I cannot believe I just typed out those words and we are already so close to welcoming our baby boy to the world!! I am so excited for him to be here, I started making a list weeks ago of everything we needed to have ready and have slowly been adding to my suitcase. I will never take for granted how great of a husband Matt has been supporting us through this experience. Before I had even packed my suitcase or asked him to pack his bag, he came in and said to me, “Alright what else do we need, I’ve got this, this, this in my bag, it’s pretty much done”! He always brings me peace of mind in stressful situations.
As we have all felt in one way or another, times are a little different these days. COVID is still impacting hospital policies making my packing list just a tad longer than normal. With only 28 days until my due date, it takes away all the worries of feeling like I’ll forget something when we have everything packed up and ready to go!
This is what I know as of now as far as hospital policies: only one support person is allowed to accompany me, my support person can’t leave and come back once we are admitted, no visitors allowed at all, I will be tested as soon as we get there and they will assume Matt has the same result as me. If I were to test positive, we would be sent to a different floor for COVID patients and have to wear masks the entire time. Fortunately, I did recently find out that they are not separating mothers from babies anymore, which I think is the right move. If I test negative, we would go to the regular delivery rooms and only have to wear masks when people are in the room but not while pushing. That’s good news! I could not imagine.
Generally speaking, I’m known for packing a little more than I need to on a normal day, but I will just say this, it is all about what makes YOU feel most comfortable for during and after delivery. Most of these things I’m 99% sure will be provided by the hospital, but a lot of what I’ve packed are things that will bring me comfort and are just nice to have and, of course some cute outfits for the 3 of us to have for pictures. You know me! I also used these packing cubes to organize everything in compartments for my suitcase.
I have been very fortunate to have my sister-in-law, Chantel, go through this before me (twice now) and be able to share so much wisdom with me and pass down lots of cute baby clothes and things that we will need! You have been so helpful!! I love being surrounded by so many wonderful mommas who have shared their experiences and try their best to help prepare me.
First, I’ll start with the list for Mom:
- Medicines: Prenatal, Probiotic, Fiber, TUMS, Tylenol – I take a prenatal vitamin, probiotic, and fiber everyday and TUMS usually comes in handy at nighttime when I start to feel heartburn so I’m bringing all of these things plus Tylenol if Matt needs it because I don’t think the hospital provides spouses with any meds. I have heard mixed things about whether or not hospitals let you take your own medicine, I’m packing ours so we don’t get charged crazy amounts for Tylenol if we can take our own.
- Glasses, contacts, contact case
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
- TULA skincare
- Make up, make up remover
- Travel shampoo & conditioner, brush, hair ties, hair dryer
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lotion – what I’ve always used haven’t gotten stretch marks yet!
- Lip balm
- Deodorant
- Baby Be Mine Hospital gown and Pillowcase (matching set with baby hat and swaddle)
- Baby Be Mine Gown to change into after delivery – A friend recommended to get short sleeve gowns so that your IV’s are easily accessible for the nurses. Just bring a sweater or something to wear if you tend to get extra cold.
- Caden Lane Robe
- 3 Target short sleeve button down night gowns
- Sweatpants – probably won’t wear but packing in case I get cold
- Comfy slippers, no slip socks, compression socks
- Shower flip flops and towel
- Nursing bras and the True & Co V Neck bras from Target (the most comfortable bras I have ever owned)
- Going home dress from Kinley & Mal – this dress feels like a blanket and is the softest material!!
- Stay Dry disposable nursing pad
- Earth Mama nipple butter, breast shields, breast pump
- Dermoplast
- Tucks medicated cooling pads
- Always Discreet postpartum underwear (adult diapers)
- FridaMom Instant Ice Maxi Pads, FridaMom Perineal Cooling Pad Liners, FridaMom Peri Bottle
- 2 extra long phone chargers for Matt and I
- Camera, camera bag, tripod
- Diaper Bag
- Steamer (probably won’t use but bringing for Matt’s polos just in case)
- Snacks (almond protein granola bars, Cheez-Its, fruit snacks, beef jerky), water bottles, YETI, Gatorade
- Cheap pillows for Matt and I
- Cards (keep us busy and distracted)
List for Dad (lol at how much shorter his list is than mine):
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
- Deodorant
- 3 t-shirts – Dada shirt linked here
- 1 polo
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- Athletic shorts, golf shorts, sweatpants
- Socks, and underwear
- Towel, sheet, and I’m packing the Barefoot Dreams blanket for him so he will be comfy when he sleeps
- Coins for the vending machine – I would be surprised if the vending machines don’t have an option to pay with a credit card, but I’ve read this a lot so we’ll bring some change.
List for Baby:
- UPPAbaby MESA infant car seat (installed and ready to go in the car)
- Owlet Smart Sock (will practice using this in the hospital to make sure we know exactly how to use properly before we leave)
- Hatch sound machine (good to have a small light so you don’t have to turn on the overhead light when nurses come check you and option to turn on sound if needed)
- Boppy pillow
- Fitted sheet for the bassinet they place him in to sleep
- Hospital announcement sign
- Soothies
- Barefoot Dreams blanket
- Swaddle and hat set that matches my gowns
- Personalized gown and hat set for newborn photos from Etsy
- Welcome to the World onesies from Jason & Alona
- Swaddle and hat set from Milkmaid Goods
- Gown and hat sets from Caden Lane
- Going home outfit from Goumi Kids
- Socks, mittens, burp cloths
I am also bringing a basket full of goodies for the nurses including Cheez-Its, Fruit Snacks, Nature Valley Almond Butter Biscuits, gum, mints, and I got a few Starbucks gift cards to say thanks. This really isn’t necessary, I have just heard from several friends who did this and said how much the nurses loved it. I hope this will make them feel appreciated!
You can watch my video stories on Instagram to see me walk through everything we packed in a little more detail, here. I will save them to a highlights tab so you can go back and reference it at anytime. I hope this is helpful for any soon-to-be mommas like me in thinking through your list of what to pack! If there is anything I have forgotten, please feel free to let me know in the comments. I will share another post after he is born of what we actually used.
Here’s to the official countdown!! We love you so much and can’t wait to meet you, Baby B!
