If you are packing for your little one to arrive, it can feel so overwhelming! It feels like you need to bring everything, but there are some hospital bag must-haves you will want to be sure to pack.
I have always been a huge planner, so I literally plan everything months in advance for when I deliver and basically everything else in life, haha.
Before my firstborn, I did a lot of digging to see what I needed. However, I had to look so many places to be sure that I didn’t miss anything. Now, we are on baby number two, and I have slightly recreated my list because there is no reason to overpack!
As my rule of thumb, you want to pack a month in advance because you have no idea if the baby will come early. Although, if you meet with a high-risk doctor, they may say your baby will come early. In this case, I would have everything ready a month and a half in advance of your expected induction date. That way, you are prepared and do not feel overwhelmed.
If someone has to bring your things to the hospital, you may forget, or they may miss some of the hospital bag must-haves and things you need.
Around the time you pack your hospital bag must-haves for baby, make sure you have a rear-facing car seat for baby to come home in that is set up in your vehicle. You will not want to wait on this, trust me!! Also, when preparing your hospital bag, make sure you plan for the weather and time of year.
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Here are all of the hospital bag must-haves for babies that should be in your bag before you head to the hospital.
Hospital Bag Must Haves to Pack for Baby’s Arrival:
Two Swaddles: After spending almost ten months in your womb, your baby still craves the comfort of its mama. Having one swaddle may do just fine. Two is to be safe, just in case an accident happens, and clothes get dirty. We swaddled our first baby with the hospital blanket. I now realize that having swaddles for the hospital is what your baby will live in until you go home. We are prepared for our second. Milkmaid goods have my favorite swaddles. For a little girl, I love swaddles with prints, and for a boy, I love neutral or pastel color swaddles.
Two Onesies:
When your baby is swaddled, you can choose to wrap them in a onesie or just their diaper. You will want a onesie when you go home and an extra onesie for backup. If the baby is cold, you may find they wear their onesie until the day you leave or after their bath.
One beanie and headband:
Because hospitals are cold, you may want to cover their little ears with a beanie, which the hospital provides as well. We used the hospital beanie until the day we left and put a headband on our baby girl. Because we have a boy this time around, and he is born in spring we will bring a beanie just in case. If your baby is not due during the colder times of the year, you may not even need a beanie to go home.
Pacifier:
Whether or not you nurse, your baby finds comfort in sucking something between feedings. Our firstborn was not a fan of a pacifier and only used it while in the hospital. The second time around when I nurse, I plan on giving baby boy the Nuk pacifier most nursing moms love and swear by.
Mittens and socks:
Another way to keep the baby warm while in the hospital are socks and mittens. These mittens are perfect for newborn baby girls, and I love these for our baby boy arriving in March 2022. Our firstborn clawed her face so much, so mittens are something we have used every day in the first year. Make sure to fold it inside out and check for loose hair to keep babies fingers safe.
Burp cloths:
If you have any visitors or want a way to clean up any breastmilk when nursing, you will love these super soft burp cloths.
Our second baby, which is a boy, came by such surprise. So I have reflected on how I will better prepare for hospital bag must-haves the second time around.
I hope this helps you when packing all your hospital bag must-haves!!
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