I’m going to be completely honest with you – the only things you really need to bring to the hospital are an outfit to bring home baby in and a carseat. I know this because baby #2 came so fast (like one hour from the first inkling I might be having a contraction to full on delivery) that I showed up to the hospital with nothing. Nothing! But guess what? I survived. The hospital provided a sexy gown, socks, baby diapers, cafeteria meals – all the necessities for a sterile two-day no-fuss stay.
However, if you want to feel more at home, here’s a nice list of things you might want to consider packing (well in advanced) in your hospital bag:
- slippers
- nursing bra/nursing tank
- nursing pads
- pads (with wings)
- underwear (disposable ones are even better!)
- camera
- phone charger
- mental list of nearby restaurants to order takeout
- small makeup bag
- toiletries
- hair ties
- snacks
- entertainment – music/book/magazine
- yoga pants and a flowy shirt to come home in
- outfit for baby to come home in
- blanket for baby
- car seat
- and if you’re feeling really prepared and nested – goodies for the nurses – because trust me, they are awesome at making you feel at home, even when you know you’re not.
Having been through childbirth before, I just keep thinking, which items on these lists will make the baby come out faster? Let’s bring only those things.
My bag for the hospital is definitely going to include pure lanolin and some disposable breast pads for those tough first days of breastfeeding!
Congratulations!!! That is so exciting for both of you!!!
I personally wish I had an internet connection at my hospital so I could have checked my email! I think that hospitals are getting more tech friendly, so a laptop might be nice too. Also, the number of the people you want to call including your new pediatrician!
The bringing home baby kit is a great idea too. I felt like the worst mother because my newborn was in clothes that were huge for him. And I had to leave the hospital and take him immediately to another, so a whole new set of people got to see how I didn’t know how to dress my new son. Add to it that I forgot to bring my diaper bag in with me at the new hospital too, and I felt totally worthless!
With the first baby I wanted labor lotion, and nice jammies, and soothing music. Now, with #2, I want a fifth of Jack, a new prescription for Zoloft, and a carton of Marlboros!!!
Just kidding (well, kidding about the smokes, and I’ll probably take a bottle of wine instead of liquor), but planning IS different this time, isn’t it? Preparing, both emotionally and physically, for #2 is DEFINITELY something I’d like to see more of on Rookie Moms! I’m due in April and I am so, so, so not ready.
Wow, congratulations!! Do you do everything together? 😉 I was wondering when new-baby stuff kept popping up on your blog posts.
The hospital bag list from my Ob was pretty darn hysterical. These look better.
WOW – Those New For Baby garments are sooo hip & adorable. I am preg with #3 and I am def. gonna get a ‘Bringing Home Baby’ gift set from New For Baby. Thanks Rookie Moms for introducing me!
ordering today!
Julie.
p.s. thier Dreamy Blanket looks super cute too! 😉
First off, enormous congrats to both of you!
I think there are two items missing from an otherwise great list:
-Your own big, fluffy pillow, ideally in a non-white pillow case so it doesn’t end up in the hospital laundry
-A pair of flip flops. Slippers were too warm for me in my sweaty postpartum state, and the flip-flops are just the thing when you’re ready to take that first shower in your hospital room.
CONGRATULATIONS!! I’ve been swamped lately finishing my Ph.D. dissertation, and haven’t been reading much of anything. Then this morning I got on and read this post that you and Heather are both pregnant! How exciting! I have two friends pregnant with number 2, and my husband I have begun talking about it. I can’t imagine how different it must be…oh, my number 1 is needing me. I had better go, but I wanted to let you both know I’m psyched for you! I hope we’ll hear more about what the second pregnancy is like here on Rookie Moms.
the 2 main things i didnt take to the hospital with my first baby that i wish i had are 1. witch hazel pads. they are great for a good cool down and soreness down below after pushing out that baby. the second is make sure you have snacks and whatever you like to drink. after 14 hours of labor and no food i was starving and the hospital brought me a western omlet. i hate peppers! ugh. its nice to have something you know you are going to eat on hand and something for those midnight snacks just in case.
Congratulations! How exciting!!! It’s fun to be pregnant and have babies that are close in age to a friend. My friend and I had our babies one day apart – we are closer than ever!!!
Yes, yes, yes, on the clothes – we took the 0-3 sized perfect clothes to bring Alex home in – hahahaha. He was 7 pounds, which is apparently “sub zero” as best we could tell. We had to go buy some “just born” sizes on the way home!