My Hospital & Diaper Bag for Baby #1

With baby #1 I did a lot of research. I spent hours on pinterest and mommy blogs trying to decide what I needed to pack for the big day. I like to keep things limited so a bunch of the suggestions seemed a little over the top for just a few days at the hospital. First, I'll address the things I brought with me and then the things I really didn't need and the things I wish I had brought with me. Keep in mind this was late June so I really didn't need a lot.

Clothing:

• Hospital gown
• Robe
• 2 shirts
• Maternity jeans
• Maternity yoga pants
• Sports bra
• Nursing bra
• Underwear (boy shorts)
• Sweatshirt
• Fuzzy socks

Cosmetics:

• Personal medication (synthroid & prenatal vitamins)
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Dry shampoo (SO necessary)
• Deodorant
• Face wash
• Body wash
• Facial lotion
• Glasses
• Contact solution
• Lotion
• Make up
• Tooth brush & toothpaste (handy little kit from my dentist)
• Chapstick
• Small mirror
• Brush
• Blow dryer
• Straightener
• Flushable wipes (definitely not
• Husband's toiletries

Electronics:

• Cellphone
• Video camera
• Amazon Kindle
• Ipad
• Battery pack
• Headphones
• Chargers

Other:

• Gum
• Flip flops (for showering)
• Slippers
• Belly band
• Extra tote
• Ear plugs
• Eye masks
• Pen & notebook
• Blanket (in hubby's bag)

Diaper bag (Ju-Ju-Be, Be Right Back Legacy - The Duchess):

• 2 onesies (1 NB, 1 - 3 M)
• 2 going home outfits (1 NB, 1 - 3 M)
• 2 PJs (1 NB, 1 - 3 M)
• Nike cap
• Socks
• Mittens
• 2 Blankets
• Nursing cover
• Toys
• A couple diapers and wipes for the trip home

Must haves:

First, I purchased a hospital gown off of Amazon. I wanted something to look fairly cute during the hospital stay. I am so glad I decided on this because after moving from Labor & Delivery into Recovery, the nursing hospital gowns had giant slits for breastfeeding. I probably would have flashed a few visitors! I spent most of my time after delivery in this hospital gown. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is put on pants. The gown had snaps for breast feeding that kept me modest but still made things accessible.

I bought this adorable kimono floral robe. I may have used it once after showering. Like I said, I spent the majority of recovery in my pink polka dot hospital gown.

I packed 2 pairs of boyshorts. The hospital does provide you with disposable underwear. I layered and wore these over the disposable. It made me feel a little less like a granny and more...secure, down there.

I highly recommend warm layers; fuzzy socks, sweatshirt, etc. Even though my little koala was born in late June, the hospital was always freezing. I also packed warm clothes for hubby (see separate post).


Things I did not need:

Flushable wipes, baby clothes, blankets, toys, belly band, and Kindle. I over packed the diaper bag with baby stuff. I didn't need more than one outfit take him home in and I definitely didn't need the baby toys and blankets. The belly band did not fit until about a week after birth, even if it did fit I wouldn't have needed it in the hospital.

Things I wish I brought:

I packed a pillow and blanket for hubby but I wish I had packed them for myself. The hospital beds are horrendously uncomfortable. I did bring a paper and pen but I wish I had assigned someone to write down when things happened. I had a bumpy delivery and so a lot of what happened is jumbled in my memory.