you decide to have an epidural early on, there will be a lot of sitting and waiting around- pack a book to read, cards to play with your spouse, really any hobby you might want to pass time- (I highly encourage sleep though if you do happen to have this down time)
- Phone chargers
- Camcorder if you have one
Honestly, the labor tools, nursing clothes, and going home clothes are the most important. If you happen to forget something, then it probably wasn’t very essential, and that’s the great thing about friends and family-they can bring you what you need or there is always a hospital gift shop downstairs!
But anyways, this is what I’m going with for round 2, I feel more prepared than I did with Harper and won’t have any unnecessary items! Hope this helps you…congrats!
