The time has come, I am 38 weeks (39w4d if you go by my original due date, which I personally have not let go of haha) so I packed my bags! A bag for my husband and I and also the diaper bag that has everything for baby. I have to start this post by saying that I went pretty minimal this time, firstly, because this is my second baby and I have a better idea of what to pack and secondly, because we live 3 minutes away (we clocked it) from the hospital I’m giving birth at. So, if you’re one of those mamas that has to drive 30 minutes or more to your hospital you may want to add more “just in case” items.
What’s in my and my husbands bag:
For Me –
- Robe and matching pj shorts: I’ll be wearing a hospital gown during labor so I’m bring the robe to throw over that and the shorts for after when I’m able to change.
- Comfortable bra/Nursing bra: I’m bring two bras, one that I call a “sleep” bra, that’s comfortable to sleep in as well as nursing friendly. I’m also bringing an actual nursing bra that I can put on when we have visitors or when we leave the hospital, it offers more support than the other bra.
- Two lounge tops: Both tops are nursing friendly, one is a tank top and one is a long sleeve that way I’m prepared if it’s hot or cold.
- Maternity Leggings: If it’s cold at the hospital I could throw these on to be warmer than the shorts or I also might wear these home if it’s cold or if we leave at night.
- Shower Flip Flops: I got these ones super cheap at Old Navy before I had Sky and they worked perfect.
- Underwear: Ugly, big ones that you don’t care about because you’ll have lots going on “down there” and all you’ll want is comfort. They give you mesh ones at the hospital which is what I used but it’s nice to go home in fresh ones that are your own.
- Going home outfit: Undercover Mama nursing tank that connects to any nursing bra, tee shirt, and maternity shorts.
For My Husband –
- Lounge Clothes: I’m bringing him shorts, sweats, a tee shirt and sweatshirt.
- Pictures/Going Home outfit: A nicer outfit that he can wear when we take pictures and that he can also wear when we go home.
For Both –
- Toiletries: All the usual things you would use at home, makes it easy if they are in travel size form!
- Photo Chargers and Ipad
- Snacks and change for vending machine
- Water Bottle
- Essential Oils and Diffuser
What’s in my Diaper Bag:
- Diapers and Wipes: Obviously they give you these at the hospital but I just had put some in the diaper bag in case we need any on the way home or if I want to take pictures of him in these Honest ones, they’re so cute!
- Burp Clothes: I love these Aden & Anais ones, they’re just so great to always have around to catch any spit up or whatever else might come your way!
- Ollie Swaddle: I’m sure you’ve heard of all the amazing benefits of swaddling, so I’m so excited about this Ollie swaddle and can’t wait for him to use it. Sky was very fussy her first night so I wanted to be better prepared this time and make sure to bring this so Storm can have a nice tight swaddle for his first night.
- Hat & Gloves: It can be cold in the hospitals sometimes so these are to keep baby warm, they give you a hat at the hospital but just in case you want a specific one for pictures you could totally take your own.
- Muslin Blanket: I’m taking this mostly for picture purposes but also in case it’s a little chilly when we leave the hospital.
- Going home outfit: I’m packing a few different options since you never know how the weather will be or the time of the day that you’ll be checking out.
- Car Seat & Cover: I love our Covered Goods car seat cover, it’s also sentimental since we used it when we took Sky home for the first time.
I think that pretty much wraps it up! Like I said in the beginning, I kept things really simple and minimal. It’s hard to plan for every possible scenario of how things will go but with these items you will at least have the essentials! I also totally recommend having a “last minute” bag ready to throw all of your last minute items in on your way out the door (mostly things that you couldn’t pack because you use them everyday). Let me know in the comments what you couldn’t live without or what you wish you would of brought, I may still have time to add it in my bag before we go 🙂