I think every woman has a different list of items they feel is necessary in their hospital bag for when they give birth. I didn't have a clue my first time around and relied on friends and family members for tips. Some items they suggested I ended up using, others I found pointless to have. I also had a whole separate bag packed for Grant with a whole lot of stuff I never even pulled out.
So I thought I'd share what is going in my bag the second time around. The items I feel like are necessary as I have no desire to pack a bunch of crap I won't need. All that does is make more work for me unpacking it later.
1. flip flops- you must have these for the shower. I'm sure the janitorial staff does a great job cleaning showers but I still don't want my bare feet in the same shower that dozens of other people have used. I bought mine at the end of the season last year for $1. I have no intentions of bringing them back home with me since I bought them specifically for the hospital. They will get pitched before leaving, less for me to unpack at home.
2. Travel size shampoo/conditioner/body wash/deodorant- no reason to have large bottles of these items and if you have no use for them once you're home, just pitch these with the flip flops before leaving the hospital. Normally I'm not one to waste but I figure after I've been through childbirth I feel like I have the right to waste a little if I want.
3. Nipple Cream- I had a difficult time breastfeeding Grant and while in the hospital they will provide you with sample packets of nipple cream but you will go through it like crazy. The nurses do their best but sometimes it takes awhile to get more when you run out so I wanted to make sure I had my own this time around.
4. Vaseline in a tube- If you're going to have your little boy circumcised they will advise you to use Vaseline on the area to keep urine from aggravating it. Once again they can give you packets of this while you are there but if you're like me you will use a crap load every time you change his little diaper to keep him as comfortable and pain free as possible. Therefore you will go through those packets super quick and it could take longer than you'd like to get more if you're in the middle of a diaper change.
5. Travel size antibacterial gel: There will be plenty of this on the walls all over the hospital but you want to have this at arms length while you're there. You could be in pain from a C-section or just sore from natural childbirth but either way you don't want to have to get up and walk across the room every time you need a quick hand cleaning.
6. Travel Lotion- with all the handwashing and sanitizing you are going to be doing, you're hands will dry out pretty quick. Lotion will help.
7. Nursing cover- With all the people coming and going to visit you, you will want something to cover yourself if you're going to be nursing your little one.
8. Mini Loafa for showering- I bought a package of these at the Dollar tree when I put together a hospital kit for my cousin. Now I'm glad I did because I prefer using a loafa rather than the super thin hospital wash cloths they provide for you.
9. Pajamas- This is a comfort item because the hospital will provide gowns for you to wear but who wants to be stuck in those ugly things for 2 days with everyone you know coming to see you and your new little one and taking pictures. I was fortunate enough to receive a really nice set of nursing ones for Christmas and I ended up making my own hospital gown, but any comfy pajamas will do.
10. Granny panties- yep you read that right. The hospital will provide mesh ones, use these while you're there but you will need a pair of your own to wear home. Don't take your nice ones take the ones you don't care if they get stained and you have to throw them away. Last thing you want is to ruin your favorite pair.
11. Nursing bras- if you have sleep nursing bras take those because you will want to be as comfortable as possible but any nursing bras will work.
Now for your little ones bag.
When I packed a bag for Grant I packed burp cloths, receiving blankets, multiple outfits, hats, socks, and so many other things I thought I might need. I used very few of the items I packed. Here's what I'm packing this time around..
1. Outfit-Don't go nuts with the outfits because it's really not necessary. One for leaving the hospital and one for pictures if you want it different than his/her take home outfit.
2. 1 Receiving blanket: This isn't necessary as the hospital will provide ones for you to use while you are there but I like having one in a cute print so I'm taking one of my own, but only one.
And that's it for the little one. The hospital provides most items you will need, so keep that in mind.
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