What’s In My Minimalist Hospital Bag?

I never packed a hospital bag when I had Lizzie.  My water broke at 36 weeks and I wasn’t prepared.  Should I have been prepared ahead of that?  Yes!  However, not being prepared might have been the best thing ever.  I didn’t overpack for the hospital.  I literally grabbed a few things, threw it in a bag and left the house.  Sounds chaotic, but it worked. I unknowingly created a minimalist hospital bag.

Heading into the second pregnancy I told myself I would be more prepared.  Am I?  No!  I’m almost 34 weeks and haven’t packed anything yet.  But I have been thinking about what to pack.  In fact putting this post together is my way of packing. So technically I’m packed 🙂

What’s In My Minimalist Hospital Bag?

Less Is More 

I’m a strong believer that less is more.  I don’t want to overpack for the hospital, but I want to be prepared.  I’m not going to be doing my full self care routine there, but I do plan on taking photos and am preparing for that.  And obviously I need clothes for the new little baby, but only an outfit for photos and something to go home in.  So here is my check list for packing my hospital bag.  And if I forget anything I can probably live without it or have Mike run to a store to get it.

What I’m Packing For Me

• ID and Insurance Card
• Makeup
• Hair dryer and brush
• Curling Iron
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Deodorant 
• Face Cream
• Chapstick
• Phone Charger, with an extra long cord
• Outfit to head home in (blanqi leggings and black nursing top)
• Robe for photos (I bought this one and have a matching set for baby)

What I’m Not Packing

• Water bottle – The hospital will have cups
• Socks – hospital grade grippy socks aren’t glamorous, but they work so use what they provide you
• Underwear, the hospital provide mesh underwear that you can throw out, so I’m just going to wear those home
• Pads – the hospital will provide those
• Bra – I plan on wearing my nursing bra there and will wear the same one home
• Shoes – what I wear there is what I’m wearing home (I’m wearing my Rothy’s)

 

What I’m Packing For Baby

• Gown, blanket and headband for photos (bought this one)
• Going home outfit (I couldn’t resist this outfit and blanket from Monica and Andy)
• Car Seat – Technically it will be in the car, but don’t forget this, you can’t take your baby home without it

What I’m Not Packing

• Clothes – the hospital provides clothes for the baby, while they are there
• Diapers – the hospital provides these 

 

Important Tip

I didn’t know this before I had Lizzie, but our hospital encouraged us to take everything home.  The most wonderful nurse told us to take everything we could.  She literally loaded up bags of diapers, pre-mixed formula, infant feeding syringes, nipple shields, pads and underwear.  I plan on stocking up this time around too! Knowing this in advance also reinforces my minimalist hospital bag.