Packing Your Bags!
There are endless lists and suggestions of what to pack in your hospital bag, your partners bag, do you need a separate bag for the baby...might as well, right? I am a very Type A person when it comes to planning. I love a good list. I love being prepared. I loooooove when someone asks, "does anyone have...." and I can pull it out of my purse - always prepared.
First Time Mom
As a first-time mom, I had my bag packed, in my trunk by about 36 weeks. Down to the toiletries. I bought a super cute new toiletry bag, got all the mini products. I looked like I was packing for a week at a European Spa. I obviously purchased the Pink Blush bathrobe with blue flowers on it to wear in the hospital room after I delivered. I packed essential oils that I was most definitely going to want while I did my hypnobirth breathing exercises. Kate Middleton did it, I can too. I was obsessed with the hypnobirth book. I packed multiple going home outfits for Callen and myself. I didn't know what he'd look best in or what I would feel like wearing.
First Time Mom Hospital Bag List
This is what I personally packed in my hospital bag the first time:
- Robe to wear instead of the hospital robe after delivery
- Nursing bras
- Flip flops for the shower
- All toiletries
- Bath towel and hair towel
- Leggings
- Button down and/or easy pull down shirts for nursing
- Snacks
- Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Birthing Spotify Playlist of soothing music
- Essential Oils
- Grippy socks
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Going home outfit for Mom and Baby
- Baby blanket
- Phone charger
What I forgot :
- Hair ties
Second Time Mom
Second time around was a little different. If you are a minimalist, this list is for you. If you are new here, I delivered my twins at 30 weeks. My water spontaneously broke. I had nothing prepared. Below is what I brought to the hospital for my 6 day stay.
- Wallet
- Phone Charger
- Chapstick
So, What Do You Really Need?
What I learned from my second delivery, 1) the hospital has most of what you would need 2) I did not use most of what I packed when I brought all the STUFF the first time. Did I ever take out those essential oils to turn my delivery room into a spa like peaceful sanctuary to welcome my son into the world? No. What did I do instead? Added my name to the list for an epidural. Did I wear that Pink Blush robe? Sure, but it wasn't super practical for me after the hospital.
In the end, pack what just makes sense. If you are a natural over packer, pack it all! If you are a minimalist, you really don't need that much. Learn from my hard lesson though, pack the hair ties!!