Packing Our Hospital Bags
My second take on a niche craft
Finally, finally the calendar has flipped to July, to a month I’ve never loved before now, for the heat and the wet air, the dry grass, the thirsty flowers have ran me inside. But this July is the July my second baby is born, the July we spend on a walk after dinner every night, watering our petunias and sweet potatoes, a quick spray of the hose’s mist feature on the girls as they wait in the wagon to go inside and get ready for bed. This July, we’re spending the daytime inside, my hands on my tummy, just feeling for him, wondering when he might decide to come.
Our suitcase is rolled into the hallway corner, packed except for a few last minute things. When Kit was born, my water broke in the middle of the night. I called my mom and asked what in the world we should do, for whatever reason, the concept of my water having broke not crossing my mind. All I knew was that something happened, something that would require a hospital. And I had never been so thankful to be able to get dressed, grab already meticulously packed bags, and leave within the hour. Of course, I’m hoping for the same thing with baby boy!
And of course, as a first time mom, I overpacked, but as a worrier, I never truly believe overpacking is possible. Perhaps a nuisance once you realize everything will go to plan, and you don’t need five pairs of pajamas, but I’d rather be prepared. A few months ago, I started a list of things I wanted to do differently, things we could bring to make our experience better. The first item scribbled down was a pack of Clorox wipes, after my shocking discovery that hospital recovery rooms really weren’t cared for the way they should be. And really, I could’ve left it at that, substantially improving our experience overall. But Price and I mulled it over for a few weeks, adding ideas along the way. And tonight, I feel confident in our readiness, confident in my tight, contracting tummy, my inching closer and closer to meeting him, as if a hospital bag can really determine that.
Cozies:
Two pairs of comfies…opting for one of my favorite Lake pajama sets and a heavenly lounge set I want fifty pairs of from Abercrombie. Kit was born at night, and we didn’t really settle into our post-partum room until close to eleven. The epidural hadn’t completely worn off, my sheets hadn’t been changed, so I waited to shower until the morning, when I could get back into clean bedding and something soft to wear. I remember being worried to bring nice pajamas, but once I was there, I wished I had!
Two Piyama lounge dresses…really, these are two options for going home, or a back-up in case baby dirties one. And given we have a big sister visit this time around, I wanted to have something sweet to wear for such a special moment! I’ll pack a pair of sandals, too. Not my Vejas like last time…the swelling post-birth is really unbelievable.
A pair of cheap slippers…a common theme you will pick up on in this list is my leaning toward disposable items. Our stay in the hospital last year left me especially traumatized at how dirty everything felt…the couch Price slept on, the bathroom, the bed, the floors, just every inch of space we had. So there are quite a few items I’ve opted to purchase with the intention of leaving behind. Slippers and shower shoes being one of them. I picked up these gray options and flip-flops for Price and I to share!
Suitcase, pouch, hanging organizer, travel cubes
Necessities:
Postpartum needs…the hospital typically provides everything you need, but I am packing the Frida mom boyshorts and the peri bottle, and my favorite overnight pads.
Cosmetics…I’m keeping it simple here. No makeup bag (given I only wear makeup these days on Sunday mornings or visits to the doctors office), no extensive skincare routine. I’ll pack what I need to take a good shower, wash my face, refresh my hair and spin it into a bun or pull into a clip (I am about to start giving myself blowouts every two or so days though…last time, I showered right before we left for the hospital, and my hair looked pitiful the entire time! I would love if I had done a fresh set of rollers the day or so before, so all I have to do is brush it and I’ll look put together!)
Two sets of cheap (but not as cheap as the hospital) bath and hand towels…the towel situation was incredibly grim with Kit. Too small, too stained, too reminiscent of the smell of bleach, which I suppose is a good thing given where we are. So this time around, I bought two $4 towels from Walmart with matching hand towels, entirely unashamed with my intention to leave them in the room when we are discharged.
A flat sheet and blanket for Price’s “bed”…again, the state of cleanliness his sleeping arrangement was in with Kit was so alarming, I’m coming prepared with a cheap flat sheet to lay on top of the couch turned bed. This way, he doesn’t have to worry about cleaning the crevices of such a nasty situation before trying to go to sleep on it. I found one for less than $10 on Amazon.
Travel Clorox wipes…for an initial wipe down of the bathroom, countertops, faux leather seating in the room. You just never know.
Stroller fan…I didn’t use one for Kit during her delivery or afterwards, but given the heat of July this time around, I’m coming prepared! We have two of these and use them constantly…in the car, on walks, around the house.
Extra-long phone chargers
iPad and Kindle…we didn’t bring any type of entertainment or time-passer last time, and I wish I had! I find it strange to think of casually reading a book or watching The Office while something as monumental as having a baby is underway, but what else is one to do?
Disposable camera…we filled two up last time, taking pictures of all our hospital visitors, our parents in the waiting room, little moments once we got home. Something is so very nostalgic about those pictures!
Snacks for afterwards…I had a leftover Subway chocolate chip cookie as my one and only meal post-birth, until the next morning. And given my gestational diabetes diagnosis, I want to come more prepared in the case baby boy comes in the middle of the night and my large chocolate custard with Oreos and fudge brownie has to wait. So I’m packing a few Barebells protein bars, a bag of pretzels, and a large bag of Brookside chocolate-covered pomegranates.
For baby boy:
Coming home outfit…the take-me-home bundle from Kissy Kissy, the very first thing I bought for him!
Two onesies
One nightgown, a monogrammed one from the brand Paty
Two plain kimono onesies
Potty pads & bags…since the day Kit was born, we’ve been using puppy pads on her diaper changing table and potty bags for her dirty diapers to help with the smell and clean-up. Only wet diapers go in the diaper pail! And both are especially helpful when you are away from home, and it’s easier just to bag everything up and throw it away.
Philips Avent pacifiers
Two swaddles, one Halo and one Aden & Anais
Diaper bag, pouch, and train case
For a complete list of my hospital bag links, you can shop everything here!