In My Hospital Bag

I went in for my 33 week appointment today and found out this baby may be coming sooner than I expected. Bitter sweet. All I can think about is everything I have left to do (and believe me it's a lot). I've made a list...a long, specific list to help keep me on track but lately have not had the energy or motivation to go through and check those things off. Seriously, I put check boxes next to each item, it makes me feel like I've really accomplished something when I get to check a box.

One thing I need to start thinking about it my hospital bag. My first pregnancy, I reached out to my Facebook friends and got a lot of great advice about what to bring to the hospital. Luckily I thought to make a copy of that list. So here is what they said:

·      Chapstick

·      Gum

·      Pack of depends (for when you get home)

·      Light robe

·      Your pillow from home (Make sure it is NOT in a white case, you'll forget to take it home!)

·      Something to keep you entertained

·      Something to snack on after you have the baby

·      An outfit for the baby

·      A receiving blanket

·      Camera

·      Nursing bra

·      Lansing nursing pads

·      Sweats

·      Nursing top

·      Wear the mesh underwear they give you

·      Sandals or slippers to wear in your room and into bathroom,

·      Regular underwear to put over the mesh underwear they give you (helps hold the pad in place),

·      Toothbrush and toiletries

·      Comfy clothes to go home in

·      Baby outfit

·      Snacks

·      Pads and nursing pads for when you get home

·      Boppy

·      Tube of Lanolin

·      Sleep nursing bra

·      Nursing cover

·      I would bring your own underwear because those mesh underwear just feel so yucky

·      Colace stool softeners

This was all great advice. Pick and choose from this list and you should be set. Some things are a given, you should already know to bring those. Just bring what is going to make you comfortable!

This is what I actually packed in my bag:

• Snacks: Do you know how nice it was to have snacks? Very nice. My favorite were the chocolate covered raisins, for some reason those just hit the spot. I also packed granola bars, jerky, mini gatorades, and trail mix. It was so nice to have snacks already in our room so my husband didn't have to leave and get food. This tip was given to my by my uncle (who has 8 kids), he obviously knew what he was talking about.
• Boppy: I liked having my Boppy there while I was trying to figure out what the heck I was doing. However, the lactation specialist that was there helping me just folded up pillows and had me use those. Apparently she had her own way of doing things. So if you want bring it, if you don't feel like lugging it around, leave it. 
• Sleep nursing bra: I got the Lamaze Cotton Spandex Sleep Bra for Nursing and Maternity. My sister-in-law recommended this one to me and I really liked it. I assume it would be helpful when you have milk coming in; I never felt mine come in so I don't know for sure, but it sure was comfortable! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002K6F7AA/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• White noise: I brought my son's Gentle Giraffe with us to the hospital and I ended up using it the whole time. This time I am prepared with my White Noise App. Sleeping in a new place, and a hospital none the less can be difficult. Listening to rain and thunder noises helped to relax me and put me to sleep.
• My own pillow: This made a huge difference for me, I love to be comfortable (who doesn't?). I had something from home that was very comfortable- a lot more comfortable than the ones they keep at the hospital. Like it says above, just make sure you don't have it in a white case because it will blend in with all the other pillows and you will forget about it! Same thing goes with staying at hotels.  Mine had a brown case on it so we were ok. 
  
•  Pads: In the hospital I used the pads they gave me. They are huge and diaperish, so don't freak out.  If you don't want to feel like you are wearing a diaper, you can get regular pads and use those. You might be bleeding a lot at first so the huge hospital ones are good for that, but as it gets lighter your pad can get smaller.
• Comfy clothes: Unfortunately ladies, you will not automatically go back to your pre-pregnancy weight and body immediately after giving birth. I know, it sucks, but you should know. So don't bring your pre-pregnancy jeans to wear home or you'll have to go home in your hospital gown. Although, I do have 1 friend who said she did this, I don't think it is common. I brought my yoga pants and was surprised at how snug those were. Just think comfort. I'm tell you, it's the key. Your body will be sore, your boobs will hurt, you will be exhausted. Don't worry about getting all dolled up and buying a new "going home outfit" for yourself. You won't want to wear it. You will want to be in your PJs so as soon as you get home you can go from the car to your bed. Believe me! Also, I had friends who said it made them feel human again to get out of that hospital gown and into regular, comfy, people clothes.
• Slippers & flip flops: I don't know about you, but every time I shower in a public shower I wear flip flops. Who knows who the last person was that used it, and what kind of fungus they possibly could have had. No thank you. I'll just wear my $2 Old Navy flip flops and keep my feet fungus free. I also brought slippers to wear around my hospital room. From my bed, to the baby, to the bathroom, to my bag, and back; it was probably only 30 steps round trip but I bet the hospital floors aren't that clean either.
• Chapstick: This really did come in handy, for some reason you get inexplicably parched while in labor and in the hospital. Even though you have your huge pink mug to drink from, chapstick is nice to have on hand. 
• Baby outfits: I brought a pair of jammies and a coming home outfit (which was a pair of jammies, I like to keep things simple. Also they were just so darn cute). I kept my baby in the little half shirt thing the hospital provided nearly the whole time because it made changing diapers a breeze. This time I am going to bring a few layette gowns that I blogged about in my last post. Still easy access to diapers but gives baby a little more coverage. 
• Jacket: Bring a light-weight jacket, hospitals can get a little chilly. Plus your body is going through a lot of changes so who knows how it will react. I packed one in my husband's bag and he wore it nearly the whole time.

I packed all my stuff into a rolling suitcase to make it easy for my husband to move. :) I'm sure he appreciated it.  I actually also packed him a little bag. His was filled with snacks and a change of clothes. I know he appreciated that. The hospital only fed him a meal once and then it was up to us to get him fed.


I hope this list is helpful as you start packing or thinking about packing your hospital bag.


Moms, what are some things you loved having in your hospital bag??

Baby Essentials

I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant with baby #2, and I'm just one out of MANY friends who are expecting. Since most of them are expecting their first, I want to share with them my list of baby essentials; the things I wouldn't want to be without. This is based off my personal opinion and I am not being compensated by any of these companies for promoting their products (unfortunately).

So here it is! In no particular order...

1. Tommee Tippee Bottles. They are awesome. I never intended to bottle feed, but apparently my body had a different idea. These bottles were a life saver. I tried a few other brands that had been given/mailed to me and my son would not take them. When you look at it, it makes sense. This is shaped more like a real nipple than other bottles. I got these because I was still trying to nurse and was concerned about "nipple confusion". These were recommended to me by a friend who nursed and also pumped and used bottles when she needed to. I was also able to switch back and forth from nursing to bottle feeding with no problems using these bottles.  
2. Bottle Warmer. Again, if you are planning to bottle feed at all, get a bottle warmer. You aren't supposed to put formula in the microwave (at least that is what my nurse told me), and if you heat it on the stove it takes forever and usually gets too hot. This is the similar to the bottle warmer I have, I think this is just a newer model. http://www.target.com/p/munchkin-high-speed-bottle-warmer/-/A-10863477#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=munchkin+bottle+warmer
3. Breast Pump. A good breast pump will make your life easier. I got the Medela Pump in Style on a recommendation from a friend who loved hers and used it constantly. I liked that it came in the backpack so everything was in one place and easy to transport. I used the ice pack and cooler all the time when I was traveling. The best part was that it is a DOUBLE PUMP. Talk about a time saver. It is expensive, but worth it. Save up those gift cards from your shower, or beg your mom because you will love this. Here is the link to the one I have (can you tell I love Target?) http://www.target.com/p/medela-pump-in-style-advanced-breast-pump-with-backpack/-/A-10762066#prodSlot=medium_1_31
4. Nursing Pillow.  I had a Boppy and I loved it. Although I didn't nurse for very long, this was still nice to have while bottle feeding. It helps keep the baby in a comfortable position, and I would use this while we weren't feeding and just have my baby close to me but my hands free. My husband also enjoyed using this pillow while holding or feeding our baby. Here is Jett enjoying our Boppy. Don't worry, I never went far, I was folding clothes on our bed.
   
    
5. Petroleum Jelly in the squeeze tubes. If you are having a boy and planning on circumcising him, grab a few bottles of this stuff to have on hand. It's way easier and more convenient to apply than a regular jar of Vasoline or those little foil squeeze packets they give you in the hospital. This will make everyone feel better, especially your husband if he is helping change diapers. 
6. Baby Gowns. Yes, I dressed my son in a nightgown to my husbands horror. BUT, when you are getting up multiple times in the night to feed and change diapers, these things make that job much simpler and more efficient. My husband came to realize this and thought they were great too, it was just a little shocking for him to see our baby boy in a "dress". When I was buying these I had a hard time finding newborn size, so I got 0-6 months. Size 0 is small right? I had no idea, but newborn is much smaller and the right size for your, well, newborn. Here is a link to a 2-pack Target has for a really great deal. I don't know how long it will be around for, even I'm thinking of buying another set for this new baby! http://www.target.com/p/circo-newborn-boys-2-pack-gown-blue-grey/-/A-14900915?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14900915&CPNG=Women&kpid=14900915&LID=22pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14900915&gclid=CLew8KflnL4CFYlafgod0noAyQ
7.  Diaper Bag. I have awesome aunts and an awesome grandma who knew that I wanted a Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack so bad, so for my shower present they got me one. Aren't they great? It's my favorite bag. I've had it for 2 years and it still looks brand new. It holds a ton of stuff. It has a zip down, fold out changing pad with pockets for diapers and wipes. My favorite part about the bag is that it comes with the shoulder strap AND backpack straps. I love it. It is so convenient. Look on Craigslist or watch out for Petunia Pickle Bottom sales, these bags are definitely worth the money. Here is a picture of the one I have.
   
 

This is as much as my pregnant mind can think of at the moment, but I'm sure there is more. If you are having or have had a baby, make a list of things you love because later you'll forget it, like I started to. :) 

 Question for all you moms out there, what are some of your baby essentials?