Hospital Bag Pt. 5 Free Hospital Bag Checklist!

Hospital bag checklist- free print.

To wrap it up with the Hospital Bag I want to give you all a free printable checklist.

Feel free to share this print with your friends and family, and Pin away on Pinterest! 

I want to wish you luck with your pregnancy, delivery and motherhood.

Download this Checklist from my Dropbox!

xoxo, Chels.

Hospital Bag Pt. 4: What to pack for Daddy and older Siblings.

 Hey! I am continuing my Hospital Bag Must Haves. You can read my original post here.

I also shared my Mommy needs & Baby needs earlier this week.

Today I want to share what Daddy and older Siblings might need.

Daddy and Opal December 2013

Let's start with Daddy.

Toiletries: 

• Toothbrush. He can use the toothpaste packed in your bag. 
• Glasses and contacts.

Clothes: 

•  Pajamas- something comfy.
•  Spare outfit.

Pillow and Blanket:

• I am not sure if it was just the hospital we were at, but they didn't give my husband a blanket or pillow. His first night was miserable. I am making sure if Dillon stays the night with me that he has these things.

 Snacks: 

• Energy drinks: Men usually are not good at staying up. Thankfully my husband is now a veteran dad and knows how to hang with me when nights are rough. But I am still packing a Red Bull or two for him. It has been a while since we had a newborn on our hands.
• Energy bars: Specialty, granola, whatever he prefers, pack them. It'll help.
• Jerky: Because, men.
• Gum: Useful to help with the long hours of labor, and putting a baby to sleep can take.
• Coffee cup/ Thermus: I am having my husband brew himself some coffee and put it in his huge Thermus the day of our C-section so that he has coffee on hand.
• Chips/ cookies: Cheaper to buy your favs at the grocery store than in a vending machine.

 Gift:

•  Some people like to give gifts to new daddies. I say, if you wanna give the daddy in your life a little something to hold on to from the day his baby was born, do it! I am thinking of doing something for him this time around. I didn't do anything with our first. I think even something little like a card or letter to express your love and gratitude for his support and telling him how great of a dad he is going to be is great. 

Electronics:

• Camera: memory card, charger, batteries if needed.
• Camcorder if you use one.
• Cell phones and chargers.

Now, what do my older children need?

So, I know *most* people usually have a babysitter for their children on call for the big day. But for others, like me, if I go into labor before my mother in law flies in, Opal is going to the hospital with us. I already talked to the DR.'s about it and they've said as long as I don't go into a C-section in that event, she can stay with me the whole time. So, in that scenario- these are the things that will be packed for her.

Movies and books:

• I would be packing Frozen and Tangled, along with our Disney Junior DVD's.
• Portable DVD player if you have one.
• Her favorite books would definitely be going.

2-3 small toys:

•   I would pack several small toys that aren't too obnoxious. So, things like a toy car, teapot and cup, and babydoll.

Coloring book & crayons:

• This is a good quiet way to pass time for just about anyone. This is a must.

Snacks & Drinks:

•   Cheaper and healthier to have these with you than in a vending machine. Just don't forget to pack an empty sippy cup if needed.

Blanket, stuffed animal, pillow, security item:

•  Just like with daddy, they may not provide these things for your child if they're tagging along. so bring the blanket and pillow in the car for daddy to run out and grab when needed.
• My daughter has a big stuffed minnie mouse that she takes everywhere. This would be a must have for the situation. The hospital can be a scary place for a toddler. A security toy/ blanket/ whatever would definitely help their stress level.

Comfy clothes/ extra clothes.

• Comfy is best. Bring pajamas if they nap. Socks and slippers are good so that they don't want to be barefoot. (gross)

Diapers and wipes, (if needed).

•  My daughter is still in diapers, so I would hate to have to send my hubby to go buy these last minute because we forgot them.

Gift. 

•  We are buying our daughter a gift, that we're giving her the day she meets her brother. We decided on some bubbles, play jewelry, Princess Rapunzal dress, and a card. We are getting her these items because ultimately they'll help us at home once we are busy doing other things. I will be nursing a lot, so I can watch Tangled with her in her princess dress. I'm excited for her to open her gift from her brother. It'll be so exciting for her.

I hope all of this helps some of you who just don't know where to start with packing. I will try to add to this, and maybe even add some photos once I pack these items :-) 

 

 xoxo- Chels.

Hospital Bag Pt. 2: What to pack for Mommy.

 

 Hey! So last month I made a general must haves post about packing my hospital bag! You can read that here. But I want to go into detail about what specifically to pack for mommy, baby, and the family over this next week. To begin, lets start with Mommy!

(Obviously you'll need your wallet and things like medications you're taking- if any. All of those obvious items, I am not going to mention here.)

Here is a little recap from the last post:

A pretty robe and nightgown.

I don't care what anyone says! That hospital gown makes you feel so gross and it isn't flattering at all. It doesn't look pretty in the photos, and I don't care if I stain this. I bought it to boost my confidence for the hospital and it really will do just that. Purple is one of my happy colors. I recommend taking something in a color that makes you feel amazing and ignore the "you'll stain it somehow" remarks. Who cares! I want to feel and look pretty while in that bland hospital.

Comfortable sleep nursing bras.

I have some old ones that I had from nursing Opal, but I bought this new set for the same reason as above. New stuff makes me feel special and pretty. I didn't have this style of sleep bras yet, so that is exciting to. It is going to do the job of making my uncomfortable engorged boobies feel as awesome as possible.

Undies.

Personal preference. But the day I go home I am most definitely not wearing those mesh undies. I am going to feel like a normal woman in some normal undies.

Nursing pads.

Washables will stay home, I am only packing the disposable ones.

Slippers.

Walking the halls is a necessity. Pack some slippers! I bought these to match my robe, and I haven't wore them once. I am saving them to add to the "new makes me feel awesome" feeling.

Socks.

The hospital's compression socks aren't all too flattering either- so I'm taking these. Hopefully I wont be as swollen this go-around, and they'll fit.

Glasses.

Don't forget to pack these if you need them!

Lip balm.

You'll need this for sure. Hospitals are dry and if you're like me and lick/ bite your lips while nervous or anxious- you'll definitely need it! Ha-ha!

Water bottle.

Your hospital will have large foam cups that the nurses and your partner or family will continuously bring you full of yummy ice water. 

So what else does Mommy need? Toiletries and Nursing items!

Nursing Pillow.

  I have used a Boppy, My Brest Friend, and those free ones that you get emails about.

My personal preference has been the My Brest Friend- I love the back support, strap, pockets, how wide it is for baby, and how the baby is actually supported and not rolling into or away from you like they can with the Boppy. I have this specific pillow in "Blue Bells".

Nipple Butter and Pads.

I chose Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. It is all natural and safe for you and baby. You don't have to stress about wiping it all off before each nursing sesh. I'll probably use it as my lip balm too. Babies R Us carries it in stores AND you can now finally buy this in stores at Target, too!

Check out all of their products for:

Breastfeeding care here.

Postpartum care here.

I like these NUK pads because of how thin they are. You can't see them through your tops. They work great, and they don't come apart like some others that I've tried. The price point on them is really great too.

Skin care.

I have a really serious thing about taking care of my skin. I break out and am allergic to a lot of products/ makeup. So I will be taking my face wash routine, some makeup remover wipes, and a facial cleansing wipes to keep my face from breaking out while I am in the hospital.

I am also taking a body wash and small moisturizer for my face and hands.

Deodorant- because duh.

*not pictured- shampoo and conditioner. Take these with you if you plan on washing your hair during your stay. I am taking a shower cap because I will wash my hair the day of my surgery and wont need to wash again during my stay.

I ALSO RECOMMEND SHOWER SHOES. TAKE SOME FLIP FLOPS TO WEAR WHILE YOU SHOWER IN THE HOSPITAL!!!!!!  

Hopefully your hospital is clean, but you just never know with public showers. I don't do germs.

Eye care.

I mentioned above to take your glasses, but don't forget to pack your contacts, their case, and a small solution for them. I love my contacts, so these are definitely going.

Oral care.

 Take your toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. I am taking Listerine in the travel size also, because you just never know if you'll be stuck to a bed for a long period of time unable to brush your teeth properly.

Make up.

Some women will want to wear makeup, others wont.  There are usually professional photographers who will come by and offer to take photos that you can later purchase. Having these items on hand is good if you plan to do this.

 Hair Care.

If you plan on showering (and washing your hair) you'll likely want to pack shampoo and conditioner. I am having a scheduled C-section so I will be washing my hair the day of and styling it. I am taking a shower cap because I only wash my hair every 3 days. :-) If I need these products my house is close enough to the hospital that my hubby will bring them to me.

I am going to try to do my hair and makeup every single day of this journey because that is what I feel will make me happy. I want to feel and look my best. I am going have the professional photos be taken this time around also.

Nursing tops.

 If you're going to be nursing, take a couple tank tops even if you're planning on a short stay. You never know when your milk is going to come in, and you may leak. I hate being in a top that has a bunch of dried milk all over it. It just feels nasty.

Dress from Target.
Jacket is from Gap.
Necklace from Charlotte Russe.

Handbag: gift.
Sandals are from Payless.


Going home outfit and shoes.

 I am having a C-section, so I am packing a light and very loose dress. I don't want to wear anything tight or touchy on my scar. I'm taking sandals the day I go in, and will wear them returning home too.

For the lovely ladies having a natural birth- leggings and a top are optional for you. Definitely pack clothes for a size 5 or 6 month belly. You're still going to have a pretty swollen tummy while your uterus is in the process of shrinking.

I do recommend packing a dress just in case. You never know how your birth will end. 

I had no idea I was going to have a c-section the first time around and had to wear leggings and a tight top home. I was in so much pain and was uncomfortable. I truly wish I packed a dress to go home in just in case.

DRESS: FOREVER 21  SHOES: TARGET

TUMMY BAND: MOTHERHOOD

Tummy Sleeve/ Band. 

I am taking mine with me to hold my belly up. I wasn't a fan of the Abdominal Binder that the hospital gave me last time. It hurt and was too large for me. I am going to use this and if I end up wanting something more supportive I will buy the smaller binder from Babies R Us. Last time though, this did the trick and I could still breathe.

Ipad/tablet with favorite movie(s).

Your hospital should have the option to pay for cable during your stay. I am going to do this again, but I am also taking my Ipad with my current favorite movies. It will help to pass time and take my mind off of things if needed. Especially during the times my hubby may be at home napping or spending time with Opal and I am alone at the hospital. 

Pillows.

I don't think I am going to take pillows from home with me, but I am going to keep two in my car. Why? Because I am totally taking others' advice about hugging one pillow, and sitting on another on the ride home. Having that C-section wound is going to have me all sorts of sore. I remember every bump on the drive home was so painful, so I hope this tip really does help.

I also want to share a link to my Pinterest board that I have been pinning some advice from other bloggers.  

 

        

I'll continue to add to this as much as possible.