This post was sponsored by NursElet, but all opinions are my own.
Just four years ago, I was in the hospital having my 2nd daughter. She was supposed to be born on a Monday, but came on her own on a Friday. Thankfully I had time to swing by my house to get my hospital bag, but this time my hospital bag will be traveling in the truck with me.
My girls are only 2.5 years apart, so I knew exactly what to do to prepare.
Four years doesn’t sound like an incredibly long period of time, but when you are talking about babies, it can feel like the stone age. My kids are both school age and potty trained and can do a significant amount of tasks on their own.
They actually can play together long enough without fighting (most days) so that I can nap.
Now that baby #3 is on the way, I’ve felt a little nervous about adding a baby to the mix–and a boy!
My mom tells me it’s just like getting back on a bike, but there’s so much to remember, like what to put in my hospital bag.
I have most of the basics, but believe it or not, I had to check out a few checklists to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. I’m pretty type A, so I packed my hospital bag a few months ago, but I’m putting the finishing touches on it to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
This time around my house is 2 minutes away from the hospital, but who wants to be inconvenienced when you’re already there? I’m also having a c-section, so I want to be sure I include all the essentials to keep me comfortable.
Hospital bag essentials for me:
Nursing pillow: This is the first time that I’m bringing a nursing pillow to the hospital. When babies are little, they often nurse for long periods of time. It’s so much easier to have a pillow to prop your arm up against, especially in those first few days after birth when you are already worn out.
Pjs: Having pjs that are nursing friendly is extremely important.
Nursing bras/tops: If I don’t feel up to putting on pjs after the surgery, I can just slip a robe over my nursing bra/top & voila! Instant comfort + nursing accessibility!
Slipper Socks: After a c-section, it’s mandatory that you walk around, so slipper socks keep my feet warm (and clean) while I’m walking up and down the hospital halls.
Toiletries: (toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, mouthwash, scarf for my hair): Call me picky, but my husband and I are particular about what products we use on our skin. I’ll have my own handmade soap on hand and all the beauty products I need to feel clean and refreshed after delivery.
Snacks: To me, hospital food is definitely no where near home cooked food. My family will be popping in and out and I’m sure they’ll bring me things to eat, but while I’m waiting, I decided to pack a few of my own favorite snacks this go round.
Diffuser/oils: Why am I putting oils in my hospital bag? Well, I’m the mom that says, “There’s an oil for that.” I’ve been reading the Gentle Baby book and brushing up on the best oils for postpartum and baby. I want to feel relaxed while I am recovering, so you better believe I’ll be diffusing oils in my room, starting with Lavendar, Gently Baby, Patchouli just to name a few. Want to learn more and start your own natural, oil journey? Click here.
NursElet: This little bracelet is a name changer. How many of you have ever nursed, took a nap, then forgot which side you nurse on last? I can’t tell you how many times that happened to me. Those moments of amenesia will now be a thing of the past thanks to NursElet. It also fastens your shirt up to instantly turn it into a hands-free nursing or pumping shirt, even if it wasn’t designed that way.
Hospital Bag Fun for the Kids:
A gift for my girls: To celebrate their transition into being big sisters, I am bringing a gift for each of them. This will help them feel significant in a moment that many kids need reassurance. I am the oldest of 4 kids, and I remember feeling left out after my first baby brother was born.
A dry erase board/markers: They will be in school during the day, but I’m sure they will want to spend a few hours in the hospital room with us. At 6 & 4, I am anticipating that their attention span will wane in the room. The excitement of a new baby brother will wear off, so I’m bringing an activity that will keep them busy (and hopefully out of trouble).
What would you add to the list??
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great list! New Mama Bottom Spray is great for (well, your post-baby bottom areas) but also a great air freshener/happy mist for hospital room with stale air. Natural and mild. But for sure the excitement in my bag was having gifts for my visiting girls.
I have never heard of this spray. Where do you find it?