just another hospital bag checklist.

if you know me at all, you know that hospital bag checklist posts bore me to tears. maybe it's because most times they are full of laughably unnecessary items? maybe it's because i'm not the kind of person who does my hair or makeup after giving birth? maybe it's because i know that the baby doesn't even wear clothes until you leave the hospital? it could be any and all of those things."so why are you writing a hospital bag checklist post then erin?", you might be wondering. good question person reading this post! because i realize that some people like these, and also that some people have never packed a hospital bag for delivering a baby before and might want this information from someone who's done it a few times. i have whittled my hospital packing down to one bag for me and the baby (plus pillows), so i've improved my process since the first round. and since i'm here to please, here it is, my "what to pack in your hospital bag" checklist.there are a few key things to note about my experience packing a hospital bag:

1. i have always packed for an uncomplicated birth experience. meaning, i've always packed my bag under the assumption that my births will go smoothly, and that i will not need to spend more time than necessary in the hospital (so no more than two days or so). i also assume i won't need any out of the ordinary comfort measures. if you know that you are going to have a c-section, or like to be more prepared for unexpected scenarios, you will need to pack more things (for c-section recovery, or more clothes, etc.).
2. the hospitals i have given birth in generally have good amenities. i've been able to take baths right after giving birth and the hospital has given me lavender bath salts they have on hand. they have nice big showers+bathtubs in the rooms, they always have more than enough diapers and pads, and have generally been very close by a target or our home. so i don't necessarily pack too many "extras" unless i'm happening to feel like i really want it. this time around i actually am bringing some essential oils and my homemade bath salts along because i saw them when i was packing and it just felt right.
3. i am a very casual person. i rarely do my hair on a regular day, so i definitely am not doing it right after i give birth. i also wear minimal makeup in the hospital, because i'm smashing my face up into my babies face and it all comes off anyway. i do shower and take baths because, obviously, but otherwise my personal care needs are very minimal. if you are the type of person who loves to blow dry their hair and would take their entire makeup collection to a desert island with them, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that (in fact, i wish i were more like you), you will just need more than is on my list.

what to pack in mom's bag

• labor outfit (could be a nightgown, a labor dress, or a robe) - i usually start in a cozy nightgown like this one, but let's be really real here. once i take a bath during labor, i remain naked as a jaybird until that baby is out of me. for all of you out there giving birth soon, this is a real thing that happens to many of us and it could happen to you.
• nursing bras and sleep bras - soft cotton nursing bras are a great thing to labor in as well if you keep your dignity better than i do.
• nursing tanks
• robe for wearing during the day
• cozy socks or slippers
• your largest, oldest pairs of underwear (two pairs) - because it gets messy. and might as well bring the underwear you're okay throwing away, especially if you don't like the mesh ones at the hospital. but you will also need them for leaving the hospital.
• sweatpants or yoga pants that fit when you were five months pregnant - contrary to what social media and tv might show you, you do not shrink down immediately after giving birth. you leave the hospital looking about five months pregnant, so make sure the clothes you bring fit you at that point.
• comfy tops that fit when you were five months pregnant - button-down shirts worn open over a nursing tank are a pretty great option to make nursing efforts simple if you're trying to nurse, and are guaranteed to fit.
• toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup, facewash, hair products/hair ties, etc. - this will differ from person to person, you know yourself best and what you should bring. don't forget glasses/contacts if you wear them.
• laptop, phone, camera, and chargers - you usually have to notify your work when you have the baby, and you'll want to send emails to people that the baby arrived and it's nice to have all this stuff with you.
• your own pillow
• your birth plan/preferences - keeping in mind that a birth plan is really just a way to show your birth preferences and NO birth plan will ever go exactly as written, i have been told multiple times that your written preferences actually are helpful to the nurses so you don't have to repeat yourself when shifts change.
• snacks - protein bars, dried fruit, trail mix, etc. you get hungry and the vending machines/gift shop get spendy. also probably decide where you're going to get your first meal from that isn't the hospital (mine is always jimmy john's!).

what to pack in baby's bag

• car seat - do not forget this.
• going home clothes - short onesie, footie sleeper, hat, blanket
• swaddle blankets - our hospitals have them, but i like to use our own.
• boppy/nursing pillow 
• sleepsack (optional) - our hospitals have them, but i've brought them as well just to be safe.
• sibling gift (optional) - if this isn't your first baby, it can always be helpful to bring a gift from the baby to the older sibling to start the bonding/endearing process. William gave Amelia a daniel tiger coloring book and a little toy, it doesn't have to be big.

what not to pack (but what many lists tell you to pack)

• photos and things to make the hospital feel more like home - in my opinion, this is a waste of space. a hospital room is a hospital room and you're not going to be there very long, so leave these at home.
• baby book - that can be filled out during naptime later on.
• books or reader tablet - i'm sorry but you're either sleeping or feeding your baby or staring at your baby, who has time for this?
• diapers and wipes - our hospital had these, so will yours. and you should use/take as many as you can because you're paying for it.
• bath towel - motherhood is going to be a rude awakening if you need to bring your own towel instead of using the one at the hospital, i'm just saying.
• birth ball - please lord, call your hospital first. if they don't have one, then fine, bring it, but please don't haul that crap in with you if you don't need to.
• more than one outfit for the baby - unless you're having newborn photos taken at the hospital you want a special outfit for, the baby is just in a wrap shirt and blanket from the hospital.
• pajamas for you - honestly, you kind of just wear comfy clothes at all times, then change in the mornings, so true pajamas aren't really necessary.
• pads or adult diapers/hemorrhoid pads/nipple cream - maybe it's just the hospitals i've been in, but they have had all these things at the hospital. save yours for your at home care kit.

what to pack in your partner's bag

• who cares - they're a grown up, they can do it themselves.

well, if you're still here, congratulations! you made it through the packing list. along with my completely necessary commentary that turned into insider education on what it's like to give birth. i am nothing if not a TMI giver. if you've had a baby before, what else would you bring or leave at home? if you've never packed a hospital bag before, is there anything you're wondering about that i didn't touch on here? let me know in the comments!

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