The Hospital and Diaper Bags

I've been wanting to do this for a while. Make a list of what I put into my hospital bag and diaper bag for when Squirt comes. The first time I had Little E I definitely over packed. This time I do plan on using most of the hospital stuff, but I also packed my own things for comfort just in case I change my mind. I also packed at 30 weeks just because Little E I went into preterm labor at 28 weeks and had him at 36 weeks so I just wanted to prepare for that possibility even though I definitely don't have a feeling Squirt is coming early.

Here are my 2 bags. The diaper bag for Squirt on the left and my hospital bag on the right.

My Bags

I'll start off with what I packed for myself in my hospital bag. I just used a small "under the seat" carry-on type bag that I have. This way there isn't a huge bag to tote, and Big E can just grab that for now and leave the diaper bag in the car for later.

A Samantha Brown bag, it's not the greatest, don't purchase, but it gets the job done.

Back Pocket

1. Always infinity heavy pads

Side Pockets

 2. Nursing cover

3. 4 sets of disposable breast pads

4. Lanolin

5. 2 sets reusable breast pads

6. Flip flops

Top and Lower Front Pockets

7. Wallet and cash (for vending machine)

8. Small pouch with hair ties, bobby pins, 2 sizes of headbands, hair clip, chapstick, and lotion

9. Toothbrush and toothpaste

10. Hairbrush

11.Q-tips

12. Vaseline (for dry lips and skin if the lotion or chapstick isn't working)

13. Deodorant

14. Ponds face lotion

Inside of Bag

 15. Heading home clothes (t-shirt and pants with a small stretchy band for early pregnancy)

16. PJs for hospital stay

17. Postpartum wrap

18. Underwear (that I can throw out)

19. 1 nursing tank and 1 regular tank (cheaper and I can turn it into a nursing tank)

20. Socks

21. Nursing bras

22. Slippers

23. Gum

24. Shower supplies (face wash, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, travel body puff)

25. Night time nursing bras

You don't need things like pads, but I didn't bleed much after Little E (even the day I had him) so I was able to use a regular flow thin pad and my own underwear I brought with no problems. It was nice instead of using the thick ones from the hospital and feeling uncomfortable in them since they bothered me more than my own. Also lanolin and breast pads may be supplied by the hospital (lanolin was at my other hospital with Little E) but I bring them in case. As well as you can wear the hospital gowns the entire time, I just like to wear something when visitors come (which I'm limiting this time).

I advise limiting visitors because it's just an added stress to have people constantly coming in. That's also a reason I'm bringing a nursing cover, bras, and tank top because last time when I was trying to nurse so many people were coming in and out (not nurses or doctors) without knocking while I was half naked trying to breastfeed that it completely discouraged me (along with other things). 

Otherwise you can get away with very minimal things.

Now onto the baby's items.

JJ Cole, $50 on Amazon. I wanted something kind of cute to carry with 2 little ones

Front Zip Pockets and Big Pockets

1. Stroller straps and shoulder strap (they came with the diaper bag)

2. Binkies (AKA Pacifiers)

3. Pacifier strap

4. Hand sanitizer

Back Pockets

5. Travel baby wipes

6. 2 size 1 diapers

7. 2 newborn size diapers

8. Cloth wipes (for covering boy parts during diaper changes)

9. Changing pad

Main Compartment

10. Heavy blanket

11. Light blanket

12. 2 receiving blankets (for spit-up or whatever happens)

13. Muslin swaddle blanket

14. Wet bag (usually for cloth diapering but since we're not doing that as of yet this time I use them for dirty clothes)

15. 2 bibs (Little E constantly spit-up and I'd forever be changing him if he didn't wear a bib)

16. Winter hat

17. Gloves

18. 2 pair socks

19. 0-3 month sleeper

20. 0-3 month outfit

21. 0-3 month romper

22. Newborn sleeper

23. Newborn outfit with coat.

Same as with the hospital bag I don't need so many blankets or even hats or gloves, so they may come out depending on the weather. I'm used to weather in April in Northern NY being so cold still that you need to bundle up (and it's still snowing). So if it's warm down here I'll take them out. I'm bringing some newborn diapers because Little E was 4 weeks premature and the hospital only had size 1. You know how annoying it is to put a too big diaper that has tabs that overlap onto a newborn and try to avoid the cord stump? Not so much fun. As well as so many coming home clothes because of possible spit-up, blow outs, or size he is at the time.

Speaking of those coming home outfits, I'm really liking the dinosaur items this year so that's basically the theme. I chose to throw a romper in in case it's extremely hot (again, considering we're in the South this time and not the North).

0-3 Month Outfits

Newborn Outfits

I didn't prepare anything for Big E. If he wants to stay he can head home and grab some quick items or have his parents bring them when they come visit at the hospital and bring Little E. Otherwise he'll be going home at night to tuck Little E in because I think it may be hard for him to not have both parents all the sudden at home. We'll see how it goes.

I'll also be throwing chargers, my cameras, and maybe the iPad or kindle in there too. Last time so many people were walking in and out and wouldn't leave that I didn't have much time to myself while Little E was sleeping. This time I'm hoping I get a break to nap during the day while Squirt is and have time to relax after just having a baby.

Also, here's to 5 more weeks left. I'm so glad this pregnancy is going so well this time.

Jalee

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