Packing for the Hospital {JIAD Style}

Since this is my third time packing for a hospital trip to have a baby,
I thought I could share some tips today with you on what I pack and why!

Ok, because packing for the new baby is SOOOO much fun,
here are some things I am taking for Hollis to the hospital.

1. Cute newborn hats!
(The hospital ones are ok for when they are JUST born… but as soon as they are cleaned up, I like to put my babies is cute hats!)
(Buy these cute newborn hats from Infanteenie Beenie)

2. Onesies and gowns are a must!
(Make sure to pack plenty of outfits because newborns potty a lot and the diapers never seem to fit well around my babies’ super skinny thighs… so that means lots of leaks!)
Don’t forget a special coming home outfit!

3. Diapers and Wipes case to keep in Hollis’s bassinet.
(They provide diapers and wipes at our hospital, so I do not take diapers and wipes with us, just cute cases to keep them in!)

4. Lovies.
(For each of my babies, I start sleeping with their lovies a few months before they are born. That way they smell like me and if for some reason we are separated, they can have their lovies with them! – This came in very handy when Cliff was born since he went straight to the NICU… and yes, his lovies went with him!)

Make sure to take a few burps to clean up any mishaps that may occur!

{Burp Cloth Tutorial}

And don’t forget baby blankies and swaddles!
(The hospital blankets are not my favorite…)

(Purchase a personalized blanket from The Monogrammed Marketplace)

Of course, you will need a car seat for the baby to ride in when it’s time to go home!

(Purchase a cute car seat cover from SewCuteInAZ)

A nursing cover is also a good thing to take for when visitors come by and you are nursing the baby!

{Purchase this nursing cover pattern from Ruffled Begonia – be on the lookout for this nursing pattern giveaway soon!}

Speaking of nursing,
here are a few breastfeeding essentials that will accompany us to the hospital:

{Purchase the Personalized Nursing On Demand Printable from JIAD on Etsy!}

Let’s start from the left and work our way to the right!

1. Medela tender care hydrogel pads are the BEST thing EVER, especially the first week or so when your nipples are sore.
(The lactation consultants at the hospital gave me a TON of these after Cliff & Harper were born, so I will ask them for some again, but I am packing these just IN CASE they are out of them!)

2.I always take a little notebook to write down when the baby nurses, which side she started on, how long on each side, when she poops and tee tees also! I record all of this for at least the first few months…totally OCD, I know!
(This time, I also downloaded a nursing app that records all of this for me, but I like to save these little notebooks in their baby books!)

3.Lansinoh HPA Lanolin is a MUST the first few months of nursing!
(The nurses usually have plenty little trail sizes of this, but I am taking it just in case!)

4.Nursing Pads go with me to the hospital too!
(My milk usually doesn’t come in until I get home, but I always take a few just in case!)

5.A cute sign to put in the baby’s bassinet so if they HAVE to go to the nursery for some reason, the nurses will know NOT to give her a paci or bottle!
(I exclusively  nurse my babies on demand so this is VERY important to me)

I also recommend taking a Boppy too!

I also take presents for the older siblings from the new baby!
(These gifts also happen to have the ability to provide some serious entertainment while I am nursing the new baby!)
A little gift makes the older ones feel special!

Wanna see what’s inside?!

A cute door hanger for the hospital door is also a must on my list!
I wanted something different from the standard bow with the baby’s stats on it this time,
so I made this:

Isn’t it fun?!

I am also taking gift baskets for the nurses stations at Labor and Delivery and Post Partum! Nurses work SO hard and rarely get the credit they deserve,
so I wanted to bring them a little something special to say “thank you!”

{details on these are coming soon!}

Ok, now it’s time to see what I am packing for me:

1. Comfy, nursing friendly dresses and my favorite nursing gown EVER!
I like to pack dresses because I feel better when I am “dressed.”
These are very light and comfortable and I don’t know about your, but I do not want to wear anything tight for a while after baby is born!

2. Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, a hair dryer, my Chi hair straightener, my big round brush, deodorant, hair ties, makeup, lotion, etc.

3. Shoes and my “shower flip flops!”
(yes, showers that are in hospitals and hotels FREAK me out… so I have flip flops just for showering in these places)

This is one of the most important things we are bringing to the hospital with us:

Yes, we are banking Hollis’s cord blood.

WAIT!
I know you are thinking I forgot a few things…

What about undies?!
I wear those super HIDEOUS but super comfy mesh ones they give you at the hospital!
Yes, they are the most unattractive undies EVER, but who want’s to ruin cute undies after having a baby?! Not me!

What about pads?!
I use those GIANT ones they give you at the hospital for the few days we are there, then once we are home, I use “normal” pads.

Here are a few things I pack that are not pictured:
Purse and wallet with ID, insurance, cash, etc in it.
Medela Nursing Bras.
My pillow.
PJ’s.
Camera, video camera and chargers for both.
Snacks.
Phone charger.
Laptop and charger.
A robe (even though it will most likely stay in the bag since it’s sooo HOT here).

I think that’s about it!

What do you pack in your hospital bag when you have a baby?!?

UPDATE:
Totally forgot to mention a few KEY items for baby that a reader shared in a comment… OOPSIES!

Take the baby book with you!
That way the nurse can stamp baby’s feet prints right in the book and I always write in them during labor!

You will also need:
a baby nail file
(I like these over clippers because I am always scared that I will cut their little finger tips off with the clippers at first)