Hospital Bag – Round 2

I could have sworn that I made a post with my hospital bag list for when I had Brooke but it seems I just scrawled it out on a notepad and left it at that, whoops.  So, here is what was on the list before I had Brooke, if I used it or not, why, and new things I’ll be packing:

For Mom:

• 1. Nursing tops/bras – Yes. 100%.
• 2. Robe – Yes, again. So easy to toss on over a tank top to keep a little modesty (but really, there is no modesty after having a baby…trust me on this) mainly for visitors
• 3. Nursing pillow (not pictured) – Maybe? I’ll probably just use a folded hospital pillow…I haven’t decided yet…
• 4. Comfy pants – Oh yes. For after delivery.  Roomy AND comfy, to be specific…the concoction of mesh underwear, pads, cold packs, etc. that I will be sporting does not go well with tight britches.
• 5. Phone/Camera (not pictured) – Yep!  The nurses were awesome and took great pictures for us during and after delivery, which I appreciate so much. Robert was so caught up in everything else that taking photos wasn’t at the top of the list, but just having the camera there and out on a table, the nurses would just pick it up and snap away, I loved it!
• Lanolin – NO. I had no idea that if you have a hard time wearing wool that lanolin would cause the same itchy reaction, and somewhere super sensitive, no less.  I’ll just be taking coconut oil this time around.
• 6. Toiletries (nice ones) – Yep.  After giving birth, there wasn’t much I wanted more (besides sleep and food) besides a nice shower with yummy smelling soaps and shampoos. It really helped to give me a little burst of energy and make me feel somewhat normal.  This also includes my face moisturizer, face wash, and other daily essentials.
  • Chapstick – Yes. I wear chapstick all the time anyway so this is a given.
  • Hair Ties – Yes.
  • Razor – I can almost guarantee that I won’t care about shaving my legs, but at least I can keep my underarms somewhat presentable. Might be the only thing ‘presentable’
  • Toothbrush
  • Hair brush – Yep. Bed head.
• 7. Flip flops and socks – Definitely socks (for after labor) and I’ll likely take slippers instead of flip flops.
• 8. Sports bra or bathing suit top – for laboring in the tub, if needed.
• 9. Comfy shirts/sweatshirts – since it’s winter and all
• 10. Underwear – Nope. Waste of space. The hospital provides mesh underwear and all of you who are like eww, mesh underwear, no thanks! I assure you, these are the best thing for you for after labor. At least they were for me. And I didn’t ruin any of my own stuff. You just toss the hospital ones in the trash and grab a new pair. I took extras home for the few days following delivery and I plan on doing the same with B2.
• 11. Pen (not pictured) – This is for the forms and crap you have to sign when you get into your room. I’m pretty sure they had pens for us, but I had one just in case.
• 12. Hand sanitizer – Nope. We’re in a hospital. Guess what they have everywhere? Hand sanitizer.
• 13. Make up – Hell yes.  After giving birth, you look like, well, you just gave birth. And there is no other time you’ll be photographed more than your wedding (or if you are in someone else’s), and after having a baby.  So I like to look nice, if at all possible, and make up definitely helps!
• 14. Pillow (not pictured) – YES. Hospital pillows are the worst. Home pillows make sleep a bit better (when nurses aren’t barging in every 30 minutes)
• 15. Bio Oil – I haven’t used this this time around, mainly because I didn’t buy any, but I know I didn’t use it in the hospital last time, so no.
• 16. Towel – No.  Just because the shower after birth is lovely doesn’t mean I want to use my own towel to clean off with (trust me, you will have to throw it away).  Use the towels the hospital has. They may be tiny, use 10 if you have to, but a towel from home – – – unless it’s a throw away – – – no.
• 17. Cookies (not pictured) – this was a very last minute add on, if you remember the birth story…but the hospital staff LOVED the cookies and was so appreciative, and I could use them for bartering purposes if I needed to (which I did with the anesthesiologist).  If we have time, I will be doing this again.
• Extra bag (not pictured) – for all of the things that I will take from the hospital room. Diapers, wipes, mesh underwear and stuff to take care of myself…all of it. It’s coming home
• Coconut oil (not pictured) – instead of Lanolin, my body tolerates this stuff much better, plus it’s safe for baby and doesn’t need to be wiped off before nursing.
• Lacrosse ball (not pictured) – this is for Robert to use to put counter pressure on my lower back (if needed). Or throw at him (if needed).
• Nursing pads (not pictured)
• Shot Bloks (not pictured) – I had these when I ran the half marathon a long time ago (or at least it feels that way), and they gave a great surge of energy.  I’ll snack on these as needed, if needed.

For Dad:

• Button down shirt (for skin-to-skin) – He just wore a t-shirt that he took off
• Snacks – I’m guessing he ate snacks. I have no idea?  Didn’t really care either
• iPad – Yep.
• Chargers – Yes.
• Toiletries – I don’t think he’ll need these this time. He’ll be going home a lot more often during my stay at the hospital this time, due to the toddler So I imagine he can shower
• Gum/mints – Uh maybe?? I’m sure he had some.

For Baby:

• 1. Receiving blankets/swaddles – I might take one blanket, but they wrap the babies up in the hospital blankets and its totally fine. The one in the picture is one we had at the hospital with Brooke
• 2. Accessories:
  • Hat – They give them one at the hospital, but I will take another one just to have in case
  • Mittens – Yes. These little things are great to keep them from scratching themselves. I just ordered these and will put them in his bag when I get them.
  • Socks – Probably not, since it’s winter we’ll probably bundle him up in fleece footed onesies

• 3. Pacis – Yep. I know a lot of hospitals provide them for you but I don’t recall mine doing that.  We’ll pack his new owl wubbanub
• Diapers – No. The hospital provides diapers, and then I asked for more to take home with us.
• 4. Outfits – Yes. Don’t know what he’ll come home in yet…I need to go through everything!
• Baby toiletries – Nope. They use their stuff to give them the first bath and give you a little brush and the little soap and what not. I’m pretty sure I still have Brooke’s hanging around somewhere.

If we end up needed anything else, Robert will be back and forth from the house so he can always pick up whatever it is we need.  This is a pretty exhaustive list, especially for a two day stay (hopefully) in the hospital, but it makes me feel better knowing I at least have it all listed out!