HOSPITAL PACKING LIST

Written By Angie Barr

My first piece of advice when it comes to your hospital bag is to pack it early. I started packing mine at 35 weeks and am so glad I did! That might seem early for some but I was overly prepared if baby decided she wanted to come early which was a good feeling. CPB giggled at me for some of the things I packed but in all honesty I used every single thing. We also ended up having to stay two nights so I was thankful for the extra things I brought. I would say to not take any postpartum stuff as the hospital has everything from the pads and ointments to nipple cream - ask for extra witch hazel pads, underwear and regular pads to take home. Save the postpartum stuff you purchase for when you get back home. More on postpartum and breastfeeding caddies to prep before the hospital soon!

FOR ME

  • Pillow

  • Blanket

  • Printed birth plan

  • Black folder for any important papers to take home

  • Hospital gown - I brought my own and loved having it. It felt good to be wearing something comfortable that had been washed in my yummy smelling detergent. Also, the lady who did my epidural loved it because it had velcro in the back and was super easy/convenient for her.

  • Comfy non-slip socks

  • Pajamas (x2) - I recommend ones that button down the front for breastfeeding if you’re going that route

  • Nursing bras (x2)

  • Robe (x2)

  • Slippers

  • Towel - the towels in the hospital are literally awful and paper thin

  • Eye mask

  • Fan - I clicked this onto my bedside table

  • Long charger - You have to get the super long one or else you won’t be able to reach the plug.

  • Leaving outfit - I felt most comfortable in a matching shorts and top set vs. a dress

  • Bathroom items - toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, favorite moisturizers, shampoo, dry shampoo, body wash, contact solution, contacts, body lotion, makeup remover, chapstick

  • Essential oil - I took my lavender one

  • Airpods

  • Snacks - We were fortunate enough to have my mom bring us all of our meals (we didn’t eat any of the hospital food) but we also ate all of the snacks that I brought.

  • Glasses - to give my eyes a break from my contacts

  • Makeup

  • Breast pump - I had no idea how to use a breast pump so had my mom go home and grab it so the lactation consultants could walk me through it. Do this if it is your first time! You won’t regret it.

  • Paper for footprints - I was very proud of this one and am SO glad I did it! In my birth plan I included having the nurses do Brooklyn’s footprints on nice paper that I brought so that we could have that special little keepsake forever. I knew this was something I wouldn’t do at home in my own time and they already have to do it anyways, so it was a tiny additional step for them and they were happy to do it. Now we have Gatsby’s and Brooklyn’s prints!

  • Polaroid camera + film - My polaroid gets used often for special events so I was happy to have it with us to snap a few photos in the hospital. I now have the photos framed in Brooklyn’s nursery and they make me smile every time I pass them.

FOR CPB

  • Pillow

  • Blanket - Your partner might not think they need this but they will thank you! Promise.

  • Towel

  • Long charger

  • 2-3 outfits

  • Toiletries

  • Airpods

FOR BABY

  • Footies with mittens so they don’t scratch themselves (x3)

  • Pacifiers (x2)

  • Swaddles - the Ollie and the Halo *Truthfully we did not use these but it didn’t hurt to have them since they showed me how to use them

  • Leaving outfit

  • One hat

Angie Barr
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BEFORE BABY ARRIVES