Hello 37 weeks! My goodness this pregnancy has flown by! I just can’t even believe I’m going to have a newborn in a few short weeks… or less! Apparently baby is measuring about a week ahead and she already weighs over 7lbs! Looks like we’re going to have another 9lb baby LOL! But seriously as long as she is healthy that’s all that matters to me. Olivia was a week and a half late and I had to be induced so I’m just hoping little sister comes on her own when she is ready so I don’t have to go through the whole induction process again. But since it looks like baby could come earlier than I thought I have been a little crazy trying to get everything ready for her arrival. I’ve finally gotten things together for my hospital bag and thought I would share what I’m packing for any of you first time mamas that aren’t sure what you’ll need. Here we go!
For me:
Breast pump and charger- so the lactation nurse can help me with any questions I have on how to use it, plus in case I need it while I’m in the hospital. Make sure to clean and sterilize first
Noise Machine- I love THIS travel size one, I have the regular one for both Olivia and I and we just got one for the new baby as well. Once you get used to sleeping with one of these it’s hard to live without it
Comfy pajamas- I love THESE and they will be perfect for nursing at home as well. Last time I was in the hospital with Olivia though I just wore the hospital gown most of the time since things can get a little messy
Fuzzy slippers- buy a cheap pair at Target or Amazon and throw them away afterwards
Comfy cheap underwear- I just buy a big pack at Target and use them the first few weeks after birth and then throw them all away.
Nipple Cream- I used THIS kind last time and it worked great!
Lotion- it gets very dry in the hospital
Stool Softener- the hospital should provide this but I bring my own just in case, plus you’ll want it for after you go home too
Phone charger- get an extra long cord too if you can so it reaches the bed comfortably
Chapstick- it is so dry in the hospital, plus your lips will be super dry during and after labor
Crackers and Snacks- I was so hungry during labor but couldn’t handle anything heavy so I ate a lot of saltine crackers. It’s nice to have snacks for your hubby too since you could be there for a long time
Tums- I always get super bad heartburn while pregnant so I will be bringing these just in case
Notepad and pen- I didn’t want to forget any of the details of the day so we kept a little notepad nearby and my hubby would jot down notes during the whole process here and there. It was fun to look over the notes later and remember little details I otherwise would have forgotten
Going home outfit- I’ll be bringing loose comfy pants, a nursing tank and a comfy sweater. Last time my legs and feet swelled a ton after birth and I couldn’t even fit in my shoes and went home in my slippers
Hair ties- You’ll want a few extra if you have long hair
Nursing bra- I just ordered THIS one and if I like it I’m going to order a 2nd color
Make up bag- Just bring the basics you’ll need in case you have any visitors. Our hospital also offers photos from a photographer the day after baby is born. I highly recommend doing this if offered by your hospital. These are some of my favorite photos of baby Olivia and we used these for our baby announcements. They are much more natural than staged newborn photos too
Toiletries- bring travel sizes of everything you can… face wash, body wash, toothbrush, mouthwash, etc…
Curling iron- will only use before pictures the next day if I feel up to it.
Towel and hand towel- the hospital ones are very small and I never use any outside rags on my face. I am allergic to a lot of detergents so I have to really be careful
Pillowcase- same as the towels, I’m allergic to a lot of detergents so I have to be careful what touches my face
Heating pad and small extension cord- Not sure if I’ll use this or not. I did use it during early labor last time to help with back pain but after we got to a certain point in labor the heat made me really sick.
Extra bag- be sure to bring an extra bag to bring home anything and everything you can from the hospital. Take the mesh underwear, pads, diapers, wipes, etc… basically anything you can. You are paying for it anyway so you might as well have some things to get you started. You’ll be so thankful you have as many personal supplies as you can in the beginning. Things can get super messy LOL!
** If you already have a toddler at home like me, make sure to bring a little gift with you to the hospital for the baby to give big brother or sister when they come visit. Olivia is obsessed with cars so we bought her a super cool pink race car toy so she will feel special when she comes to the hospital
For baby:
Baby blanket- I’m bringing THIS one with me to the hospital to use for our pictures. It’s so soft!
Swaddle- got to have something cute for pictures!
Going home outfit and hanger- Make sure to bring a little hanger with you to hang up your outfit somewhere you can see it from the bed! You’ll want something to focus on once labor gets more intense and picturing my baby wearing that little outfit was what got me through some of the really difficult times of labor. Also be sure to bring a newborn outfit and a 0-3 month outfit just in case
Pacifiers- Olivia never took to a pacifier but we will be offering it to little sister just in case. I LOVE this one!
Burp cloths- I just buy a big pack of cheap white cloth diapers and use those for burp cloths. When they start getting stained up you just throw them away and it’s no big deal. Plus they are nice to leave all around the house once you are home so you always have some nearby
Socks
Carseat- You only have to bring this with you right before you bring baby home. We have THIS one which works with our double stroller
For hubby:
Pajamas
Slippers
Towel
Extra pillow
Snacks- if your hubby is anything like mine you need to keep them fed to keep them happy haha!
Toiletries
Laptop
List of close friends and family for him to keep in the loop
Chapstick
Comfy pants
If I think of anything else as I’m getting last minute things together I will update my notes in this post. Don’t stress over what to bring though, the hospital will have all the basics you will need to get you by. Just enjoy the whole experience! It’s absolutely surreal and amazing and I’m so excited to meet my baby girl! I will be doing a new “Bumpdate” post soon too since there’s no telling how much time we have left.
xoxo
