Updated Hospital Bag

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that our baby arrived 6 weeks early! Thankfully I had my bags prepared and ready to go just in time! I wanted to do an updated hospital bag post to go over what I did use, what I didn’t need, and what I wish I would have brought!

I have copied over the same exact list from my first post and in bold will clarify if I used or did not use that item. At the end, I will have a section for items I wish I would have brought, especially since we had a NICU baby!

Mom’s Bag

General:

• Luggage: I will be packing everything in my CALPAK carry-on suitcase, Vera Bradley tote and this Vera Bradley Duffle // I used all of these!
• Nurses Gifts // I hear all that time how important nurses are during this process, so I want to make sure they feel appreciated for all the care that they will be giving us. I plan to bring Starbucks gift cards and snacks! // I did not have these ready to go in time. I had my mom run out to Starbucks and get 10 gift cards with $10 each. I gave some to the nurses that took care of me and were with me for a significant amount of time and then the rest will be going out to his NICU nurses. Depending on how long he stays, we may have to get some more. I wrote a thank you card for each nurse as well!
• Instax Camera – Bringing this + extra film to get plenty of pictures for our baby book. // We had way too much going on to even think about this. I didn’t have mine set up and had never used it before, so I didn’t want to mess around with it at the time. Our iPhone did the job just fine for plenty of pictures!
• Baby Book – I absolutely love this one. The monogram is so classic! // I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to bring this to the hospital, but definitely good to have one ready to go! I filled out some of the pages during my very little amount of “down time” at the hospital.
• Two Pillows // (1 for mom, 1 for dad) that you can leave behind // I never ended up getting cheap pillows for us to leave behind. Cody brought his from him, which was a lifesaver for him and I just used hospital pillows the whole time. I probably should have brought my own pillow from home too.
• 10-ft iPhone Charger // Having a long charging chord was highly recommended so that you can have your phone plugged in while you are in the hospital bed. // THIS IS A MUST HAVE. This exact one charges so quickly and is nice and long!! Definitely get one for your husband too!
• Yeti Tumbler – Bringing my own tumbler for water. This would be a good gift for a new mom! // There was a long stretch of time for me where I could only eat ice chips. Having the Yeti was great, because they didn’t melt for a very long time! They were giving me ice chips in a plastic cup for a while and they melted so quickly. They will give you a big plastic cup at the hospital that will be great to use during your stay!
• Sleeping Masks & Ear Plugs // Word on the street is that nurses will be in and out of your room and there might be strange lights and noises in your room. These items were recommended so that mom and dad can try to get some rest when possible! // Somehow my sleeping masks I “packed” for us got lost along the way. I really wish I would have had them. Didn’t use the ear plugs.
• Grippy Socks // This was one of the highest recommended items to bring. Found this pack of four on Amazon. // I was so hot from the medication they had me on that I definitely did not want fuzzy socks on.
• Throw Away Slippers // Ordered these cheap slippers that I don’t mind throwing away if they get dirty at the hospital. // These were lifesavers!! Highly recommend!
• Shower Shoes // This was another item that was highly recommended. // I didn’t ever take a shower while I was there, so I did not use them. I was there for 3 nights and I didn’t want to shower until I got home.
• Shower Towels // bringing 2 for Cody and I that we don’t mind leaving behind. // Having his own towel was much better than using the hospital ones!

Mommy Must-Haves:

• Ameda ComfortGel Hydrogel Pads // Heard these are lifesavers for breastfeeding. // I wouldn’t say you need these in the hospital, but I’d still get them for home.
• Nursing Pads // Have yet to use these.
• Diapers // Yikes! I’m sure most hospitals provide them, but I bought these to bring just in case and to have once we are home. // My hospital had me wearing mesh panties with the world’s largest pad inside. I would recommend bringing these diapers instead! It just makes it way easier and more comfortable!
• FridaBaby Fridet // This is for mom to use after the baby and I’ve heard this one is hands down the best and much better than the hospital one they give you. You can reuse it and wash it in your dishwasher! // YES. The hospital one (at least at my hospital) was not good at all and the Fridet is AMAZING! You will use this for a good while after you have the baby to help stay clean!
• Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads // I am sure my hospital will provide these, but packing just in case. // When I needed to refill these, Target only had these and they are so much better. Same purpose as Tucks but these are shaped like a makeup remover wipe and can lay longways on top of your pad/diaper. This would probably be my highest recommendation of what to bring and what to have at home after. I would stock up.

Toiletries:

• Makeup Bag and Makeup Products // I use this makeup bag from Amazon and it is THE BEST! // I ended up doing my makeup a couple of times! I would definitely bring your makeup and this bag made it so easy to do in my bed.
• Travel Size Dry Shampoo // The DryBar Dry Shampoo is hands down my favorite and will be a lifesaver for hospital pictures. // I would definitely bring this. I checked into the hospital when my hair was already pretty dirty and I wasn’t allowed to shower! This saved me for pictures!
• Curling Iron // For pictures. // I just ended up throwing my hair up in a bun. Personal preference on this one!
• Hair Dryer // For pictures. // Nope. I did not shower while at the hospital.
• Hair Ties, Chapstick, Mouthwash, Lotion // Yes to all of these!

Clothing:

• Robe // Bringing this one from Target (seen in picture). I got size M/L // Definitely bring a robe! I highly recommend this one since it is lightweight it won’t burn you up and it will look pretty in pictures too!
• Nightgown (Nursing Friendly, 2) // I have this one from Target and LOVE it! I will bring the grey version as well. I am also bringing this slip/nightgown to wear (nursing friendly). // I ended up just staying in my hospital gown at night. I would definitely get a couple of these nightgowns to have at home though for after the baby because they are nursing friendly and so comfortable. I’m wearing mine as we speak! You don’t need the slip.
• Nursing Tanks (3) // Ordered this pack of 3 from Amazon. // These have been great and I wore them in the hospital!
• Comfy Joggers/Sweatpants (2) // Definitely recommend!
• Nursing Bras (3) // Bringing this set of 3 from Amazon. // I LOVE these! Definitely get them! They are so comfortable and are such a good price!
• Comfy going home outfit

Dad’s Bag

• Cheap Twin Sheets // Dad will be sleeping on the couch, so I’ve heard that bringing a twin set will help him be more comfortable. // I definitely recommend bring your own sheets. Bring any better that would help your hubby feel more comfortable. The couches are pretty uncomfortable and dad needs sleep too!
• 10-ft iPhone Charger // MUST HAVE!
• 3 changes of clothes // Yes
• Outfit for hospital photos with baby // We ended up not having our photographer come since Davis had to go straight to the NICU, but if everything had gone as planned I would have still had Cody bring something to wear for pictures!
• Toiletries // Yep!
• Laptop for streaming shows/movies for any down time // We ended up not using ours since we had TVs in the room and there really wasn’t a comfortable way for us both to be able to watch on the laptop. I’d probably still recommend bringing one between the two of you if you can.

Baby’s Bag

• Duffle Bag for baby boy // I bought this bag that I will pack for his clothes, blankets, etc. and will definitely use this a ton later on. I’m a sucker for anything monogrammed! // This bag has been awesome! I am so excited to use it for years to come!
• Diaper Bag // I will be bringing my Freshly Picked diaper backpack. // I still highly recommend this diaper bag, but there’s no reason to bring one to the hospital.
• Burp Cloths // Obsessed with this brand off Amazon! Pack of 7 for only $15 // Definitely don’t need these at the hospital.
• Muslin Swaddles (2) // Found these on Amazon and thought they were so pretty! Love the quality of these. // Bring your own for picture purposes!
• White cotton onesies: This is my favorite baby brand from Amazon! The quality is amazing, especially for the price! // Yes!
• Onesies & Leggings // Bringing some extras from these prints just in case // I would just bring 2 sets or so of these
• Hats & Mittens // Bringing a couple of each // Have these match the other outfits
• Carseat and Base // Leave in car. We have the 2019 Uppababy Mesa in Bryce White. // Obviously everyone needs their carseat!
• Going home outfit // Will bring two different sizes // Definitely bring something cute for them to go home in for all the pics!
• Outfit for pictures // Just make sure you have some things for him or her to wear that will look good for pics!
• Nursing Pillow // I have heard great things about the My Brest friend nursing pillow. Love that it wraps around your whole body. // This is an absolute must have!

What I Wish I Would Have Packed:

• Pump // The hospital has lactation consultants that can show you how to use your pump even if you don’t need it right away!
• Pumping Bras // Only necessary if you are going to be pumping. I can’t imagine pumping without one!
• Pump Travel Bag // This was more of a necessity because of our NICU time. If you plan on pumping after the baby is born and will be on the go, I highly recommend this bag! You can use it as a diaper bag, pool bag, etc., once you don’t need it as a pump bag anymore!
• Pumparoo Wet Bag // This holds your pump bottles/accessories after you bump and before you get a chance to clean them. It has been so useful since I have had to pump so much!
• Travel cooler for breastmilk // This has been amazing for us. Keeps your breastmilk cold if you pump on the go, need to transfer the milk, etc.
• Boppy Pillow // This was life changing to sit on after labor haha! It’s main purpose is for breastfeeding support and is also used s a newborn lounger!
• File Organizer for Paperwork // I have kept this file organizer throughout my pregnancy to keep track of bills, receipts, hospital information, etc. I would suggest bringing something like this or a folder to keep the paperwork that they give you organized