Happy Tuesday!
Today’s blog post is long overdue, but better late than never!
I chose to wait and share our hospital packing list until after the fact, that way I could share what we did and didn’t use. I am an extreme over-packer in all facets of life, and our trip to the hospital was no exception. I like to be over prepared and as a result we strolled in with about 5 bags looking like we were moving in, while a sweet couple next to us in the waiting room had what seemed like one tiny backpack and two pillows between the two of them! It’s fine, I’ve accepted this is who I am… and Drew begrudgingly lugging the bags and making multiple trips to and from the car has also accepted it… thank goodness!
I’ve broken down what we did and didn’t use, and what we would definitely bring again by each person – Maddox, myself, and Drew… along with a few miscellaneous items. While it seems like a lot, this is what we truthfully did use. I would say I mostly over-packed for Maddox, as the hospital provided just about everything we needed. I did have lots of “extras” for picture purposes, and a lot of those things waited until we were home. Other than one round of photos, we mostly kept him in the hospital swaddle and hat and focused more on snuggling and loving on him than getting the perfect shot!
I don’t believe there was really anything that we didn’t bring or have that we needed… perks of being an over-packer! 😉 The only thing I can think of would be an extra blanket for Drew in addition to what the hospital gave him! Mama kept the room cold and he ended up stealing my blanket a few times to keep warm! He would probably recommend to other dads to bring a hoodie, he had one and stayed in it because I was constantly hot!
Here are our lists! I hope if you are pregnant or preparing to have a baby soon that this is helpful in giving you a starting point in hospital packing!
Baby Evans:
What we used and would definitely bring again:
- Homecoming Outfit + Booties – Feltman Brothers
- Hospital Door Sign + Markers
- Gingham Swaddle Combo + Hat – love this swaddle and bassinet sheet combo! So cute for the hospital bassinet and now we use it in his stroller bassinet at home!
- Newborn and 0-3 Footies – we only used the newborn size, but good to have another option in case NB doesn’t fit!
- Egg Night Light – one of my top recommendations! Great for middle of the night feedings, we still use this every night at home!
- Sound machine
- Car seat and base
What we brought, but didn’t use:
- Name Gown + Hat – for pictures, we ended up doing these at home!
- Monogram Blanket – for pictures
- Mittens
- Pacis
- Lovie
- Socks
- Lotion
- Nail clippers – sweet boy came out with LONG nails… I probably should have used these, but I was too scared!
- Burp cloths
- Boppy – I mostly used the pillows from the hospital, I found them to be more comfortable to nurse.
- Bottle
____________________________________________________________
Mom:
What we used and would definitely bring again:
- Pillow – cannot stress this one enough, bring your own pillow! The hospital ones are not the same quality and you’re going to want your own to be comfortable!
- Makeup
- Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, body wash, deodorant, perfume, lotion, makeup wipes, chapstick, vitamins, eye mask
- Hair – brush, comb, ponytail holders, clips, scrunchie, hairspray, dry shampoo
- Stanley Cup
- BF Dreams Blanket
- Sandals
- Mirror – I brought my little travel mirror and was really glad to have it when I did want to get myself together, I could stay in bed and use it on the tray table!
- Homecoming Dress
- Slippers
- Lake Gown
- Lake Robe
- Green Maternity Gown
- Nursing Bra
- Bath Towel + Wash cloth
- Shower flip flops
- Post-Partum Care – peri bottle, nipple cream, dermoplast, ice packs
What we brought, but didn’t use:
- Pump – I didn’t use, but if you plan to pump early on it may be worth bringing for if/when the lactation consultant comes by your room!
- Delivery Gown – I had great intentions of wearing this gown to deliver in… I waited because I figured a fresh pair of clothes after a long day of labor would feel good, but then I was hooked up to too many wires and cords to change at that point!
- Underwear – I used what the hospital supplied!
- Some Post-Partum Care – for the most part I used what the hospital gave me and kept these things to use at home. I was glad I brought my own peri bottle because I didn’t care for the one from the hospital. I also was glad to have dermoplast because they didn’t supply it, and the Frida ice packs were also huge! The hospital did supply plenty of pads, underwear and tucks pads though!
____________________________________________________________
Dad:
** I kept the list for Drew short and sweet. I figured he is a big boy and could pack accordingly with clothes/socks/toiletries etc! One thing I would add to this list is another blanket! I brought one for me that he ended up mainly using because I kept the room ice cold and he needed it more than I did!
- iPad
- AirPods
- Toiletries
- 2-3 outfits
- Pillow
____________________________________________________________
Extra:
- Chargers
- Camera
- Tripod
- Portable Speaker – after a long day of labor and lots of ups and downs, I broke this out a little while before delivering to play some worship music on a playlist I made specifically for that day. It was so calming and such a good way to prayerfully prepare myself for the next steps. Highly recommend this!
- Extension Cord
- ID’s
- Insurance
- Journal with notes – my notes from my child birthing classes, however I didn’t end up ever looking at them! I don’t think any amount of “notes” can really prepare you for the ups and downs of delivering a baby!
- Alpha cord box – we opted to do cord blood banking and this was all of our supplies for that!
- Nurses Baskets – a treat for our labor and delivery nurses and they were so grateful!
- Pendant for Bassinet – the sweetest ever!
- Baby stroller fan – another top recommendation because I was SO hot throughout our stay and a few days into PP. I would probably bring a bigger fan the next go round!
- Extra tote bag to bring things home – if you’re an over packer like me… this was definitely needed!
- Snacks
xx,
Madison
