My List of 6 Items Moms Forget to Put in their Hospital Bags
1. Pack snacks! Dad will need to keep his energy up during a long labor and he doesn’t always have time to grab some food. So make sure to pack some granola bars or other quick snacks for he won’t have to leave your side. Also be sure to pack some snacks for mom for when the baby is born. If baby is born at night, you might not always get food until the next morning. A great labor snack for mom is honey sticks. It won't violate the hospital no-food policy during labor and still gives a quick energy boost.
2. Pack breastfeeding supplies. Bring a nursing pillow and your breast pump if you already have one. It is so important to get off to the right start with breastfeeding so bring anything that can make that easier. A good nursing pillow helps to get mom and baby into a comfortable position. And sometimes when baby does not latch right away or baby needs to stay in the NICU, it is great if you can pump some colostrum so your breasts will be stimulated to make more, and baby still gets that liquid gold! Also pack plenty of breast pads, a nursing bra and a nursing tank top.
3. Bring a baby nail file and/or mittens. Babies are born with surprisingly long nails. And since they love scratching their faces they will need some protection. Put some little mittens on them those first few hours or days until you muster up the courage to clip those little nails. A tip: clip or file them when baby is in a deep sleep and won’t wiggle so much!
4. Bring clothes for mom and baby. For mom pack some clothes that fit you when you were about 6 months pregnant, that will be about the size you are right after giving birth. Make sure they are comfy and loose so they wont put too much pressure on your sensitive areas. And for baby bring some comfy newborn sleepers, no need to dress your 1 day old up all fancy just yet. And just in case bring some 0-3 size sleepers also because some babies are just born with a little extra rolls to love. Don't forget to pack for dad - often dads are able to stay with mom throughout the hospital stay.
5. Pack some swaddling and receiving blankets. Those sweet newborns love to be bundled up and swaddled. It is a big transition from the safe, cozy womb to the big world and that’s why babies feel so safe when they are swaddled.
6. Don’t forget your camera! Everybody has a camera on their phone but the quality is not always the best. Believe me, you’ll want to remember those little fuzzy hairs on your newborn and those sweet dimples everywhere. A nice camera can capture some beautiful moments those first few days.
2. Pack breastfeeding supplies. Bring a nursing pillow and your breast pump if you already have one. It is so important to get off to the right start with breastfeeding so bring anything that can make that easier. A good nursing pillow helps to get mom and baby into a comfortable position. And sometimes when baby does not latch right away or baby needs to stay in the NICU, it is great if you can pump some colostrum so your breasts will be stimulated to make more, and baby still gets that liquid gold! Also pack plenty of breast pads, a nursing bra and a nursing tank top.
3. Bring a baby nail file and/or mittens. Babies are born with surprisingly long nails. And since they love scratching their faces they will need some protection. Put some little mittens on them those first few hours or days until you muster up the courage to clip those little nails. A tip: clip or file them when baby is in a deep sleep and won’t wiggle so much!
4. Bring clothes for mom and baby. For mom pack some clothes that fit you when you were about 6 months pregnant, that will be about the size you are right after giving birth. Make sure they are comfy and loose so they wont put too much pressure on your sensitive areas. And for baby bring some comfy newborn sleepers, no need to dress your 1 day old up all fancy just yet. And just in case bring some 0-3 size sleepers also because some babies are just born with a little extra rolls to love. Don't forget to pack for dad - often dads are able to stay with mom throughout the hospital stay.
5. Pack some swaddling and receiving blankets. Those sweet newborns love to be bundled up and swaddled. It is a big transition from the safe, cozy womb to the big world and that’s why babies feel so safe when they are swaddled.
6. Don’t forget your camera! Everybody has a camera on their phone but the quality is not always the best. Believe me, you’ll want to remember those little fuzzy hairs on your newborn and those sweet dimples everywhere. A nice camera can capture some beautiful moments those first few days.
