ashleyd /

Hospital Bag Essentials

Leading up to Katie’s birth on June 20th, Bo and I packed and repacked our hospital bag multiple times, trying to ensure it held everything the three of us would need for our stay in the hospital. While we hoped and expected that we’d be there no longer than two days since the plan was for a vaginal birth, we packed the bag as if we’d be there for four days in case I required a c-section.

During my third trimester, I put together a comprehensive list of hospital bag items which included suggestions from other bloggers, friends, family members, baby books and a Brooklyn Mom’s Facebook group I joined a few weeks before giving birth.  Now that I am a new mom, I wanted to share an edited list which includes only the items we used while in the hospital. 

Hospital Bag Essentials

Toiletries:

  • Dry shampoo
  • Face wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Lip balm
  • Shower Favorites for first shower after delivery – body wash, face wash, shampoo & conditioner
  • Body Lotion
  • Hair ties, barrettes or headbands
  • Basic makeup essentials (mascara, blush, foundation, concealer, eye liner, and lip gloss)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash
  • Dad’s toiletry bag

Snacks

Electronics

  • Extra long phone iPhone charging cord with wall adapter
  • iPhones
  • iPad
  • Kindle or Book
  • Nice Camera with CHARGED battery

Nursing Stuff

Image may contain: 1 person, baby and closeup

Clothes

  • Kimono outfit for baby to go home in
  • Blanket, hat and outfit for baby’s first pictures
  • Button down shirt for easy access to husband’s chest for skin to skin time
  • Flip flops or slippers you can throw out
  • Cozy socks with grip
  • Pretty robe
  • Going home clothes for me – comfy pants, easy shirt

Other Stuff

  • Pillow from home for me and husband
  • Washcloths
  • Lavender oil to put on washcloths
  • Car Seat
  • Health insurance, driver’s license
  • Two full-size blankets for mom and dad’s beds
  • Fridababy Fridet (so much better than squeeze bottle hospital gives you)
  • Extra bag for stuff hospital gives us

Your turn – Any questions? What items am I missing?

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Katherine Elizabeth Diamond

On Tuesday, June 20th at 10:56 AM our lives changed forever in the most wonderful way. Our family of two grew to a family of three when Bo and I welcomed Katherine “Katie” Elizabeth Diamond into the world. Born 7 lbs 7 oz with a head of dark brown hair and beautiful blue eyes, she immediately filled our hearts and has already brought us so much joy and happiness in just five days of life.

Since her birth, my world has personally been a roller coaster of emotions, as many of you warned it would. The first month is supposed to be one of the most wonderful but also the most difficult as every day I am learning something new and at this point, she seems so fragile. We’ve had daily pediatrician appointments due to her rapid 13% weight loss following birth, breast milk production challenges and her higher than normal bilirubin levels. These health challenges, as well as my raging hormones, have kept everyone on their feet, including Bo and my poor parents. I am so thankful for their incredible support, doing everything from reminding me to shower or making me a cup of coffee.

There will be a full birth story recap coming, including the wonderful notes and pictures that Bo captured during the process, which was far faster and intense than expected surging from zero to baby in just 12 hours which caught everyone off guard, including this mom who never had a chance to receive her epidural.

Thank you for the notes, warm wishes, thoughts, and prayers during this time and hope you continue to enjoy the guest posts.

Share Button
Follow: