Here's what your Hospital Bag should include!
For Mom
- Health & Insurance cards
- 2 pillows in colored pillowcases
- 3 pairs of underwear
- Overnight pads (whole package)
- Nursing bra
- Nursing pads (8)
- "Going Home Outfit" (it was yoga pants and a maternity tee for me)
- Flip flips
- Socks (2 pairs) to wear when walking around the hospital room in labour
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
- Shampoo and conditioner (travel size)
- Brush and hairties
- Lip balm
- Folder for important documents
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Earbuds
- Camera
- Camera charger
- Cash (for snacks)
- Shot Bloks (For a last-minute boost before pushing)
- Coke/Pepsi (Midwife recommended I drink it for energy while pushing)
- Your favourite chocolate bar to "treat yourself" when it's all over*
- 20 Newborn Diapers (10 per day, for 2 days)
- Wipes (again, enough for 2 days)
- 2 Sleepers (1 NB size, 1 0-3m size)
- 2 Receiving Blankets
- Car Seat
For Dad
- Underwear
- Socks (2 pairs)
- T-shirt
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush (Mom has the toothpaste)
And now, here's what you don't need and why...
- A nightdress or outfit to labour in. You will just get blood on it.
- A cute robe/outfit to wear after baby arrives. Two words: blood and sweat.
- Slippers. Again, there will be a lot of blood dripping down your legs the first time you get up.
- Makeup. Hahahaha. I thought I was realistic when I only brought an eyelash curler, mascara, blush and lipstick. It took 2 weeks before I had time/energy to put on makeup.
- Notepad and pen. I just wrote stuff in my phone.
- Cigar for Dad. Yeah, he won't have time for that,
- Hat, Mittens, Booties for Baby. The sleeper will keep them warm enough and the hospital will provide a hat.
*It's never over... It took me 2 weeks to get around to eating the Twix bar I brought in my hospital bag to treat myself post-baby. It'll be THAT crazy.
