Prepping the Hospital Bags - Round Three

Three years ago I published a blog post on what I was packing in my hospital bags for the arrival of my son. That post makes me laugh out loud now.

In reference to my previous suggestions, I'll be making the following changes this time around:

We'll be taking one bag to the hospital with us, just one. There's not really a need for more than this. In this one bag there will be Mom's items, Dad's items and Baby's items. Let's break that down now.

Mom's Items

• Pump Cleaning Soap

• Pumping Bra

• Depends x5

• Silk Robe (I'm extra, I know)

• Button Up Gown

• T Shirt Dress for Leaving

Dad's Items

• Gym Shorts x2

• Sweat Pants

• T Shirt x3

• Underwear x3

• Socks

• Ball Cap

• Hoodie

Baby's Items

• Car Seat

• Bring Home Outfit + Spare

• Bring Home Blanket made by Nonna

• Gift for Big Brother

• Gift for Big Sister

Miscellaneous Items

• Basic Bathroom Needs / Toiletries

• Phone Charger

• Snacks

• Empty Collapsed Reusable Tote for Hospital Take-Homes

Not much has changed with what I will bring for Dad, he's stayed the same the past four years, but there is a significantly less amount of things I will bring for myself and the baby. It turns out you do in fact get smarter each time you bring a child home. I look forward to comparing notes again when we bring a fourth kid home in a couple years. Just kidding! Or am I?

The reality is, EVERYTHING is provided for your baby by the hospital. You need clothes to take them home in and a car seat, that's all. Diapers, creams, wipes, clothes, swaddles, hats, first aid needs, bottles, and anything else you can think of is at the hospital waiting for you. So at the very least, take a collapsible tote you can fill with freebies when you leave! No need buying diapers, when the hospital can set you up!

For the mama, unless you're planning on a photo shoot in the hospital or a parade of visitors, you'll want to be naked (or almost naked) most of the time. You'll be constantly bare-chested for skin to skin and breastfeeding. And the hospital will load you up with diapers and panties for your own needs. All you need is a gown or robe or both (my preference) for when you do have visitors, and a dress to go home in. I continue to suggest going home in a dress because things don't always go as planned, and an unexpected c-section will leave you regretting that you brought pants to wear home.

We really make it harder than it needs to be (I'm looking at you Pinterest and Instagram). So much of what we see online is just extra work. Your child will not hate you if you do not wear matching newborn and mommy outfits and they will not hate you if you forget to take a professional photo of them with a custom wood carving of their birth stats. Parenting is hard enough, and birth is harder, so I'm making the decision to require less of myself this time and soak up those fleeting newborn moments.

Good luck, Mama!

Anslee