Getting ready for baby is an exciting time but guessing when that little bundle of joy will arrive can be tricky. It’s best to go ahead and get that bag packed ahead of time, but what do you really need? What can you skip? We talked to a few Moms and pulled from our personal experience and came up with this list!
1. Lip Balm. This is my number 1 go-to for pretty much anytime, but when it comes to laboring and a couple of days in the hospital, you’re going to need it.
2. Ipod/Some way to play music – There will be a lot of time to just “hang out.” A little background music might be nice, or pop in those ear buds and try to take your mind off the contractions.
3. Bathrobe, Flip Flops, Slippers or non skid socks – The bathrobe is great for keeping yourself covered when you have a bunch of unexpected visitors who may or may not knock.
4. Gum and Mints – You’ll be too tired/too sore to walk/too busy holding a precious baby to care whether or not you’ve brushed your teeth in 2 days. These will come in handy.
5. Toiletries – Tooth brush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair dyer and even your own shampoo and conditioner. While the hospital will provide some of those things, I always found it nice to have my own brand of these items.
6. Snacks – 2 words. Hospital. Food.
7. Laptop/Ipad/Kindle This is handy for reading, passing time or “Facebragging” new pictures of your adorable new bundle of joy. If you have younger children, this will give them something to do when they visit.
9. Gift for siblings from baby. We love the idea of the new baby gifting something to an older sibling, even if it’s just a little note from baby telling Big Brother or Sister how much they love them and look forward to having them as a sister or brother.
10. CarSeat – You’ll need to have this installed, prior to your hospital stay. You won’t get home without it.
11. Nursing supplies – Boppy/Nursing Pillow, Nursing Bra, and pads. You may think you won’t need them but if you plan to nurse or even try. Go ahead and toss them in.
12. Camera/Phone and Chargers – If you’re anything like me, your life is in your phone. I use it for everything from music to pictures to keeping track of my day.
What items would you add to this list? Are there any you would skip?
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Yes, all items up there are indispensable.
Iwould expand that a good looking robe/kimono paired with high waisted black yoga pants looks and feels great for when you have 200 guests coming and going.
Dry shampoo. Because that really expensive blowout you got needs to last through sweaty labor and then some.
Your own pillows. Pillows are like black market gold up in Post Partum.
Okay, let’s get reeeeeeeal. Giant panties. Or even Depends. There’s serious business going on down there.
Aromatherapy diffuser. I thought it was all insane. Until I tried it and it worked. Our labor room was like this magical oasis of glowing oil diffusers and pretty psychedelic music and really great big Southern hair and kimonos and fancy lip gloss that I insisted I had to have to get through it. And ice chips. All the ice chips in the world.
Great suggestions!! We thought about adding giant panties, but we just fell so in love with the mesh ones provided by the hospital we decided to leave them off 😉
Thanks for commenting!