WHAT I PACKED IN MY HOSPITAL BAG

A few weeks ago, as I was nearing my due date, I got a lot of questions about what I was packing in my hospital bag. Although I didn't pack my bag until about a week and a half before San was born, I spent about three weeks before that compiling a list of things I needed, and then tweaking it as time went on. 

I can hardly remember what I packed in my bag with my boys, but this time around I ended up having nearly everything I needed, and didn't end up with very many unused things. 

Here's what I brought: 

• Slippers/Socks: I'm sure the hospital floors are cleaned every day, but I still liked having a pair of slippers to walk around in so I wasn't barefoot. But if you don't have slippers, bring a pair of socks or flip flops. I brought two pairs of socks anyway so I could wear them in bed when it was freezing cold in my hospital room (which I knew it would be).
• Robe: After wearing an ugly hospital gown for hours and hours, I really wanted to be able to put on something fresh and pretty. This gorgeous robe from Pretty Plum Sugar was perfect because it's incredibly soft, allows for easy nursing access, and made me feel so feminine and pretty. Plus, it's a great coverup for when guests come visit in the hospital.
• Heavyweight Cardigan Sweater. Another thing to keep me warm. I brought a big chunky one and slept in it both nights when I was freezing.
• Compression leggings. I know a lot of people like pajamas, and I do in the right setting. But after delivery when you are wearing giant pads and mesh underwear, a pair of loose pants might be comfortable, but personally I prefer a pair of pants that's super tight and keeps things from feeling saggy. I brought both of my compression yoga leggings and they were perfect.
• Sleeping Bra. The moment you start nursing, you're going to want to start using a sleeping bra. This one is incredibly soft and comfortable (size up one size if you're nervous since the band around your ribcage runs a little small).
• Nursing Bra. This isn't an essential actually because you could just use your sleeping bra the whole hospital stay if you don't want to switch to a regular one. I brought mine, mostly for my coming home outfit.
• Coming Home Outfit. Wear a pair of pants to the hospital that you can wear home. I brought this pair and was happy to wear them home since they didn't have a giant belly band, but still gave me extra room while my uterus was still swoellen.
• Nipple Cream. An absolute essential. Do not forget this. And do start using it before you even deliver! Someone gave me this one for my shower and I've loved it.
• Toiletries. This is all individual to each person of course, but I made sure I brought my makeup, toothbrush, dry shampoo, deoderant, a hair tie, and makeup remover wipes. Also my hospital didn't provide any shower gel or shampoo -- I wish I'd known inadvance so I bring my own.

For the baby. The hospital provides nearly everything you need --- diapers, wipes, blankets, clothes, etc. So really you don't need very much.

• Swaddling Blanket. We've already tried a ton of different brands with San, and although there are pros and cons to each one, I really love the Solly Baby Swaddle. This one has a lot of stretch in it so it makes keeping him bundled really easy and he loves it!
• Coming Home Outfit. We kept him in his little white hospital tee for the entire time until it was time to go home. Then it's so fun to change him into his first real outfit.
• moccasins/socks. Something to keep those new feet warm!
• Baby Nail Clippers. Those babies are born with razor claws. Our hospital didn't provide clippers, so it was helpful to have a pair on hand when he popped out with super long nails!

Miscellaneous:

• Camera and charger. Don't forget this! We had my friend, Tara, come photograph us in the hospital, but I was still glad to have my own nice camera to get some other shots of the baby when she wasn't around. Don't forget an extra battery or your camera charger!
• Phone charger. An essential -- your battery will be drained in a second with all the texts and calls you'll get with a new baby. So don't forget that charger!
• Snacks. My hospital provided three meals during the day for me, and although they were nice meals, there were hours in between when I had no food and I was starved. I was glad to have brought a bag of granola bars, cookies, fruit leather, nuts, and a few other snacks so I could eat them throughout the day when my newly nursing body was desperate for food.

I'll be sharing some postpartum essentials on the blog in the next few weeks too, so make sure you check back and don't miss it!